Hip Show: Arena Combat is a two-on-two mixed martial arts competition which takes place in a battleground aptly named the "Arena". This warzone resembles some sort of extremely violent children's leisure centre. "The Arena" includes five different obstacles which, according to the inventors of the sport, is supposed to simulate a real street fight.
Check out the highlights of the sports' first ever broadcast on American TV below. It really goes without say, but don't try this at home.
It might be very easy to write this off as a chaotic mess when watching this promo but there are rules and regulations to this event. Fights consist of three two-minute rounds. It works on a different points scoring system to traditional MMA. The 10-point must scoring system is not in effect. Fighters earn points through striking and grappling. Joint locks and chokeholds are prohibited in the first two rounds.
Head kick = 1 point
Dumping your opponent to the mat = 1 point
Joint lock/chokehold = 3 points
Knockdown = 3 points
Knockout = 5 points
The key ingredient that makes this sport unique is the use of the obstacle course to score points. Fighters are also awarded points for controlling the obstacles. To "hold a figure", both fighters from the same team must be on the obstacle for 10 seconds. This is not an easy task when you've got two tanks hurtling towards you literally trying to take your head off.
Oh yeah, one more thing. If your team mate gets knocked out during the bout the fight continues in a two-on-one format, with the fight being reduced to one round lasting a minute. good luck if this scenario arises, you'll need it.
Hat tip: Hip-Show
