Forged or out-of-date licences are a real risk in combat sports. A fighter who is suspended, medically unfit or competing under someone else's identity can be seriously hurt, and the event carries the consequences. The KBN licence is designed to be checked in seconds; this checklist makes sure the check is actually done.
The 60-second check
- Scan the QR code on the licence with any phone camera, or type the number into the verify page.
- Confirm the address in the browser is the official KBN domain (worldkbn.com) before you trust what you see.
- Check the status: it must say Active.
- Compare the name and photo with the athlete and their identity document.
- Check the discipline, category and weight class match the bout you are running.
- Check the valid-until date is after the event date.
What each status means
| Status | Meaning | Can the athlete compete as a KBN-licensed fighter? |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Licence issued and in date, no suspension | Yes, subject to medical clearance and weigh-in |
| Suspended | Licence suspended by KBN World HQ with a recorded reason | No |
| Expired | Valid-until date has passed | No, until renewed |
| No matching record | The number is not in the register | Treat the document as invalid |
A document whose number is not in the register, or whose details do not match the register, is not valid. Do not accept a photo of a licence as a substitute for checking the register.
Red flags on a paper or PDF licence
- The QR code opens a website on a different domain.
- The name or photo on paper differs from the verify page.
- The weight class on paper differs from the verify page. Documents render live, so an old printout can legitimately be out of date, but the register always wins.
- Fonts, alignment or the seal look edited.
- The athlete refuses to let you scan the code.
Report suspected forgeries to holdingkbn@gmail.com. Do not confiscate documents or confront the athlete aggressively; record what you saw and let KBN investigate.
At check-in: beyond the licence
Officials using the KBN referee app see more than the public verify page. Scanning the fighter's QR code at check-in shows:
- Licence status.
- Medical clearance validity date.
- Suspension status, including medical suspensions from previous bouts.
- A weigh-in entry: the recorded weight against the weight-class limit, marked pass or fail.
Medical data is limited to a clearance validity date and a suspension flag. No diagnoses are shown.
How check-in with the QR code works →
For opponents and their camps
Coaches often want to check an opponent's record before accepting a bout. The public profile shows the verified record, points breakdown and ranking positions. Only verified results appear; results submitted by applicants or entered by referees remain pending until KBN verifies them.
What the verify page never shows
Passport and identity numbers, addresses, phone numbers, e-mails and medical details are never shown publicly. Minors' public profiles show only name, country and division.
A promoter's pre-event routine
Verification should not wait until fight night. A simple routine:
- When a bout is agreed, ask both camps for the licence number or Fighter ID.
- Check both on the verify page and note the valid-until dates.
- A week before the event, check again: suspensions can happen at any time.
- On the night, scan the QR code at check-in and match the photo to the athlete.
| When | What to check |
|---|---|
| Bout agreed | Licence exists, status active, division matches |
| Fight week | Status still active, valid-until after event date |
| Weigh-in / check-in | Identity, QR scan, medical clearance, weigh-in |
Why the register beats paper
Documents render their values live, and PDFs record when they were generated. A licence printed months ago may show an old ranking or even a status that has changed. The verify page always reflects the register at the moment you look.
Scenario: a late replacement
A fighter withdraws two days before your event and a replacement is offered. Before confirming:
- Ask for the replacement's licence number or Fighter ID and check it on the verify page.
- Confirm the division on the licence matches the bout.
- Confirm medical clearance will be valid on the night (officials will see the validity date at check-in).
- Make sure the weigh-in plan and weight class still work for both athletes.
Late changes are when mistakes happen. Two minutes on the verify page can prevent a serious problem.
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| A printed licence is enough | The register is the authority; always scan or check the number |
| A certificate proves a current licence | A certificate states a ranking at issue; check the licence status separately |
| Only promoters can verify | Anyone can use the verify page |
Frequently asked questions
QDo I need an account to verify a licence?
No. The verify page is public. It is rate-limited to protect the register from scraping.
QThe certificate says World No. 3 but the verify page says No. 4. Which is right?
The verify page. A certificate states the position when it was issued or printed; rankings change as results are verified and older results age.
QCan I verify with the Fighter ID instead of the licence number?
Yes. The verify page accepts a licence number, a certificate number or a KBN Fighter ID.
QWhat should I do if a licence shows Suspended?
The athlete cannot compete as a KBN-licensed fighter. Contact the event's supervising official and, if needed, KBN at the official e-mail address.
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.