Karate Combat Returns in 2019

Karate Combat burst on the scene in 2018 in a nondescript building in Budapest, Hungary, but with a unique production style, to rave reviews. Once that event aired, it was not long before they upgraded to the docks of Miami, Florida; a coliseum in Athens, Greece; and ended the year in style atop the One World Trade Center in New York City. Karate Combat blended the centuries-old martial art of Karate with the technology of today, and in 2019 they plan on taking their promotion to the next level.

According to press release from Karate Combat, the organization’s new structure will include championships and qualifying bouts to fight for those titles. CEO of Karate Combat Michael DePietro said, “We’re excited to expand Karate Combat in its second season with a more defined and expansive structure.”

In keeping with the unique and exotic locations that fans enjoyed in 2018, the promotion intends on going even further this coming year. They look to hold events in 10 locations across the globe in 2019, including stops in Japan, China, Brazil, France, and Italy, along with a few cities in the U.S.

Their first event will take place in Hollywood, California, on Jan. 24. This event will bring back first season standouts Igor de Castaneda of Spain and Jorge Perez of the Dominican Republic, who will meet in the main event. Co-headlining the card will be New York City’s Elhadji N’Dour facing Scottish newcomer Calum Robb.

Karate Combat events stream live on karate.com, on mobile apps or on their Roku channel. They have also gained broadcast partners including UFC Fight Pass, CBS Sports Live, DailyMotion, YouTube, Pluto TV, Eleven Sports, The Fight Network and Facebook Live.

Edward Carbajal serves as the lead MMA analyst for Frontproof Media and holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a brown belt in Ishin Ryu Karate. He has covered combat sports since 2014 and has been a fan of MMA since the first UFC. You can follow Edward on Twitter @Carbazel or at his website TheBlogBoardJungle.com.