Tag: kickboxing

Carlos Ulberg Comments On The Recent Success Of Kickboxers In MMA: ‘It’s A Universal Language’

City Kickboxing’s Carlos Ulberg looks to earn his seventh win in a row inside the Octagon this weekend when he returns in Macau to face former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir. The #10-ranked contender at light heavyweight is one of many fighters from his gym and on the UFC roster as a whole that came into […]

City Kickboxing’s Carlos Ulberg looks to earn his seventh win in a row inside the Octagon this weekend when he returns in Macau to face former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir. The #10-ranked contender at light heavyweight is one of many fighters from his gym and on the UFC roster as a whole that came into the sport with a background in kickboxing.

Kickboxing has always been a well represented skill set in MMA but for a long time, a lot of these specialist strikers tended to have a cap on their capabilities. It was only the ones that were able to really improve their overall game who achieved a lot of success at the highest level.

The likes of Ulberg’s teammate Israel Adesanya and the champion of his weight class, Alex Pereira, have shown what is possible for elite level strikers that are able to adapt their games for the Octagon. In a recent interview with Kevin Iole ahead of his return this weekend, Ulberg spoke about the growing number of kickboxers and the success they have in MMA.

He believes that the main difference is that there is far more emphasis now on creating a skillset for MMA, rather than being a striker with some wrestling and jiu-jitsu added on. This can also be seen with Adesanya saying that other kickboxers from his gym like Navajo Stirling are more well-rounded than he is because they’ve adopted this approach earlier on.

“A lot more attention is going to MMA in particular. There is not one particular where everyone’s just got a few more tricks now to present themselves with and I feel like if you don’t have the full package then you’re not going to go very far in the division.

“It’s a universal language when it comes to MMA right now where you kind of have to build all of your skill set in terms of your grappling as well as your stand up game.”

Stamp Fairtex Promises a Comeback and Reveals Her 2025 Return Plans After Knee Injury ‘I lost my focus.’

Stamp Fairtex Promises a Comeback and Reveals Her Return PlansMMA star Stamp Fairtex had to sit out for over a year due to a severe knee injury. Prior…

Stamp Fairtex Promises a Comeback and Reveals Her Return Plans

MMA star Stamp Fairtex had to sit out for over a year due to a severe knee injury. Prior to that, the young fighter had held world titles in MMA, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai in ONE Championship. She is on the recovery trail and is looking to make a comeback in 2025 and has an idea of when she will return to the cage.

Stamp Fairtex Injured

The reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion Stamp Fairtex suffered a significant knee injury that forced her to withdraw from her scheduled title defense at ONE 167. the partner tried to lift and twist Stamp, but her leg remained on the ground, causing her knee to twist unnaturally and would later require surgery. Stamp Fairtex suffered a torn meniscus in her left knee.

Stamp Fairtex out of ONE Championship fight in June after knee injury 80% of her meniscus is torn off
Image Credit: ONE Championship

On this injury, Stamp explained in a recent interview:

“I was training with my friend, my partner, and we were sparring. She locked me to take my back, and she wanted to lift me. She’s stronger than me, so when she lifted me, my face was still in the car. When she twisted, my knee twisted too, and it got hurt.

“After surgery, it was really, really bad. Like, why? Why did I get hurt? Why did I have to have surgery? I hadn’t fought for a long time—already one year. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t do the same things as before. Everything felt bad for me.”

Stamp Fairtex Jihin Razzuan ONE on Prime Video 2 1920X1280 34 1200x799 1

Now the Thai-born athlete is in recovery, Stamp added that she misses training. She continued:

“My recovery is going so much better. Now I feel like maybe 65 or 70 percent. I think by December, I can train at 100 percent, or something like that. I’m not back to training 100 percent yet. I’m only doing PT to build the muscle in my knee. That’s it.

“When I see everyone fight, when I see everyone training, I feel like I’m hungry to train again. I’m hungry to fight again. It’s so boring when I’m at my hometown.

“After surgery, I felt like I lost a year. It’s already almost 500 days, and I feel like everything went backward. I lost my skill, I lost my focus. Now, I know I have to build my muscle, focus again, and pay attention when I come back to training. Everyone wants my belt. My opponents are training and improving their skills, but I feel stuck. When I come back, I have to focus, learn more, and update my skills.”

Stamp Fairtex Alyona Rassohyna 1920X1280 EMPOWER 27

Stamp Fairtex Comeback

Being unable to train in the gym, Stamp Fairtex went home to stay with her parents and help on their farm. She began her Muay Thai career when she was still a child as a way to help bring in more money for her family. Now, she has become a star in combat sports having collected gold in Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and, most recently, MMA.

stamp fairtex 1

On staying at home, she said:

“I just sleep, don’t do anything. I walk to the Douyin farm, come back, sleep, eat, play on my phone. I really, really miss training, Muay Thai, and MMA. I miss everyone because usually I talk a lot with everyone. But when I’m back home, no one talks to me. I’m really quiet. I talk to my dog, Oli.”

For her next fight in ONE Championship, Stamp Fairtex says that after her knee recovery and hitting the gym, she will be ready to go in April or May 2025. She added:

“Maybe May or April … I feel like I’m falling behind while everyone else is improving their skills, power, and muscle … It’s been one year, and no one has seen me training on social media—just dancing or something. I’m still the same, still funny, but I promise I’m going to come back. I’m 27, and I don’t know how long I’ll fight.

“Now is my time to shine and show everyone who I am. I’ll be back.”

Stamp Fairtex
Stamp Fairtex

Stamp Fairtex Promises a Comeback and Reveals Her 2025 Return Plans After Knee Injury ‘I lost my focus.’

Stamp Fairtex Promises a Comeback and Reveals Her Return PlansMMA star Stamp Fairtex had to sit out for over a year due to a severe knee injury. Prior…

Stamp Fairtex Promises a Comeback and Reveals Her Return Plans

MMA star Stamp Fairtex had to sit out for over a year due to a severe knee injury. Prior to that, the young fighter had held world titles in MMA, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai in ONE Championship. She is on the recovery trail and is looking to make a comeback in 2025 and has an idea of when she will return to the cage.

Stamp Fairtex Injured

The reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion Stamp Fairtex suffered a significant knee injury that forced her to withdraw from her scheduled title defense at ONE 167. the partner tried to lift and twist Stamp, but her leg remained on the ground, causing her knee to twist unnaturally and would later require surgery. Stamp Fairtex suffered a torn meniscus in her left knee.

Stamp Fairtex out of ONE Championship fight in June after knee injury 80% of her meniscus is torn off
Image Credit: ONE Championship

On this injury, Stamp explained in a recent interview:

“I was training with my friend, my partner, and we were sparring. She locked me to take my back, and she wanted to lift me. She’s stronger than me, so when she lifted me, my face was still in the car. When she twisted, my knee twisted too, and it got hurt.

“After surgery, it was really, really bad. Like, why? Why did I get hurt? Why did I have to have surgery? I hadn’t fought for a long time—already one year. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t do the same things as before. Everything felt bad for me.”

Stamp Fairtex Jihin Razzuan ONE on Prime Video 2 1920X1280 34 1200x799 1

Now the Thai-born athlete is in recovery, Stamp added that she misses training. She continued:

“My recovery is going so much better. Now I feel like maybe 65 or 70 percent. I think by December, I can train at 100 percent, or something like that. I’m not back to training 100 percent yet. I’m only doing PT to build the muscle in my knee. That’s it.

“When I see everyone fight, when I see everyone training, I feel like I’m hungry to train again. I’m hungry to fight again. It’s so boring when I’m at my hometown.

“After surgery, I felt like I lost a year. It’s already almost 500 days, and I feel like everything went backward. I lost my skill, I lost my focus. Now, I know I have to build my muscle, focus again, and pay attention when I come back to training. Everyone wants my belt. My opponents are training and improving their skills, but I feel stuck. When I come back, I have to focus, learn more, and update my skills.”

Stamp Fairtex Alyona Rassohyna 1920X1280 EMPOWER 27

Stamp Fairtex Comeback

Being unable to train in the gym, Stamp Fairtex went home to stay with her parents and help on their farm. She began her Muay Thai career when she was still a child as a way to help bring in more money for her family. Now, she has become a star in combat sports having collected gold in Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and, most recently, MMA.

stamp fairtex 1

On staying at home, she said:

“I just sleep, don’t do anything. I walk to the Douyin farm, come back, sleep, eat, play on my phone. I really, really miss training, Muay Thai, and MMA. I miss everyone because usually I talk a lot with everyone. But when I’m back home, no one talks to me. I’m really quiet. I talk to my dog, Oli.”

For her next fight in ONE Championship, Stamp Fairtex says that after her knee recovery and hitting the gym, she will be ready to go in April or May 2025. She added:

“Maybe May or April … I feel like I’m falling behind while everyone else is improving their skills, power, and muscle … It’s been one year, and no one has seen me training on social media—just dancing or something. I’m still the same, still funny, but I promise I’m going to come back. I’m 27, and I don’t know how long I’ll fight.

“Now is my time to shine and show everyone who I am. I’ll be back.”

Stamp Fairtex
Stamp Fairtex

Veteran Kickboxer Nieky Holzken Challenges Jake Paul: If You’re Fighting the Elderly, Fight Me

nieky holzken Jake PaulThe 40-year-old former Kickboxing world champion Nieky Holzken is looking to face Jake Paul, as ‘The Problem Child’ is…

nieky holzken Jake Paul

The 40-year-old former Kickboxing world champion Nieky Holzken is looking to face Jake Paul, as ‘The Problem Child’ is looking to face the elderly. After his victory over the 58-year-old Mike Tyson, Jake Paul has no opponent scheduled but ‘The Natural’ is looking to be next.

Nieky Holzken Challenges Jake Paul

‘The Problem Child’ Jake Paul is a YouTuber who used his celebrity status to earn blockbuster boxing matches. He has been able to defeat former UFC UFC fighters such as Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, and Tyron Woodley in his career. Most recently, live on Netflix, he out-boxed veteran boxer ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson who is 58 years old.

‘The Natural’ Nieky Holzken has taken issue with Jake Paul and is looking to be next in line for a boxing match. The 40-year-old Dutch-born striker Holzken has had an incredible career in kickboxing. Over 22 years, he has competed in a whopping 112 professional bouts, in addition to another 15 in professional boxing.

nieky holzken champ

A true veteran of combat sports who has competed in ONE Championship, K-1 World MAX, It’s Showtime and held a division title in GLORY Kickboxing. Everywhere Holzken has competed he has been perpetually a top-ranked contender.

nieky holzken

In his most recent bout, he took on veteran athlete Yoshihiro Akiyama in a four-ounce boxing gloves match and needed less than two minutes to knock him out. Now, Holzken is looking to challenge Jake Paul. On X, he Tweeted:

“What a pussy you are to fight someone who is 58 and can’t knock him out stop making excuses. A perfect business man you’re [Jake Paul] but that’s where it ends for me … I’m glad Tyson didn’t get knocked out or take any damage. It’s time for a real opponent now.”

Watch: She Only Needed Six Seconds for a One-Punch World Title Knockout

Kyara van der Klooster Watch She Only Needed Six Seconds for a World Title KnockoutThe 19-year-old Kyara van der Klooster delivered a stunning 6-second knockout victory against Feride Kirat in the main event…

Kyara van der Klooster Watch She Only Needed Six Seconds for a World Title Knockout

The 19-year-old Kyara van der Klooster delivered a stunning 6-second knockout victory against Feride Kirat in the main event of Enfusion 142 in Dordrecht, claiming the 55 kg world title.

Six Second Knockout

The Enfusion event was one of the organization’s most exciting in recent times, packed with knockouts. The Dutch-born Van der Klooster’s win earned her the world title, in just six seconds, and one punch. She just needed a single overhand to earn her strap. With her aggressive performance, she has earned her the reputation of being a “bad girl” of the promotion. She knocked out Turkey’s Feride Kirat, who was unbeaten in Enfusion up to that point.

Kyara van der Klooster

See below for the six-second knockout at Enfusion from Kyara van der Klooster.

With this knockout win, the 19-year-old Kyara van der Klooster kept her perfect professional record intact.

Enfusion is a kickboxing promotion based in the Netherlands. Founded in 2011 by Edwin van Os, Enfusion has established itself as a notable kickboxing organization globally and is focused on developing talent. Enfusion hosts approximately 16 live events per year in various cities and countries worldwide. Enfusion operates several platforms to nurture developing talent. Many renowned fighters have competed in Enfusion, including Buakaw, Superbon, Andy Souwer, and Tayfun Ozcan.

Watch Kyara van der Klooster Only Needed Six Seconds for a One Punch World Title Knockout Enfusion

Will Francis Ngannou Face Rico Verhoeven?

Francis Ngannou vs Rico VerhoevenPFL World Champion Francis Ngannou may have a future opponent in Rico Verhoeven, the kickboxing world title holder. Rumors…

Francis Ngannou vs Rico Verhoeven

PFL World Champion Francis Ngannou may have a future opponent in Rico Verhoeven, the kickboxing world title holder. Rumors and quotes have been circulating recently.

Francis Ngannou

Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou was the UFC heavyweight champion and was feared for his striking power, with an incredible 85% knockout win rate. Since walking away from the organization, he took on two blockbuster boxing fights against champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Afterward, he returned to MMA to capture the PFL heavyweight title with a first-round knockout.

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira
Photo by Tim Wheaton

Rico Verhoeven

The Dutch-born Rico Verhoeven captured the GLORY Kickboxing World title in 2014 and has not lost since, he now has compiled 11 title defenses plus a Grand Prix championship along the way. He is best known for his fights against Badr Hari. The kickboxer has a 32% knockout win rate and has largely cleared out the heavyweight division. His next bout is a rematch against Levi Rigters then hopefully he can face Antonio Plazibat, after that, there’s no one left in this division.

Francis Ngannou vs. Rico Verhoeven

When Francis Ngannou left the UFC, he was fielding offers from many organizations as the hottest free agent in combat sports. GLORY Kickboxing circulated a story stating that they had sent Ngannou an offer. In a conversation with me, Ngannou said that this story was simply false. In no uncertain terms, he said: “No, no. I never received an offer from GLORY.“

The Cameroonian athlete had a singular kickboxing win before he made his professional MMA debut. Reflecting on this match, Francis Ngannou told me: “Well, I remember it was a moment that I just wanted to fight. I was very excited, was very hungry, and was training all the time. I wanted to fight. My kickboxing wasn’t great though … But I was just like, I have the will to win. I was going there for everything. It was quite a good experience.”

Francis Ngannou PFL
Photo by Tim Wheaton

The kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven has a singular MMA victory from 2015. Verhoeven and Ngannou have each competed professionally across kickboxing, MMA, and boxing. The ruleset in a potential could be mixed following a long history of kickboxers vs. MMA fighters, such as we used to see K-1 vs. PRIDE events.. In conversation with the PFL though; they’re not looking to mix rules.

Speaking in an interview with Ariel Helwani, Verhoeven implored the public for this match. He said:

“What I would like to say to them is just, I think when we’re talking about ‘Baddest on the Planet’, and we’re talking about crossover fights, this must happen! It hasn’t happened because we’ve done the most crazy fights, and this is one of them that needs to be added to the list. So let’s make it happen!

“Let’s find out who it is…the crossover talks, they’ve been going on for quite some time. For example, what’s going on in [Saudi Arabia] is awesome. They’ve put mixed martial arts on the map in a different way…there’s so many different flavors. Could be a home-and-away fight, kickboxing or MMA fight, which likely ends up 1-1. But a boxing match, that’s interesting, because it’s a different way for both of us.”