Kickboxing in Nijmegen

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Introduction

History of this sport

A long martial arts tradition. The Nijmegen Amateur Boxing Association (NABA) was founded in 1947. The association focuses on boxing and represents an early link in Nijmegen’s martial arts history.

Perry Ubeda and Wolfskuil. Perry Ubeda was born in Nijmegen in 1971 and began his career in 1980. In 1986, he fought his first title bout for the Dutch youth title, losing to André Masseurs. He grew up in Wolfskuil and later fought all over the world, but continued to live in Nijmegen.

Title bouts in his hometown. Ubeda fought in Nijmegen at events including Time for Action in 2005 and 2007 and Ultimate Glory 8 in 2008. The city also provided a stage for his international career.

A stage at the Jan Massinkhal. In March 2024, an Enfusion world title bout at up to 80 kg was held at the Jan Massinkhal between Nick Regter from Breda and Mischa Eradus from Delft.

Local connections

From the world stage to his hometown. Perry Ubeda fought internationally, continued to live in Nijmegen, and also appeared at major galas in his hometown. His connection with Nijmegen also took shape through training sessions for students at Radboud University and his role as the municipality’s sports ambassador.

From kickboxing to Olympic boxing. Jemyma Betrian was honored at Boksacademie Nijmegen in January 2019 for her bronze medal at the World Boxing Championships in New Delhi. Alderman Bert Velthuis praised her achievements and presented her with a statuette of Mariken van Nimwegen. Before switching to boxing, Betrian was already a five-time world kickboxing champion.

Martial arts facts

Almost an Olympic kickboxer: Jemyma Betrian
A Mariken for a boxing champion: Jemyma Betrian
A museum about a single fighter: Perry Ubeda
Twice Sportsman of the Year: Perry Ubeda
Kickboxing for students: Perry Ubeda
A broken arm in a title fight: Perry Ubeda

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Clubs and training locations

Training in this city

Technique and coaching. In kickboxing, you work on footwork, punches, kicks, and defense. Compare how trainers at gyms in Nijmegen explain techniques and guide beginners.

Recreational or competition-focused. Ask about the difference between bag work, technical classes, and sparring. The Boxing Arena and Mattiz Gym also offer competition training for Muay Thai and kickboxing athletes.

Self-confidence beyond sport. Perry Ubeda combines his martial arts experience with self-confidence training. His work with young people and his pedagogical training offer a different perspective alongside competitive sport.

Choose a club

Start with your goal. Do you want to learn kickboxing techniques, train recreationally, or compete? Ask which classes are for beginners, when sparring takes place, and whether you can also train without sparren.

Choose a convenient location. Compare the location and current class schedule with your daily route. Regular training is easier when the gym is easy to get to.

Try the training for yourself. Ask for a trial class. Pay attention to the instructions, how members interact, the supervision during contact training, and the condition of the equipment. Choose an environment where you can learn safely and will enjoy coming back.

Discover the clubs

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Athletes with a connection to this city

Perry ‘Dynamite’ Ubeda. Ubeda won world titles in thai boxing, full contact, kickboxing, and Muay Thai. In 1996, he also won the open Japanese taekwondo championship in Tokyo. His international career remained closely tied to Nijmegen.

Jemyma ‘Golden Girl’ Betrian. Betrian was born in Curaçao and has ties to Nijmegen. She became a five-time world champion in Muay Thai and kickboxing before switching to Olympic boxing. She won bronze at the 2018 World Championships in New Delhi and at the 2019 European Games in Minsk.

Roan Korver. Korver fought for The Boxing Arena and Mattiz Gym. By the age of sixteen, he was already a three-time world champion and had fought more than eighty bouts. Later, he successfully defended his WCTS world title at 60 kilos.

Nassim Argah and Amal Aoulad Baktit. These Nijmegen natives won European WCTS titles: Nassim in the up-to-55.45-kilo weight class and Amal up to 62.27 kilos.

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Trainers with a connection to this city

Perry Ubeda. Ubeda has been teaching since he was sixteen and opened his own gym at twenty. His resilience center on Tweede Oude Heselaan is housed in a former police station. Posters and newspaper clippings from his martial arts career fill the rooms, including the old cell. He also worked in a youth detention center and a forensic psychiatric clinic, and completed a teacher training course.

The Boxing Arena and Mattiz Gym. The Boxing Arena celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 2025 and opened a new location on Tarweweg that year. Mattiz Gym has been part of The Boxing Arena since 2016. Competition training is also offered for Muay Thai and kickboxing athletes.

Kickboxing Nijmegen and Team 024. On February 18, 2016, trainer Abdelmajid founded the Team 024 Nijmegen foundation. On March 24, 2018, the first fight under the name Kickboxing Nijmegen took place. Hamza Khamal won the bout.