Famous American Kickboxers

Ronda Rousey is a versatile American athlete who has excelled in judo, mixed martial arts, and professional wrestling. She made history by winning an Olympic medal in judo and later became a dominant force in the UFC, setting records for title defenses. Transitioning to WWE, she continued her success, winning multiple championships and headlining major events. Rousey's impact extends beyond the ring, as she has been recognized as a top female athlete and has ventured into acting and writing.

Benny Urquidez is a former professional kickboxer, martial arts choreographer, and actor known as "The Jet." Pioneering full-contact fighting in the US, he transitioned from non-contact to full-contact karate in 1974. Holding six world titles in five weight divisions, Urquidez had a remarkable career largely undefeated over 27 years. With a documented record of 49-1-1 and additional undocumented fights, his total record varies in sources. Voted "Competitor of the Year" in 1978, he was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. Urquidez also appeared in various acting roles, including Jackie Chan movies and Grosse Pointe Blank.

Raymond Daniels is a versatile American professional martial artist known for his flashy and aggressive fighting style. With black belt ranks in American Kenpo, Shotokan Karate, and Kukkiwon Taekwondo, as well as a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he has excelled in various combat sports. Competing in the Welterweight division for Karate Combat, he has also showcased his skills in Bellator MMA and Bellator Kickboxing, where he held the Welterweight title. Daniels' impressive career includes being a 2-time runner-up for the Glory welterweight title.

Patrick Smith was a highly skilled American kickboxer and mixed martial artist known for his expertise in various martial arts disciplines. He held impressive black belts in Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Kempo Karate, and Tang Soo Do. Smith achieved significant success in the world of kickboxing, earning the top ranking in the United States and a No. 5 international ranking. He also showcased his talents in full-contact karate tournaments, winning the 1993 Enshin Karate Sabaki Challenge and competing in the prestigious Seidokaikan Karate World Cup in Japan.

Mighty Mo, also known as Siala-Mou Siliga, is a versatile former American Samoan combat sports athlete who excelled in kickboxing, bare knuckle boxing, boxing, and mixed martial arts in the Heavyweight division. He earned his nickname at a young age and went on to achieve significant success in the K-1 World Grand Prix tournaments in Las Vegas and Hawaii. Throughout his career, he competed in various organizations such as K-1 Hero's, Bellator MMA, DREAM, and Road FC, showcasing his skills and power in the ring.

Bill Wallace, known as "Superfoot," is a prominent figure in the world of martial arts. He is a former professional kickboxer, actor, and karateka, achieving great success in his career. Wallace was the Professional Karate Association (PKA) World Full-Contact Champion and Middleweight Kickboxing Champion for six consecutive years, retiring with an impressive undefeated record. He holds a 10th dan black belt and the title of sōke in shōrin-ryū karate, showcasing his expertise and mastery in the martial arts world. Currently, he serves as the International Ambassador for PKA Worldwide.

Miesha Tate is an accomplished American professional mixed martial artist, known for her career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) where she held the title of UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion. She also found success in Strikeforce as their Women's Bantamweight Champion. Tate's expertise in the sport led her to the role of vice president at ONE Championship. Currently ranked #9 in the UFC women's bantamweight division, Tate remains a respected figure in the world of mixed martial arts.

Guy Mezger is a retired American martial artist known for his successful career in professional combat sports, particularly in mixed martial arts (MMA). He was associated with Lion's Den and achieved championship titles in both the UFC and Pancrase promotions. Mezger has notable victories over prominent fighters such as Tito Ortiz, Masakatsu Funaki, and Yuki Kondo. Throughout his career, he trained with top martial arts competitors and instructors, including Vince Tamura, Willie Thompson, Billy "Jack" Jackson, and Ken Shamrock. Mezger also co-authored a book on kickboxing and made a guest appearance on a popular TV show.

Rick John Roufus is a retired American kickboxer who has also competed professionally in boxing and mixed martial arts. Throughout his career, he achieved multiple world championships in various weight classes. Roufus held titles for major kickboxing associations worldwide and is recognized for his exceptional boxing skills and powerful kicks. He is currently the Global Director of Fighter Development for PKA Worldwide and was inducted into the World Kickboxing League Hall of Fame in 2012.

Jerry Trimble is a versatile American professional known for his diverse talents in martial arts, acting, stunts, and motivational speaking. With a successful career as a former world kickboxing champion, Trimble has showcased his skills on the big screen, portraying memorable characters in films like Heat and The Master. His contributions as an actor, stuntman, and youth motivational speaker have solidified his reputation as a multifaceted entertainer with a strong presence in both the martial arts and entertainment industries.

Bob Sapp is a versatile American athlete with experience in various fields such as American football, professional wrestling, mixed martial arts, and kickboxing. He has competed in Japan and gained recognition for his appearances in commercials, TV shows, and music. Initially successful in MMA and kickboxing, Sapp later faced challenges and acquired a reputation as a less formidable opponent. Despite this, he continues to work with MMA promotions in the U.S., Japan, and Europe, showcasing his diverse athletic talents.

Maurice Lavonne Smith is a retired American kickboxer and mixed martial artist with an extensive professional career spanning multiple organizations. He achieved world championships in kickboxing under WKC, WKA, and ISKA. In mixed martial arts, he held titles in Battlecade Extreme Fighting and the UFC, earning a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame. Throughout his career starting in 1980, Smith competed in various renowned promotions such as All Japan Enterprise, K-1, Pancrase, RINGS, PRIDE, Strikeforce, International Fight League, and RFA.

Dennis Alexio was a renowned American kickboxer and actor who competed in various weight divisions throughout his career. He began as a light heavyweight, achieving success with an undefeated streak before transitioning to cruiserweight and eventually heavyweight. Known for his aggressive fighting style and impressive knockout ratio, Alexio won multiple world titles and was considered the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion. Despite facing tough challenges later in his career, he left a lasting legacy in the world of kickboxing before unfortunately facing legal troubles in 2017.

Tiffany van Soest is a retired American Muay Thai kickboxer known for her success in the bantamweight division. She held titles in both the Glory and Lion Fight organizations, including being a two-time Glory Super Bantamweight Champion and a two-weight Lion Fight champion. Van Soest transitioned from Shōrin-ryū karate to Muay Thai at eighteen, excelling as an amateur before turning professional in 2011. Throughout her career, she demonstrated skill and resilience, earning recognition as a pound-for-pound talent and Female Fighter of the Year in 2019.

Joe Lewis was a prominent figure in the world of martial arts, known for his contributions to full-contact karate and kickboxing in the United States. He achieved fame as a fighter in the 1960s and 1970s, earning the nickname "the Muhammad Ali of karate." Lewis won numerous karate tournaments and held titles such as "United States Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion" and "World Heavyweight Full Contact Karate Champion." He was also recognized as the greatest karate fighter in history and was a pioneer in cross-training in various martial arts disciplines.

Janet Todd, known as "JT," is a renowned Japanese-American retired Muay Thai kickboxer with an impressive career record. She has achieved significant success as a two-time Pan-American Muay Thai Champion and former ONE Kickboxing Atomweight World Champion. Todd has competed for ONE Championship and is highly regarded in the world of kickboxing, holding the ninth spot in the pound-for-pound rankings for female kickboxers as of January 2022, according to Combat Press. She trains at the esteemed Boxing Works gym, showcasing dedication and skill in her professional endeavors.

Kevin Rosier was a versatile American combat sports athlete known for his success in kickboxing, holding numerous titles in the sport. However, his transition to boxing was less distinguished, and he was considered a journeyman fighter in that realm. Rosier notably competed in the first-ever Ultimate Fighting Championship event in 1993, where he reached the semi-finals. Throughout his career, he demonstrated his skills and versatility as a fighter, leaving a mark on the world of combat sports with his participation in various disciplines.

Cyrus Washington is a renowned American fighter with extensive experience in kickboxing, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, and Lethwei. He has achieved multiple world championships in Muay Thai and has competed in prestigious events like the Emmy-nominated Thailand VS Challenger TV Series. Washington gained global recognition as one of the early successful foreign competitors in Lethwei in Myanmar. His professional career is marked by notable achievements, including titles in various organizations and competitions, showcasing his skill and determination in the combat sports arena.

Graciela Casillas is an American former boxer and kickboxer who competed in the bantamweight division. She began her career in kickboxing in 1976 and later made history in 1979 by becoming the first fighter to hold world titles in both boxing and kickboxing. With a record of 5-0 in Boxrec, she was noted for her punching power and for incorporating low kicks into her fighting style. Casillas retired undefeated in 1986 and is recognized as a pioneer in women's combat sports.

Dewey Cooper is a retired American kickboxer and boxer who achieved success in the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. He secured two world titles in 2000 and later competed regularly in K-1 promotion's US events. Notably, he reached the final of the K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Las Vegas, having defeated notable opponents like Nobu Hayashi and Mighty Mo. Despite his accomplishments, he narrowly missed out on winning the tournament after a hard-fought battle against Michael McDonald. Cooper's professional career showcased his skill and determination in the combat sports arena.

Kathy Long is a renowned American kickboxer, mixed martial artist, and actress. Throughout her career, she has achieved significant success, holding multiple kickboxing championships, such as two KICK World Kickboxing titles, as well as the WKA and ISKA world titles. Currently, she shares her expertise by teaching classes, private lessons, and hosting seminars in Seattle, Washington, and internationally. Kathy Long's professional journey is marked by her impressive achievements in the world of martial arts and her dedication to passing on her knowledge to others.

Joe Schilling is an American professional Muay Thai kickboxer and mixed martial artist. He has competed in the Middleweight division for Bellator Kickboxing and Bellator MMA. Known for his aggressive fighting style and use of elbows, he earned the nickname "Stitch 'em Up." Schilling started his professional fighting career in 2006 and has achieved success as a two-time national titlist and the WBC Muay Thai Interim World Light Heavyweight Champion in 2011. He has also been involved in high-profile rivalries and controversies throughout his career.

Cris Cyborg is a dominant Brazilian mixed martial artist and professional boxer, currently competing in Bellator MMA as the Women's Featherweight Champion. She has previously held titles in UFC, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC, making her the only MMA fighter to achieve Grand Slam Champion status across four major promotions. Widely considered the greatest female MMA fighter of all time, Cyborg rose to fame in 2009 by winning the Strikeforce title with a first-round TKO victory over Gina Carano.

Howard E. Jackson was a highly accomplished professional fighter, known for his exceptional skills in various martial arts disciplines. He achieved great success as a former World Kickboxing Champion in the World Kickboxing Association (W.K.A), a World Muay Thai Champion in the World Kickboxing Association (W.K.B.A), and as a world-rated Karate point fighter. Additionally, he made a significant impact as a world-rated boxing contender. Jackson's career was marked by numerous achievements and accolades in the world of combat sports.

Fredia "The Cheetah" Gibbs is a renowned American former professional martial artist, kickboxer, and boxer. She achieved great success in her kickboxing career, holding ISKA, WKA, and WKF World Titles. Notably, she made history by becoming the first African-American female Kickboxing ISKA World Champion. Gibbs earned the title of "The Most Dangerous Woman in the World" following a significant upset victory in 1994. She maintained a dominant presence in the kickboxing world, amassing an impressive record of wins, losses, and KOs, and securing multiple world titles. Her professional boxing career was also marked by notable achievements. In 2016, she authored The Fredia Gibbs Story, providing insight into her remarkable journey and accomplishments.

Troy Dorsey is a former U.S. boxer and kickboxer known for his relentless fighting style and exceptional physical endurance. He initially trained in karate and taekwondo before transitioning to full-contact kickboxing, where he achieved significant success, becoming a three-time world champion and winning gold at the WAKO Amateur World Championships. Dorsey later shifted his focus to boxing, winning the IBF World Featherweight Championship and IBO World Super Featherweight Championship before retiring in 1998 after a successful professional career.

Sylvie Von Duuglas-Ittu is an accomplished American professional Muay Thai fighter based in Thailand with a remarkable record of fights in the country. She has achieved significant success in her career, being crowned as a two-times IPCC World Champion and the 2023 WBC Minimumweight Muay Thai World Champion. As of June 16, 2023, she holds impressive rankings in the WMO Mini flyweight and IFMA Pinweight Muay Thai categories. Duuglas-Ittu's dedication and skill have solidified her position as a top contender in the Muay Thai world.

Dale "Apollo" Cook is a versatile American former kickboxer known for competing in multiple weight divisions and various fighting styles, including full contact, Oriental, and Muay Thai. He achieved significant success in his career, securing two world titles under the WKA banner and another in shoot boxing. Additionally, Cook dabbled in acting, appearing in action-oriented B-movies during the early 1990s. A skilled fighter with a background in karate and taekwondo, Cook left a mark on both the fighting world and the entertainment industry.

Karapet Karapetyan is an Armenian-Dutch kickboxer competing in the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. With a professional career starting in 2002, he gained recognition in the Dutch kickboxing scene as a national champion. Karapetyan briefly competed in the It's Showtime promotion before pursuing world title shots in 2012, although these attempts were unsuccessful. He later signed with Glory in 2013 and has been ranked as the #3 welterweight in the world by GLORY as of 2 November 2015.

Héctor Echavarría is a versatile professional with a diverse skill set. As an actor, producer, and filmmaker, he has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. His expertise in martial arts has not only shaped his career but also inspired others. Echavarría's activism work demonstrates his commitment to social causes, while his business ventures highlight his entrepreneurial spirit. He is also adept at writing screenplays, showcasing his creativity and storytelling abilities in the film industry.

Bonnie Canino is a retired American boxer and kickboxer renowned for her achievements in the world of combat sports. She was a former world featherweight champion for two different associations and also secured world titles in kickboxing for two separate organizations. Canino holds the prestigious titles of former IFBA World Featherweight champion, two-time IBF World Featherweight title challenger, former WAKO and World KICK Kickboxing Champion. Her career highlights include induction into the Women's International Boxing Hall of Fame and notable victories over respected opponents like Gloria Ramirez, Nora Daigle, and Sue Chase.

Elvis Gashi is a prominent Kosovan-American kickboxer known for his impressive career in the sport. Currently signed with Glory, he has showcased his skills and talent as a former Lightweight title challenger. With a strong presence in the kickboxing world, Gashi has earned a reputation for his determination and athleticism inside the ring. His journey as a professional kickboxer has been marked by notable achievements and memorable performances, solidifying his status as a respected figure in the industry.