Some Kickboxing fights to watch for Boxing/MMA fans

Discussion in 'MMA Forum' started by Moggy94, Dec 1, 2021.



  1. Moggy94

    Moggy94 Active Member Full Member

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    Kickboxing is definitely less popular than MMA/Boxing especially now with a lack of star talent due to MMA really taking off in the last 15 years but for anyone who doesn't really watch Kickboxing these are some fights in the last few years I recommend watching:

    Here is the most recent big fight in Kickboxing, the third fight between Rico Verhoeven and one of the hardest punchers in combat sports Jamal Ben Saddik and it was an absolute banger and the best heavyweight Kickboxing fight in years! Rico Verhoeven is known as the "King of Kickboxing" And it suits him well seeing as he's looked close to unbeatable for years other than in his two fights with Badr Hari. He's by far head and shoulders above 95% of the competition and has won his last 15 fights:

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    The second fight between Verhoeven/Saddik from 2017, the third fight is the best fight between them but this was still a very good fight that lived up to the hype:

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    Two big slugging heavyweights going to war from 2020 between Benjamin Adegbuyi and Badr Hari. Hari is on the downside of his career but still had the power/reputation but has always been fragile when it comes to taking shots, Adegbuyi is also the same so it makes for an entertaining fight:

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    The 2018 fight of the year from one of Glory's heavyweight tournaments between Adegbuyi and Jahfarr Wilnis, very exciting back and forth on the edge of your seat type of fight!:

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    It feels bad including another fight not going Badr Hari's way as if all these fights were what you had seen of him you wouldn't understand just how good he was in his prime but his record and 92 knockouts speaks for itself, he's still got the devastating power as shown in this most recent fight of his but Wrzosek's heart he displays to make this comeback shows why Heavyweights will always be the most exciting division in combat sports:

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    Here's a fast paced fight between two young heavyweights earlier this year between Tarik Khbabez and Levi Rigters:

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jca53yZKGII

    Here is the rematch between Rico Verhoeven and Benjamin Adegbuyi from 2015, this is the best performance of Rico's career where he showed much improved boxing, I believe his sparring with Tyson Fury paid off here:

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MENg11LmoSk
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2021
  2. TMLT87

    TMLT87 Active Member Full Member

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    Glory is p4p the most entertaining combat sports promotion on the planet. Its a shame that kickboxing isnt as popular as it used to be. Its crazy to think that up to the early/mid 00s K-1 was probably bigger than the UFC.
     
  3. Brixton Bomber

    Brixton Bomber Obsessed with Boxing banned Full Member

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    K-1 was definitely bigger. It was bigger than Pride.
     
  4. Samart'sTeep

    Samart'sTeep Active Member Full Member

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    You can make a strong argument that if you're just judging on pure excitement that kickboxing is far and away the best combat sport. I love all of them of course, and they all have their strengths and weaknesses. Boxing has the best sustained action over a long period of time and its forces fighters into close quarters, high paced combat. But it doesn't have the variety and dimensions that other combat sports have. Mixed martial arts provides moments of excitement that you can only get from how martial arts can combine and gel together. But at the same time, the lack of specialization that a lifetime of training one particular art can take away something from the viewing product as well. Muay thai is beautifully skilled in how high level the stand up is in all dimensions. But certain smothering clinch fighting styles and elite level defense from there can slow the fight down tremendously that reduces the excitement level of the product.

    Mixed-martial arts will always be my favorite because it encompasses everything and I've trained in so many different martial arts that I have an appreciation for them all. Plus, I know how difficult it is to try to remain balanced in so many things, while building specialties at the same time as trying to cover up for your weaknesses.

    But there's something about the rule set of kickboxing that just create just incredible fights and moments in terms of pure violence and excitement. It has the same elements that makes boxing so exciting but with a much wider variety of weapons that adds so many different dimensions and ways to win. You can't slow or change pace down in the clinch or on the ground. There are ways to control the pace and be defensively responsible, but you're forced to constantly fight on the razors edge of unbelievable violence.

    K1 in the 1990s and through the mid 2010s was one of the greatest periods for any fight fan, imho.

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  5. Samart'sTeep

    Samart'sTeep Active Member Full Member

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    A few all time great kickboxing fights.

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  6. Moggy94

    Moggy94 Active Member Full Member

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    I personally much more enjoy the kickboxing system of 3-5 rounds as opposed to boxing's 10-12 as I feel it forces the fighters to try more and make an impression and have to win as impressive as possible as opposed to in boxing you can coast more and be more laid back due to the amount of rounds as opposed to when you only have 3-5 rounds to win a fight in Kickboxing. I also am a fan of how the best kickboxers in the world will do one night tournaments against each other which would be interesting to see in boxing.

    I put videos of more recent fights so maybe someone who doesn't hasn't watched any kickboxing could watch them and know some of the current kickboxers but I will make another thread where we can all put suggestions of great or underrated kickboxing fights to watch.
     
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  7. UnleashtheFURY

    UnleashtheFURY D'oh! Full Member

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    I was laughed at in 2011-2012 for predicting that Rico was the future of HW kickboxing, that proved to be true and then some, he wasn't only the future of HW kickboxing, but the savior of kickboxing in Europe in general. Rico still draws a huge crowd, especially when competing against Moroccan opponents. He's proved many detractors who decried his style as safety first point fighting by taking the likes of Adegbuyi and Saddik out in brutal fashion, Todd Grishams commentary in round 5 of the Saddik rematch couldn't have been timed any better. The bad blood for this fight was genuine too, with Saddik completely disrespecting Rico by spitting in his face after the weigh ins, Rico promised to take Saddik out in the 5th round and he did just that!

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    Glorys HW division is better than it's given credit for, it may not compare with the golden age of K-1, but many of these guys aren't slouches, and Hari is still a dangerous glass cannon to this day. It takes a special fighter to dominate how Rico has, and I think there's very few kickboxers who could have done the same without any slip ups.

    Glory still delivers, and I'm glad they finally returned after a year gone due to Covid, the flame of kickboxing continues to burn on despite it's increased cult status. Thanks for this thread, it's nice to see Glory/Kickboxing get love on here.
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2021
  8. Brixton Bomber

    Brixton Bomber Obsessed with Boxing banned Full Member

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    Great post!

    Rico is fortunate to be in an era which is lacking for quality heavies, though. I do admit that he's good and has an enormous heart.

    Rico has no challengers now though.
     
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  9. Moggy94

    Moggy94 Active Member Full Member

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    Yes Rico is the man and his second performance against Adegbuyi was definitely his best followed by the fights with Saddik and first fight against Daniel Ghita I would say. People bring up guys like Hoost, Bonjasky, Aerts, Le Banner etc to try and discredit Rico but I honestly believe Rico could of beaten any of them and they all could of beaten Rico too as with Kickboxing it really is (Especially back then) That anyone could beat anyone as the competition was stacked and the one night tournaments so it depended on who you fought that night and how tough of the fights you had throughout the night.

    For me I think Semmy Schilt was the best heavyweight kickboxer ever, many people like to not include him due to his style but I personally loved seeing a giant that could actually use his physical tools properly but his resume really speaks for itself, he fought everyone there was to fight and beat.
     
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  10. Moggy94

    Moggy94 Active Member Full Member

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    Who do you think Rico should fight next? Plazibat beat Adegbuyi who was definitely the 2-3 best heavyweight for a while. I do want to see Rico fight Overeem though first.

    I would like to see a rematch between Adegbuyi and Saddik too.
     
  11. Brixton Bomber

    Brixton Bomber Obsessed with Boxing banned Full Member

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    I'm not sure, but Rico would annihilate The Reem.
     
  12. The Professor

    The Professor Socialist Ring Leader Staff Member

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  13. Samart'sTeep

    Samart'sTeep Active Member Full Member

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    Here's another great classic kickboxing fight between Ernesto Hoost and Mike Bernardo. The level of technique and excitement combined is really something spectacular. Bernardo knocked Hoost down with a classic Fitzsimmon's shift using a jab and then the right hand to carry him into a southpaw stance and then flooring him with the rear left hook. Then later Hoost drops him with a beautiful jab, right hand, left hook and right leg kick combination. Really high level stuff.

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  14. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 I’m become seeker of milk Full Member

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    I always liked Muay Thai and Kickboxing but prefer the romance and history of boxing, If I wanted to protect myself better I’d do Kickboxing or Muay Thai but I’d feel traitorous.
     
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  15. lamarclark09

    lamarclark09 Member Full Member

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    This is really an amazing thread of kickboxing, MMA, and boxing. I am not a huge fan of kickboxing but mostly I like MMA