Karate Combat, at one point, was to karate what Real American Freestyle (RAF) is to wrestling. The best in the world came together inside “The Pit” to slug it out for ultimate bragging rights — and a shiny gold belt.
Fast forward to 2026 and the promotion is booking freak show fights and stiffing its fighters.
Karate Combat 59 will be headlined by the grappling match between ranked UFC heavyweight fighter Valter Walker and legless wrestling phenom Zion Clark. Their open weight showdown is scheduled for two, five-minute rounds with an extra round available in case of a draw.
I’m not sure what this has to do with karate, but whatever.
“I ain’t scared of him,” Clark told MMA Fighting. “The odds are honestly in his favor, but I’ve got God in my favor. I’m be honest with you. And I mean that. Just because I have been put through all these trials and tribulations, whatever. I don’t care where you’re from, who you are, what your background is. If we get in there and they lock us in, it’s go time.”
Clark is 1-0 in MMA and a three-time Guinness World Records title holder. Walker (15-1), nicknamed “The Foot Hunter,” is best known for his submissions — particularly his heel hooks.
“I think he’s gonna try to snap my head down or do something crazy, but I’m already here ready for it,” Clark said. “I’ve been working a lot of really good defensive techniques. And I’ve been really just hunkering down and getting ready just to feel what the real pressure feels like training with guys that are 200 pounds, training with guys that are 150 to 285, just to get ready for that strength that I’m about to be going up against.”
