While some have been busy debating the ethics of bullfighting, others have been busy developing an American style of the sport known as freestyle bullfighting that does no harm to the bull, and is genuinely even crazier to watch than old-school bullfighting.


@chance_moorman On a whole other level #cowboy #bullfighter #rodeo #coddmurphy ♬ I'm Geekin - DDG


In freestyle bullfighting, bullfighters go up against a bull for 70 seconds. Their goal is to stay as close as possible to the bull for the full 70 seconds, and fighters are judged on their ability to control and maneuver around the bull, their precision when jumping the bull and contact with the bull. Essentially then, they’re judged on their ability to perform stunts while staying as close as possible to the bull without getting hit. According to California Rodeo Salinas, “Bullfighters have elevated the sport by employing spectacular maneuvers, such as jumping over a charging bull,” as demonstrated by Chance Moorman in this clip from earlier in the year.



Moorman is one of the bigger names in freestyle bullfighting. A two-time world champion from Lytle, Texas, Moorman competed in his first fight at 17, and has participated in more 90-plus point bullfights in the past five years than anyone else in the sport. As of 2023, he’s the top-ranked athlete in the sport, having earned almost $300,000 since 2020.


The bulls used in freestyle bullfighting are smaller, faster and more agile than those used in bull riding, although they can still tip the scales at 1,200 pounds. In the fight, the fighter can receive 50 possible points, as can the bull; as explained by Florodeo, a great fight is 88 to 90 points, like the fights that make up Moorman’s record.


Unlike Spanish bullfighting, the bulls aren’t killed at the end of the event. In fact, since some are worth as much as $100,000, they’re well taken care of, as one provider explained to Click2Houston: “We make sure everything is set up back here where they can’t get hurt. Nobody else gets hurt.”


Seems as though it’s time to reassess that whole no guts, no glory thing.