As kickboxing continues to grow on a global scale with promotions like GLORY, K-1, ONE Championship, and more, fighters are constantly jockeying for position in the media's eyes, and rankings. Each month, the Beyond Kickboxing board will publish updated rankings for every weight class, from Heavyweight to Flyweight, along with pound-for-pound rankings for both men and women.
No fighter in the top 10 at Heavyweight (+95 kg), Welterweight (+77 kg), and Women's Atomweight (-47 kg) has been active this month.
POUND-FOR-POUND MEN
Superbon (1 to 4) pays the price for competing in two sports. After 12 months without a kickboxing fight and with a potential title unification bout against Masaaki Noiri still months away, the panel has decided to drop him in the rankings. Former teammate Petchpanomrung (2 to 1) takes over the throne, coming off his RISE x GLORY tournament win.
Superlek (9 to 10) suffers a similar fate. His last kickboxing title defense against Takeru was 14 months ago, with no bout currently scheduled. Following his loss to Nabil, the title unification rematch under Muay Thai rules is likely next for him, and he could be the next name on the chopping block once his inactivity reaches 18 months.
Kazuki Osaki (4 to 3) knocked out an overmatched Alester Tagure in one minute with punches.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (-95 KG)
Thian De Vries (9) defeated Max Weekers by unanimous decision for the Enfusion 85 kg title.
MIDDLEWEIGHT (-85 KG)
Aleksandar Petrov (9 to NR) exits the rankings after 18 months of inactivity.
Eduard Aleksanyan (10 to NR) leaves the rankings after 18 months of inactivity in the division.
Bilal Bakhouche-Chareuf (NR to 9) makes his entry, currently holding the ISKA and WAKO Pro K-1 85kg world titles.
Thian de Vries (NR to 10) makes his entry, having captured the Enfusion 85kg title by unanimous decision against previously undefeated champion Max Weekers.
LIGHTWEIGHT (-71 KG)
Marat Grigorian (2) against Kaito (6 to 5) at ONE 172 was cancelled on fight day after Grigorian missed weight and Kaito’s side refused the catchweight offer.
Tyjani Beztati (3 to NR) leaves the rankings after a year of inactivity in the division while being ranked in the weight class above. He's scheduled to rematch GLORY Welterweight champion Chico Kwasi on May 1 at GLORY Underground in Miami.
Tawanchai (10) was stopped by Masaaki Noiri (NR to 9) in the third round for the ONE Championship interim 71 kg title in a major upset. Tawanchai controlled the first two rounds, but after being caught at the end of round two, the momentum shifted. Noiri began to pressure more inside the pocket, ultimately leading to the knockout.
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT (-67.5 KG)
Miguel Trindade (2) stopped YA-MAN in the third round after a third knockdown from a left hook in an open-finger gloves match. Since the fight was contested in "MMA gloves," it won't be considered.
Kento Haraguchi (4) defeated Lee Sung Hyun by unanimous decision after knocking him down with a high kick in the second round.
FEATHERWEIGHT (-64 KG)
Jin Ying (7) defeated Hannya Hashimoto by unanimous decision.
Wei Weiyang (9) defeated Lani Alexandros by third-round technical knockout.
SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT (-61 KG)
Superlek (1) lost by unanimous decision to Nabil Anane under Muay Thai rules in a 3-round, non-title bout at a 146 lbs catchweight following Superlek’s weight miss. This won't affect his rankings.
Takeru (2 to 3) lost by knockout for the first time in his career when Rodtang (NR to 2) landed a thunderous left hook a minute into the first round.
Taiga (4 to NR) leaves the rankings after announcing his full-time transition to MMA.
Achraf Aasila (5 to 6) goes down a spot after 10 months of inactivity under kickboxing rules.
Panuwat TGT (9 to NR) exits the rankings after losing by knockout in the second round to Yuki Kasahara (NR to 7) during the RISE 61.5 kg World Series quarterfinals.
Chan Hyung Lee (10 to NR) exits the rankings following a unanimous decision loss to Kan Nakamura (NR to 8) in the quarterfinals of the RISE 61.5 kg World Series.
Yuki Egawa (8 to 10) goes down two spots after a year of inactivity, and his surprising absence in the upcoming K-1 Super Featherweight Championship tournament on May 31.
BANTAMWEIGHT (-58 KG)
Jonathan Di Bella (10 to 8) defeated Sam-A by unanimous decision to capture the ONE Championship interim 57 kg title. Despite Sam-A's strong comeback in the third round, Di Bella showed tremendous resilience, enduring a barrage of low kicks before responding with even more volume, securing a clean sweep on the judges' scorecards.
SUPER FLYWEIGHT (-55 KG)
Shiro (2) defeated Deok Jae Yoon by unanimous decision.
FLYWEIGHT (-53 KG)
Kazuki Osaki (1) knocked out Alester Tagure in one minute with punches.
Ryujin Nasukawa (6 to 3) scored a technical knockout victory over Kumandoi Petchyindee (5 at 55 kg) after sending him down three times in the second round of a 52 kg catchweight bout. After the fight, he called for a bout against Toki Tamaru.
Issei Ishii (8) lost to Jomhod by unanimous decision under Muay Thai rules. This doesn’t affect his ranking.
WOMEN'S OPENWEIGHT (+59.0 KG)
Andreea Cebuc (3) defeated Maria Nițescu by unanimous decision.
WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (+57.5 KG)
Martine Michieletto (1) defeated Charly Glaser by unanimous decision.
Stella Hemetsberger (5) defeated Anna Lia Moiretti by unanimous decision in a strong performance from the Austrian kickboxer, who hurt Moiretti on several occasions. Hemetsberger announced that she is already booked for another fight, making her one of the more active fighters in the division.
Li Mingrui (8) goes down three spots after a year of inactivity.
WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT(-53.5 KG)
Phetjeeja (1) defeated Kana (6) by unanimous decision to defend her ONE Championship title. An action-packed five-round battle, with the Japanese fighter finally fully showcasing her potential in ONE, making it a competitive affair.
Antonia Prifti (4) goes down a spot after a year of inactivity.
WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT (-50.0 KG)
Lucia Apdelgarim (5) defeated Josefa Tellez by unanimous decision, but missed weight.
Marine Lievrouw (10) goes down three spots after a year of inactivity.
