Unless there is a knockdown or sweep, the bout is continuous, with stoppages only to break up locked clinches or if the fighters leave the fight area.

(Muso-Kai started with Shorin Ryu, Knockdown styles were a huge influence later) Though severely divided by rivaling styles and organizations (several of which use their own minor variations of the basic rules), and lacking a unifying sport organization, the sport of knockdown karate today is common all over the world.

It had its origin when Joe Lewis, a traditional Shorin Ryu black belt, was disappointed with scoring in point karate and wanted to prove martial artists could fight to a knockout.

This form of full contact karate competition is mainly found in North America, where it originated, although it has a minor following in Europe.

[10] The rules were developed by Hungarian karateka Adam Kovacs and allow full contact, with gloves, knockouts, and no grappling.

[11] Fighters who have joined the league include Rafael Aghayev of Azerbaijan, Davy Dona of France, Josh Quayhagen of Lake Charles, LA, and Achraf Ouchen of Morocco.

Bas Rutten, the UFC Hall of Famer and actor on CBS's Kevin Can Wait, is part of the organization and has served as commentator for events in Budapest, Miami, Athens, Hollywood and New York City.

[15] The Kyoto fight was cancelled and the promotion held two events that year, one in Orlando, Florida and one in Hollywood with guest announcer Danny Trejo.

Daido Juku competition format, Kudo, allows any strike (including headbutts and groin kicks), throws and limited time grappling on the ground.

The style is primarily Kyokushin and Oyama Karate striking techniques, combined with the throws and grappling of Judo.

The characteristics of this modified kyokushin fighting style relies on punch counters, multi-range kicking, throws and take-downs, and joint locks.

Another hybrid Full Contact Karate form is Ashigaru-Ryu founded by Sensei Bob Peppels in the Netherlands.

Other sport rules, including versions allowing full contact bare knuckle strikes to the unprotected head, exists, but tend to be small and obscure compared to the above listed major formats.

[21] Kyokushinkan shinken shobu uses a variation of knockdown karate using thin gloves, and allows headpunches, clinching and throws.

Mumonkai use rules similar to knockdown karate, but modified to allow head-punches with protective headgear and thin gloves.

An example of full contact karate rules unique to a single promotion is the now defunct Chaos Madmax[22] special event in Japan, arranged by the FSA Kenshinkan[23] style organization.