Six cities. Four continents. 2,909 dojos, academies, and fight clubs. One question. What can a city's martial arts gyms tell you about its history? We analyzed 2,909 dojos, academies, and fight clubs across six cities on four continents, and found six distinct portraits.

Guest post

April 1, 2026

Skill Development

Resistance Training for Martial Artists, Backed by Science

The ACSM's 2026 Position Stand synthesized 137 systematic reviews covering more than 30,000 participants. Here is what the findings mean for martial artists who want to train smarter.

Guest post

March 26, 2026

Martial Arts Culture and History

Pancrase: The Japanese Promotion That Proved Real Fighting Could Work

Pancrase was one of MMA's founding promotions, launched in Japan in 1993 by Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki. Explore its origins, rules, legendary fighters, and lasting legacy in combat sports.

Guest post

March 25, 2026

Skill Development:

Resistance Training for Martial Artists, Backed by Science

The ACSM's 2026 Position Stand synthesized 137 systematic reviews covering more than 30,000 participants. Here is what the findings mean for martial artists who want to train smarter.

March 26, 2026

Uchi Komi, Nage Komi, Randori: The Judo Training Progression That Builds Skill and Protects the Body

Judo calls itself the gentle way, yet its injury rates tell a more complicated story. The training progression from uchi komi to nage komi to randori exists for a reason, and skipping it is where practitioners get hurt.

March 16, 2026

Muay Khao Style: The Art of the Knee Fighter in Muay Thai

Muay Khao is Muay Thai's knee-fighting style — close-range, relentless, and built on clinch mastery. From Dieselnoi's legendary reign to the training principles behind the style, this is your complete guide.

March 16, 2026

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Gear and equipment:

Tatami: Traditional Japanese Flooring for Modern Homes

Discover the rich history and cultural significance of tatami mats. Learn how these traditional mats are used in martial arts for safety and training, blending tradition with modern practice.

December 7, 2024

Protective Gear and Cauliflower Ear: Prevention and Treatment in Combat Sports

Explore the causes, prevention, and treatment of cauliflower ear in martial arts and contact sports. Gain insights into the role and effectiveness of protective headgear.

February 1, 2024

The Benefits of Using a Muay Thai Jump Rope for Fitness

Muay Thai jump ropes are thicker and weighted, making them a challenge for those who want to switch up their exercise routine. This type of jump rope was originally used by Muay Thai fighters for endurance and coordination, and it has since become a popular addition to fitness routines.

April 28, 2023

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Mind and body connection:

More Than Fighting: What Grappling and Wrestling Teach Me About Life

More than a fight; grappling teaches discipline, humility, and growth. Every round on the mats is a mirror, revealing who you are when things get tough.

Luke McIntosh

March 4, 2026

Martial Arts Brain Health: What BDNF and Neuroplasticity Research Reveals About Training

Neuroscience now confirms what martial arts traditions have always known: the mat is one of the most powerful environments for brain development. This article examines the science of BDNF, neuroplasticity, and what consistent martial arts training does to the brain across a lifetime.

March 3, 2026

Martial Arts Training Over 40: What the Science Says About Strength, Muscle Loss, and Staying Sharp

What does the science actually say about training past 40? Drawing on NIA research, clinical trials, and martial arts-specific studies, this article gives aging practitioners a clear, grounded picture of what happens to the body with age — and what the evidence says you can do about it.

March 2, 2026

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Weapons and traditional tools:

Found Weapons: How Martial Arts Training Unlocks the Self-Defense Potential of Everyday Objects

A glass bottle, a chair, a stone. Most people walk past dozens of potential defensive tools every day without recognizing them. Here's how martial arts training transforms found weapons from luck into skill.

March 12, 2026

The Makiwara: Okinawa's Striking Post and Its Place in the Modern Dojo

The makiwara is one of karate's oldest training tools. Discover its Okinawan origins, what it develops that modern gear cannot, and why serious practitioners still train with it today.

March 11, 2026

Are Nunchucks Effective? Separating Okinawan Tradition from Hollywood Myth

Are nunchucks actually effective weapons or just a product of Bruce Lee's legend? We break down the history, training value, real-world limitations, and legal realities of the nunchaku.

March 6, 2026

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Martial arts culture and history:

What a City's Gyms Say About Its Soul

April 1, 2026

Pancrase: The Japanese Promotion That Proved Real Fighting Could Work

Pancrase was one of MMA's founding promotions, launched in Japan in 1993 by Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki. Explore its origins, rules, legendary fighters, and lasting legacy in combat sports.

March 25, 2026

Wrestling Styles Explained: Rules, Techniques, and Which Style Forbids Holds Below the Waist

A complete guide to every major wrestling style — Greco-Roman, freestyle, folkstyle, catch wrestling, sumo, and pro wrestling — covering rules, techniques, and which style forbids holds below the waist.

March 9, 2026

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personalities:

Chuck Norris (1940–2026): The Man Behind the Myth

Carlos Ray Norris passed away on March 19, 2026, at 86. A tribute to the martial artist, the actor, and the legend the world built around him.

March 21, 2026

Why Usman vs. Makhachev Is the Right Fight, Even If Fans Don’t Realize It Yet

UFC 322 showcased Islam Makhachev’s dominance, but Kamaru Usman remains the welterweight who can truly challenge him. Discover why fans shouldn’t overlook this epic matchup.

Francisco Quinonez

December 1, 2025

Top 5 Instagram Accounts of UFC Hall of Fame Fighters from the Modern Wing

Discover the top 5 Instagram accounts of UFC Hall of Fame fighters from the Modern Wing, personally selected by the Combatpit team. Explore how these legendary athletes share their training, personal lives, and ongoing legacies.

November 16, 2025

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