The world of Mixed Martial Arts ring fighting may be in for a major mix-up as a new kind of arena fighting is gaining popularity. Arena Combat, which originated in Russia and is being promoted by Hip Show, is piquing the interest of sports fighters who want to up their game in a two against two team fight in a ring that is filled with obstacles that is reminiscent of “American Gladiator.”
Arena Combat had its first U.S. spectacle on Sept. 26, 2015 at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where MMA fans got to see first-hand the team fighting sport that may be the future of MMA.
According to Hip Show, Arena Combat follows the same international rules and standards set by MMA and teams can go head to head against opponents in the obstacle filled arena in groups of two against two, two against one, or even three against two.
Many fight clubs in Moscow are reportedly behind the project and, if CEO of Hip Show Arena Combat, Casey Oxendine, has anything to do with it, it will soon gain more traction in the U.S.
Oxendine revealed last year that he initially thought he'd be torn to shreds when he first proposed bringing Russia's Arena Combat stateside, but he was happily surprised to see it was met with support. Many MMA enthusiasts had already known about the sport from YouTube videos and Oxendine's English-dubbing of the events for Hip Show only made interest it is rise up even more.
Although there are opponents to Arena Combat who think it makes MMA lose credibility for turning it into a game rather than a sport, Oxendine sees it another way.
“The people involved in this now are pioneers,” he said as he explained that Arena Combat will appeal to those who watch MMA as well as obstacle course based game shows like “American Ninja Warrior.”
Jonathan Pearce was one of the fighters featured in Myrtle Beach during the first major Arena Combat event in the U.S. He said he thought the idea sounded fun and enjoyed the different kind of fighting the show brought.
“I really liked it. You do have to work with your partner a lot more. It’s a team sport, not an individual sport, and you’re only as strong as your weakest link,” he said.
As far as the fans are concerned, as long as there are fighters willing to go at it with obstacles in the way, then let the games begin!
