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Aardenburg

Aardenburg is a small town in Zeelandic Flanders where combat sports revolve around one local fight club with a clear competitive culture. Kickboxing, muay thai, and MMA are trained there, and the club produced a fighter who won titles in international organizations such as Enfusion and K-1.

At a glance

Country NETHERLANDS  Netherlands Region Zeeland
Gyms 1 Fighters 0 Trainers 0 Events - Venues 0 Organizations 0

Introduction

FightBase story

About this city

Aardenburg is a small town in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen with a notable place in the Dutch kickboxing world. The local fight club shows that competitive fighters can also be trained to an international level outside the major cities.

FightBase story

Overview

Aardenburg as a martial arts town

Aardenburg's martial arts identity is connected to the Luc Verheije Kickboxing Fight Club . While large cities have a network of gyms, the scene here revolves around one training environment where recreational and competitive sports come together.This makes Aardenburg an example of how small-scale clubs in the region contribute to the Dutch kickboxing tradition, and how talent from a small community can progress to international stages.

Daarmee is Aardenburg een voorbeeld van hoe kleinschalige clubs in de regio bijdragen aan de Nederlandse kickbokstraditie, en hoe talent uit een kleine kern kan doorgroeien naar internationale podia.

FightBase story

Geography and character

Martial arts in a small community

In a small community, a martial arts club often serves as a permanent sporting and social hub. Athletes from Aardenburg and surrounding communities in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen train there together, from recreationalists to competitive fighters.

The small scale creates direct communication between trainer and athlete, which plays a clear role in competition preparation.

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History

From local club to international stage

Aardenburg's martial arts history is primarily the history of the club of head coach Luc Verheije, himself a former champion. Under his guidance, Thian de Vries became an international titleholder.

De Vries won an Enfusionworld title in the cruiserweight division in 2023 and a K-1title in Japan in 2025. This put the name Aardenburg on the international kickboxing map.

FightBase story

Martial arts landscape

Combat sports landscape

The martial arts offerings in Aardenburg include kickboxing, muay thai and MMA. The classes cater to all ages and levels, from fitness and self-defense to focused competition preparation.

For a broader range of disciplines, athletes have to turn to the larger towns in the region, which makes the local club particularly important for martial arts in this part of Zeeland.

Martial arts facts

Kickboxing school
Luc Verheije Kickboxing Fight Club
Marktstraat 11, Aardenburg Luc Verheije Kickboxing Fight Club Kickboxing at Luc Verheije Kickboxing Fight Club Thian de Vries
Disciplines
Kickboxing, MMA and muay thai
Products by sport guide Luc Verheije Kickboxing Fight Club
International titleholder from the club
Thian de Vries
Trained in Aardenburg under head coach Luc Verheije Thian de Vries
K-1 title
K-1 Cruiserweight (-90 kg), May 31, 2025
Thian de Vries, K-1 Beyond in Yokohama Thian de Vries
Enfusion title
Enfusion World Cruiserweight (-88 kg), 25 November 2023
Thian de Vries, 8TKO #6 in Alkmaar Thian de Vries

Data last checked on 8 October 2026

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