Enfusion is a Dutch kickboxingpromotion company based in Alkmaar, Netherlands. It produces events worldwide, which showcase twelve kickboxing weight classes (7 male and 5 female). Enfusion held its first event in 2013 in the Zwembad Sporthal in Zwevegem, Belgium. Aside from producing kickboxing events inside of a ring, Enfusion operates three other brands of events: Enfusion Talents, which showcases up and coming kickboxing prospects, Enfusion Rookies where amateurs are allowed to demonstrate their skills for the talent scouts and Enfusion Reality, a tournament with behind the scenes perspectives into each athlete, produced over 12–14 episodes.[1]
History
In 2002 Edwin Van Os started a new company along with Partner Simon Rutz designed to market kickboxing and manage fighters under the name of Its Showtime.
Edwin van Os of Its Showtime then started a new reality show concept called Enfusion Reality which first aired in 2010. In 2013 the next step of Enfusion development emerged by hosting fight events throughout Europe and abroad.
In 2018 Enfusion begun organizing Enfusion MMA events.[3]
In 2019 Enfusion unveiled two new brands with Enfusion Cage Events (ECE).[4] The two brands included MMA and Extreme Stand-up.
Media coverage
Enfusion events were previously broadcast on Viceland in the Netherlands,[5] while viewers elsewhere could watch through Enfusion's own subscription based video service.
February 2022 a streaming deal covering Germany, Switzerland and Austria with fighting.de was announced.[6]
March 2022 Viaplay announced that they had acquired rights to stream Enfusion events for the next three years.[7]
Glory Rivals
In January 2022 Enfusion and Glory announced a new series of jointly promoted events called Glory Rivals.[8] The inaugural Rivals event was scheduled for May 21, 2022 at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp, Belgium. The event was later cancelled due to the finances of Enfusion's local promoter partner Antwerp Fight Organization catching the attention of Belgian authorities.[9] The first Rivals event was then held on 11 June 2022 in Alkmaar.
Kickboxing rules
Clothing and equipment
Each athlete wears a pair of shorts, and is not allowed to wear shoes. Female fighters additionally wear a top. The athletes fight with 8 oz gloves if they are under 70 kg and 10 oz gloves if they are above 70 kg. They must wear a gumshield and groin protector. Vaseline is applied only to the face, while it is prohibited to apply it to the neck, shoulders and other body parts.[10]
Duration of the rounds
Fighters in the A and B classes contest three rounds of three minutes each, with a minute's rest between the rounds. If the fight is scored a draw, they are allowed to fight a maximum of one extra round. Enfusion title fights, Super Bouts and Elimination fights (fight between contenders for a title shot) are five rounds of three minutes, with a minute of rest between the rounds. There is no extra round in these types of fights as a draw is not possible.
Female title fights are five rounds of two minutes each. A draw is likewise not possible.
Permitted techniques
Punches are allowed to the head, front and side of the upper body. Spinning back fists are allowed, but they must not connect with the side of the glove. Kicks are allowed to the head, front and side of the neck, chest and stomach, as well as to the side of the body, kicks to the arms, inside and outside of the legs, and push kicks to the upper leg and thighs. Push kicks to the knee are not allowed.
Sweeps to the supporting leg of the opponent with the shin or the top of the foot are allowed.
Knees are permitted to the head, chest, sides, stomach and legs.
Clinch fighting is allowed to go on as long as the fighters are perceived to be active and working. Should the referee judge the clinch to be inactive, he will break up the fighters.
The following are considered to be fouls: Holding in the clinch to avoid striking, head butting, elbow strikes, strikes to the groin, push kicks to the knee, clinching the lower back, striking with the inside of the glove, continuing to fight after the command of the referee, biting, spitting, eye pokes, approaching the opponent with a head held too low, avoiding to fight, or simulation of being hit by an illegal strike, submission holds and wrestling takedowns. For each foul, a fighter is awarded an official warning, with three warnings warranting a disqualification.[11]
Match outcome
Effective strikes with permitted techniques are counted as scores. The scores are counted after the round and fighters are awarded based on a 10-point must system.
The fight can be temporarily stopped if the fighter is in knockdown, and the grounded fighter is given a long count. A knockdown awards a fighter a 10–8, two knockdowns a 10–7, and three knockdowns in a single round result in a technical knockout.
Enfusion Reality is a reality-style TV show in which contestants from different countries compete for cash prizes in the finals. Each season is a new competition, with different weight categories and new fighters. Each episode is set up to learn about each fighter, as they undertake small tasks in order to gain an advantage for their fight. At minimum, one fighter is eliminated in each episode. As the series draws to an end, the athletes are brought to the final 4 which compete in the final tournament.
Season 1, Test of the Champions – 2010
In season 1, 18 professional fighters from around the world were gathered on the island of Ko Samui. They were divided into four teams chosen and led by four female captains. They competed against the three other teams composed of challengers in the 70MAX weight category. Final four fighters were: Pajonsuk, Gago Drago, Rick Barnhill and Armen Petrosyan and they fought in Lisbon. Pajonsuk defeated Armen Petrosyan by extra round decision, Gago Drago defeated Rick Barnhill by second-round knockout. Gago Drago became champion, defeating Pajonsuk in the finals by judges decision.[22]
Season 2, Quest for honor – 2011
For the second season, Enfusion introduced the 95MAX division. Once again, the contestants trained during the season on the island of Ko Samui. Final four fighters were: Mohamed Boubkari, Frank Munoz, Ondřej Hutník and Wendell Roche and they fought in Prague. Ondřej Hutník defeated Mohamed Boubkari by decision, Frank Munoz defeated Wendell Roche by decision. Ondřej Hutník became champion, defeating Frank Munoz in the finals by judges' decision.[23]
Season 3, Trial of the Gladiators – Macedonia 2011
The third season welcomes fighters from 18 countries to Ohrid, Macedonia. The weight category of this tournament is from the 85-kilo division. The athletes were arranged into teams of four spearheaded by female captains. Both the male athletes and female athletes compete in an elimination tournament.[24]
Season 4, Search for The Superpro - 2013
This edition features some of the best up and coming world class kickboxers from the heavyweight division. The island of Koe Samui Thailand will host the extra large edition. Ladies from the 56-kilo division will assist in helping these athletes to complete there quest for dominance to crown the forth Enfusion Reality winner.[25]
Season 5, Ladies edition - 2014
This edition features 18 ladies from across the globe, in the 54-kilo division. These world-class ladies will compete in an elimination tournament to determine, who will become the next Enfusion Reality champion. Iman Barlow the current Enfusion 54-kilo champion has her eyes set on winning this spectacular ladies tournament. The coaches are from the heavyweight division and will help aid these athletes through the competition, featuring Daniel Sam last years heavyweight winner. This edition comes from the island of Koe Samui Thailand from the super pro kickboxing and fighting camp.[26]
Season 6, Celebs Meet Pros - 2016
The sixth edition features 3 tournaments, the first features males who represent 4 continents. with respective female captains. Those represented are from Europe, South America, Asia and Africa, and the Middle East. The female captains from these teams also competed in a ladies' tournament. The last tournament features a list of celebrities lambros Choutos, Stevie Raine, Glenn Helder, Ze Maria who will fight in a pro kickboxing contest.[27]
Season 7, New League Blood - 2017
Enfusion Reality the seventh edition, “New League Blood” indulges viewers to two exhilarating 8-man tournaments: First 85-kilo and the second 72-kilo. The winner of the 85-kilo tournament will advance to the renowned Enfusion League tournament. The winner of 72-kilo will advance to the final 16 of the World Grand Prix 100,000-euro tournament. The female captains will also battle for prestige among the ladies division. The stakes for all the contestants have never been higher.
Alkmaar, The Netherlands
Wuppertal, Germany
Warengem, Belgium
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Lisbon, Portugal
Tenerife, Spain
Belgrade, Serbia
Zilina, Slovakia
Orchies, France
Rome, Italy
Ostrava, Czech Republic
Newcastle, England
Halifax, Canada
Ko Samui, Thailand
Martigny, Switzerland
Dublin, Ireland
Novo Mesto, Slovenia
