Meet Asim Zaidi, the Karate Combat chief looking to save the ‘dying’ sport starting with Pettis vs Henderson 3
KARATE is undergoing a revolution the likes of which the sport has never seen.
For decades, karate has been the butt of jokes in the combat sports world due to fake senseis and unrealistic portrayals in Hollywood movies.
The McDojos of the world have undoubtedly affected the growth of the sport, with many students opting to try their hand at different martial arts.
Karate Combat has been at the forefront of changing perceptions of the sacred art for the last few years.
The promotion was somewhat successful in doing that under the stewardship of former president Robert Kovacs.
And that mission is still very much at the forefront of the mind of new president Asim Zaidi.
He told SunSport: “There is 100 per cent an epidemic of McDojos around the world, that’s a huge problem.
“There are black belts that are nine years old – that has ruined the name of karate.
“People do not respect karate, that’s the truth. I hate to say it, but they don’t.”
He added: “I truly believe that karate has died, I truly believe it. And I can debate it with anyone – people make fun of it.
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“If you walk into any fight gym and say, ‘I’m a karate black belt’, you’re automatically illegitimate. They’re not going to look at you seriously.”
The fast-paced, brutal and realistic nature of Karate Combat has done wonders in bringing the martial art back to the fore since its inception in April 2018.
“When you watch Karate Combat, these guys are legit strikers,” Zaidi said. “They’re unbelievable strikers, they’re talented fighters and their takedowns are gorgeous.
“They’re so talented that it’s really restoring the name of Karate.”
Zaidi was officially confirmed as Kovac’s replacement in October and wasted no time in trying to implement his ethos, which he’s aptly dubbed “The Karate Rebellion”.
He said: “When you go to any MMA gym around the world where guys want to be real fighters, there is going to be a Muay Thai coach, a jiu-iitsu coach and a wrestling coach.
“There will never, ever, be a karate coach. So the ‘Rebellion’ is there to restore the respect and honour of Karate.
“And to make sure that in two years’ time, everyone around the world is practising the art again and giving it the respect it deserves.”
Zaidi’s approach to “restoring the name of Karate” has ruffled plenty of feathers, particularly among the traditionalists of the sport.
He said: “They don’t understand that in order for a martial art to evolve, you need to introduce different variables. Or else, you’re in that imaginary world.
“The reason why jiu-jitsu evolved so much is because they allowed the wrestlers and the judo guys to compete against them.
“And now, today, jiu-jitsu is such a complete art that has everything.
“Let’s bring these guys in, we might lose, but that’s OK. Karate will evolve because of it and we’ll start developing techniques to combat against them.
“And that’s how we’re going to become a powerful martial art again.”
The fruits of Zvaidi’s work will be on show for the entire world on Friday night at Karate Combat 43 – which is arguably the biggest show in the promotion’s history – in Las Vegas
Former UFC lightweight champions Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis will throw down in the main event of the stacked Sin City card to complete their trilogy.
And Zaidi believes he’s now set the standard for the promotion with the statement-making fight going into 2024 and beyond.
He said: “Traditionalists are very upset at me and upset with the new direction we’re going with this.
“But all I ask is for them to be patient.
“They may not see the vision now, but in a year from now or two years from now when Karate hits the scene again and everybody starts practising it, they’re going to fall in love with what I’m creating.”