Summary
Combat sports are becoming more popular among children in the Netherlands. According to NOS Jeugdjournaal, around 80,000 children took part in kickboxing, Muay Thai or MMA in 2017, and that number has now roughly doubled. The national combat sports association points to several reasons for the growth. MMA, short for Mixed Martial Arts, is one of the disciplines gaining ground, combining techniques from multiple fighting sports. The report visits an MMA school in Rotterdam to show how these classes work in practice.
What this means if you are learning Dutch or new in the Netherlands
If you have children, combat sports can be a practical way for them to make friends and stay active while picking up Dutch from coaches and classmates. Clubs often run beginners' groups, so no prior experience is needed. For adults, the same trend applies: kickboxing and MMA gyms are common in Dutch cities and usually offer trial lessons. It helps to check whether a club is affiliated with a recognised sports federation, and to ask about safety rules, protective gear and supervision for younger participants. As with any sport, the main benefits are fitness, confidence and routine, and the social side can make settling in feel easier. If you are learning Dutch, a weekly class also gives you regular, low pressure conversation practice in a setting where instructions are often repeated and demonstrated.