EP Martial Arts Presents: The 2026 Dragon Fist Tournament

About this event

If you don’t know, now you know. After a few sleepy years, the annual Dragon Fist Tournament is back at EP Martial Arts with a vengeance.

The Dragon Fist Tournament is anyone’s chance to see what they can do. Whether you’re a beginner in Kickboxing or Sanda, or have been actively competing, this is a great day for people to get together and have fun while testing their abilities in a low-risk environment.

This will take place on December 3rd, taking the place of Sanda Kickboxing at 7PM.

TOURNAMENT LOGISTICS

In previous years, two teams of competitors would battle against each other for the win. However, we’ve got a new spin on this.

Instead of teams, competitors will be set within tournament brackets. From the preliminary matches to the final match of the night, competitors will be judged by the following criteria:

• Aggression (i.e. attack volume, dominance of the space)

• Technique (i.e. power control, footwork, head movement)

As always, this tournament is light contact Sanda rules only. We’re all friends and team-mates here, so no injuries before the holidays!

TOURNAMENT QUESTIONS

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Do I have to be experienced for this?

Only to where you’re personally comfortable and excited for the challenge. We’ve held this small tournament every year as a means to bring our community together and have fun. We keep it light contact so there’s little to no risk of any serious injuries. No matter where you are in your martial arts journey, if you’re curious about what you can do, this is a great opportunity to find out!

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What are the rules?

• Sanda Kickboxing rules involve punching, kicking, and wrestling without going to the ground.

• No elbows or knees allowed.

• Throw/takedown attempts are allowed a 5-second window before needing to break up.

• Competitors must fight within the sparring boundaries. Touching the walls or stepping out of the boundaries will be considered a ring-out.

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How will this be judged?

All competitors will be judged by the following criteria:

• Aggression (i.e. attack volume, dominance of the space)

• Technique (i.e. power control, footwork, head movement)

• Takedowns (successful attempts, ringouts)

•

Who are the judges?

We have a panel of 3 judges, including the referee:

• Ty Wesley

• Marco Ferrer

• Mark Dennen

• James Cherivtch

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What are the prizes?

All competitors will receive a medal for their participation. The winner of the tournament will be rewarded a medal and a limited edition Dragon Fist Tournament tank-top.

Prepare for a ton of fun with tons of sparring, cool prizes, and showing support for your fellow community members participating in the event.

Excited to compete? Register today!