Today they still dress like clowns, but they are bullfighters first and most importantly. And they are often the difference between life and death.

Bullfighters are in the first line defense for the bull rider. The bullfighter is responsible for distracting the bull while the cowboy regains sense of direction and escapes to safety after a fall or dismount. Today's bullfighter, far from being a clown, is so serious about his job he routinely places his own life in danger in an effort to protect the cowboy.

The modern bullfighter is also an accomplished athlete, a master of timing and agility.

And fittingly, he has his own world championship to pursue. About two decades ago, bullfighters began informally competing among themselves, challenging each other to push the limit on daredevil stunts against the bulls.

Now, thanks to the Wrangler Bullfight Tour, Bullfighters compete for their own world championship.

On the Wrangler tour, the bullfighter goes one-on-one against the bull for 70 seconds. The bullfighter is judged on his willingness to expose himself to risk and on his aggressiveness. His objective is to stay as close as he can to the bull throughout the fight.

Bullfighters have elevated the sport by employing spectacular maneuvers such as jumping over a charging bull. Like the riders, the bullfighters score higher when the bull is more aggressive.