The Basics

Full Contact: Unlike staged performances or reenactments, armored combat is a full-contact sport. Fighters wear authentic, full plate armor and wield real steel weapons.  

Rules and Regulations: The sport is governed by strict rules and regulations to ensure the safety of the participants. Referees, known as marshals, oversee the matches and enforce the rules.

Team and Individual Categories: Armored combat includes both team-based melees (like 5v5 or 10v10 battles) and individual duels.  

Historical Accuracy: The armor and weapons used in Buhurt are based on historical designs from medieval Europe and the Middle East.

How it Works

Fighters wear real steel armor, which can weigh upwards of 50-70 pounds. Real steel blunted weapons include swords, axes, polearms, and maces. Striking is not only allowed, but encouraged.

There are two main categories of armored combat: group fights, known as melees, and individual matches fought between two matched competitors.

In team melees, the goal is to eliminate the opposing team by knocking them down. The last team standing wins. Fighters use a combination of grappling, striking, and teamwork to achieve victory.

Individual duels are fought according to specific rulesets, often focusing on a particular weapon style (e.g., sword and buckler). Pro fight/outrance fights are even more intense versions of regular duels, allowing striking with not only the weapon but also punches, kicks, knees, and headbutts. The fight is not stopped when the fighter goes to the ground; instead, a limited amount of fighting on the ground is allowed. Most matches are timed rounds, lasting between one and three minutes.

Armored combat requires intense physical training, including strength and conditioning, as well as specialized weapon skills. Teams often train using padded foam weapons and armor. 

Why Armored Combat?

The thrill of full-contact combat while wearing seventy pounds of armor, the dust in your lungs, the thrill of throwing an opponent, the smell of ozone as a weapon skids off your helmet – it’s unmatched. We’re adrenaline junkies.

Armored combat fosters a strong sense of community and camaraderie among fighters. This is especially true in the women’s leagues, where we often hug it out after a difficult match.

The sport provides a unique connection to medieval history. Don’t know anything about 14th century floating couters? Don’t worry, you will by the time we’re done with you!

It’s a challenging sport that tests both physical and mental strength. This is probably, quite honestly, the hardest thing you’ll ever do. And yet we can and do do it everyday, because we’ve got our friends next to us supporting us every step of the way.

The Dallas Mythics

Here in Dallas, Texas, the Mythics are proud to be a part of the vibrant women’s armored combat community. We are a team of dedicated women who are passionate about this incredible sport. We train hard, compete fiercely, and embrace the spirit of medieval martial arts. We are dedicated to the sport and our community. We are always looking for new members!

Get Involved

Watch a Match: Come see the Dallas Mythics in action at a local tournament or watch us across the country on a livestream! Tell your friends!

Try It Out: It’s free to try! Reach out to us via email or social media and we’ll get you into practice as soon as possible.

Join Our Community: Connect with us on social media to learn more about our team and upcoming events.

Armored combat is more than just a sport; it’s a way to connect with history, challenge yourself, and be part of an amazing community. We invite you to explore the world of Buhurt and discover the excitement for yourself!