Kickboxing

Kickboxing

Kickboxing is a full-contact hybrid martial art and boxing type that mixes punching and kicking. It started in the 1950s and happens in a boxing ring with boxing gloves, mouth guards, shorts, and bare feet to make kicks easier. People do kickboxing for self-defense, staying healthy through fitness, or to compete.

Some styles include full contact karate, Muay Thai, Japanese kickboxing, Lethwei, Sanda, and Savate.

Even though fighting with hands and feet goes back a long time, the first records of using both kicking and punching in sport are from ancient Greece and ancient India. The name “kickboxing” began in Japan in the 1960s, mixing karate with boxing. In America, kickboxing grew popular in 1974 when the Professional Karate Association held the first World Championships. Over time, kickboxing helped start mixed martial arts.

Today, many groups watch over kickboxing, but the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations, called WAKO, is the main one known around the world. Professional kickboxing does not have one world championship; instead, groups like Glory, K-1, and ONE Championship each give out their own titles. Each group has its own rules about moves like knees and holding.

Terminology

The word "kickboxing" can mean two things. In a narrow way, it refers only to styles that call themselves kickboxing, like Japanese kickboxing (including its related styles such as shootboxing and K-1), Dutch kickboxing, and American kickboxing. In a broader sense, it includes any modern fighting sport that allows both punching and kicking. This group includes styles such as Sanda, Muay Thai, Lethwei, Savate, Adithada, Musti-yuddha, and certain types of karate, especially full contact karate.

The term "kickboxing" was first used in the 1960s by a Japanese boxing promoter named Osamu Noguchi. He created a fighting style in 1958 that mixed Muay Thai and karate. Later, this name was also used for the American version of kickboxing. Because many fighters train in and compete under the rules of different styles, the histories of these styles are connected.

Styles and descendant arts

Fighting styles that fall under the general idea of kickboxing include:

• Japanese Kickboxing — created in Japan and the origin of the term "kickboxing".
• Any style of Full contact karate
• Sanda (Chinese kickboxing) — part of wushu/kung fu that allows takedowns and throws, along with all kinds of strikes using arms and legs.
• Shootboxing — a Japanese kickboxing style started in 1985 that allows standing throws and submission holds, similar to Sanda.
• American Kickboxing — a style that began in the United States in the 1970s.
• Dutch Kickboxing — combines Japanese Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Boxing, and Kyokushin style of Karate.
• French Savate — a historical sport from the 1800s known mainly for its foot-kicking techniques.
• Ukrainian Combat Hopak — focuses on punching and kicking techniques.
• Indian Musti yuddha (also called Muki boxing) and Adithada, a kickboxing style that uses knee, elbow, and forehead strikes in Southern kalaripayattu.
• Kunguk-Do — a Korean kickboxing style created in 1969 by Jung Do Mo, influenced by Traditional Karate, Muay Thai, American Kickboxing, Oriental Rules Kickboxing, and Kyeok Too Ki
• Kyeok Too Ki (also called KTK, Kyuk Too Ki, or Gyeok Tu Gi) — a Korean kickboxing style created by Kim Gwi Jin in 1964. It originally allowed throws and submission holds while standing but not ground fighting. Over time, the rules changed to focus more on strikes, similar to K-1 rules.
• The Southeast Asian family of kickboxing sports (also called "muay" at the Southeast Asian Games) includes:
  • Thai Muay Boran (Ancient boxing) — the predecessor of Muay Thai.
  • Thai kickboxing or Muay Thai — a modern Thai martial art that allows punching, kicking, knee, and elbow strikes.
  • Burmese Lethwei — a traditional Burmese martial art that has become a popular kickboxing event.
  • Laotian Muay Lao — Laotian boxing, similar to Muay Thai
  • Filipino Yaw-Yan — developed by Napoleon Fernandez. It is similar to Muay Thai but has a hip-twisting motion and focuses on long-range attacks with downward cuts.

History

Kickboxing is a sport that mixes boxing and martial arts. People fight using their fists and feet to hit opponents. It started a long time ago. Ancient drawings show boxing, and old stories from India describe fights with fists and kicks.

The modern version of kickboxing began in the 1950s in Japan. A man named Tatsuo Yamada wanted to create a new fighting style that combined karate and Muay Thai, a sport from Thailand. In the 1960s, fights between karate and Muay Thai fighters helped shape the rules of kickboxing. By the 1970s, kickboxing spread to North America and Europe.

In Japan, kickboxing became very popular and was shown on TV. Famous fighters like Tadashi Sawamura drew big crowds. Later, the K-1 tournament in the 1990s brought kickboxing back into the spotlight.

In North America, kickboxing grew from early tournaments in the 1970s. Groups like the Professional Karate Association and the World Kickboxing Association helped organize the sport and set rules.

In Europe, kickboxing developed in different ways. In Germany, it followed the American style, while in the Netherlands, it was influenced by Japanese kickboxing. Dutch fighters have been very successful in K-1 tournaments, winning many championship titles.

Modern sport

Main article: List of kickboxing organizations

Kickboxing is a sport where fighters use their fists and feet to hit their opponents. It began in the 1950s and is fought in a ring, much like boxing. Fighters wear gloves, mouth guards, shorts, and fight barefoot to make kicking easier.

Some of the top kickboxing groups around the world include Glory, K-1, PKA, ISKA, ONE Championship, Karate Combat, RISE, WAKO, World Kickboxing Network, and Enfusion.

Notable people who help organize kickboxing events include Chatri Sityodtong for ONE Championship, Eduard Irimia for Superkombat, Kazuyoshi Ishii for K-1, Pierre Andurand for Glory, Joe Corley for PKA, and Sadaharu Tanikawa for Fighting and Entertainment Group.

Kickboxing styles and rulesets

Kickboxing has many different rules. For example, Oriental/K-1 rules allow punches, high and low kicks, and knee strikes, while American kickboxing is limited to punches and kicks above the belt.

In recent years, several kickboxing promotions like Glory, One Championship and Bellator Kickboxing have used the K-1/oriental rules.

Japanese Kickboxing

Oriental rules, also called K-1 rules, began in Japan in 1966. Since the 1990s, big kickboxing groups like K-1, ONE Championship, Glory and Bellator Kickboxing have used these rules. These rules were created by a Japanese boxing promoter and a Karate expert. They mixed Karate and Muay Thai but later added Dutch rules. The main difference from Muay Thai is no elbow strikes or throws. There is also less clinch fighting. These changes aimed to reduce injuries and make fights easier to watch on TV. Fights usually have 5 rounds of 3 minutes, but 3 rounds are now popular too. Fighters wear shorts and protective gear like mouth-guards and shin-wraps.

Notable fighters include Semmy Schilt, Badr Hari, Ernesto Hoost, Albert Kraus, Masato, Peter Aerts, Remy Bonjasky, Giorgio Petrosyan, Mike Zambidis, Buakaw and Andy Souwer.

Rules:

• Fighters can punch, kick below the waist (except groin), sweep and knee to the body.
• Elbows are not allowed.
• Clinch fighting is very limited or not allowed.
• Throws and headbutts are not allowed.
• Fights have 3 to 5 rounds of 3 minutes each, with 1-minute breaks.

Kunguk-Do

Kunguk-Do is a Korean style created in 1969. It mixes Traditional Karate, Muay Thai, American Kickboxing, Oriental Rules and Kyeok Too Ki. The founder came from Karate but added other styles after fighting them.

Notable fighter: Karate competitor at the Asian Games, Jeong Kwon-hong.

Rules:

• Martial Art Rules: like Karate, allowing punches and upper body kicks, 2-9 rounds of 2 minutes.
• Europe Rule: like Full Contact, allowing upper body punches and kicks, 3-5 rounds of 3 minutes.
• Freestyle Rule: like Muay Thai, allowing punches, high and low kicks, clinch fighting, knees and elbows, 3-5 rounds of 3 minutes.

Kyeok Too Ki

Kyeok Too Ki is a Korean style created in 1964. The founder trained in Judo, Boxing and Taekwondo. Later he learned Oriental Rules Kickboxing from Japan.

Notable fighters: former RISE Middleweight champion, Lee Sung-hyun and former RISE Super Featherweight champion, Chan Hyung Lee.

Rules:

• Historically allowed punches, high and low kicks, elbows, knees, clinch fighting, throws and standing submission holds.
• Now rules are closer to K-1, not allowing throws or standing submissions, though they are still taught for self-defense.

Full Contact

Full Contact, or American Kickboxing, mixes Western boxing and traditional karate. It began in the United States in the 1970s. Fighters wear shorts and protective gear like mouth-guards and shin-pads. Women wear a sports bra and chest protection too.

Notable fighters include Dennis Alexio, Joe Lewis, Rick Roufus, Jean-Yves Thériault, Benny Urquidez, Bill Wallace, Demetrius Havanas, Billy Jackson, Akseli Saurama, Tony LoCoco, Pete Cunningham, and Don "The Dragon" Wilson.

Rules:

• Fighters can punch and kick above the waist.
• Elbows and knees are not allowed.
• Clinch fighting and grappling are not allowed, but foot sweeps are okay.
• Fights usually have 3 to 10 rounds of 2 minutes each, with 1-minute breaks.
• The referee ensures safety and follows rules; judges score the fight.

Semi Contact

Semi Contact is a type of American kickboxing similar to karate. It focuses on scoring points with speed and technique. Fights happen on the tatami, with belts showing experience. Fighters wear shirts, shorts and protective gear like mouth-guards and headgear. Women wear a sports bra and chest protection.

Notable fighters include Raymond Daniels, Michael Page, Stephen Thompson and Gregorio Di Leo.

Rules:

• Points are scored with punches, kicks above the waist and foot sweeps below the ankle.
• Punches, kicks and foot sweeps earn 1 point. Kicks to the head or jumping kicks to the body earn 2 points. Jumping kicks to the head earn 3 points.
• Hook and axe kicks are allowed but must use the foot sole.
• Shins are rarely used except for jumping and spinning.
• Elbows, knees and spinning backfists are not allowed.
• Clinch fighting, throws and most sweeps are not allowed.
• Fights usually have 3 rounds of 2–3 minutes each, with 1-minute breaks.

Combat Hopak

Main article: Combat Hopak

Combat Hopak is a Ukrainian martial art from 1985. Fighters wear traditional shirts, belts and Sharavary. They wear shoes like Savate practitioners and use boxing gloves.

Rules:

• Allowed techniques: punches, kicks and sweeps.
• Groundfighting is not allowed.

Dutch Kickboxing

Dutch rules began in the 1970s when Japanese kickboxing and Muay Thai came to Holland. The Dutch developed their rules, not allowing elbow strikes and limiting knee strikes to the body only. Elbows were sometimes allowed if both fighters agreed. Changes aimed to reduce injuries and suit TV viewing. Fights often had traditional Thai music.

Notable fighters include Alistair Overeem, Bas Rutten, Melvin Manhoef, Gegard Mousasi, Remy Bonjasky and Peter Aerts.

Rules:

• Fights have up to 3 rounds of 3 minutes.
• Punches and kicks are allowed.
• Elbow strikes are against the rules unless both fighters agree.
• Knees to the head are not allowed, but to the body are okay.
• Throws, sweeps and trips are not allowed.
• Clinching is allowed for up to 5 seconds only to attack the opponent.

Freestyle Kickboxing

International rules, or freestyle kickboxing, allow low kicks unlike full contact rules. Fighters wear shorts or kickboxing trousers and protective gear. Women wear a sports bra and chest protection.

Notable fighters include Rick Roufus and Abraham Roqueñi.

Rules:

• Fighters can punch, knee and kick, including below the waist except the groin.
• Elbows are not allowed.
• Throws and sweeps are not allowed.
• Clinching is allowed for up to 5 seconds.
• Fights have 3 to 5 rounds for amateurs and 3 to 10 for professionals, each 2–3 minutes with 1-minute breaks.

WKA Kickboxing

WKA Kickboxing uses a mix of Muay Thai, Japanese Kickboxing and Full Contact rules.

Rules:

• World Title bouts have 12 rounds, continental 10 rounds, national 5 rounds.
• Fighters must wear approved uniforms, tapes and bandages.
• They must wear groin protectors, mouthpieces and hair stays.
• Common fouls like eye gouges and groin shots are not allowed.
• Knee strikes, elbow strikes, back fists, clubbing strikes, headbutts, palm strikes, anti-joint moves, grabbing legs/arms and long clinches are not allowed.
• Stalling fighters are warned by the referee.
• A knockout happens if a fighter cannot get up after an 8 count.

ISKA Kickboxing

ISKA Kickboxing blends Full Contact, Japanese, Muay Thai and Freestyle Kickboxing rules.

Rules:

• Fighters must wear an approved uniform depending on the match type.
• Gloves, footpads, groin protectors and mouthpieces are required; shinpads, elbowpads and forearm pads are not allowed.
• Grappling except sweeps is not allowed.
• Common fouls are not allowed.
• Special rules against spinning back fists often lead to penalties.
• Blocking an opponent’s limb to stop a strike is not allowed.
• A knockout is called if a fighter cannot get up after an 8 count.
• Too many knockdowns can lead to a TKO loss.

Muay Thai

Main article: Muay Thai

Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, usually has 5 rounds of 3 minutes. Fighters wear shorts and protective gear like mouth-guards and shin-wraps. Women wear a sports bra and chest protection. Muay Thai is unique because it allows elbows, knees, clinch fighting, throws, sweeps and low kicks. Groin strikes were allowed until the 1980s internationally and still sometimes in Thailand. Kicking to the body and head scores well. Punching scores less.

Notable fighters include Apidej Sit Hrun, Buakaw Por. Pramuk, Changpuek Kiatsongrit, Rob Kaman, Ramon Dekkers, Coban Lookchaomaesaitong, Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn, Saenchai P.K. Saenchaimuaythaigym, Samart Payakaroon and Yodsanklai Fairtex.

Rules:

• Fighters can punch, kick below the waist, elbow and knee.
• Clinch fighting is allowed.
• Some throws and sweeps are allowed (but hip throws and ankle sweeps are not).
• Fights usually have 5 rounds of 3 minutes with 2-minute breaks, though some have 3 rounds with 1-minute breaks.

Lethwei

Main article: Lethwei

Lethwei from Myanmar has very few rules and little protective gear. It allows headbutts and emphasizes them. Fighters do not wear gloves. Fights end only by knockout. If a fighter is knocked out but gets up after two minutes, they can continue once more unless knocked out in the final round. No points are scored; if no knockout by the fifth round, it is a draw. Fighters wear shorts and protective gear like mouth-guards. Women wear a sports bra and chest protection.

Notable fighters include Tun Tun Min, Too Too, Dave Leduc and Soe Lin Oo.

Rules:

• Fighters can punch, kick below the waist, elbow, knee and headbutt.
• Clinch fighting, throws and sweeps are allowed.
• Fights have 5 rounds of 3 minutes with 2-minute breaks.

Sanda

Main article: Sanda (sport)

Sanda, or Sanshou, is Chinese kickboxing developed from military training in traditional Kung fu and modern combat. It mixes kickboxing with wrestling, takedowns, throws, sweeps and sometimes elbow and knee strikes. Fighters wear shorts and protective gear like mouth-guards. Women wear a sports bra and chest protection.

Notable fighters include Wei Rui, Fang Bian, Jia Aoqi, Muslim Salikhov, Pat Barry, Zhang Tiequan, Liu Hailong, Cung Le, Shahbulat Shamhalaev and Shamil Zavurov.

Rules:

• Fighters can punch and kick, including below the waist except the groin.
• Elbows and knees are not allowed (except in some competitions).
• Clinch fighting, throws and sweeps are allowed.
• Fights have 5 rounds of 3 minutes with 1-minute breaks.

Shootboxing

Main article: Shootboxing

Shootboxing is a hybrid style from Japan in 1985. It uses standing submissions like chokeholds and armlocks with kicks, punches, knees and throws. Fighters wear tight trousers and protective gear. Women wear a sports bra and chest protection.

Notable fighters include Rena Kubota, Kenichi Ogata, Hiroki Shishido, Ai Takahashi and Andy Souwer.

Rules:

• Fighters can punch, kick below the waist (except groin), knee and use standing submissions.
• Elbows are not allowed (since 2001).
• Clinch fighting, throws and sweeps are allowed.
• Bouts have 3 rounds of 3 minutes with 1-minute breaks.

Draka Kickboxing

Draka, or Russian Kickboxing, was created in 1992 by Igor Ejov. It mixes Muay Thai, Western Boxing, Combat Sambo and Wrestling.

Rules:

• Fighters can kick, knee, punch and elbow.
• Takedowns, throws and sweeps are allowed.
• Groundfighting and chokeholds are not allowed.

Xtreme Gladiator Kickboxing

Xtreme Gladiator is a hybrid style mixing Boxing, Muay Thai, Sanshou, Wrestling and Judo. It began in the 21st century and allows some submission techniques like joint locks and chokeholds with time limits.

Rules:

• Closed, hammer and open hand strikes are legal.
• Forearm and elbow strikes are legal.
• Standing foot stomps are legal.
• Oblique kicks to the inside leg are allowed.
• Knees to the head, body and shins are allowed when standing.
• Upkicks from the ground are legal.
• All types of throws, slams and takedowns are allowed.
• Chokes and joint locks are legal.
• Downed stomps are not allowed.
• Kicks and knees to the head of a grounded opponent are not allowed.
• 12-6 elbows are not allowed.
• Common fouls are not allowed.

Techniques

Punching

Punching in kickboxing is similar to boxing. Common punches include:

• Jab – a straight punch from the front hand.
• Cross – a straight punch from the back hand.
• Hook – a rounded punch to the head or body.
• Uppercut – a rising punch to the chin.
• Backfist – a strike to the head with the back of the hand.
• Flying-punch – a punch with a hop.
• Overhand – a powerful punch from above.
• Bolo punch – a wide punch that looks like it comes from the floor.
• Haymaker – a wide looping punch.

Kicking

Common kicking techniques include:

• Roundhouse kick – a kick to the head or body with the front of the foot.
• Front kick – a kick to the face or chest with the balls of the foot.
• Side kick – a kick with the heel of the foot to the head, leg, or body.
• Semi-circular kick – a forty-five-degree roundhouse kick.

Special kicks include:

• Hook kick – a kick to the head with the heel or sole.
• Crescent kick – a forward crescent kick.
• Axe kick – a downward stomp kick.
• Back kick – a kick with the base heel of the foot.

Spinning and jumping versions of these kicks are also used.

Knee

Knee strikes are important in kickboxing, especially in styles influenced by Muay Thai. Some knee techniques include:

• Straight knee – a knee strike to the stomach or hip.
• Flying knee – an upward knee strike to the face or chest.
• Hook knee – a spinning knee strike to the sides of the opponent.
• Side knee – a knee strike to the knee joints or groin.

Defense

There are three main ways to defend in kickboxing:

• Slipping – turning the body so a punch passes by.
• Bob and weave – bending down to avoid a punch and then moving back up.
• Blocking – using hands or shins to stop a punch.
• Parrying or blocking – deflecting a punch with the hands.
• The cover-up – holding hands high to protect the face and body.
• The clinch – holding the opponent's hands or neck to prevent attacks.

Brain injury and CTE

See also: Chronic traumatic encephalopathy

A hard hit to the head, like a concussion, can hurt the brain. This harm can stay even after someone stops playing sports. Repeated hits to the head can lead to a serious brain condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This condition can start while the athlete is still playing and may get worse later.