This week, steve fossum and I heatedly discussed several issues relating to the IKF. One main issue is headgear. Its completely acinine to make headgear mandatory. If rules and stipulations are in force as well as being overseen by a reputable ikf rep, there is no reason why qualified amatuers cannot CHOOSE TO FIGHT WITHOUT HEADGEAR !! Our sport is taking the backseat to mma chiefly because of the headgear. A vote is coming up again and I say if any of you will quit being yes men and have some balls and support the OPTION of going without headgear then you will see more growth of kickboxing and hopefully make the way for support of PRO fights. Discuss........

Headgear should be manadatory for Amateurs. I have seen several fights where one fighter wears headgear and his opponent does not. Then the next fight has both fighters wearing headgear and the next, neither wears it. To the Public it is confusing and goofy looking. You have to have Standardised Rules for our Sport to be taken seriously. Headgear will prevent "Cuts", thats all. Why have a long Amateur career and then when you decide to turn Pro, your face is already a scarred up mess. If you think you are so tough and don't need to not wear it, turn Pro!!

Exactly!!! I'm sure as **** NOT a yes man!! I think fighters should wear headgear because of safety, period. Stop trying to sell your amateurs as pro's. If you want to take off the gear, GO PRO. Why is that so hard? You're a toughguy, right? You don't need any gear, right? Then go pro. It works for boxing so it can work for kickboxing.

Why does headgear make the sport take a backseat to mma? I'm not clear on that. Are you saying that the fighters wearing headgear are less appealing to the fans? Or are you saying that some fighters determine that they will fight in mma and not in kickboxing cuz of headgear rules?

The headgear issue is simple. Amateurs wear it pros don't. I wonder who among us you consider to be yes men? Maybe we just believe it is important for amateurs to wear the head gear for safety. I agree with Curtis and Randy it does protect from cuts. If you want to fight like a pro than turn pro. Promoters do not need to pass off amateurs as pros. I have been firm on this issue and will remain. Amateurs wear head gear.

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Dean "Lethal Legs" Lessei
Owner / Chief Instructor
Dubuque Martial Arts Group
Team Singto Muay Thai / Kickboxing

another thing, Its my understanding that the main reason the ikf tv show tanked is because no sponsors wanted to invest money if headgear fights. right or wrong ? you can say go pro all you want but look at stephen thompson . Hes relegated to fighting some guy that has 3 amatuer fights. Wow what a bright outlook for a professional kickboxer, no fights no money no recognition. The sport is in the TANK.

Where are the pro fights ? If one wears it , the other must. It must be agreed and the same for both fighters. And for your info, I do fight amatuer without headgear. Does that make me tough enough for you ?

I agree with Curtis. I don't think there are a lot of "knockout" punches being thrown that are prevented by headgear. Headgear helps keep fighters from getting cut, by the heads and elbows of inexperienced or overzealous fighters. Having been cut often by heads, spinning forearms, and elbows, I believe in protecting fighters as much as possible. I think the amount of "exposure" gained by seeing the faces of amateurs in 3 round fights is not nearly worth the potential risks to their safety.

Check the "Events" page of all the sanctioning bodies for pro fights, Dan. I don't want to get into a "tough guy" battle with you, but if you want to fight without headgear, you can fight as a pro almost every month, if you WANT to.

Do it.
RP

P.S. That's right, Curtis and I agree. He might even vote for Kerry on Tuesday.

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It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.
I wish people who have trouble communicating would just shut up.

Dan. Please listen to logic...If I am Joe Public and go to see some Kickboxing. And I see some fighters with headgear, some without, one fighter with and his opponent without..I am going to be confused and I will look poorly on this Sport. Its not about being tough, it is about saving the Amateurs face from cuts before he turns Pro and their is no protection. Again, if you want to fight without headgear.....Go Pro!

How can the Public take our Sport as Real, if the Rules are always different on each show? You either make an Official IKF Rule that no Amateur fighters can wear headgear or all Amateur fighters must wear it. You don't think its confusing when some Aamteurs where it, some don't. Some wear 'Foot pads' some don't. Some wear 'Shin pads' some don't, etc....If each show can decide for itself what the Fighters are allowed to wear, then you will have exactly what you have now....Confusion!