Statement by the Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit (Dutch Martial Arts Authority) on so-called hoodfights

The VA has taken note of the so-called hoodfights that have recently been held in the Netherlands: organised street fights between young people that are streamed live on social media. Anyone active in the martial arts should keep well clear of these ill-considered initiatives, which cast the combat sports in a highly damaging light.

Various media have paid attention to these street fights in recent weeks. It quickly became clear that those involved have no idea how irresponsibly they are acting. Young people, usually insufficiently trained, are given a pair of gloves and allowed to go at each other. It is sometimes called boxing, sometimes kickboxing, but the VA certainly does not regard these activities as combat sport and distances itself from them. Organised combat sport places the health of the athletes at its centre. The hoodfights are illegal, there is no medical supervision whatsoever, and the health and safety of the participants are far from guaranteed.

The police and municipalities have since been in contact with the organisers, because their activities on squares and in parks disturb public order. The VA has learned that the organisers intend to engage ringside doctors and qualified referees for their street fights. Fortunately, the VA has received no indications that people from our sports are involved or wish to become involved. Cooperating with these street fights, outside the structure of the federations and the VA, is clearly contrary to the General rules of conduct for full contact combat sports (Algemene gedragsregels full contact vechtsporten), to which every athlete, trainer, gym owner and promoter commits by taking part in competitions in the Netherlands. People from the sport who nevertheless take part in or cooperate with such activities, in the Netherlands or abroad, and thereby bring the sport into disrepute, will be sidelined by the VA.