Karate Combat: Hollywood was broadcast live on January 24th from the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles. The full contact karate competition took place in front of a VIP-audience with Danny Trejo as pit announcer. Replays of Karate Combat: Hollywood and past competitions are available on the league’s site karate.com and on its iOS and Android apps. The event will begin streaming on Karate Combat’s Roku channel and with other distribution partners on Friday evening.
Luiz Rocha of Brazil won the Main Event, defeating Myrza Tebuev of Russia by split-decision in a Challenger Match, which means Rocha will move ahead for a chance to win the lightweight division’s Golden Belt later this year. In the Co-Main Event, Elhadji Ndour of New York City by way of Senegal beat Scotland’s Calum Robb by unanimous decision. There were two dramatic first round knockouts: Abdallah Ibrahim of New York City finished off newcomer Kevin Walker of Atlanta after only one minute with a head kick, and Brazil’s Teeik Silva knocked out Kevin Kowalczik of the United States.
“As always, the Karate Combat karate’s delivered again,” said Bas Rutten, who shared commentary duties with Sean Wheelock. “You literally see the fighters grow every time they fight. I’m so excited for the future of Karate Combat, everybody I talked to loves to watch it.”
Sitting in Karate Combat CEO Michael DePietro’s viewing platform were Lyoto and Fabyola Machida, Fabrizio Werdum (who was the first fighter to ever beat Fedor Emelianenko), and actress Olivia Munn. More famous fighters on hand included retired combat sports stars Frank Shamrock and King of the Arm Bar, Fabiano Iha. Martin Kove, who played the villain in the original Karate Kid movie series was joined by Cobra Kai TV series creators Jon Hurwitz and Josh Heald. (Kove has a role in the new series). Also on hand were Crazy Rich Asian’s star Harry Shum Jr., top L.A. chef Roy Choi, John Gourley and Zach Carothers of the band Portugal the Man, director Randal Kleiser (Grease, Blue Lagoon), Mortal Kombat series producer Larry Kasanoff, heiress Kaila Methven, model/actress Lexy Panterra, and rapper Dana Dane. Rocsi Diaz added live video interviews with the stars and fighters.
“It was an honor to commentate in such as phenomenal setting at Avalon, with a true VIP crowd in attendance,” said Sean Wheelock. “Bringing the Karate Combat pit to California took our fights to the next level, as we were able to be regulated by the outstanding California State Athletic Commission. It was a night where everyone involved rightfully feels extremely proud.”
Clearweather Brand was the sponsor of Karate Combat: Hollywood. The independent footwear company’s logo was printed in the center of Karate Combat Fighting Pit and fighters were provided with Cloud Stryk cross trainers.
Karate Combat is the first mainstream full contact karate league, holding events all over the world with top fighters. Innovative Heads Up Display features at karate.com and iOS and Android apps provide live stats including heart rate and other biodata features. Future events in 2019 will take place in Kyoto, Shanghai, Rio, Paris, Madrid, Miami, New York City, and in locations in Italy and Latvia.