The Batman may not have a superpower, but that's exactly the reason he dedicated himself to becoming one of the most skilled fighters in the world. So skilled, in fact, that he's just claimed the title of UFC Champion... for the best reason possible.
This historic moment in both mixed martial arts and Bruce Wayne's fighting career has just been revealed in the pages of Batman Annual #4. The special issue arrives just as fans are preparing for the end of Tom King's Batman run, with Bruce Wayne finally returning to fight Bane for Gotham City. But before Bruce rises to defeat Bane in unarmed combat, fans are being shown the true height of his combat skills--effectively naming Bruce Wayne the greatest pound-for-pound fighter on the planet (in his universe, at least).
The Annual reveals the bout as just one of several incredible accounts, recorded daily in Alfred Pennyworth's journals. There are too many unbelievable days in Bruce's life for even Alfred to sum up, but his tale of Batman being challenged by the MMA champion is one every fan will want to know about. Mainly because Bruce actually accepts it.
The short story waste no time in delivering the goods, opening on an unforgettable full-page image: Bruce Wayne, stripped to the waist, still wearing the pants and cowl of the Batsuit, standing inside the octagon opposite Champion Henry Feder. To help explain how Batman (not Bruce Wayne) ended up in a UFC fight, Alfred takes readers back to the beginning, when Feder issued a challenge to Batman. Step into the ring against him, and send a $100-million purse to charity.
Since Superman beat The Flash in a foot race for billions of charity dollars, surely Batman can enter a fight, right? Wrong. Batman refuses to even acknowledge the offer, leaving the undefeated Feder to be called "the greatest fighter in the history of his or indeed any sport." Soon the claims that Batman would give Feder "a few seconds of fun" turned to accusations of cowardice, saying Batman's many muscles are only used to harm those weaker than him. But Feder eventually stumbled onto the perfect draw, failing to realize how Batman feels about men who abuse women. Alfred explains:
However. A few months back a video of Mr. Feder was made public. As is well known, the video showed Mr. Feder's cruelty toward a woman identified as his then girlfriend. There was an inquiry, but all involved were paid well to remain silent. Eventually it became clear that Mr. Feder would incur no consequences for his shameful actions... A reporter asked Mr. Feder if he believed justice had been done in his case. Feder laughed, made some demeaning comments about the woman in question, then claimed, and I quote: "I'm Henry Feder, the champion of the world. I am unbeatable. I am untouchable. That is justice."
The next day, Batman finally accepted the offer to fight. For charity.
The explanation makes it all the more satisfying to see Batman beat Feder bloody, before knocking him out cold, flat on his back, proclaimed the winner. And while this charity fight isn't a sanctioned UFC event, meaning Feder gets to keep his belts, the defeat is good enough. Batman is undeniably the best fighter on the planet, having beating the existing champ senseless in a single combination... for charity.
- BATMAN ANNUAL #4
- Written by: Tom King
- Art by: Jorge Fornes, Mike Norton, Dave STewart
- Cover Art by: Lee Weeks
- What's it like to be Batman from day to day? What are the challenges that the Dark Knight Detective faces? From thieves to marauding monsters, writer Tom King takes us across the gamut of experience to show the vast scope of what it takes to fill the Batman's boots...and then what it means when he goes back home.
Batman Annual #4 is available now from your local comic book shop, or direct from DC Comics.