A fighter's record is the first number most fans look at, and one of the most misunderstood. Different databases count differently, promotions sometimes round up, and exhibitions creep in. Here is how to read a record properly, and exactly what the KBN record includes.
The basic format
A record is written as wins-losses-draws. So 9-2-0 means nine wins, two losses and no draws. Some sources add no contests in brackets, for example 9-2-0 (1 NC).
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| W | Win |
| L | Loss |
| D | Draw (including majority and split draws) |
| NC | No contest: the bout had no result, for example after an accidental foul or an overturned result |
| KO | Knockout: the fighter could not continue after a legal strike |
| TKO | Technical knockout: the referee, doctor or corner stopped the bout |
| DEC | Decision: the judges' scorecards decided the bout |
| SUB | Submission: the fighter tapped or was stopped by a hold (MMA) |
What "verified" means on KBN
The KBN record on a fighter profile is the verified W-L-D: only bouts that KBN has checked against official evidence and approved. It shows how many wins came by KO or TKO, and counts no contests separately. Results that are pending (submitted by the athlete, or entered by a referee on the night) do not appear until they are verified; rejected results never appear.
That is why a KBN record can be shorter than the record a promotion advertises. Common reasons:
- Some bouts were exhibitions or unofficial and cannot be verified.
- Some bouts are still pending verification.
- The fighter did not submit older bouts.
- Amateur and professional bouts are kept separate.
Record versus ranking points
A record includes every verified bout, however old. Ranking points only come from the last 24 months: full value for 12 months, half value up to 24 months, zero after that. So a fighter with a long, impressive record can have fewer points than a newer fighter with a busy recent year at high-level events.
How ranking points are calculated →
Reading between the numbers
- Look at the level of events, not only wins. A 5-2 record built at continental championships may be stronger than 10-0 at small local shows.
- Look at the methods. A high KO/TKO rate says something about style; a string of decisions says something else.
- Look at activity. Long gaps affect points even without losses.
- Look at opponents. On KBN profiles, opponents with their own profiles are linked, so you can check who someone actually beat.
Why records differ between sources
Different databases have different rules about exhibitions, amateur bouts, overturned results and bouts in other disciplines. KBN's record is not a replacement for other records; it is the list of results that KBN has verified for ranking purposes, with the evidence standard published in the ranking regulations.
A worked comparison
| Fighter A | Fighter B | |
|---|---|---|
| Verified record | 12-1-0 | 5-3-0 |
| KO/TKO wins | 3 | 4 |
| Event levels | Mostly national | International Opens and continental |
| Results in last 24 months | 3 | 6 |
| Points | Lower | Higher |
Fighter A has the better-looking record but most results are older and at national level. Fighter B has lost more often but competed recently at higher-level events, which the points reflect.
Using the profile
Each KBN profile shows the points breakdown bout by bout with event, level, result, base points, multiplier and time value. Reading the breakdown alongside the record tells you not only what a fighter has done but how recently and at what level.
Myths and facts
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| An unbeaten record means the best fighter | Level of opposition and events matter as much |
| A no contest is a loss | It is recorded separately and is neither a win nor a loss |
| Old wins still earn points | Results older than 24 months stay on the record but score zero |
| All records are counted the same way | Sources differ; KBN shows only verified bouts |
Scenario: checking an opponent
A coach is offered an opponent for their fighter. On the opponent's KBN profile they check the verified record, the points breakdown (levels and dates of results) and the methods of wins. They then compare with their own fighter's profile. Five minutes of reading gives a clearer picture than any promotional poster.
Frequently asked questions
QDoes a no contest count as a loss?
No. A no contest is recorded separately and does not count as a win, loss or draw. By default it earns 0 ranking points.
QWhy is a fighter's KBN record shorter than on other websites?
KBN shows only verified results. Unofficial bouts, pending results and bouts the fighter did not submit do not appear.
QDo old fights stay on the record?
Yes. Verified results stay on the record permanently, even after they stop scoring points at 24 months.
QAre amateur and professional records combined?
No. KBN ranks amateur and professional bouts in separate tables, so a fighter's divisions are kept separate.
Figures in this article are computed from the KBN register at the time of reading. View, like and share counters on this demo site are sample values.