I wasn't aware they don't punch in karate.
Karate uses: Jab, straight punch, back fist, spinning backfist, all elbow strikes, palm strikes, throat strikes, thigh kicks, roundhouse, front kick, back round kick, back kick, side kick, headbutt, knees, and more.
In sport fighting, the most common moves used are jab, straight, roundhouse, knee, and thigh kicks. These moves are tought and performed the same way in karate and kickboxing both. It's been that way forever. Karate is more street though, because they go beyond that and train bareknuckle. It just takes longer to learn because it's a more comprehensive standup style. It worked for Filho, Semmy, Hug, Lebanner, and Bas though in sport fighting.