Combat sports has been emerging with the rise in popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) bringing forward various martial arts styles with it. Why are people deciding to participate in combat sports? And why do they decide to compete in combat sports? These are the questions I will be answering in my research, focusing on the role of embodied emotions and identity in the decision to compete in combat sports. Theories of emotions and identity are discussed in relation to the social roles individuals play to demonstrate the influence they have on the decision to compete in combat sports.