Kickboxing News - MMA, UFC & WKA

Two time veteran at Strikeforce and former world champion in kickboxing, Ray Sefo is set to square off against Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic in a contest that is slated to be striking rules.

The bout had been coming for several weeks now and there was speculation going about it since ages but Sefo announced the fight recently on Twitter that is scheduled to be held on the 10th of March, 2012.

The match will take place at the Zagreb Arena, in the Croatian city of Zagreb and the official announcement regarding the match is slated for the next couple of days.

You might not see many women in your Kickboxing class (yet) but women should give serious thought to joining up - they will be impressed by the conditioning and power it gives their bodies.

Strength and health benefits are important for women, and they can enjoy both these benefits by practicing Kickboxing. The sport prepares women not only physically but also psychologically.

More confident

New Zealand has revealed that they will be investigating about the kickboxing event held for children. The clash between Jasmine Parr, 8, and Georgina Barton, 7, was held at Broadwater PCYC on Saturday night for $100 prize money.

Child Safety and Sports Minister Phil Reeves says he was appalled by images of the girls in the fight.

Mr Reeves says he has instructed the director-general of the Department of Communities to investigate the situation.

He says he understands children may enjoy the sport but that there are greater considerations.

Kickboxing action is going to be plentiful at Accra, which is hosting the latest round of championships. The World Kickboxing Federation (WKF) event sees Isaac Aikins of Bushido Club take on Steavano Tuekpe of Power Zone Club in the main bout of the night which promises fireworks as both boast world class experience having fought and won many international championships for Ghana.

The members of Athlone's Westside Kickboxing Club won seven medals in the All-Ireland Kickboxing Championships in Meath last weekend.

Three gold medals and four silvers were won by the Athlone contingent, and the haul of medals at a major national tournament represents a phenomenal achievement by the Athlone club considering its only been in existence for five months. As well as taking seven medals, Lithunian-born Athlone resident Simas Skatikas also captured the tournament's Best Fighter Award.

Halesowen kickboxing king Simon Akufo has said that he is determined to win a world title.Akufo will face Russian Denis Lukashov on June 11 for the WKA welterweight in Birmingham, though the exact venue is yet to be confirmed.

It appears the Halesowen man’s long wait for another shot at a world title has been worth it! (Get a free MMA bet on it now!)

Anderson Silva says that he expects the best from Vitor Belfort ever. Belfort has beaten the likes of Randy Couture, Wanderlei Silva and Rich Franklin during his career, displaying lethal hand speed combined with phenomenal power.

Silva has not faced an out-and-out striker since he met Patrick Cote in October 2008, when the pair shared two rounds of cautious sparring before Cote's knee gave way.

Vitor Belfort has said that he respects Anderson Silva, but is not afraid of him. Both being Brazilian and having trained together in the past, Belfort has quite a bit of respect for "The Spider" and his abilities, but he pledges not to make the same mistake that many of Silva's past opponents have: respecting his fearsome aura too much.

"I think Anderson has a lot of power, a lot of skills," said Belfort. "Anderson is an expert [standing], his kicks, his knees, his elbows--I respect that, but I'm not afraid of that. I'm gonna face that."

Chris Leben has thanked Anderson Silva for his much improved style. Not only that, but fighter formerly known as "The Cat Smasher" also earned Knockout of the Night and Fight of the Night honors in his bouts against Simpson and Akiyama. Leben has had an up-and-down UFC career, at times marred by controversy outside of the cage and uncharacteristic performances inside.

The Oahu, Hawaii-stationed fighter recently spoke with Men's Fitness UK, where he credited his 2006 knockout loss to current champion Anderson Silva for his recent resurgence.

Anderson Silva says that he is expecting her tough battle when he goes to fight with Vitor Belfort. "UFC fans expect big things from us every year for our Super Bowl weekend show, and this year could be our biggest ever," UFC President Dana White said. "Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort is a fight fan's dream match. It's a fight people have wanted for years. Don't blink because both of these guys have dynamite in their hands and can end the night quickly and in very exciting fashion.