If anyone can remember back to the martial arts days of ‘Clash of the Titans’, where fighters from all styles were able to compete outside of their system and association and come together to find out who really was the most proficient fighter, they may well remember some epic tournaments. Well at last we have a return to a best of the best competition in ‘Combat 32’ where fighters from all styles are able to come together and compete in a contest to find out who is the current number one fighter around. Fighters ranging from freestyle kickboxing, karate, taekwondo and kungfu match their talents in an exciting and fascinating competition that is packed full of action and is a must for anyone interested in the striking arts and tournament sparring that isn’t MMA.

We open the DVD to an introduction to the basic rules of competition. This is full contact point-stop sparring with the fighters being stopped every time a clear technique is scored. Marks are awarded for kicks and punches above the belt with the competitor being rewarded more for head and airborne kicks. Sweeps and follow-throughs are also allowed making this a tougher mixed weight men’s competition that gives the informed audience an insight into what happens when world class fighters are pitched together in a fantasy league division.

However, do not be put off by the opening scene with the fighters entering the arena as this is the section that is most likely to irritate the serious martial arts audience. The favourite is clearly the young Michael Page who does enters in a limousine with the requisite trollops hanging off his arm and the ludicrous Mark Brown who is bizarrely dressed up as an impotent gladiator. With the adage of “think like a star, act like a star, innit!” from bling ridden Michael Page, he cannot assume that all martial artists have heard from him as before I viewed this DVD, I certainly hadn’t. However, all that aside, as soon as the competition starts the more interesting young Michael Page emerges as we see his true skill as a fighter do the real talking.

The competition begins with all 32 fighters divided up into two teams to embark on the first round. From the start we can see who the stars will be but all the fights are edited to show the highlights which makes viewing the competition more exciting as the pace isn’t allowed to slacken. The key phrase throughout the competition is ‘more traditional’ as although this is a mix of styles, it is far from a MMA bout that almost immediately goes to the ground, as the Combat 32 fights display their aesthetic technical abilities. Fighters of note are Jason Cashman, Dave Maddox and Rob Taylor but from the start you can tell the final is going to be the enigmatic skills of the smaller Robbie Hughes and heavier body-popping Michael Page. I won’t give the result away, you will have to see that for yourself but the opening round of the final is something to relish.

The second series of Combat 32 is due to take place at the European Festival of Martial Arts in Disneyland Paris in September and is an event that should not be missed, judging by the exciting and riveting competition sparring displayed in this 90 minute DVD.

Author Profile: Lesley Jackson

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Lesley Jackson, black belt and Taekwondo teacher is deputy Editor of Martial Edge.

Also by Lesley Jackson:

• Sneaking under the Wire
• Strictly Baby Fight Club
• Iain Abernethy