When you are surrounded by people fixated on drugs, alcohol and violence, there are only two things you can do - join them, or turn away.

I don't think I understood a single thing about judo until Saturday night.

Judo's case for increased financial assistance was crystallised in the span of six hours yesterday.

Auckland's Dan Hooker has nominated himself to join Mark Hunt at UFC Fight Night 52 in Japan in September.

After winning his maiden appearance in the UFC with a first-round TKO, Auckland's Dan Hooker was asked in his post-fight interview about his opponent's desire to go for a leg lock.

The UFC will return to New Zealand within two years but there are no guarantees Auckland will play host.

When Jared Rosholt took a knee to the face during one of his first mixed martial arts training sessions he knew it was his type of combat.

Logan Price was meant to be in the stands at Vector Arena on Saturday to watch UFC Fight Night 43 in Auckland.

Fighting is big business, and the king of the mixed martial arts hill is coming to NZ. So how did barely legal brutality become one of the world's fastest-growing sports?

A top sportsman has died at an international judo tournament in Europe a day after competing for a place in the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team.

Kiwi UFC heavyweight Mark Hunt has received an early Christmas bonus.

An inspired Kelly Lynch finds tension and excitement ringside in Bangkok.

An Olympic athlete was given a formal warning by police investigating an international drug ring but NZ sports officials had no choice but to select him.

If you're tired of wrapping your children in cotton wool, Danielle Wright has found ways to give them some rough and tumble, in a safe environment

Kiwi cage fighters win and take the first step on a road they hope will lead to a successful professional UFC career, in the final of a 3-part series.

Mixed Martial Arts or MMA fights are on the rise in New Zealand. Herald photographer Brett Phibbs takes a look at the action.

No sport has imprinted itself on the world as quickly or dramatically as mixed martial arts. Over the next three days, Steve Dean traces its roots.