Tag: kickboxing

Takeru vs. Rodtang at Saitama Super Arena Has Been Announced for ONE 172

Takeru vs. Rodtang at Saitama Super Arena Has Been Announced for ONE 172ONE Championship has officially announced ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang, set to take place on March 23, 2025, at…

Takeru vs. Rodtang at Saitama Super Arena Has Been Announced for ONE 172

ONE Championship has officially announced ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang, set to take place on March 23, 2025, at the iconic Saitama Super Arena. The long-awaited matchup Takeru vs. Rodtang is finally, the dream showdown has been booked.

Takeru vs. Rodtang

The main event will feature Japan’s top-ranked flyweight kickboxing contender Takeru Segawa taking on Thailand’s Rodtang Jitmuangnon, the former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion and current top-ranked contender. This highly anticipated five-round super-fight pits two of the sport’s best strikers against each other. It is a matchup of world champions between Kickboxing and Muay Thai.

demetrious johnson rodtang

In the co-main event in addition to Takeru vs. Rodtang, Brazilian MMA legend Adriano Moraes, the former flyweight king, will rematch Japan’s Yuya Wakamatsu for the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship. Moraes and Wakamatsu are ranked #1 and #2 in the division, making this a battle for supremacy.

Additional fights for ONE 172 will be announced in the coming weeks.

takeru

Rodtang Jitmuangnon

The Iron Man” Rodtang Jitmuangnon is a decorated Muay Thai star with an impressive career record of 270 wins. He is known for his aggressive style and durability. Most recently, he is coming off a dominant win in ONE Championship Muay Thai. He remains one of the most popular figures in combat sports.

Takeru Segawa

Takeru Segawa is a Japanese kickboxing phenom and the first three-weight K-1 champion. Renowned for his calculated aggression and technical versatility, Takeru recently joined ONE Championship and continues to showcase his elite striking skills. He is coming off of a knockout win in ONE. A superstar in Japan due to his collecting so many titles in K-1 and his rivalry against Tenshin Nasukawa.

Takeru vs. Rodtang at Saitama Super Arena Has Been Announced for ONE 172

Exclusive | Robelis Despaigne Is Seeking Super Heavyweight Gold in Karate Combat “I’m here for my belt.”

Robelis Despaigne Karate CombatThe Olympics, the UFC, and now Karate Combat get to experience Robelis Despaigne. Starting his journey in taekwondo at…

Robelis Despaigne Karate Combat

The Olympics, the UFC, and now Karate Combat get to experience Robelis Despaigne. Starting his journey in taekwondo at just nine years old, Despaigne dedicated 15 years to Cuba’s national team. His career highlight came at the 2012 London Olympics, where he secured a bronze medal in the +80 kg category.

Robelis Despaigne

Despite his Olympic success, Robelis Despaigne grew disillusioned with the state of sports in Cuba and pivoted to mixed martial arts in 2019. Seeking greater opportunities, he relocated to Orlando, Florida, in 2022. It didn’t take long for the heavyweight to make waves in MMA—he won his first five professional bouts via first-round knockouts, establishing himself as a rising star.

Robelis Despaigne

The UFC took notice, signing him in December 2023. Robelis Despaigne’s promotional debut at UFC 299 on March 9, 2024, was nothing short of spectacular: an 18-second knockout of Josh Parisian earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. However, his UFC tenure proved brief. Subsequent losses to Waldo Cortes-Acosta in May 2024 and Austen Lane in October 2024 led to his release.

Undeterred, Despaigne quickly transitioned to Karate Combat, signing with the promotion in November 2024. Karate Combat appears to be a natural fit for the former Olympic medalist as he embarks on the next chapter of his career. In an exclusive interview with Robelis Despaigne, we discuss his career and Karate Combat. He will be making his debut on Thursday, December 19 at Karate Combat 51, live on YouTube at 6pm ET.

Robelis Despaigne Interview

What initially drew you to Taekwondo, and how did it shape your early life in Cuba?

I really love practicing taekwondo because I like martial arts movies.

Winning an Olympic bronze medal is an incredible achievement. What do you remember most about that experience in London 2012?

It was something unforgettable, very dreamed of and very worked on. I remember feeling it as the greatest dream of every athlete.

After such a long and successful Taekwondo career, what motivated you to transition to MMA, and how challenging was it to adapt to the new discipline?

It was quite a challenge to adapt, especially because of the floor work, but I really like it and I’m willing to work hard to become the biggest heavyweight in the world.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your UFC stint, both in victories and in defeats?

I learned that all the work is little compared to how hard an MMA fighter must work and I am willing to work even harder and achieve my return to UFC.

How did the UFC experience prepare you for the next phase of your combat sports career in Karate Combat?

I think having had the privilege of being in the UFC, which is such a big company, prepares you for any scenario. I’m ready for a great show. I thank Karate Combat for this opportunity and I’m here for my belt.

Karate Combat has a unique rule set and presentation. How have you adjusted your training to fit this style?

I love this style of fighting. I am very excited to be here at Karate Combat. I always followed these events and said I would like to fight here. God’s plan is perfect and I am going all out for my first KO in Karate Combat.

What are your goals in Karate Combat, both short-term and long-term?

To be the Super Heavyweight Champion.

As someone who has competed in multiple disciplines, what advice would you give to young martial artists looking to transition between sports?

Don’t be afraid of change, in the end it’s a fight all the same. And the challenge is fun.

Cuban athletes often face unique challenges when competing internationally. What has your experience been, and what message would you share with aspiring Cuban athletes?

I hope you enjoy the process and continue working hard to raise the name of Cuba.

Let’s build the perfect fighter. In your mind who has the best kicks? The Best Punches? Best Speed? And the best power?

The best kicks: Robelis Despaigne
The Best Punches: Alex Pereira.
Best Speed: Ryan Garcia.
The best power: Francis Ngannou.

Exclusive | Tessa De Kom: “A Girl Can Kick Your Ass” – The Rise of Kickboxing’s Next Big Star

Tessa De Kom A Girl Can Kick Your Ass The Rise of Kickboxings Next Big Star 2Tessa De Kom has already carved out a name for herself as one of the most promising kickboxers in…

Tessa De Kom A Girl Can Kick Your Ass The Rise of Kickboxings Next Big Star 2

Tessa De Kom has already carved out a name for herself as one of the most promising kickboxers in the world. The Dutch fighter, who holds both the Enfusion Women’s Strawweight and RISE Women’s Flyweight titles, is preparing for a showdown at RISE 184 in Tokyo on December 15, 2024, where she will defend her Flyweight title against the dangerous knockout striker Arina Kobayashi.

Tessa De Kom vs. Arina Kobayashi

For Tessa De Kom, this fight is of years of hard work and dedication. “I think this is my biggest fight so far, so I’m really looking forward to it. And yeah, it’s a really good opponent—she’s very strong, aggressive. It’s going to be a very tough and hard fight,” De Kom says. However, despite the tough challenge ahead, she’s never felt more confident in her abilities. “I trained really, really hard for it, but I’ve never felt so good about a fight before. So, yeah, I think I will be at my best,” she adds.

The preparations for this title defense have been intense. Tessa De Kom’s training camp may have been shorter than usual, but she’s made every session count. “It’s a short preparation, but I think, because of the preparation before, it doesn’t matter. The ideal schedule is a training camp of six to eight weeks, I think. But yeah, when there’s a chance like this, I can’t say no—I have to go.”

Tessa de Kom GLORY Kickboxing

“A Girl Can Kick Your Ass”

In a sport dominated by men, Tessa De Kom explains her attitude. “Well, don’t be scared that they’ll look at you differently or say, ‘Yeah, you’re a girl; you punch like a girl.’ Just say, ‘Yeah, I punch like a girl, and a girl can kick your ass!’ Every girl can do that. If you want to go to kickboxing, you should really do it. You’ll feel great about yourself.”

And her confidence isn’t just limited to her words—she’s also put in the work to back them up. Her professional record stands at an impressive 14-3, capturing both the Enfusion Women’s Strawweight and RISE Women’s Flyweight titles along the way. In fact, when asked about her recent success, Tessa De Kom notes, “I feel really good. But, there are always some points that need to be better, so we need to work on that. But overall, I feel happy that everything went so well. Yeah, I think it was like a dream.”

Tessa De Kom Kicboxing RISE

But it’s not all about the fight. De Kom is balancing her demanding training schedule with her education, as she’s currently in finishing her final year of studying sports marketing and management at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. “Yeah, it’s a lot, but both are important. If I had to choose right now, I’d say the fight is more important to me. But I told that to my teacher yesterday, and he wasn’t so happy about it,” she admits with a laugh.

Sleeping with the Belt

The champion keeps her RISE title close, even if it means a bit of discomfort. “At first, I had it just next to me in my bed. Yeah, I slept with it. But then I realized the material was very cold, so when I’d turn around and feel it at night, I’d wake up. That wasn’t the best place for it. So, I put it in the gym where everyone can see it. I hope it motivates people. It also motivates me during training when it gets tough—I just push harder.”

Tessa De Kom

Her next fight will be in Japan, a place that holds a special place in De Kom’s heart. “It was really good. The people were very nice and helped me with everything. It’s a shame I couldn’t stay longer, but this time I will, so I can see more of the country and visit different cities.” The trip is also a reminder of how far she’s come since her early days in kickboxing. “When I first heard about this opportunity, I felt like, ‘Huh? Did I hear that right?’ But yeah, it was really cool.”

As for the future, De Kom is focused on defending her title and continuing to prove that she belongs at the top of the kickboxing world. “My game plan is to win, of course. But I don’t want to say too much about it. I will be more powerful, and I won’t back down,” she says, her confidence unwavering.

When her hand is raised in victory at RISE 184, it will be just another chapter in a story that is only getting started for Tessa De Kom.

Tessa De Kom Kicboxing

Rico Verhoeven Keeps Heavyweight Throne Against Levi Rigters at Collision 7

Rico Verhoeven vs. Levi Rigters Results (2) GLORY Collision 7The main event of GLORY Collision 7 saw Rico Verhoeven look to defend his heavyweight title against the towering…

Rico Verhoeven vs. Levi Rigters Results (2) GLORY Collision 7

The main event of GLORY Collision 7 saw Rico Verhoeven look to defend his heavyweight title against the towering Levi Rigters. After five rounds of action, the two heavyweight strikers traded knockdowns. But in the end, Verhoeven remains the ‘King of Kickboxing.’

Rico Verhoeven vs. Levi Rigters Results

Rico Verhoeven and Levi Rigters met in the final match of the heavyweight Grand Prix earlier this year. It was a dominant match for the Dutch-born Verhoeven until Rigters landed a spinning back fist that sent him tumbling. The all-time great Verhoeven quickly recovered and finished the fight a minute later. After a win, Levi Rigters, of The Netherlands, put himself at the top of the division looking to avenge his loss and capture the GLORY heavyweight world title.

‘The King of Kickboxing’ Verhoeven walked out with an army of Roman centurions, holding spears, chanting for their monarch. He then performed his signature sprint to the ring with flames and the audience screaming.

Sharp punching combinations and inside leg kicks landed early for Rico Verhoeven, looking a few steps ahead of his opponent in the first round. The heavyweight champion ate a hard calf kick and returned with a leg kick to the thigh. Verhoeven got knocked down due to a groin kick and the referee began a ten-count, causing confusion in the ring. It was not scored a knockdown after a quick review. Rigters finished the round strong with a right cross.

Verhoeven landed kicks and punches in round two but a stiff lead jab from Rigters seemed to interrupt the tempo of his opponent. The Dutch strikers trade heavy rearhand crosses. The champion threw a series of high kicks then pressured and threw a flurry to the body. The forward pressure from the heavyweight champion was keeping the hefty kicker on the back foot stifling much of his gameplan.

Double and triple jabs, combined into leg kicks, land with authority for the ‘King of Kickboxing’ in round 3, as Rigters seems unable to mount any meaningful offense. A stunning hook from Rigters landed and Verhoeven crashed to the canvas. He is clearly shaken as he rises to his feet. But the round 3 bell sounds and Rigters is unable to capitalise.

The two heavyweights trade punches and kicks in round 4, with both looking for an edge but neither wants to commit due to how high the stakes are. To counter the jab, Verhoeven lands a booming overhand that drops Rigters. Entering the fifth and final round, each man has scored one knockdown.

Levi Rigters opens round 5 throwing heavy overhands looking for a knockout blow but Rico Verhoeven pushes back with jabs to the body and head. Jabs into low kicks score for the reigning champion to control the final round. The towering Rigters attempted a flying knee and scissor kicks to close the round but Rico Verhoeven defended himself flawlessly.

glory c7 rico verhoeven
Rico c7
Rico VERHOEVEN VS RIGTERS 2
Rico VERHOEVEN VS RIGTERS GLORY Collision 7 4

GLORY COLLISION 7 Results

Rico Verhoeven defeated Levi Rigters by Unanimous Decision (47-46 x2, 48-45 x3) – For the Heavyweight Title
Tarik Khbabez defeated Donegi Abena by Split Decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46 x2, 50-45) – for the Light Heavyweight Championship
Bahram Rajabzadeh defeated Daniel Stefanovski by TKO (3 Knockdowns). Round 1 – 2:30
Sergej Maslobojev defeated ?tefan L?tescu by Unanimous Decision
Cem Caceres Aygun defeated Pascal Touré by Unanimous Decision
Sofian Laïdouni defeated Ionut Iancu by Unanimous Decision
Mory Kromah defeated Miloš Cvjeti?anin by Unanimous Decision
Younes Smaili defeated Tayfun Özcan by Split Decision
Serkan Özça?layan defeated Ramy Deghir by Unanimous Decision
Endy Semeleer defeated Jay Overmeer by Unanimous Decision
Oleg Pryimachov defeated Abderrahman Barkouch by Unanimous Decision
Ayoub Bourass defeated Anass Ahmidouch-Fatah by Split Decision

Tarik Khbabez wins close decision to retain title in five round war against Donegi Abena

Tarik Khbabez vs. Donegi Abena Results GLORY Collision 7After one win each, Tarik Khbabez and Donegi Abena fought in a trilogy match at GLORY Collision 7, with…

Tarik Khbabez vs. Donegi Abena Results GLORY Collision 7

After one win each, Tarik Khbabez and Donegi Abena fought in a trilogy match at GLORY Collision 7, with the light heavyweight title on the line. After a relentless five-round war, Morocco’s Tarik Khbabez keeps his title and calls out Rico Verhoeven.

Tarik Khbabez vs. Donegi Abena Results

The Surinamese-Dutch Abena held the division title until Tarik Khbabez, of Morocco, took the throne by close, and contentious, split decision. Next, the division was thrown into a Grand Prix in which Abena avenged this loss via TKO and took the entire tournament crown. But, Khbabez remained the champion as the division title was not on the line. Tarik Khbabez vs. Donegi Abena 3 was a grudge match for the light heavyweight division crown at GLORY Collision 7.

After not touching gloves, round 1 kicked off with both men trading flurries mixing calf kicks and punches upstairs. Donegi Abena was focused on body punches while Tarik Khbabez used calf kicks. Both men clearly had a game plan utilizing calf kicks as both were throwing them furiously and continuously throughout round 1. It was a spirited opening round as neither man backed down.

‘The Tank’ Tarik Khbabez was throwing bombs in round 2 but left himself open to a hard counter from Abena, and the two then traded flurries in the pocket. An inside leg kick turned Khbabez all the way around and Abena was unable to press his advantage as the Moroccan was continuously pressuring. While Abena was landing more strikes, Khbabez was landing bombs which were clearly having an impact. The scores were even at this point of the fight.

Khbabez attacked inside flurries to open round 3 and Abena was unable to get his opponent off of him as ‘The Tank’ was attacking with flurries. Abena switched his game and attacked with inside leg kicks and knees to slow his opponent down. Khbabez was slowing down towards the end of the round and Abena was kicking his opponent’s leg heavily, even scoring trips but ‘The Tank’ was still throwing back punches with authority.

Opening round 4, Donegi Abena was landing solid body punches and calf kicks which were sending his opponent stumbling, but ‘The Tank’ was still throwing back in combination. The Surinamese-Dutch lays on a Muay Thai clinch and lands knees in combination and later adds a mean left hook. Khbabez did not let up, he continued to march forward throwing kicks and punches in combination. The punches begin to add up scoring for the Moroccan in the final minute of the round.

In the fifth and final round, both men continue the relentless pace, trading kicks and flurries to the head. Both men land heavy punches, Abena lands knees while Khbabez lands kicks. The Surinamese-Dutch striker is working the body while ‘The Tank’ is attacking in combination. Both men slug it out in the last ten seconds.

After the fight, Donegi Abena left his gloves in the ring as he announced the end of his kickboxing career.

gc7

GLORY COLLISION 7 Results

Rico Verhoeven vs. Levi Rigters – For the Heavyweight Title
Tarik Khbabez def. Donegi Abena by Split Decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46 x2, 50-45) – for the Light Heavyweight Championship
Bahram Rajabzadeh defeated Daniel Stefanovski by TKO (3 Knockdowns). Round 1 – 2:30
Sergej Maslobojev defeated ?tefan L?tescu by Unanimous Decision
Cem Caceres Aygun defeated Pascal Touré by Unanimous Decision
Sofian Laïdouni defeated Ionut Iancu by Unanimous Decision
Mory Kromah defeated Miloš Cvjeti?anin by Unanimous Decision
Younes Smaili defeated Tayfun Özcan by Split Decision
Serkan Özça?layan defeated Ramy Deghir by Unanimous Decision
Endy Semeleer defeated Jay Overmeer by Unanimous Decision
Oleg Pryimachov defeated Abderrahman Barkouch by Unanimous Decision
Ayoub Bourass defeated Anass Ahmidouch-Fatah by Split Decision

Tarik Khbabez vs. Donegi Abena
Tarik Khbabez vs. Donegi Abena 4

Bahram Rajabzadeh Gets a Quick First Round Finish against Daniel Stefanovski at Collision 7

Bahram Rajabzadeh vs. Daniel Stefanovski Results GLORY Collision 7Fan favorite Bahram Rajabzadeh faced Daniel Stefanovski at GLORY Collision 7 in the competitive light heavyweight division. The Azerbaijani…

Bahram Rajabzadeh vs. Daniel Stefanovski Results GLORY Collision 7

Fan favorite Bahram Rajabzadeh faced Daniel Stefanovski at GLORY Collision 7 in the competitive light heavyweight division. The Azerbaijani fighter gets it done quickly with punches, knees, and kicks.

Bahram Rajabzadeh vs. Daniel Stefanovski Results

Azerbaijan’s Bahram Rajabzadeh is well-known and celebrated for his aggressive style. He tries to swarm his opponent with punches and is always charging forward. This fighting style has made him a popular figure among combat sports fans. While former ISKA champion Daniel Stefanovski was making his debut in the organization at GLORY Collision 7. He competed in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight tournaments this past year.

‘The Wolf’ Rajabzadeh opened this light heavyweight bout mixing leg kicks and head punches in combating. He threw A scissor knee and a head kick in the corner as his opponent shelled up. Halw way threw round 1, a calf kick sent Stefanovski to the canvas, and was given a ten count.

The second knockdown from Rajabzadeh was scored just seconds later due to a knee strike. Seconds after, Rajabzadeh delivers a front kick that puts his opponent on the mat. Three knockdowns in one round, and ‘The Wolf’ earns the first stoppage victory of the evening.

Bahram Rajabzadeh’s emphatic performance at GLORY Collision 7 showcased why he remains a fan favorite in the light heavyweight division. His relentless aggression, diverse striking arsenal, and ability to dominate early sealed the first-round stoppage against Daniel Stefanovski. With this victory, ‘The Wolf’ further solidified his reputation as one of the most exciting fighters in combat sports.

GLORY COLLISION 7 Results

Rico Verhoeven vs. Levi Rigters – For the Heavyweight Title
Tarik Khbabez vs. Donegi Abena – For the Light Heavyweight Title
Bahram Rajabzadeh defeated Daniel Stefanovski by TKO (3 Knockdowns). Round 1 – 2:30
Sergej Maslobojev defeated ?tefan L?tescu by Unanimous Decision
Cem Caceres Aygun defeated Pascal Touré by Unanimous Decision
Sofian Laïdouni defeated Ionut Iancu by Unanimous Decision
Mory Kromah defeated Miloš Cvjeti?anin by Unanimous Decision
Younes Smaili defeated Tayfun Özcan by Split Decision
Serkan Özça?layan defeated Ramy Deghir by Unanimous Decision
Endy Semeleer defeated Jay Overmeer by Unanimous Decision
Oleg Pryimachov defeated Abderrahman Barkouch by Unanimous Decision
Ayoub Bourass defeated Anass Ahmidouch-Fatah by Split Decision

Bahram Rajabzadeh 1
Bahram Rajabzadeh