They Thought Karate Couldn't Survive Kickboxing… Until These Fighters Proved Them Wrong

They thought Karate couldn't survive Kickboxing. These fighters proved them wrong. Karate and Kickboxing share some similarities, but their approaches to combat are very different. Karate emphasizes explosive movement, timing, distance control, and devastating kicks. Kickboxing brings relentless combinations, pressure, and continuous striking. So what happens when these two worlds collide? This video brings together several unforgettable Karate vs Kickboxing battles, including the dramatic ONE Championship debut of Kyokushin Karate specialist Hiroki Akimoto against former Kickboxing world champion Josh Tonna. Akimoto was knocked down early. But instead of breaking, he adapted. He returned stronger in the second round, overwhelmed Tonna with combinations, attacked the body with powerful kicks, and eventually earned a unanimous decision victory. Akimoto later faced Chinese Kickboxing star Qiu Jianliang and once again showed how effectively his Karate-based striking could translate into professional Kickboxing. But that's only part of the story. From brutal open-weight clashes to spectacular high kicks and explosive knockouts, these fights reveal what can happen when traditional Karate meets the pressure of modern Kickboxing. This isn't just Karate vs Kickboxing. It's traditional martial arts being put to the test. They Thought Karate Couldn't Survive Kickboxing… Until These Fighters Proved Them Wrong #karate #martialarts #kickboxing #combatsports #power