The Dales Combat Dojo – Est. 1968
“Discipline. Power. Precision.”

Founded in 1968 by John O’Connor, a former member of the French Foreign Legion, The Dales Combat Dojo stands as one of the UK’s most respected martial arts schools. Set near the moors of rural Lancashire in a working Methodist church hall, the dojo reflects its founder’s uncompromising roots: spartan, disciplined, and forged in practicality.

Our system is direct, efficient, and brutally effective — a stripped-back fusion of Tomari-te Karate, Muay Boran, Silat, and bare-bones unarmed combat. No flashy moves. No gimmicks. Just clean technique, iron discipline, and relentless repetition until it’s second nature.

While self-defence remains our primary focus, our fighters have earned hard-won respect in full-contact tournaments and kata competitions across the country.

At The Dales Combat Dojo, we don’t train for show. We train for reality.

Train hard. Speak little. Strike clean.