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Medieval combat showcased in MMA-style cage fights in France

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 20, 2026, 7:17 PM

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

Medieval combat showcased in MMA-style cage fights in France

Summary

On June 20, 2026, a special event featuring medieval combat took place in a hexagonal cage in Onet-le-Chateau, France. Dubbed 'behourd,' the event included 20 bouts between fully armoured fighters wielding swords and axes. Organizers stated that this modern incarnation mirrors medieval mixed martial arts. While most competitors hailed from France, Poland, and Britain, there were also female participants. The fighters went through a weigh-in session, as competitions are divided by weight classes. Each fighter donned up to six kilos of armor, with complete kits costing between 3,000 and 4,000 euros.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•20 bouts featured medieval-themed combat in a cage setting.
•Participants included fighters from France, Poland, Britain, and women competitors.
•Behourd is a historical reference to medieval recreation and combat.
•Full armor used by fighters can weigh up to six kilos.
•The cost of a complete fighting kit ranges from 3,000 to 4,000 euros.

Latest Updates

7:17 PMYahoo Sports — Heavy metal: French town hosts medieval combat cage fights

What they're saying

"
A French town on Saturday hosted a special event inside a hexagonal cage normally used for mixed martial arts: duels between fully armoured warriors wielding medieval weapons.The local council described the fights as the modern-day equivalent of "what was effectively the mixed martial arts of the Middle Ages".
— Yahoo Sports

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