“If the butcher weeps for the cow, who will bring the meat?” That proverb feels eerily fitting for GLORY Kickboxing—the London-based promotion that polished raw talent like Alex Pereira into world-class fighters. Once hailed for giving the MMA world one of its brightest stars, GLORY now finds itself facing heavy scrutiny—and not without reason. After 14 strong years in the game, GLORY is preparing for a landmark event: GLORY 100, scheduled to go down on June 14 at the iconic Rotterdam Ahoy.
Initially envisioned as a two-day celebration, the promotion eventually trimmed it down to a one-day card—but the buzz hasn’t faded one bit. Yet, just as anticipation builds, controversy has entered the ring. A surprising announcement has emerged: the calf kick—one of the most effective weapons in modern kickboxing—is set to be banned in most GLORY events.
An MMA-focused Instagram page broke the news, writing:
“Just heard some baffling news: The calf kick will be BANNED in most of the GLORY Kickboxing events because of a ban on the kick in the Netherlands… The reason for this is unclear, but my speculation is that the kick is too effective.”
Luckily, this change won’t impact GLORY 100. They expect to enforce the ban starting in September, so the Rotterdam event will still use the current ruleset. However, confusion remains about how this ban will actually be enforced. Some reports suggest the rule may only apply to organizations operating under the NVB (Dutch Martial Arts Federation), while GLORY is believed to be regulated by the VON.
If that’s the case, GLORY might avoid the restriction altogether—but at this point, no one has officially confirmed anything. What’s crystal clear, though, is that fans aren’t thrilled. The potential removal of such a dynamic and strategic strike has sparked backlash, with many voicing frustration over what they see as unnecessary regulation. Let’s take a look at what the fans are saying.
Alex Pereira’s ex-kickboxing promotion comes under fire, called to ‘ban fighting’ events
In kickboxing, the calf kick is what fries are to a burger—inseparable. It’s not just a technique anymore; it’s become a staple of the sport. So when news broke about GLORY Kickboxing potentially banning it, fans didn’t just disagree—they erupted. The backlash was swift, loud, and, in many cases, dripping with sarcasm. One fan perfectly captured the mood, commenting, “We should ban punches next. They also seem to be too effective at hurting the opponent.” The remark struck a chord, resonating across social media. Another fan added fuel to the fire with a sharp comparison: “This is like banning wrestling in MMA.”
And it’s not hard to see why fans are upset. Calf kicks have become a defining weapon in modern MMA. Fighters use them to throw their opponents off-balance, open the door for submissions, and even score knockouts. UFC 257 gave us one of the clearest examples when Dustin Poirier, known as ‘The Diamond,’ dismantled Conor McGregor with ruthless calf kicks, which restricted McGregor’s footwork. What followed was a second-round KO by ‘The Diamond’. It wasn’t just a win— it was a statement.
Supporters of the technique argue that calf kicks are part of the evolution of combat sports. Moreover, calf-kicks, while devastating, are way less debilitating than oblique kicks. The calf is mostly muscle—a softer, less injury-prone target compared to, the knee. That’s what made the rumor of a ban so jarring. When word got out that GLORY might prohibit calf kicks, fans were stunned. One fan summed it up bluntly: “First I thought it was oblique kicks but banning calf kicks is just insane.” Another took aim at the contradiction of it all, asking, “So you telling me I throwing a certain kick in kickboxing?”
Compare that to the UFC, an organization that helped shape laws rather than be shaped by them. Remember, it was the UFC’s popularity that led to France lifting its long-time ban on MMA. Soon after, the promotion hosted a sold-out event in Paris—UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa—proving that a strong promotion can influence national policy, not just follow it. And now, the spotlight is on GLORY. Is banning the calf kick really the way forward? Or is it a step backward for one of the world’s premier striking organizations?
What’s your take on the possible ban of calf kicks in GLORY Kickboxing? Do you think the Netherlands is really ready to accept such a change? Drop your opinion below.
The post Calls Mount Against Alex Pereira’s Former Promotion for Issuing Ban on “Effective” Striking Move appeared first on EssentiallySports.