In kickboxing and mixed martial arts , "freak show fight" is an idiom for a bout featuring a deep disparity in skill, experience, or weight between the fighters. This kind of matchup was common in the early period of mixed martial arts history, but it has become increasingly rare due to the regulation of athletic commissions and the implementation of official weight classes. However, freak show fights remain particularly associated in popular culture to Japanese promotions, where they are still occasionally hosted. Those bouts are a source of controversy among pundits, who compare them to exploitative freak shows, claiming they elevate spectacle over true competition. Such fights retain a measure of acceptance among wider audiences, due to their entertainment value.