Extraordinary world of martial arts

Martial arts have gained great popularity worldwide. However, not every country exclusively focuses on conventional forms of the sport. Since 2018, Poland has been hosting a unique type of fights known as “Freak Fights”, which had already been seen in other places earlier. Let’s explore this intriguing topic and its history.

The name “Freak Fights” comes from the various strange and unconventional conditions that certain federations use during fights. However, the promotion of the fights there didn’t receive the warm reception it anticipated, and by the late 1990s, it died down only to return after some time, this time worldwide.

These fights feature different rules and scenarios, such as battles between titled MMA fighters and internet personalities who gained popularity through unrelated content on platforms like YouTube. There are even fights where a 90 kg man faces off against a 272 kg fighter! These matches often characterized by lack of weight class restrictions and vary in terms of the fighters’ abilities, unlike professional MMA organizations, although exceptions exist.

Some sports experts believe that freak fights deviate from the professionalism of traditional MMA fights and weaken the true spirit of competition. They argue that these fight organizations draw experienced fighters away from legitimate sports federations, leading to a decline in interest for real and authentic competition.

In Poland, freak fights emerged between May and June in 2018 when two popular YouTubers, Wojciech Gola and Michał “Boxdel” Baron, established the “Fame MMA” freak-fights federation. At the beginning, Polish audiences saw various weird battles, like knights fighting with swords inside a cage or matches based on the “David vs. Goliath” principle. These unusual fights included a 55-year-old man with no prior sports experience gaining fame through controversial public appearances in press conferences and a 32-year-old talented and experienced actor who had a personal conflict with the older man. The actor had fought numerous times against other MMA players, including a professional fighter whom he defeated.

As time passed, the “Fame MMA” organization expanded and became more professional, with better venue choices and increased fan support. Despite initial skepticism, the federation succeeded through hard work and determination, gaining recognition even from professional athletes who began following and engaging with the organization. Later, other popular Youtubers or singers decided to open their new freak-fights organisations like ”High League”’ or “Prime MMA” and to be honest they got really good in what they do. Recently, a new martial arts federation called “Kingpynboxing” was established in 2023. It allowed popular influencers to showcase their MMA or boxing skills through fighting. However, the organization faced financial problems and rumors of potential closure after only six months, leading to concerns about its future.

For me, thanks to freak fights, the world of wrestling is now more exciting and recognizable than it was before they began. Although I haven’t attended any freak fight events in person, I’ve watched them numerous times through pay-per-view shows or with friends in special venues they rented. Every time we watched together, we experienced thrilling and emotional moments. Not only are the fights like an emotional roller coaster, but the press conferences are also intense, often involving heated arguments between fighters who will be rivals in upcoming events. These moments of tension sometimes even lead to unexpected fights between players, which further attracts more viewers. However, despite the excitement and recognition they bring to the world of wrestling, there is growing concern among critics that freak fights promote unsafe and dangerous behaviors. I don’t share this opinion because it’s a norm in the world of martial arts to have intense rivalries and conflicts. To address concerns about children or young people watching these shows, it is the responsibility of parents to be in control of what their kids watch.

Freak fights may deviate from traditional MMA, but they have carved out a unique niche in the world of martial arts, attracting both enthusiasts and critics alike. As the phenomenon continues to evolve, its impact on the sport and the fighters involved will undoubtedly remain a subject of interest and debate. To join and fight in freak-fight federations, one must be at least a bit popular in the MMA world or on the Internet but the rise of freak fights has encouraged many young people to step outside their homes and engage in boxing or MMA training, which is a positive outcome. It provides an alternative to spending excessive time indoors, especially playing video games, and promotes physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.

Marcel Mańkowski

Sources:

e.sport – kingpyn boxing oglasza bankructwo
love krakow.pl – Freak Fight – co to jest i na czym polega?