Kickboxing (in Japanese キックボクシング kikkubokushingu) refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing. Kickboxing is often practiced for self-defense, general fitness, or as a contact sport.

Japanese kickboxing originates in the 1960s, with competitions held since the 1960s. American kickboxing originates in the 1970s. Japanese kickboxing developed into K-1 in 1993. Historically, kickboxing can be considered a hybrid martial art formed from the combination of elements of various traditional styles. This approach became increasingly popular since the 1970s, and since the 1990s, kickboxing has contributed to the emergence of mixed martial arts via further hybridization with ground fighting techniques from jujutsu and collegiate wrestling.

There is no single international governing body. International governing bodies include World Association of Kickboxing Organizations, World Kickboxing Association, International Sport Karate Association, International Kickboxing Federation, World Kickboxing Federation, World Kickboxing Network, among others. Consequently there is no single kickboxing world championship, and champion titles are issued by individual promotions, such as K-1, It's Showtime, Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, among others.

Michalis "Mike" Zambidis (Greek: Μιχάλης Ζαμπίδης; born July 15, 1980) is a professional Greek kickboxer and martial artist. He is a 15 time World Champion, and is the current W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" super-welterweight kickboxing oriental rules world champion, also competing in the K-1 MAX.

Mike Zambidis started training in martial arts before he was nine years old with his brother Spiros Zambidis and his best friend Lazaros Filipas. He has trained in Shotokan, Kickboxing, Boxing , Muay Thai and Pankration. He started competing professionally in 2000, scoring a string of victories over notable opponents. So far, the majority of his wins have been knock-outs. He has been technically knocked out twice himself early in his career due to cuts, but after 2002, his next technical knock-out defeat came in 2008 against Andy Souwer in an extra round.

Zambidis has defeated notable kickboxer Jenk Behic twice, Gurkan Ozkan twice, Wanlop Sosathopan, Bakari Tounkara, Matteo Sciacca, Petr Polak. In 2002, he knocked out the strong and experienced Dutch-Morrocan Hassan Kassrioui.

Xu Yan (simplified Chinese: 许岩; traditional Chinese: 許岩; pinyin: Xǔ Yán; born 1981-11-04 in Beijing) is a female Chinese judoka who competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the Lightweight (52–57 kg) event.

Badr Hari born December 8, 1984 in Amsterdam, Netherlands is a Moroccan-Dutch super heavyweight kickboxer from the Netherlands, fighting out of Mike's Gym in Amsterdam. He is a former K-1 Heavyweight champion (2007—2008) and K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 finalist. As of May 2011, Hari is ranked the #2 heavyweight in the world by LiverKick.com. Hari has been a prominent figure in the world of kickboxing and considered one of the best kickboxers in the world, however he has been involved in a number of controversies relating to his "unsportsmanlike conducts" in the sport and alleged crimes of violence outside of the ring.

He was disqualified in the final match of the K-1 World GP 2008 Finals due to "unsportsmanlike conduct" against Remy Bonjasky. In May 2009 he knocked out Semmy Schilt in the first round and became the first ever It's Showtime World Heavyweight champion. However he lost this title when he was again disqualified after another unsportsmanlike conduct against Hesdy Gerges at the It's Showtime 2010 Amsterdam. Aside from the sport, he has been arrested multiple times since 2006 on various assault charges against others.