Kickboxing (K1) Striking for MMA focusses primarily of the stand-up striking techniques of punching and kicking. Unlike traditional Muay Thai the use of elbow strikes and clinching is not used and Kickboxing tends to utilize techniques from many various
stand up based martial arts, such as karate and boxing.

The first World Championships of the sport was organized by the Professional Karate Association (PKA) in September 1974. The sport can be considered as a hybrid martial art as it combines elements of various forms and since the 1990s, it has contributed to the origination of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) by combining its properties with ground fighting techniques of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and folk wrestling. There is no single global governing body of kickboxing. The federations like International Kickboxing Federation, World Association of Kickboxing Organizations, etc. govern the sport and the bouts organized by these organizations apply different rules and regulations.