A British man on a global combat sports tour has found his match in Nigeria. Trying out the martial art of Dambe, he has the experience of the sport, like being hit by a boulder.
A UK resident has trekked to Nigeria while making a documentary on combat sports. Believing the form of boxing, Dambe, to be the ultimate martial art, he has taken part in a local bout while filming his journey. His aim is to bring knowledge of the sport, which has its origins in 10th-century shield and sword training, to a wider audience.
The Martial Arts and Combat Sports Tour
Luke Leyland is a man from Wirral, Merseyside, in the United Kingdom. He has recently travelled to the remote village of Katsina in northern Nigeria to take part in a sport that has its roots in the area and dates back hundreds of years. The boxing style sport known as Dambe involves boxing with a cord wrapped around the hands, and he has described it as feeling like he was “Getting hit by a boulder”.
The sport originated with one of Africa’s largest ethnic groups, the Hausa. Leyland described his welcome as being “as warm as the weather”. He also added that he felt like part of the community.
Leyland was in competition against local fighter Shagon Yellow. He said that he was taken off guard when the man uttered something in the local language before the fight, comparing it to the moment Rocky took on Ivan Drago. He then believes he also caught the fighter off guard by uttering ‘Leyland is here and he will win’ in the local language. This took him aback but ingratiated him with the local community.
The Growing Popularity of Combat Sports
Combat sports are booming in popularity. There are an estimated three hundred million people who tune into boxing, MMA, and other physical pursuits across the globe. The United Kingdom and the United States lead the charge, followed by Singapore, China, and Brazil. As a result, wagering in this has also boomed. No self-respecting sports betting platform will be without a boxing section, but MMA markets are increasingly becoming bigger. Many will also offer free bets or match deposits on sign-up, so new betters don’t need to sacrifice all their bankroll when they begin.
New bettors should check the specific criteria for the sport they are betting on. For example, draws are very rare in MMA, so bookmakers will be less inclined to offer prices on this. Alternatively, they may give high odds for a draw. Other combat sports such as boxing may have criteria related to round structures, or offer live in play betting.
Dambe betting is commonplace where matches take place. However, it is rare to find it on digital platforms. Those who do want to bet on it may enjoy other combat sports, particularly MMA which can widely be wagered upon. There have, however, been moves by the country to further legitimize the sport and put it on a global platform. In 2023, it was announced that one major platform had signed a deal to sponsor the sport, though little has come of this yet.
What is Dambe?
Dambe originates with the Hausa people of Nigeria. It was originally a way for men to get ready for war, practiced by butchers. It became a spectator sport as it was integrated into harvest festivals and has been described as an extremely brutal martial art.
The game ends after three rounds, though they have no time limit. A round ends when activity ceases, or an official or competitor calls the round to an end. Should a hand, knee, or torso of a competitor touch the ground, the round also ends in favour of the other fighter.
Boxers in this game hold a very unique stance. The main hand is known as the spear, and is wrapped in a cloth covered by a knotted cord. This is known as the Kara, and was something that Leyland described as “Definitely a weapon.” He also added that “When I had it on, I couldn’t wait to get it off, but you slowly start getting used to it.” The other hand is held with a palm face forward and is defensive. One leg is then wrapped in a chain, which can be used to kick or to defend.
There are no training centres outside of Nigeria for the sport. However, Leyland managed to find himself a coach in the United Kingdom before making his trip to the town. This journey will be released as part of a documentary on combat sports. While not yet available, it is believed to show Leyland’s journey around the world in a range of different combat scenarios.
This can only help to bring Dambe to a wider audience. For a world obsessed with boxing and MMA, this could offer a new form of entertainment. It would also increase the combat sports markets available to bookmakers. With the right financial backing, it may not be long before Dambe comes to a television near you.
