WKO Professional Kickboxing Rules

 

Professional Status

• Fighters may only compete as a Professional from 18 years of age.

• Once had 3 professional bouts a fighter cannot return to Amateur status.

 

Bout Durations

 

Classic Full Contact

 

BoutRounds

• Non-Title 3 × 2 minutes

• Area Title 3 × 2 minutes

• National to European Title 5 × 2 minutes

• World Title 12 × 2 minutes

One-minute rest between all rounds.

 

Super-Pro

 

BoutRounds:

• Non-Title 3 × 3 minutes

• Area  Title 3 × 3 minutes

• National to European Title 5 × 3 minutes

• World Title 5 × 3 minutes

One-minute rest between all rounds.

 

Ways to Win

A contest may end by:

• Knockout (KO)

• Technical Knockout (TKO)

• Judges' Decision

• Disqualification (DQ)

• Draw

• No Contest

 

The Referee and Ringside Doctor may stop the contest at any time for fighter safety.

 

Scoring

• Three judges score using the 10-Point Must System.

• Round winner receives 10 points.

• Loser receives 9 points or fewer.

• Even rounds are scored 10-10.

 

If a winner is required and scores are tied:

• One or two extra rounds may be contested.

• Only the extra rounds are scored.

• If still tied, the judges will award victory based on the overall performance.

 

Knockdown Rules

• Three Knockdown Rule – Three knockdowns in one round results in a TKO.

• Mandatory Eight Count applies to every knockdown.

• Standing Eight Count may be used at the referee's discretion.

• A fighter may only be saved by the bell in the final round.

 

Tournament Rules

• Tournament contests are 3 rounds.

• The Two Knockdown Rule applies in all tournament bouts except the final.

• Reserve fighters may replace injured finalists at the discretion of WKO.

 

Required Equipment

 

Classic Full Contact

 

Mandatory:

• Gumshield

• 10oz Gloves

• Hand Wraps (cotton/bandage with zinc oxide tape only)

• Long Kickboxing Trousers

• Groin Guard (male)

• Shin Guards

• Foot Pads

Optional:

• Breast Protector (female)

• Ankle Supports

 

Super-Pro

 

Mandatory:

• Gumshield

• 10oz Gloves
  (8oz by agreement if approved by WKO)

• Hand Wraps
  (cotton/bandage with zinc oxide tape only)

• Kickboxing Shorts

• Groin Guard (male)

• Ankle Supports (optional)

 

Optional: (recommended)

• Breast Protector (females Only)

​

Not Permitted:

• Shin Guards

• Foot Pads​

 

Legal Techniques

 

Punches

• Jab

• Cross

• Hook

• Uppercut

 

Kicks

• Front Kick

• Body Kick

• High Kick

• Side Kick

• Back Kick

• Jumping Kick

• Spinning Kick

 

Spinning Back Fist

• May be negotiated as a legal technique in Super-Pro contests.

• Must strike with the authorised part of the glove.

• Contact with the elbow or forearm is a foul.

• Video replay may be used where available.

 

Fouls

 

The following are prohibited:

• Low kicks

• Knee strikes

• Headbutts

• Elbow strikes

• Groin attacks

• Throws, takedowns or submissions

• Eye attacks

• Biting

• Choking or throat strikes

• Striking a grounded opponent

• Striking after "Break" or "Stop"

• Holding the ropes

• Abusive language

• Punching the back of the head

• Deliberately forcing an opponent from the ring

• Leaving the ring without permission

• Illegal spinning backfists using the elbow or forearm

• Holding a kicking leg

• Passive holding or excessive clinching

 

Passive Fighting

Fighters may be penalised for:

• Constantly avoiding engagement.

• Repeated passive holding or clinching.

• Holding immediately after attacking to avoid counters.

• Waiting only to counter without initiating attacks.

• Deliberately falling to avoid fighting.

 

Penalties

The referee may issue:

1. Caution

2. Warning

3. Point Deduction

4. Disqualification

 

Normal progression:

• 2 Cautions = 1 Warning

• 2 Warnings = 1 Point Deduction

• 3 Point Deductions = Disqualification

 

For serious or deliberate fouls, the referee may immediately issue a warning, deduct points or disqualify a fighter without following the normal progression.