There is nothing in the world quite like GLORY Kickboxing.
GLORY Kickboxing is a fast-paced sport which allows fighters to use any fighting style they like, so long as they are standing.
With arts such as Muay Thai, Karate, Boxing, Dutch Kickboxing and more on display, plus limited clinching and no takedowns, the action is constantly fast and furious.
Two fighters meet inside of the ring at their agreed upon weight class, where they are given three rounds (five rounds in Championship fights) to do the most damage to their opponents while impressing the crowd and the judges at ringside.
Those rounds are three minutes each, meaning that the action is high-octane and leaves little room for rests. Most stand-up fighting techniques are open to the fighters. Kicks, punches and knees form the basis of the arsenal.
Elbow-strikes are prohibited due to their tendency to cause cuts, which end a fight early and inconclusively. Fighters may clinch for only a few seconds and, of course, low blows to the groin are prohibited.
The fight can end in several ways. The first, and most common, is by Knockout, when one competitor lands such a devastating blow that their opponent is unable to continue the fight, forcing the referee to immediately stop the bout.
The second way is by Technical Knockout, which means that either a fighter is unable to beat the referee’s count, the doctor stops the fight for any reason or the fighter’s corner decides that they are unable to continue.
If the fight lasts until the last bell the judges at ringside provide their round-by-round scores, awarding each round to one of the fighters. If they are unable to come to a consensus then a sudden-death extension round will be fought, and the winner of that round wins the fight.
‘Damage done’ is the key thing judges will consider when awarding points for strikes. If strikes are blocked they don’t score. A cleanly landed jab or leg-kick will score while a vicious head-kick attempt that is solidly blocked will not.
Secondary consideration is given to aggression, favoring the fighter pushing the action, plus cleanness of technique and its degree of complexity. GLORY values crowd entertainment and will award a very slight premium to spectacular techniques such as flying knees.
By Dave Walsh
www.Liverkick.com
