The World Combat League (WCL) is an American martial arts competition founded by Chuck Norris which features full contact, team-based competitions between world-class mixed martial arts athletes representing eight American cities, with an emphasis on technique and respect, rather than blood and violence.
The series premiered in the USA on the Versus network in 2007 and later moved to the American Life Network.
World Combat League premiered in South Africa on e.tv on Monday 24 May 2010, at 20h00. New episodes air weekly. There are 15 episodes in the first season.
Synopsis
The brainchild of martial arts legend Chuck Norris, World Combat League (WCL) is a team based competition where the search is on for the toughest city in the U.S.
In WCL, viewers are treated to a torture fest as two teams of seven competitors each face off in a full contact martial arts competition.
Using popular fighting techniques, including boxing, kickboxing, kung fu and karate, the teams are pitted against each other, member versus member, in a series of three minute matches.
The split second action takes place in the no rope ring, which unlike traditional fighting rings, has danger zones. As long as the fighters remain in the blue centre, they are safe and points will be awarded for their fighting. Any moves performed in the red and yellow zones will be penalised.
The rules of the no-rope ring are simple: all punching, kicking and kneeing techniques are allowed but there will be absolutely no holding, stalling or avoiding combat.
The objective is to gain as many points as possible for each team, thus creating the league format of the show.
Spectators are kept abreast of what's happening by commentators while referees keep the fighters in check.
Getting the series off to a roaring start are the muscular, competitive teams, Dallas Dragons and Oklahoma Destroyers. Competing at the Dallas Convention Centre, the teams are evaluated by three judges who use a five point system to determine who the best fighter is.
Things they look out for are knockdowns, the extent of damage inflicted and who lands the most strikes. Whichever team has the most points at the end of the second half of the show wins.
WCL is a culmination of a lifelong dream for Norris. Says Norris: "We're a long-term player on the combat-martial arts landscape. The WCL has been a 35-year dream of mine, and to see how quickly it has been embraced by both fans and television sponsors surprises even me.
"There is a hunger out there for team based combat-martial arts that put skill and athleticism ahead of hype and brutality".