L.A. Jennings
Anita Nisar Wants to be Pakistan's First Female MMA Fighter
But first, the 21-year-old who has already beaten death, has to find an opponent.
The German Language of Fighting
In the Middle Ages the German ‘Masters of Defence’ developed new approaches to swordsmanship and wrestling that culminated in the creation of a new language.
The Italian Renaissance of Swordsmanship, Wrestling, and Boxing
The Italian 'Masters of Defence' taught sword fighting while the working-class played war games with sticks. Together they ignited the Italian Martial Arts Renaissance.
The Fall of Rome, the End of Fighting Sports
In the 1,000-year reign of the Byzantine Empire after the fall of Rome, fighting sports became trivial in the face of constant warfare.
Jeanne LaMarr: Boxing Champion, Countess, Murderer?
Jeanne LaMarr claimed to be a Countess by marriage and the Female Boxing Champion of the world by default, but she is more frequently remembered for the skeleton found on her property.
Real Irish Fighting: A History of Shillelagh Law and Hob-Nailed Boot Stomping
Irish stick-fighting was not only an ancient martial tradition; it became a symbol for Irish culture.
Fighting the Shackles of Slavery: ‘Kicking and Knocking’ in the Antebellum South
African slaves in the American South continued their martial arts traditions by fighting as sport, ritual, and self-defense.
The Fighting Irish, Jewish, and African Immigrants of the Golden Age of Boxing
During the Regency Era, Jewish, Irish, and African immigrants remained on the fringes of English society except in the realm of pugilism, where fighters overcame xenophobia and poverty by dominating the ring.
'Rough-And-Tumble': The Deeply Southern Tradition of Nose-Biting, Testicle-Ripping, and Eye-Gouging
Life in the rural South two hundred years ago was tough, but snowstorms and blighted crops were nothing compared to the brutality of its version of no-holds-barred fighting.
Illuminating the Fighting History of Ancient Africa
Historians often reduce the history of African sports to the practices of ancient Egyptians, but fighting sports are found in nearly every tribal community in the African continent.
Munera: The Blood Sports of Ancient Rome
Ancient Romans relished violent entertainment, especially in their fighting sports. Boxing, Pankration, and Gladiator Contests were enjoyed by all, but practiced only by a few. The risks were too great.
The Bloody, Deadly, Heavy Fights of Ancient Greece
Ancient Greeks adored the ‘heavy events’ of boxing, wrestling, and pankration because they signified the greatness of Greece as warriors and athletes. They also demonstrated the toughness necessary to be a fighter in antiquity.