🥊 NEWBIES DIVISION RULES

 

✅ Eligibility (Newbies Division)

• For Ringsports open to fighters with 0–3 bouts maximum

• For Tatami Sport open to fighters with 0–5 bouts maximum

• Designed specifically for first-time and early-stage competitors

• All experience must be declared honestly (including interclubs, exhibitions, and other rule sets)

 

🛡️ Safety First

• 100% Safety is our priority

• All bouts are matched as evenly as possible (weight, experience, age where applicable)

• Protective equipment is mandatory (as per rule set)

• Referees have full authority to stop bouts early to protect fighters

 

⚖️ Matchmaking Criteria

 

Fighters will be matched based on:

• Experience (strictly within the prescribed bout limit per sport)

• Weight category

• Age category (where relevant)

• Skill level assessment (coach input may be required)

 

🔴 RING SPORTS – NEWBIES RULES (e.g. K1, Kickboxing, in the ring)

• 0–3 fights maximum

• Controlled pace expected – not a “walkout war”

• Emphasis on:

  • Technique over power

  • Ring awareness

  • Composure under pressure

• Referees will:

  • Closely monitor contact levels

  • Intervene early if mismatch is evident

👉 Ideal for fighters transitioning into full ring competition

 

🔵 TATAMI SPORTS – NEWBIES RULES (e.g. Points Fighting, Light Continuous on Tatamis)

• 0–3 fights maximum

• Focus on:

  • Speed, control, and scoring technique

  • Clean, controlled contact

  • Understanding rules and ringcraft

• Strict enforcement of:

  • Controlled contact only

  • Excessive force = warnings or disqualification

👉 Ideal for fighters starting out in a technical, controlled environment

 

⚠️ Important Notes

• This division is about development, not domination

• Fighters exceeding experience limits will be moved or removed

• Coaches are responsible for entering fighters in the correct category

• Poor matchmaking declarations may result in disqualification from future events

 

🔥 Our Mission

 

Develop the next generation – forged in fairness, NOT baptised in a beating.

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WKO ROOKIES Explanation and Definition:

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We are often asked if we have beginner categories?

The answers is yes indeed we do.  

 

These are what we label Rookies and have  no difference in the requirements between:

• Ringsports

• Tatami Sports

 

Rookies in Martial Arts Based - Combat Sports:

Based on a new martial artist starts training, after 3-6 months starts grading within 12 months has graded 3-4 times which would look like:

9th Kyu (White Belt)

8th Kyu

7th Kyu

So the 6 months getting ready to start to grade, then 12 months of beginner grades = 18 months Training and Competing Combined.

 

Sparring in clubs is at different stages but on average:

• 3 months training  

• 3 Months sparring  (basics)

 

So after 6 months training should be learning the basics to spar competently.

 

Once can spar competently and safely:

3 Months of competitive sparring, with the aim to win based on

• Ring Craft

• Clean shots landed

• Effective defensive skills

• Effective countering

• Closing and adapting the distance 

• Overall intention to win each round

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Leaves 9 months to compete as a beginner (Rookie)  Then fighters by this stage want to fight all comers I know I did after about 6 months training, fighters simply want to fight because fighters, fight!

 

All above are widely classed as beginner grades and phases.

 

So within an 18 month period they have learnt the basics and been tested safely in the gym.  After this period are will be ready for harder challenges facing opponents. 

 

So clubs looking for beginner competitions we certainly do cater for you.

 

The standards are high regardless of beginner or advanced and as a coach you know if your students are ready to be tested at these levels. WKO Will create the opportunity for them to showcase their skills in our global platform, it is the coaches responsibility to ensure fighters are fit to fight and trained/conditioned/competent to be able to compete safely in a safe and fair setting.

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Remove the pressure to win in their first fights or even in the Rookie stage, let them enjoy it and cut their teeth. When they learn that it wasn't a loss and it was a lesson learnt, they wont be sulking about it and quitting. They will understand exactly what need to work on in the gym in order to develop and progress.

 

​Summary:

 

A Rookie: Is a Martial Artist with less than 18 Months Training & Competing Combined.

 

This starts from the very first day they train in any combat sport in either Boxing or Martial Arts, style. Regardless of styles/rules/clubs trained in or competed in.

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If for example competed as a 'Pointfighter' on tatami then move to 'Light Contact' in the ring, you are.

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What are the consequences if identified:

 

Mistakes happen, if any registers in correctly and we are notified we will simply move them to the correct experience level for them. 

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Should anyone be identified as competed within a Rookie section, that are later proved with verifiable evidence. And that that evidence clearly shows dates training or competing at dates much longer away that 18 months from the day identified to have competed. Then they will be removed from the system by disqualification, results changed and win giving to actual Rookie that was robbed of a fair contest.

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Rule in effect from: 29th April 2024 and event hence forth from this date

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Coaches you know your fighters strengths and weaknesses, make the right call that only eligible Rookies compete in Rookies categories.

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THE DEFINITION OF AN AMATEUR  WKO FIGHTER:

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The following are rules which govern an amateur fighter under the World Kickboxing Organisation.

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• WKO Amateur Fighters must be at least 7 years old to compete in Ring-Sports, though there is no minimum training age.

  • A WKO Amateur Fighter is a junior from his 7th birthday (at which age he is eligible to hold a competitors licence)

  • It is recommended that Junior WKO Amateur Fighters do not concede age, weight and experience more than 2yrs and 5k in weight in any contest. The final decision for any contest is the responsibility of the WKO Chief Official in agreement with coaches and event organiser.

  • With Children a parent or guardian will always have the final say, as they hold the responsibility for their child

  • A WKO Amateur Fighter becomes a Senior on his/her 18th birthday. When s/he reaches his/her 35th birthday, he/she will be classed as a Veteran.

• WKO Amateur Fighters will box no more than 3 x 2 minute rounds none title bouts. In Open Championships and Internationals, fighters will box either 2 or 3 rounds at a time with an interval set by the event organiser, in line with WKO Official Rules.

• Commonly 3 x 2 minute rounds. In every case there will be an interval of one minute between rounds.

• There are three classes of  WKO Amateur Fighters:

  • A Novice C-Class is a WKO Amateur Fighter who has not competed in any stage of an Open Championship or Gala.

  • An Intermediate B-Class is a WKO Amateur Fighter who has entered and competed in an Open Championship or Gala but has not won a Regional Association Title, won a Novice Class 'B' Title or returned from professional competing.

  • An A-Class is a WKO Amateur Fighter who has won a WKO Open Championship, National WKO  Title or represented his or her Country at World Championships.

• Rounds duration: unless the conditions for Championships or other authorised events prescribe otherwise, the duration of bouts for Junior WKO Amateur Fighters will be as follows:

• WKO Open Tournaments can consist of:
  2 x 1min Round 30 Seconds Rest
  2 x 1.5min Round 1 Minute Rest
  2 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest
  3 x 1min Round 30 Seconds Rest
  3 x 1.5min Round 1 Minute Rest
  3 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest

• WKO Sanctioned Gala bouts may also consist of:
  WKO Open Tournaments can consist of:
  2 x 1min Round 30 Seconds Rest
  2 x 1.5min Round 1 Minute Rest
  2 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest
  3 x 1min Round 30 Seconds Rest
  3 x 1.5min Round 1 Minute Rest
  3 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest

• Title Bouts on WKO Sanctioned Gala's will consist of:
  Under 12yrs
  Area Title
  3 x 1 Min Round 30 Seconds Rest
  National Title
  5 x 1 min Round 30 Seconds Rest
  International & Above
  5 x 1.5 Min Round 1 Minute Rest
  Under 18yrs
  Area Title
  3 x 2 Min Round 1 Minute Rest
  National & above
  5 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest

• Any amateur featuring on an WKO sanctioned Gala event will not receive a fight purse. But can receive ticket commission at an agreed rate between promoter and fighter.

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THE DEFINITION OF A PRO-AM/SEMI-PRO WKO FIGHTER:

 

The following are rules which govern a PRO-AM/SEMI-PRO fighter under the World Kickboxing Organisation.

• WKO PRO-AM/SEMI-PRO Fighters must be at least 18 years old to compete under PRO-AM/SEMI-PRO Rules.

• There are no contracts required for PRO-AM/SEMI-PRO  Fighters.

• WKO PRO-AM/SEMI-PRO  Fighter must hold a valid license but is recommended that they also hold a competitor license.

• WKO PRO-AM/SEMI-PRO Fighters will box no more than 3 x 2 minute rounds with 1 minute rest none title bouts.

• Title bouts shall be 5 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest

• There are two classes of WKOPRO-AM/SEMI-PRO  Fighters:

  • An Intermediate B-Class is a WKO PRO-AM Fighter who has had 10 or more fights.

  • An A-Class is a WKO PRO-AM/SEMI-PRO Fighter who has had over 20 fights.

• Rounds duration: unless the conditions for authorised events prescribe otherwise the duration of bouts for WKO PRO-AM/SEMI-PRO  Fighters will be as follows:
  None Title Bout 3 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest
  National Title & above
  5 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest

• At PRO-AM/SEMI-PRO  level all fighters will not be required to wear head-guards. But will be required to wear all required protective equipment designed for the desired rules to be contested.

• Any PRO-AM/SEMI-PRO  fighter featuring on any WKO sanctioned Gala event will not receive a fight purse. But can receive ticket commission at an agreed rate between promoter and fighter.

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THE DEFINITION OF A PROFESSIONAL WKO FIGHTER:

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The following are rules which govern a PROFESSIONAL fighter under the World Kickboxing Organisation.

• WKO PROFESSIONAL Fighters must be at least 18 years old to compete under WKO PROFESSIONAL Rules.

• A Contract must be signed and agreed between fighter and promoter listing and agreeing to all terms  prior to the scheduled bout.

• A WKO PROFESSIONAL Fighter must hold a valid licence but is STRONGLY recommended that they hold a competitor licence.

• WKO PROFESSIONAL Fighters will contest no less than the minimum 3 x 3 Minute rounds with 1 Minute rest (None title bouts)

• Title bouts shall be 5 x 3min Round 1 Minute Rest

• There are two classes of WKO PROFESSIONAL Fighters:

  • An Intermediate B-Class is a WKO PROFESSIONAL Fighter who has had at least 10 Fights.

  • An A-Class is a WKO PROFESSIONAL Fighter who has had at least 20 Fights.

• Rounds duration: WKO PROFESSIONAL Fighters will be as follows:
  None Title Bout
  3 x 3min Round 1 Min Rest
  National Title & above
  5 x 3min Round 1 Minute Rest

• At PROFESSIONAL level all fighters will be NOT BE ALLOWED to wear head-guards. But will be required to wear all required protective equipment designed for their desired rules.

• Any PROFESSIONAL featuring on any WKO sanctioned Gala MUST receive a fight purse. And/or can receive ticket commission at an agreed rate between promoter and fighter.

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In all instances all levels of fighters must be fit to fight, pass pre-fight medical and hold a current and valid licence.

 

🥊 THE FIGHTER PATHWAY – FROM NEWBIE TO PRO 🥊

 

Every champion starts the same way… as a beginner.

At Rookies Rumble, we’ve built a clear, safe, and fair pathway for fighters to develop from their very first bout all the way to the professional ranks 👇

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🔰 NEWBIE STAGE (0–3 Ring | 0–5 Tatami |
This is where it all begins.
Focused on learning, safety, and confidence building — not pressure to win.

✔ Controlled contact
✔ Matched fairly by experience, weight & age
✔ Technique, ringcraft & composure come first

👉 This stage is about development, not domination

 

Rookies Stage <under 18 Months Training)

Focused on learning, safety, and confidence building — not pressure to win.

✔ Controlled contact
✔ Matched fairly by experience, weight & age
✔ Technique, ringcraft & composure come first

👉 This stage is about development, not domination

 

🥊 AMATEUR LEVEL (C-Class → B-Class → A-Class)
Once fighters progress beyond rookie level, they enter structured amateur competition.

🔹 C-Class (Novice) – First steps into open competition
🔹 B-Class (Intermediate) – Gaining experience, tougher opposition
🔹 A-Class (Elite Amateur) – Champions, title contenders, international level

👉 Here fighters sharpen skills, build records, and gain real competitive experience

 

🔥 PRO-AM / SEMI-PRO (18+ Only)
The bridge between amateur and professional.

✔ Higher intensity bouts
✔ No headguards
✔ Longer, more demanding fights
✔ Increased expectations in conditioning & performance

👉 This is where fighters prove they’re ready for the next level

 

🏆 PROFESSIONAL LEVEL
The highest stage of the sport.

✔ Contracted fights
✔ Paid competition
✔ Longer rounds, elite standards
✔ National & international titles

👉 This is where experience, discipline, and dedication meet opportunity

 

💬 THE WKO PHILOSOPHY

Start smart.
Build properly.
Progress safely.

Forged in fairness — not rushed into chaos.

 

Because a loss at the start is a lesson… And the right pathway creates fighters who last.

📩 Want to get started or enter the Newbies Division? Speak to your coach or message us today.

 

WKO strongly recommends that all fighters hold a 'Competitor’s licence'

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