Global Kickboxing Standings: Osaki Claims Pound-for-Pound Crown as Touchassie Enters Top 10

The global kickboxing landscape has been completely redrawn in the July 2026 rankings update, following a historic month of cross-promotional tournaments and grueling one-night Grand Prix events. At the absolute summit, Japanese striking phenom Kazuki Osaki has officially claimed the number one spot in the men's pound-for-pound list, unseating long-time featherweight kingpin Petchpanomrung.[1]

Osaki's ascension to the top of the sport comes after a razor-close, extension-round unanimous decision victory over top contender Ryujin Nasukawa at the RISE World Series 2026 in Tokyo. The bout tested the limits of both fighters, with Nasukawa's slick movement and volume pushing Osaki into deep waters before the new pound-for-pound king pulled ahead in the extra frame.[1][6]

Known for his relentless forward pressure, impenetrable high guard, and devastating body work, Osaki has been on a tear since transitioning fully to kickboxing in 2019. Having recently captured the inaugural RISE -53kg World Championship with a brutal stoppage of former Muay Thai champion Corey Nicholson, Osaki's resume now boasts an unbeaten streak spanning over 30 fights.[4][6]

While the flyweight division crowned a new overall king, the light heavyweight ranks experienced a seismic shift courtesy of 24-year-old Dutch-Moroccan powerhouse Mohamed Touchassie. Entering the top 10 with a bullet, Touchassie captured the vacant GLORY Light Heavyweight Championship by surviving a brutal one-night Grand Prix at GLORY Collision 9 in Rotterdam.[1][2][3]

Touchassie's path to the title was a gauntlet of the division's elite. He opened the tournament with an upset over Azerbaijani favorite Bahram Rajabzadeh. Despite suffering a deep cut above his left eye in the second round, Touchassie rallied to score a knockdown in the third and secure the decision.[1][3]

Battered but undeterred, the young striker advanced to the semifinals to defeat Turkish standout Cem Cáceres. In the tournament final, an exhausted Touchassie dug deep to edge out former middleweight world champion Donovan Wisse via a razor-thin split decision, claiming both the Grand Prix trophy and the divisional crown.[1][3]

The physical toll of the three-fight marathon was immense. Following his post-fight interview, Touchassie required medical attention in an ambulance outside the Ahoy Arena and was briefly hospitalized for stitches and a head scan. Before leaving the ring, he delivered a poignant message to the sold-out crowd: "Today we showed kickboxing is the toughest martial art in the world—no doubt."[1][3]

The July rankings update also formalized a changing of the guard in the featherweight division. Japanese star Kento Haraguchi finally overcame his long-time rival, Petchpanomrung "The Professor," to win the RISE x GLORY Last Featherweight Standing tournament.[1][5]

Haraguchi outclassed rising star Yura Kono in the semifinals before facing Petchpanomrung in the championship bout. Utilizing slick boxing and impeccable distance management, Haraguchi neutralized the Thai legend's trademark left kick, securing a decision victory in front of a raucous Tokyo crowd.[1][5]

Petchpanomrung's defeat dropped him to the number two spot in the pound-for-pound rankings, marking the end of an era for the technician who had dominated the featherweight ranks for years. The loss, combined with Osaki's victory, cemented Japan's current stronghold on the sport's highest echelons.[1]

Further down the standings, inactivity has begun to penalize established veterans. Former pound-for-pound staple Superbon fell two spots in the lightweight rankings after two years without a ranked win, sidelined by persistent injuries with no immediate return scheduled.[1]

With GLORY and RISE continuing their unprecedented cross-promotional efforts, the second half of 2026 promises even more volatility in the standings. The sport is currently experiencing a renaissance, driven by a new generation of stars like Osaki and Touchassie who are willing to test themselves in grueling tournament formats to prove they are the best in the world.[1][4]