Rules of the Bouts
The WKN rules of the bouts for all disciplines of kickboxing. Includes Full Contact, Kickboxing, Oriental Rules and Muay Thai.
Full Contact
Full Contac rules permit kicks and punches above the belt only. Eight (8) kicks are mandatory per one (1) round. A knockdown or standing eight-count, is counted as a kick for both fighters. There is a half (1/2) point penalty for each missed kick and disqualification for failing to meet the MKR (Minimum Kick Requirement) in any two (2) rounds for any match of six (6) rounds or less. In bouts, of seven (7) to eleven (11) rounds, failing the MKR in any three (3) rounds means disqualification. For a twelve (12) round bout, if the MKR is not fulfilled in any five (5) rounds, the fighter can be disqualified by the supervisor. Sweeps must be to the front leg only from the outside in, or back to front and to the boot or low calf only. No catching and holding leg is allowed. No use of knee or elbow is allowed. No clinching is allowed. No illegal hits such as head-butts, no low-blow. No deliberate hits to the back of the head. No holding ropes. Spinning-back-kick is allowed. Spinning-back-fist is allowed in professional bouts only in condition of an agreement between both fighters made prior with an approval by the WKN national representative and/or event supervisor or coordinator.
In addition to approved boxing gloves (8 oz for 154 lbs and under 10 oz for all weight divisions over 154 lbs), approved foot-pads and shin guards can be applied. Approved hand-bandages, mouth-guard and groin-guard are mandatory.
1 lbs equals approx 0.453kg
Rounds are two (2) minutes long with a one (1)Â minute break. No extra rounds.
2. Kickboxing
Kickboxing rules follow the Full Contact format except for the following:
a) Roundhouse type kicks are allowed all the legs.
b) No minimum kicking requirement.
c) No shin guards and foot-pads in professional bouts.
d) Muay Thai style shorts are compulsory in this division.
*Step-up knee to the body and head may be allowed – subject to approval by WKN representative and/or local sports regulating authority (Commission).
In a five (5) round title bouts the rounds are three (3) minutes long with a one (1) minute break. In three (3) round title bouts the rounds are three (3) minutes long with one (1) minute break. Non-title bouts may be of five (5) rounds of two (2) minutes long with a one (1) minute break. No extra rounds.
3. Oriental Rules
Oriental Rules follow the Kickboxing format except for the following:
a) Step-up knee to the body and head is allowed.
In a five (5) round title bouts the rounds are three (3) minutes long with a one (1) minute break. In three (3) round title bouts the rounds are three (3) minutes long with one (1) minute break. Non-title bouts may be of five (5) rounds of two (2) minutes long with a one (1) minute break. No extra rounds.
4. Muay Thai
Muay Thai rules follow the Oriental Rules format except for the following:
a) Elbow strikes are compulsory unless only restricted in condition of an agreement between both fighters made prior with an approval by the WKN national representative and/or event supervisor or coordinator. Elbow-pads may be in applied.
b) Clinching is allowed.
c) Catching and holding leg is allowed.
In a five (5) round title bouts the rounds are three (3) minutes long with a one (1) minute break. In three (3) round title bouts the rounds are three (3) minutes long with one (1) minute break. Non-title bouts may be of five (5) rounds of two (2) minutes long with a one (1) minute break. No extra rounds.
5. Pro-Amateur, Amateur and Junior Bouts
Amateur and Junior Bouts follow the Full Contact, Kickboxing, Oriental Rules and Muay Thai professional format except for the following:
a) Head-guard, body-gear, shin-guards, elbow-pads and foot-pads can be applied.
b) The bouts consist of three (3) rounds of two (2) minutes with a one (1) minute break.
c) Title bouts may consist of four (4) or five (5) rounds of two minutes (2) with a one (1) minute break.
d) Novice fighters and juniors may be permitted to fight rounds of one and a half minutes.
e) Under no circumstances may amateur fighters receive a purse.
The WKN licensing is mandatory for all fighters. The rules may be altered only at the discretion of the WKN representative, in accordance to the sports regulating authority, if required by the law locally.
To Be Noted:
In the event of an unintentional accident during a fight or WKN championship ending the match before the final number of rounds.
– For a fight in 3×2 or 3×3 mn it will take at least 2 effective rounds and note by the judges to give a winner and if there are not two rounds the fight is declared no contest.
– For a fight in 5×2 mn or 5×3 mn it will take at least 3 rounds counted by the judges to give a result and if there are not these three effective rounds the fight will be declared no contest.
– For fights with other numbers of rounds, the regulations will be established on a case-by-case basis and by contract drawn up in advance with the national commission and the rules in force in the country