Asia

Before the race became popular in the 1930s, it took place on wet fields to facilitate the working of agricultural land. Now it takes place on dry land.
Makepung is the name of a major grand prix in Jembrana, West Bali, which features racing buffalo races. Hundreds of pairs of buffaloes are teamed up together with their jockeys. They ride the traditional wooden ploughs that are slightly modified for the competition. The racer buffaloes, or kerbau pepadu, compete in various open race circuits in assorted heats. These series of competitions are held around the district of Melaya. They lead up to the finals, known as the Jembrana Regent’s Cup and the Governor’s Cup.
West Bali’s Jembrana region entertains its residents and visitors in the know with its Makepung, a water buffalo race introduced about a century ago by migrants from neighbouring Madura. Wearing colourful banners and crowns, their horns decorated and wooden bells tied around their neck, the bulls race down an erratic track. It’s remarkable to see such docile creatures thunder across the finish line at a speed. The daredevil charioteers often ride standing up on their chariots, twisting the bulls’ tails to give them extra motivation. Farmers and their buffalos come to race for honour, pride and the trophy, rather than for money.
Often spotted during Makepung (especially during the big competitions), is the region’s unique Gamelan Jegog, a musical ensemble using only bamboo instruments, some of which are gigantic 3-metre long tubes. Jegog music is very fast, rhythmic, and precise. The instruments are played in specific sequences and produce some wonderful sounds, while also being visually attractive. Some have likened the resonant sounds to roaring thunder as the music can be heard from quite a distance away. Gamelan Jegog accompanies traditional dances such as the Tari Silat (self-defence dance) and newer ones such as Tari Makepung (bull race dance).

The first literary reference to malla-yuddha itself lies in the Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic dating from the 5th century BC (although the original copy likely dated back as early as 9th century BC). However, wrestling in general in South Asia, and likely a form malla-yuddha itself, is linked back to at least the 3rd millennium BC. Badang, a legendary Malay folk hero of oral tradition, is said to have practiced malla-yuddha, though the period in which his legend is set is unspecified.
Before the Muslim conquest of India between the 12th and 16th centuries AD, malla-yuddha was enjoyed among all classes, from kings to peasants. Opposing kings would sometimes pit royal wrestlers against each other in lieu of war and other conflicts. Even kings themselves would occasionally engage in matches.
Royalty and nobility would host public tournaments within palace courtyards throughout thus period, often offering a large monetary prize to the winner. These tournaments brought in both casual and professional competitors from the surrounding areas. Sometimes the rich would hire professional wrestlers in an attempt to draw in more of a crowd. These events were highly celebrated and featured performances from other arts as well.
Though there were many casual wrestlers, the spectator sport was dominated primarily by professional wrestlers. These athletes devoted their lives to malla-yuddha, often living in an institution called an akhara and training under the supervision a guru. They were to follow a strict training regime and abstain from alcohol and sexual contact to keep their bodies pure and optimally primed for their profession. Sometimes royalty or nobility would serve as patrons for one or several wrestlers, funding their lifestyle and careers.
The sport’s popularity faded out throughout most of South Asia by the 16th century, though it still persisted in some areas to the south.
Source: https://healthandfitnesshistory.com/ancient-sports/malla-yuddha/

Source of photo: https://healthandfitnesshistory.com/images/terracotta-sculpture-indian-wrestlers-d/

More than 2000 years, since Tang dynasty.

"Mukki Boxing." This brutal form of bare hand fighting devoid of leg techniques existed for some three hundred and fifty years in the Benares (India) prior to being officially banned. It then went underground in its practice. It is alleged to have experienced a revival from the most unlikely of benefactors, the British Police Chief. Multiple opponent bouts were often held although this has given way to the more common individual bout. Few rules exist and one may target any point on the body save the genitals. Deaths within these contests are reputed to be numerous. Mukki Boxers are known for their extreme emphasis on hand conditioning, and a well trained boxer can shatter a coconut with a blow.