Bellator Kickboxing will debut this April from Italy, running the first event as part of Bellator 152.
On Tuesday, the promotion revealed planned weight classes and rules for the kickboxing matches.
Below is all the information you need to know:
Bellator Kickboxing is set to make its world premiere in just over a month on Friday, April 16 with “Bellator Kickboxing: Torino.” The event will be broadcast in America on April 22 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT, immediately following the “Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson” event on SPIKE. Today the promotion is pleased to announce its official weight classes and rule set.
The Pala Alpitour, which has been the home to several amazing events including the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, will host the inaugural “Bellator Kickboxing: Torino” card. The groundbreaking evening of fights will be headlined by one of the most accomplished knockout artists in combat sports, Melvin Manhoef (49-12), who takes on Alexandru Negrea (8-2). The co-main event features Mustapha Haida (37-3-3) taking on Karim Ghajji (95-12) for the 165-pound ISKA title. Kickboxing sensations Raymond Daniels (10-3), Denise Kielholtz (43-2) and Kevin Ross (30-9) will round out the card of the initial event against yet to be announced opponents.
Traditionally, kickboxing has never had a set amount of weight classes, with the number differing by promotion. In Bellator Kickboxing, the weight classes will be identical to those utilized in mixed martial arts, starting with heavyweight and ending with flyweight. Generally, there is a one-pound allowance for non-title fights, although that allowance may vary depending on the regulatory body sanctioning the event.
– Heavyweight: 265 pounds
– Light Heavyweight: 205 pounds
– Middleweight: 185 pounds
– Welterweight: 170 pounds
– Lightweight: 155 pounds
– Featherweight: 145 pounds
– Bantamweight: 135 pounds
– Flyweight: 125 pounds
In addition, below is an overview of Bellator Kickboxing’s rule set, which will make for the most explosive kickboxing action on the planet.
– The competitors will attack and defend using punches (including spinning backfists), kicks and knee strikes.
– Each non-title fight is scheduled for three, three-minute rounds with the potential for an extra sudden victory round if the bout is scored a draw. Title fights will be scheduled for five, three-minute rounds.
– Prohibited techniques include: elbow strikes, throws, takedowns, and submission attempts or striking a downed fighter. Fighters may only clinch if they immediately attack with a knee strike.
– Three judges will score Bellator Kickboxing using the “10-Point-Must” system applying a prioritized criterion that values knockdowns, impact on the opponent and clean scoring strikes.
“Bellator Kickboxing: Torino” Fight Card
Bellator Kickboxing Middleweight Main Event: Melvin Manhoef (49-12) vs. Alexandru Negrea (8-2)
Bellator Kickboxing Welterweight Feature Bout: Raymond Daniels (10-3) vs. TBA
Bellator Kickboxing Flyweight Feature Bout: Denise Kielholtz (43-2) vs. TBA
Bellator Kickboxing Bantamweight Feature Bout: Kevin Ross (30-9) vs. TBA
Bellator Kickboxing will debut this April from Italy, running the first event as part of Bellator 152.
On Tuesday, the promotion revealed planned weight classes and rules for the kickboxing matches.
Below is all the information you need to know:
Bellator Kickboxing is set to make its world premiere in just over a month on Friday, April 16 with “Bellator Kickboxing: Torino.” The event will be broadcast in America on April 22 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT, immediately following the “Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson” event on SPIKE. Today the promotion is pleased to announce its official weight classes and rule set.
The Pala Alpitour, which has been the home to several amazing events including the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, will host the inaugural “Bellator Kickboxing: Torino” card. The groundbreaking evening of fights will be headlined by one of the most accomplished knockout artists in combat sports, Melvin Manhoef (49-12), who takes on Alexandru Negrea (8-2). The co-main event features Mustapha Haida (37-3-3) taking on Karim Ghajji (95-12) for the 165-pound ISKA title. Kickboxing sensations Raymond Daniels (10-3), Denise Kielholtz (43-2) and Kevin Ross (30-9) will round out the card of the initial event against yet to be announced opponents.
Traditionally, kickboxing has never had a set amount of weight classes, with the number differing by promotion. In Bellator Kickboxing, the weight classes will be identical to those utilized in mixed martial arts, starting with heavyweight and ending with flyweight. Generally, there is a one-pound allowance for non-title fights, although that allowance may vary depending on the regulatory body sanctioning the event.
– Heavyweight: 265 pounds
– Light Heavyweight: 205 pounds
– Middleweight: 185 pounds
– Welterweight: 170 pounds
– Lightweight: 155 pounds
– Featherweight: 145 pounds
– Bantamweight: 135 pounds
– Flyweight: 125 pounds
In addition, below is an overview of Bellator Kickboxing’s rule set, which will make for the most explosive kickboxing action on the planet.
– The competitors will attack and defend using punches (including spinning backfists), kicks and knee strikes.
– Each non-title fight is scheduled for three, three-minute rounds with the potential for an extra sudden victory round if the bout is scored a draw. Title fights will be scheduled for five, three-minute rounds.
– Prohibited techniques include: elbow strikes, throws, takedowns, and submission attempts or striking a downed fighter. Fighters may only clinch if they immediately attack with a knee strike.
– Three judges will score Bellator Kickboxing using the “10-Point-Must” system applying a prioritized criterion that values knockdowns, impact on the opponent and clean scoring strikes.
“Bellator Kickboxing: Torino” Fight Card
Bellator Kickboxing Middleweight Main Event: Melvin Manhoef (49-12) vs. Alexandru Negrea (8-2)
Denise Kieholtz just might be a name to remember when it comes to the world of kickboxing.
Kieholtz will get her chance to shine on the big stage next month when she meets an opponent yet-to-be-named at Bellator 152 from Italy. The kickboxing portio…
Denise Kieholtz just might be a name to remember when it comes to the world of kickboxing.
Kieholtz will get her chance to shine on the big stage next month when she meets an opponent yet-to-be-named at Bellator 152 from Italy. The kickboxing portion of the card airs a week later on Spike TV following Bellator 153.
Recently, the promotion caught up with Kieholtz to present her with five questions in their “5 Rounds” feature. Check it out in the video below:
Bellator has finalized the MMA portion of their upcoming joint MMA and kickboxing fight card scheduled for their debut in Italy later this year.
Headlining the MMA portion of the card for the event scheduled for 4/16 in Milan, Italy will be Patricky…
Bellator has finalized the MMA portion of their upcoming joint MMA and kickboxing fight card scheduled for their debut in Italy later this year.
Headlining the MMA portion of the card for the event scheduled for 4/16 in Milan, Italy will be Patricky “Pitbull” Freire taking on Derek Campos in a Lightweight contest.
The official fight card for the 4/16 event thus far looks as follows:
MMA Fight Card:
Patricky Freire (15-7) vs. Derek Campos (16-6)
Alessio Sakara (17-11) vs. Brian Rogers (12-8)
A.J. McKee (3-0) vs. Danilo Belluardo (5-1)
Anastasia Yankova (2-0) vs. Anjela Pink (Debut)
Daniele Miceli (2-0) vs. Daniele Scatizzi (6-2)
Kickboxing Fight Card:
Melvin Manhoef (49-12) vs. Alexandru Negrea (8-2)
Mustapha Haida (37-3-3) vs. Karim Ghajji (95-12)
Raymond Daniels (10-3) vs. TBA
Denise Kieholtz (43-2) vs. TBA
Kevin Ross (30-9) vs. TBA
