Get Medieval at Memphis Armored Fight Club
This is a fight club we can talk about (and spectate!) and it's our newest obsession.
This is a fight club we can talk about (and spectate!) and it's our newest obsession.
From the Middle Ages to Memphis, watch as people, clad in authentic full armor, wield swords, axes, and maces, engaging in intense one-on-one battles. Memphis Armored Fight Club is devoted to the study of medieval armored combat.
Catch the action at their next pop-up June Brews & Bruises at Hampline Brewing Company on June 7.
I first saw the Memphis Armored Fight Club battling it out at Black Lodge a year ago and it was the best time. They regularly competed at Black Lodge (RIP) but since then have found new locations to pop-up such as most recently, Hampline Brewing.
Wherever they end up, they set up a ring where the modern knights battle it out in 14th-15th century style. Memphis Armored Fight Club isn’t just a reenactment or a choreographed show; it's a full-contact, competitive sport where strength, strategy, and skill are put to the test.
So real, in fact, that we had multiple injuries during our matches but none too serious.
“Any sport you can get hurt, we try really hard to prevent injuries,” Rusty Wagner said.
Wagner, who now oversees the club of eight members, first joined in 2018 after seeing the club duel at Millington’s Renaissance Fair and fell in love with it
“Most like all kids, we picked up a stick and started hitting things, each other,” Wagner said. “We were battling dragons and we’ve always had the knight in shining armor.”
To compete, the armor has to be as historically accurate as possible with 14th-15th century armor costing up to thousands of dollars. It also weighs around 65 pounds, Wagner said.
Rusty’s armor is based on English 14th century armor which he calls the “Man of War.” Others wear Italian gothic or German gothic armor.
After all the clanking of metal in the ring, spectators can jump in the ring themselves for $10 but not before strapping you into soft armor and signing a waiver. Fight your friend (or enemy) in a 90 second round.
Memphis Armored Fight Club is a family-friendly event. Kids ages five and up can participate.
To learn more about Memphis Armored Fight Club, give them a follow on Instagram or Facebook. Interested in joining or learning more? Message them! They are always looking to grow.
Still have questions? Teresa Preston, who works with the club, put together this great overview:
Still have questions? Teresa Preston, who works with the club, put together this great overview:
5 Things to Know About Armored Combat
Knight in shining armor.
This phrase conjures images of lords, castles, and questionable personal hygiene. In childhood, we hit each other with sticks and pretended to fight for truth and justice, saving damsels (or dudes) in distress, like real knights. Memphis is fortunate to be home to a modern version of the medieval knight, and you can come to their fights.
Memphis Armored Fight Club (MAFC) is a group of history buffs who also like controlled violence. They participate in a sport called buhurt, a name derived from an old French word that means “to wallop.” And wallop they do. Whether you’re a fan of MAFC or are just hearing about them for the first time, there are a few things to know about the sport.
1.Armored combat isn’t the same as LARPing.
People often confuse buhurt with live-action role-playing (LARPing), but they couldn’t be more different. In buhurt, fighters wear heavy, custom-made steel or titanium armor instead of the light foam preferred for LARPing. Buhurt fighters aren’t playing characters or representing any particular historical figure, and their fights aren’t choreographed. Armored combat is a full-contact sport, so whether they’re fighting in a one-on-one duel or a melee, which is two teams of up to 100 participants, fighters are hitting each other full force with forged steel weapons.
2. People do get hurt.
The weapons used in armored combat are blunted, and there are rules against stabbing and intentionally aiming for gaps in armor, but there are still endless ways to get hurt. Cuts, bruises, and broken bones can all happen if armor breaks mid-fight and the fighters don’t realize it immediately. The armor weighs between 50 and 75 pounds and inhibits movement, so falling can cause serious injury. The most common types of injuries are head wounds, concussions, and broken noses from helmet malfunctions.
3. The armor is historically accurate.
While each knight chooses the style of armor and weapons they prefer, everything, down to their shoes and the pads worn under their armor, has to be based on those from the 14th and 15th centuries. You may see a modern button or buckle, but only where there isn’t a historically appropriate alternative.
4. Buhurt fights don’t just happen at Renaissance fairs.
You may see buhurt fights at modern Renaissance fairs, but many clubs also perform exhibition fights elsewhere. MAFC has held events throughout Memphis, from the old Rec Room and Black Lodge to schools, summer camps, roller derby, and breweries. If you want to see some knight fights, watch the club’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/memphisarmoredfightclub] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/memphisarmoredfightclub/] for up-to-date information.
5. Anyone over 18 can participate.
Unlike most other sports, there aren’t age or gender categories for buhurt. All ages, races, genders and abilities are welcome to join the club here in Memphis. Some knights have been fighting for years, and others have only been involved for a few months. The club has armor and weapons that everyone can use, so new members can come as they are and see what it’s all about. If you’re not afraid to get hit and think you might want to be a knight, contact MAFC!
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