Who runs the sport

The largest amateur governing body, running five distinct competitive disciplines rather than one.

The Japanese promotion behind the standing-submission hybrid — the only major code where you can be choked on your feet.

The promotion that gave modern kickboxing its shape, its ruleset and most of its vocabulary.

The dominant European promotion of the 2000s, absorbed into GLORY at the point of consolidation.

Japanese domestic promotion in the lighter divisions, and the stage where Tenshin Nasukawa was built.

The Japanese feeder promotion to the revived K-1, and where most of its current champions were developed.

A mixed martial arts organisation that added kickboxing and Muay Thai divisions, and runs both side by side.

The promotion that consolidated European kickboxing after K-1 collapsed, and the default face of the sport today.

European promotion running a broad card schedule across many weight classes and experience levels.

The promotion behind the Chinese kickboxing boom of the 2010s, running very large cards and tournaments.