Idea - red and blue belts.
as a show of respect and not to dilute the meaning and respect behind a karate black belt, i suggest the league drops the use of black belts being worn in the pit. Seeing as not every fighter (although most times they have to some degree) has earned that belt. Its more than just a belt. Its a rank, a sense of pride and achievement for karatekas.
Instead about a system of using red and blue belts kinda like on the tatami. Its already an idea anyway simcw they got red tape and blue tape around the gloves. add belts as well. Gold reserved for the champions ofc
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I agree that black belts should only be for real black belts, in a martial art that utilizes kicks. If a fighter has a legitimate black belt in an applicable martial art, it should be displayed.
Using red and blue could confuse new viewers. They might assume one fighter is more skilled than the other based on color, even when that isn’t true.
If a fighter doesn’t have a black belt in applicable martial arts, they can either wear the belt color they currently have if approved by Karate Combat, or Karate Combat can give them a grey belt. That would signal the fighter isn’t low-skilled, but is in a “grey area” since their background might not use belts, even if they have equal or greater experience than traditional black belts. It can also work as a “TBD” belt.
Bonus idea: Karate Combat could grant an honorary black belt if a fighter beats a certain number of “black belts” by unanimous decision or a finish (never a split). Three wins over three separate black belts (real or honorary KC belt) feels like enough, since it acts as a triple-check. To grandfather in current fighters we could say anyone with 6 or more wins via UD/Finish in karate combat or any previous karate combat champions get an automatic honorary black belt.
Another cool idea would be a gold stripe on the black belt for any previous champion, as a sign of respect for that accomplishment.