Nepo Baby Combat Sports Problem Is Real—But Not What You Think
Knox Jolie-Pitt winning a Muay Thai tournament sparked predictable outrage. Nepotism. Privilege. Bought success. But the nepo baby debate in combat sports reveals something far more uncomfortable than celebrity corruption.
Developing a world-class martial artist costs $20,000 to $50,000 annually. Private coaching, international travel, support staff. Celebrity kids aren’t getting special treatment at competition—they’re getting it for fifteen years before they step in the ring.
The medals are legitimate. Electronic scoring systems don’t care whose kid you are. But the system that determines who gets to compete for them? That’s the real scandal. How many potential champions are working retail jobs because they couldn’t afford $200 monthly gym fees?