Bellator Kickboxing Sets Weight Classes, Rules
California-based fight promotion Bellator
is set to invade Italy next month with not only its first
international MMA event, but also its inaugural kickboxing card.
Set to be held at the Pala Alpitour in Torino on April 16, Bellator
Kickboxing – which will be televised on tape delay in the U.S. on
April 22 – unveiled its weight classes and official rules on
Tuesday.
Over the years, the various kickboxing promotions across the globe have utilized varying weight classes ,which can cause confusion among the casual fan. However, Bellator Kickboxing opted to go with the logical approach of mirroring how it operates MMA. The weight classes are as follows:
Heavyweight: 265 pounds
Light Heavyweight: 205 pounds
Middleweight: 185 pounds
Welterweight: 170 pounds
Lightweight: 155 pounds
Featherweight: 145 pounds
Bantamweight: 135 pounds
Flyweight: 125 pounds
Additionally, Bellator kickboxing unveiled its set of rules per bout:
- The competitors will attack and defend using punches (including spinning backfists), kicks and knee strikes.
- Each non-title fight is scheduled for three, three-minute rounds with the potential for an extra sudden victory round if the bout is scored a draw. Title fights will be scheduled for five, three-minute rounds.
- Prohibited techniques include: elbow strikes, throws, takedowns, and submission attempts or striking a downed fighter. Fighters may only clinch if they immediately attack with a knee strike.
- Three judges will score Bellator Kickboxing using the “10-Point-Must” system applying a prioritized criterion that values knockdowns, impact on the opponent and clean scoring strikes.
Bellator Kickboxing: Torino will be anchored by a 165-pound bout between Mustapha Haida (37-3-3) vs. Karim Ghajji (95-12). The promotion also revealed that Raymond Daniels (10-3), Denise Kieholtz (43-2) and Kevin Ross (30-9) will all be in action as well, though their opponents have not been finalized yet. Mustapha Naid will take on Karim Ghaji for the 165-pound ISKA title as well.
Over the years, the various kickboxing promotions across the globe have utilized varying weight classes ,which can cause confusion among the casual fan. However, Bellator Kickboxing opted to go with the logical approach of mirroring how it operates MMA. The weight classes are as follows:
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Light Heavyweight: 205 pounds
Middleweight: 185 pounds
Welterweight: 170 pounds
Lightweight: 155 pounds
Featherweight: 145 pounds
Bantamweight: 135 pounds
Flyweight: 125 pounds
Additionally, Bellator kickboxing unveiled its set of rules per bout:
- The competitors will attack and defend using punches (including spinning backfists), kicks and knee strikes.
- Each non-title fight is scheduled for three, three-minute rounds with the potential for an extra sudden victory round if the bout is scored a draw. Title fights will be scheduled for five, three-minute rounds.
- Prohibited techniques include: elbow strikes, throws, takedowns, and submission attempts or striking a downed fighter. Fighters may only clinch if they immediately attack with a knee strike.
- Three judges will score Bellator Kickboxing using the “10-Point-Must” system applying a prioritized criterion that values knockdowns, impact on the opponent and clean scoring strikes.
Bellator Kickboxing: Torino will be anchored by a 165-pound bout between Mustapha Haida (37-3-3) vs. Karim Ghajji (95-12). The promotion also revealed that Raymond Daniels (10-3), Denise Kieholtz (43-2) and Kevin Ross (30-9) will all be in action as well, though their opponents have not been finalized yet. Mustapha Naid will take on Karim Ghaji for the 165-pound ISKA title as well.
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