Articles & Q&A

This glossary defines the terms used in KBN rankings and documents, from base points and event multipliers to time value, scopes,...

A kickboxing glossary covering strikes (jab, cross, hook, uppercut), kicks (round, front, side, spinning), defence (check, parry,...

The biggest difference between kickboxing and Muay Thai is what you can strike with and how long you can clinch: Muay Thai allows...

MMA allows striking and grappling, including takedowns, ground strikes and submissions, while kickboxing is a stand-up striking sp...

Boxing allows only punches above the belt, while kickboxing adds kicks and, depending on the ruleset, knees. That single differenc...

KBN ranking points expire in two steps: a result keeps 100% of its value for 12 months, drops to 50% after 12 months and to 0% aft...

A finish is worth five more base points than a decision, and the submission bonus applies in MMA only. The reasoning behind both r...

Amateur competition focuses on development and safety, with more protective rules and tournament formats, while professional bouts...

Choose a martial arts gym by watching a class, asking about the coaches' qualifications, sparring rules, safeguarding and competit...

Under anti-doping rules you are responsible for any prohibited substance found in your body, whether or not you meant to take it....

A fighter is ranked in the class assigned from declared weight at registration. Weigh-in at the event checks the bout, not the ran...

KBN ranks women in separate tables for every discipline, category and weight class, using exactly the same point formula, evidence...

Fouls are illegal techniques or actions, such as strikes to the back of the head, groin strikes, headbutts or holding, and they ar...

A 10-8 round is scored when one athlete clearly dominates, typically with a knockdown plus control of the rest of the round or ove...

For combat sports training you need hand wraps, gloves suited to the session, a well-fitting mouthguard and groin protection, plus...

A bout agreement sets out who you fight, when, at what weight and under which rules, and what you are paid and what happens if the...

7 questions answered: Can I buy ranking points or pay for a higher placement? · Does a loss earn anything? · Why did my total drop...