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. Every month, the Beyond Kickboxing board will compile kickboxing rankings for each weight class from Heavyweight to Flyweight, as well as the pound-for-pound rankings for both men and women.
No fighter in the top 10 at Middleweight (-85 KG), Welterweight (-77 KG), Featherweight (-64 KG), Bantamweight (-58 KG), Women's Flyweight (-53.5 KG) and Women's Atomweight (-47 KG) has been active this month.
POUND-FOR-POUND MEN
Superlek (NR to 7) makes his debut in the pound-for-pound rankings. The ONE Flyweight champion had a stellar performance over former K-1 champion Takeru (3 to NR), successfully defending his belt for the second time. 'The Kicking Machine' lived up to his name, nearly crippling the Japanese fighter with a relentless barrage of punishing low kicks. The rankings panel acknowledges his performance, while also keeping a close eye on his résumé — or the notable lack thereof. While the Thai star has certainly given ample arguments for being the best striker in combat sports, he only competed five times in kickboxing, winning four of his fights. With former champion Ilias Ennahachi and former title contender Daniel Puertas leaving the promotion, the Flyweight division is undeniably not in the best state. It's up to ONE Championship to provide him with quality opportunities to further elevate his status as a top kickboxer.
Takeru's (3 to NR) departure from the pound-for-pound rankings might come as a surprise to some. Between parting ways with K-1, joining ONE Championship, and enduring a nine-month wait to get a fight booked, his last ranked win dates back to 2021 against Leona Pettas. Although most of our panel believes he still possesses the ability to compete at the highest level, his lack of tangible results in recent years is the key factor behind his removal from the rankings.
Marat Grigorian (NR to 10) makes his return to the rankings. He became the first man to stop Thai kickboxing legend Sitthichai (10 to NR) in their sixth meeting. The Armenian fighter pressured Sittichai against the ropes to unleash knees and left hooks to the midsection in the final round.
HEAVYWEIGHT (+95 KG)
Rade Opacic (7) defeated Iraj Azizpour by unanimous decision at ONE 165, in what was most likely a title contender fight.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (-95 KG)
Artem Vakhitov (1 to NR) leaves the rankings. The former GLORY champion transitioned to MMA and hasn’t competed in kickboxing rules for a year. He earned himself a first-round stoppage over Siyavush Salokhov in his second MMA bout earlier this month.
Valeriy Bizyaev (NR to 10) subsequently makes his return to the rankings.
LIGHTWEIGHT (-71 KG)
Ouyang Feng (10) stopped Davit Kiria with low kicks in the third round. Kiria, who was coming back from injury missed weight.
Marat Grigorian (4 to 3) knocked out Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong (3 to 4) with a body shot in the third round for their sixth encounter.
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT (-67.5 KG)
Jia Aoqi (8 to 7) defeated David Mejia (7 to 8) by close decision in their rematch for the vacant Wu Lin Feng -67 KG title. A controversial decision in the eyes of many fans watching.
SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT (-61 KG)
Takeru (1 to 2) lost by unanimous decision to Superlek (NR to 1) for the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing title.
Superlek’s entry pushes Huang Shuailu (10 to NR) out.
Rémi Parra (2 to 3) defeated Bryan Lang by split decision to defend his WAKO Pro 62 KG world title.
Taiga (6) defeated Chan Hyung Lee (5 to 7) by unanimous decision over five rounds to capture the RISE -60 KG title.
Hirotaka Asahisa (6 to 5) defeated Wei Weiyang by unanimous decision in a 63 KG bout.
SUPER FLYWEIGHT (-55 KG)
Kumandoi Petchyindee (4) defeated Pangtor by unanimous decision under Muay Thai rules to capture the 118lbs Rajadamnern Stadium title. This doesn’t affect this ranking.
FLYWEIGHT (-53 KG)
Toki Tamaru (8 to NR) leaves the list as he is ranked a weight above and hasn’t competed at 53 KG in over a year.
Issei Ishii (5) knocked out Nampetch in the first round under Muay Thai rules. This doesn’t affect his ranking.
WOMEN'S POUND-FOR-POUND
Martine Michieletto (3 to NR) leaves the rankings after 18 months of inactivity under kickboxing rules.
Sarah Moussadak (NR to 10) reenters.
WOMEN'S OPENWEIGHT (-57.5 KG)
Mallaury Kalachnikoff (9 to NR) leaves the rankings after 18 months of inactivity.
Calara Pennequin (NR to 10) makes her entry.
Aurore Llorens (10 to 9) defeated Manuela Innocenti by unanimous decision.
WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (-57.5 KG)
Martine Michieletto (1 to NR) leaves the rankings after 18 months of inactivity under kickboxing rules.
RISE champion Seina (NR to 10) makes her entry.
WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT (-50 KG)
Arina Kobayashi (1) stopped Wang Chin Long with body punches in a non title bout on RISE.
