The Unyielding Ladder: Navigating the Dynamics of Kickboxing Rankings in July 2025

The Titans Among Us: Men`s Pound-for-Pound and Heavyweight Dominance

The upper echelons of kickboxing continue to be defined by a few enduring names, champions who seem almost impervious to the sport`s inherent volatility. At the very top of the men`s Pound-for-Pound (P4P) list, two figures stand as pillars of consistency:

• Petpanomrung (P4P No. 1): The GLORY Featherweight king continues his reign, defending his title for an astounding ninth time against Miguel Trindade with a unanimous decision victory, punctuated by two decisive knockdowns. In a sport where longevity is a rare commodity, his dominance is simply remarkable.
• Rico Verhoeven (P4P No. 2, Heavyweight No. 1): The undisputed monarch of the heavyweight division, Verhoeven further solidified his legacy by defeating Artem Vakhitov via unanimous decision. His thirteen successful title defenses now push the all-time GLORY record into a realm rarely seen in combat sports, a testament to his unparalleled consistency and strategic brilliance.

While the giants hold their ground, the P4P rankings also saw a notable new entry: Shiro (NR to P4P No. 10). The former ISKA and current RISE Bantamweight World Champion finally secures a well-deserved spot, his consistent high-level performances against top-tier opponents like Toki Tamaru and Koki Osaki earning him the recognition he’s long pursued. This inclusion highlights that even in the upper crust, new talents continually push their way in.

Shifting Sands and Controversial Crowns: Light Heavyweight and Middleweight Dramas

Not all stories of championship glory are clear-cut. The middleweight division saw its own share of drama:

• Donovan Wisse (P4P No. 1, Middleweight Champion): In a bout that left many scratching their heads, Wisse secured a controversial split decision victory over Michael Boapeah. Despite the contentious nature of the win, it marked his sixth successful GLORY middleweight title defense, setting a new record for the division. Sometimes, a win is a win, even if it leaves a lingering question mark.

Meanwhile, the Light Heavyweight division witnessed a changing of the guard:

• Sergej Maslobojev (Light Heavyweight No. 1): In a truly seismic shift, Maslobojev dethroned champion Tarik Khbabez via technical knockout in the fourth round. Khbabez, going down three times, ultimately succumbed to Maslobojev`s relentless pressure, marking a significant upset and a new era for the division.

The Unforgiving Gauntlet: Qualifier Tournaments and Unexpected Turns

The path to the top is rarely linear, as evidenced by the brutal reality of the GLORY heavyweight qualifier tournaments. These elimination rounds are designed to test grit and resilience, but sometimes, fate, or a rule infraction, intervenes:

• Bahram Rajabzadeh (Heavyweight No. 4): His journey was a bitter pill. After a stunning first-round knockout in the semifinals, Rajabzadeh was shockingly defeated in the final by Mory Kromah via flying knee. The kicker? He lost points for repeated hits after the break, a stark reminder that discipline is as crucial as power in the heat of battle.
• Jamal Ben Saddik (Heavyweight No. 8): His campaign met a cruel, premature end. Facing Sofian Laidouni in the semifinals, Ben Saddik suffered a doctor stoppage in the first round due to a severe shin cut from a middle kick check. Such is the harsh reality of combat sports; sometimes, the opponent isn`t who beats you, but rather the fragility of the human body itself. Laidouni, despite his win, eventually fell to Tariq Osaro in the final.

These tournaments are a microcosm of kickboxing`s relentless nature: a single mistake, a moment of indiscipline, or an unfortunate injury can derail months of training and ambition.

The Inactivity Albatross: When Time Takes Its Toll

Perhaps one of the most unforgiving aspects of kickboxing rankings is the “use it or lose it” policy. Even legendary fighters cannot rest on their laurels indefinitely:

• Superlek (P4P and Super Bantamweight): Despite his immense talent, Superlek has been removed from the rankings after 18 months of inactivity under kickboxing rules. His exceptional performance against Takeru to capture the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing title remains a highlight, but the clock stops for no one.
• Rungrawee (Welterweight): Similarly, 14 months without a kickboxing bout, coupled with a scheduled Muay Thai fight, led to his removal from the welterweight list.
• Cristina Morales (Women`s Flyweight) and Honoka Kobayashi (Women`s Atomweight): Both also saw their positions vanish or drop significantly due to extended periods of inactivity.

This rule serves as a constant, stark reminder to fighters that maintaining a spot requires not just skill, but relentless engagement in the ring.

Rising Tides and Steadfast Champions: Lighter Divisions and Women`s Divisions

While the heavyweights dominate headlines, the lighter divisions consistently deliver some of the most dynamic and technical contests. We saw important shifts here too:

• Enriko Kehl (Lightweight No. 7): The German fighter`s trademark pressure proved too much for Kaito, earning him a unanimous decision victory and a well-deserved climb up the rankings.
• Kan Nakamura (Super Bantamweight No. 5): His knockout victory over Yuki Kasahara in a controversial extension round of the RISE World Series semifinal was a testament to his power and resolve, propelling him five spots up.

The women`s divisions, meanwhile, continue to showcase electrifying talent and growing competitiveness:

• Débora Evora (Women`s Bantamweight No. 1, P4P No. 3): Evora`s knockout victory over Martine Michieletto for the ISKA -57 kg World title was not merely a win; it was a definitive statement, elevating her to the top of the bantamweight division and earning her a spot on the women`s P4P list. A true career-best performance.
• Tessa De Kom (Women`s Flyweight No. 4): Steadfast and dominant, De Kom successfully defended her RISE 52 kg title for the second time against Manazo Kobayashi, reaffirming her status as a top contender.
• MISAKI (Women`s Atomweight No. 3): Her ONE debut was a display of sheer domination, as she outclassed Ran Longshan to secure a unanimous decision win, showcasing why she is the Shootboxing Atomweight champion.

The Constant Evolution

The July 2025 kickboxing rankings are a dynamic tapestry woven with tales of triumph, setbacks, and the unwavering pursuit of greatness. From the seemingly unmovable titans to the rising stars and those grappling with inactivity, each position reflects a unique narrative in the sport`s ongoing evolution. As the combat sports landscape continues to expand with promotions like GLORY, K-1, ONE Championship, and RISE pushing boundaries, the relentless jockeying for position will undoubtedly continue. Fans can look forward to more breathtaking performances, unexpected upsets, and the continuous reshaping of what it means to be at the pinnacle of kickboxing.