The Brits did go in for bloodsports in a big way, bareknuckle boxing was very popular as were bear and bull baiting and all sorts of other animal fights. They also has public executions and floggings.
Perhaps with all this sort of thing they had little need for gladiators.
Is that kind of how American football matches are rarely followed by riots in the stands? Either that or the audience is just too lazy and well-fed to riot, or just wants to get to their car before the Big Traffic. Maybe.
On the other hand, it could be like a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup genesis kind of thing, fencing collides with barre knuckle fights somehow, and, shazam, looks like gladiator contests. To stay closer to fencing, the blades could be heavy like real swords but lacking a lethal edge, so that armor is still a very good idea, but, death is not a necessary result for the contest.
The armor and shield thing could get pretty interesting. I'm envisioning an almost steampunk minimalist look, matte black helmet and armor with no adornment, similar oval shield, "
Cestus" or weighted-knuckle sap gloves too.
I realized a moment ago that this is a country that embraced um jousting and other stuff with swords etc. It isn't that huge a stretch, or am I wrong?