Image: Always know what's on. Get our newsletter. Click Here

X

Themes

Featured Shows

Hooked

Best of Nat Geo in HD

Wild

Locked Up Abroad

DogTown

Taboo

CIA Confidential

Inside

World's Toughest Fixes

Dangerous Encounters

America's Wild Spaces

Specials

Hitler's Stealth Fighter

Iran and the West

Secret Lives of Jesus

The Pirate Code

July 4: Exploding the Myths

Who Is the Tribe in the Picture?

Secrets of Jerusalem's Holiest Sites

Secrets of the Knights Templar

Science of Summer

Devil's Bible

Decoding the Dead Sea Scrolls

Doomsday: Book of Revelation

Fight Science

Episodes

XAll Episodes

XAll Episodes

XAll Episodes

XAll Episodes

XAll Episodes

XAll Episodes

OverviewOverviewVideoVideoPhotosPhotosGameGameProfile: Randy CoutureProfile: Randy CoutureProfile: Bas RuttenProfile: Bas RuttenProfile: Tito OrtizProfile: Tito OrtizProfile: Dean ListerProfile: Dean ListerProfile: Stew SmithProfile: Stew SmithProfile: Amir PeretsProfile: Amir PeretsProfile: Identity ClassifiedProfile: Identity ClassifiedWeaponsWeaponsStylesStylesStyles ContinuedStyles Continued

Image: Randy Couture demonstrates his punch and a Green Beret holding a gun.

Fight Science reveals the science behind mixed martial arts, special operations, and self-defense. Scientists analyze the unique fighting styles and techniques of UFC fighters and special operations military personnel under the most adverse circumstances.

Fighting Back , Pelvic Target , How aiming for an assailant's pelvis may help one escape from an attack.

Fighting Back , Testing a Taser , Watch a self-defense expert resist a taser.

Fighting Back , Bar Attack , Bas Rutten shows how to stop a drunk's attack.

Fighting Back , Stairwell Attack , Three fingers may be enough to fend off attack.

Fighting Back , Defense Science , Scientists uncover the physics of self-defense.

Mixed Martial Arts , Dean Lister , Dean Lister shares his grappling secrets in the ring.

Mixed Martial Arts , Mixed Martial Arts , Analyze the unique fighting styles of legendary UFC champions.

Mixed Martial Arts , Bas Rutten , Watch one of Bas Rutten's legendary power strikes; a left hook to the temple.

Mixed Martial Arts , Tito Ortiz , Tito Ortiz places a powerful right elbow strike to the ear.

Mixed Martial Arts , Ultimate Fighters , Science reveals the power of mixed martial artists.

Mixed Martial Arts , Randy Couture , Randy Couture describes his "Ground and Pound" technique.

Mixed Martial Arts , Fighter Physiology , Scientists bring together some of the world's foremost mixed martial artists in order to gather data on fighter physiology.

Special Ops , Freeze Test , A Navy Seal is tested in hypothermic performance.

Special Ops , Amir Perets , See what conditions Israeli Defense Forces must go through.

Special Ops , Freeze Fighter , A Navy Seal is put into a freezing bath to test him.

Special Ops , Stew Smith , Navy SEALs must endure extreme circumstances to complete their mission.

Special Ops , Heat Test , A special forces soldier is tested in extreme heat.

Special Ops , Night Vision , Green Berets are legendary since their role in the Vietnam war.

Fighting Back,A computer-generated image of a stairwell attack, throat grab.

Fighting Back,A computer-generated image of how the organs are damaged by pelvic strike.

Fighting Back,A computer-generated image of an electric current pulsing through the body after a taser shot.

Fighting Back,Computer-generated image of a bar fight leg hold.

Fighting Back,A computer-generated image of one man pinning another.

Mixed Martial Arts,Computer-generated imagery from the Fight Science testing.

Mixed Martial Arts,CG imagery from the Fight Science testing.

Mixed Martial Arts,MMA fighters Randy Couture, Tito Ortiz, Bas Rutten, and Dean Lister prepare for fitness tests.

Mixed Martial Arts,Computer-generated imagery from the Fight Science testing.

Mixed Martial Arts,MMA fighter Bas Rutten tests his striking power.

Mixed Martial Arts,Computer-generated imagery from the Fight Science testing.

Mixed Martial Arts,MMA fighter Randy Couture concentrates on his target before testing his punches.

Mixed Martial Arts,Computer-generated imagery from the Fight Science testing.

Mixed Martial Arts,MMA fighter Randy Couture tests the power of his punches on an instrumented heavy bag.

Mixed Martial Arts,Computer-generated imagery from the Fight Science testing.

Special Ops,CGI of a man with night vision goggle pointing his pistol at the camera.

Special Ops,A Green Beret fires a pistol.

Special Ops,Special ops officer in computer generated image, crouching down.

Special Ops,CGI of a man backing away from a man with a pistol.

Special Ops,CGI of a man jumping over a wall.

Image: Fight Science play the game

Image: Fight Science game fighter breaking bricks

FIGHT SCIENCE GAME

Perfect your power in five mixed martial arts and train for the Fight Science black belt.

Play The Game »

profile_randy-couture

Randy Couture

Randy Couture

Nickname: “The Natural”

Height: 6' 2" (188 cm)

Weight: 220 lbs. (100 kg)

Born: Everett, Washington

Debut: 1997

Signature Move: Ground Fighting

In 1997, Couture's UFC debut year, he was immediately a formidable opponent and won the heavyweight championship title. Couture is the only fighter to hold championship titles in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions. In 2007, Couture marked history again by winning the UFC heavyweight title for the third time. Couture’s “Ground and Pound” offense makes him one of the most formidable ground fighters in MMA.

Next Profile: Bas Rutten »

profile_bas-rutten

Bas Rutten

Photo: Bas Rutten

Nickname: “El Guapo”

Height: 6' 1"

Weight: 205 lbs.

Born: Eindhoven, Netherlands

Debut: 1998

Signature Move: Power Striking

Rutten is a former undefeated heavyweight champion for the UFC and a deadly power striker. Rutten’s signature strikes have become legendary including the "liver shot" and is also known for the "Rutten Jump," done after a victory. Rutten won his 22nd straight win in 2006 and retired from the UFC.

« Previous Profile: Randy Couture

Next Profile: Tito Ortiz »

profile_tito-ortiz

Tito Ortiz

Photo: Tito Ortiz

Nickname: “Huntington Beach Badboy”

Height: 6' 2"

Weight: 204 lbs.

Born: Huntington Beach, California

Debut: 1997

Signature Move: Submission

A former amateur wrestling champion, Ortiz was in college during his first match in the UFC. A master of submission fighting and one of the most colorful stars in UFC history, Ortiz has held the UFC’s light heavyweight championship title.

« Previous Profile: Bas Rutten

Next Profile: Dean Lister »

profile_dean-lister

Dean Lister

Photo: Dean Lister

Nickname: “Boogeyman”

Height: 6' 1"

Weight: 185 lbs.

Born: San Diego, California

Debut: 2006

Signature Move: Grappling

Lister is the two-time World Submission Grappling Champion and is an expert in Brazilian jiujitsu. In addition, Lister holds the title Mixed Martial Arts Middleweight Champion of the World (King of the Cage). Lister currently holds the rank of black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu and is known for his leg attacks in the ring.

« Previous Profile: Tito Ortiz

Next Profile: Stew Smith »

profile_stew-smith

Stew Smith

Photo: Stew Smith

Height: 6' 1"

Weight: 200 lbs.

Born: Jonesboro, Arkansas

Branch of Service: Former Navy SEAL

Specialty: Special Forces and Law Enforcement

Currently Smith trains recruits in fitness for military Special Operations and law enforcement. After September 11, Smith used his writing and Navy SEAL training as a security consultant helping to secure some of America’s largest cities, transportation terminals, ports, and national monuments. He is the author of five fitness and self-defense books geared toward military fitness and is also an expert on how extreme temperatures affect human neurophysiology and muscular-skeletal anatomy.

« Previous Profile: Dean Lister

Next Profile: Amir Perets »

profile_amir-perets

Amir Perets

Photo: Amir Perets

Height: 6' 1" (185 cm)

Weight: 230 lbs. (104 kg)

Born: Tiberias, Israel

Branch of Service: Former IDF commando

Specialty: Hand-to-hand combat

Perets trained the Israeli infantry and Special Forces units for “Krav Maga,” the IDF hand-to-hand combat system. Because of his incredible skills, he was selected for the elite IDF Naval Commando Unit “Shayetet 13.” Currently he trains combat self-defense to U.S. law enforcement and military special anti-terrorist units around the world.

« Previous Profile: Stew Smith

Next Profile: Identity Classified »

profile_identity-classified

Identity Classified

Photo: Man identity classified

Height: Classified

Weight: Classified

Born: Classified

Branch of Service: U.S. Army Special Forces (commonly referred to as Green Berets)

Specialty: Conventional and unconventional warfare techniques

The U.S. Army Special Forces (USASF) unit's motto "De Oppresso Liber" is Latin for "To Free the Oppressed." USASF is an elite group of individuals that have unique training and experience in order to undertake highly technical and unconventional missions all over the world. Selectively chosen, Green Berets must be airborne qualified and complete several levels of training. Seventy percent of individuals do not pass the second training level.

« Previous Profile: Amir Perets

weapons

Weapons

Chinese broadswords

Explore weapons fighters use to supplement their technique.

Dao (Chinese Broadsword)

The dao has a curved blade that is dull on one side and razor-sharp on the other. It was designed for cutting through armor and slicing across the body.

Gloves

Protection for hands acting as weapons, gloves are used in both boxing and mixed martial arts matches. Boxing gloves weigh in at eight to ten ounces, while the lighter grappling gloves required for mixed martial arts fighting weigh only four to six ounces.

Jin (Chinese Straight Sword)

The jin, lightweight and flexible, was designed for stabbing vital organs.

Kyudo Archery

Modern kyudo is practiced primarily as a method of physical, moral, and spiritual development. Through intense concentration, archers can slow their respiration and reduce tiny tremors in their hands. They can even slow their pulse so much that they can fire between heartbeats.

Nunchuk

The weapon of choice for Bruce Lee — the nunchuk — originated in the 13th or 14th century as a concealed weapon. The nunchuk originated as a horse bit, but it developed into a formidable three-section staff, used for blocking, striking high or low, and grabbing/retaining. One blow can shatter a kneecap, crack a skull, or break an arm.

Katana

The legendary unbreakable sword of the samurai, the katana, created from folded steel, is designed for one purpose — to kill in one stroke. It is capable of cutting a body in two.

Shuriken (Throwing Star)

Small and a quick draw, the star-shaped metal shuriken, with its pointed blades, is an "invisible attacker." Its flight dynamics are like those of no other weapon. The shuriken behaves less like an arrow and more like a Frisbee®. It pierces the air like it pierces flesh. Like a gyroscope, its spin creates stability.

styles

Styles

Image: CGI depiction of a boxing punch

Learn about fight styles from around the world.

Boxing

Boxing is one of the oldest forms of competition, and was depicted in ancient Egyptian sculptures as early as 1350 B.C. The first modern match documented was in Great Britain in 1681, and in 1743 a set of rules was published by Jack Broughton. Today, the World Boxing Council, the International Boxing Federation, and the World Boxing Association recognize titlists as worldwide champions.

Jiu-jitsu

Jiu-jitsu means "gentle art." The style evolved among the warrior class in Japan around the 17th century and was designed to complement swordsmanship. Jiu-jitsu is a fighting system that employs a range of techniques, including strikes, kicks, and throws, as well as grappling techniques like joint locks and choking.

Kali

Filipino kali is the art of stick fighting, a martial art specializing in two baton-length bamboo sticks used to defend or attack. While a student in most styles of martial arts is expected to master hand-to-hand combat before moving to any form of weapons, Filipino kali teaches weapons-fighting first.

Karate

The art of karate is more than 1,000 years old and originated in eastern Asia, first as monastic training and later as a defense method used by Chinese peasants against armed bandits. It was introduced into the United States in 1945 after World War II. Translating to "empty hand" in Japanese, karate is a weaponless technique, utilizing punching and kicking to overcome the opponent.

Kung Fu

Chinese kung fu is considered the grandfather of all martial arts. It was created around A.D. 500, when the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma taught secret fighting techniques to the monks of the Shaolin Temple. Kung fu, fostering a better understanding of violence, ultimately teaches how to avoid conflict. Those who refuse to accept an attack merely return it to the sender.

styles2

More Styles

Photo: Bas Rutten lands a punch

More information about fight styles from around the world.

Mixed Martial Arts

Led by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a U.S.-based organization, the hybrid style of mixed martial arts (MMA) builds upon thousands of years of traditional hand-to-hand combat. Combining the most powerful features from "pure" martial arts styles, MMA fighters use three main skills in the UFC; striking, grappling, and ground fighting.

Muay Thai

Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing, is a fighting martial art and competitive ring sport known for its devastating knee, elbow, and shin strikes. Unlike Western boxing, all strikes are allowed in the ring. The art of muay Thai has been practiced in Thailand for hundreds of years. Traditional muay Thai fighters kick and punch banana trees thousands of times a day to harden their bodies and increase their resistance to pain.

Ninjitsu

The Japanese martial art ninjitsu began more than 800 years ago and developed as a counterculture to the ruling samurai. Ninjas were an underground class trained in the arts of war, including unarmed combat, swordplay, weaponry, camouflage, escape, and evasion. The word ninja, translated as "stealers-in," connotes their expertise in stealth operations such as espionage and assassination. Not bound by the moral codes of the samurai, they developed poisons, trip wires, and even explosives to strike fear into their opponents.

Tae Kwon Do

Tae kwon do, translated as the "art of kicking and punching," is a Korean martial art that emphasizes spectacular kicking techniques. It is now an Olympic event. Tae kwon do is influenced by karate (from 1910 till the end of World War II, Japan occupied Korea). Although there are technical differences among tae kwon do organizations, the art generally emphasizes high standing and jump kicks, using the leg's greater reach and power to disable the opponent from a distance. Training also includes a system of hand strikes and blocks.

National Geographic Channel