Arms and Armour

Armored combat (sport)

Armored combat or buhurt (from Old French béhourd: "joust", "tournament") or medieval combat or historical medieval battles (HMB), among other names, is a modern full contact fighting sport with steel blunt weapons characteristic of the Middle Ages. Fighters are covered in full modern-produced protective armour, made from steel or titanium alloy, made to aesthetically be close to their historical counterparts with modern protection techniques. Hits and blows may be aimed at any parts of the body (with the limitations set in the regulations); both wrestling and percussive techniques are permitted, thrusts are forbidden. Unlike staged battles, that can be seen at festivals of historical reenactment of the Middle Ages armored combat is a competive full contact international sport with many long running national and international tournament series. As of 2026, the current active international governing bodies are Buhurt International (BI), International Medieval Combat Federation (IMCF), Magna Carta, and Alianza Latinoamericana de Combate Medieval. There are national governing bodies in 30+ countries predominately in the Western world and Latin america with some popularity in Asia, such as China and Japan. Popular US fight promotions and leagues, are Armored MMA, Armored Combat Sports, and Armored Combat Worldwide.

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See also

• ▸Battle of Mount Harriet
• ▸El-Assasif
• ▸Almogavars

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