Rob Kaman “Mr. Low Kick” | Biography & Fights
Rob Kaman was a trailblazer in western combat sports, crippling dozens of opponents with his low kicks and knocking out dozens more with his punches. His style reflected the aggressive and technical roots of Dutch kickboxing, which emerged in the 1970s as fighters like Jan Plas and Thom Harinck blended elements of Kyokushin Karate, Japanese Kickboxing, and Muay Thai.
This unique fusion created a combination-heavy, boxing-influenced approach that emphasised powerful low kicks and fluid footwork that allowed fighters to control distance and exploit openings.
| Name: | Rob Kaman |
| Birth Name: | Robert Diem Kaman |
| Date of Birth: | 5 June 1960 |
| Place of Birth: | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Died: | 30 March 2024 (aged 63) Skopelos, Greece |
| Nicknames: | Mr. Low Kick, Hammerkick, The Dutchman |
| Height: | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Weight: | 82 kg (181 lb; 12 st 13 lb) |
| Weight Class: | Middleweight, Light heavyweight |
| Team: | Mejiro Gym |
| Trainer: | Jan Plas |
| Years active: | 1978–1999 |
With 113 fights, 98 wins, and 78 knockouts over his 21-year career, Kaman played a pivotal role in making Dutch kickboxing a global force.
The Beginning
Rob Kaman was born on June 5th 1960 in Amsterdam, and began his athletic journey in football, playing for Ajax youth team. However, his interests shifted to martial arts at 16 when he started training in Indonesian pencak silat under Ruud van Weldam.
A turning point came when he witnessed Dutch kickboxing pioneer Lucien Carbin in action. Kaman became inspired and began training under Carbin, laying the base for his striking style.
Kaman soon joined the legendary Mejiro Gym, known for producing kickboxing greats like Fred Royers and André Brilleman.
Mejiro Gym’s reputation for producing disciplined, world-class fighters provided the ideal setting for Kaman’s growth. By 1980, he achieved A-class status, signaling the start of his rise in the world of kickboxing.
His trips to Thailand to train at the Sityodtong gym under Kru Yodtong further chiseled his skills. There, he trained with some of the best Thai fighters of the 80s and 90s, including Samart Payakaroon, Kongtoranee Payakaroon, Chatchai Paiseetong, and Neungpichit Sityodtong.
1980s: Building a Legacy
The 1980s were a defining period for Kaman. In 1983, he won the W.K.A. Middleweight World Title by defeating John Moncayo in Amsterdam with a third-round low kick knockout.
Kaman defended the title later that year in Miami, Florida. He stopped Moncayo again with a right hand in the third round, further solidifying his reputation as a hard-hitting middleweight at the age of 23.
As well as knocking out Western opponents under varied rulesets, Kaman also faced Thailand’s best during this period. In January 1984, he defeated Payap Premchai via unanimous decision in Amsterdam and later stopped him with a body punch in the fifth round during their rematch.
A key rivalry unfolded with Lakchart Sor Prasartporn, whom Kaman fought three times in the 1980s. Kaman lost their first bout in Bangkok in 1983 by decision after tiring in the later rounds and being knocked down in the fifth. He avenged the loss with a fourth-round KO in Amsterdam in 1985, and a 30-second body-shot KO in their 1987 rematch in Japan.
Another notable rivalry in the 1980s was with Jan Wessels. After suffering a surprising knockout loss to Wessels in April 1989, Kaman avenged the loss later that year with a second-round right cross KO in front of his home crowd.
Kaman’s 1989 loss to Changpuek Kiatsongrit in Paris marked the start of his toughest rivalry. Changpuek dominated the fight with measured left middle kicks and knees with quick footwork, using long guards to control distance and frustrate Kaman. This bout highlighted the growing challenge posed by the various styles of elite Thai fighters.
By the end of the decade, Kaman had fought in over 80 bouts. While he defeated many Thais, the heaviest Thais were generally not at the same level as their lighter counterparts, where competition in Thailand was far more intense. Additionally, Kaman often held a noticeable size and weight advantage over his Thai opponents, as many fought at their natural weight while he cut down before stepping into the ring.
Despite this, Kaman’s ability to consistently beat nearly everyone who was put in front of him, both Thai and foreign, cemented his reputation as one of the best fighters of his generation.
As the 1990s approached, a new era of kickboxing and Muay Thai was emerging, with Western fighters making significant strides while Muay Thai in Thailand was reaching its peak. With dozens of battles already behind him and nearing 30 years old, questions loomed about whether Kaman could maintain his place at the pinnacle of the sport against this next wave of competition.
1990s: Final Chapter
Rob Kaman’s first fight of the 1990s reignited his rivalry with Changpuek Kiatsongrit. In February 1990, Amsterdam, Kaman delivered a statement victory, knocking Changpuek out in the fifth round with a bullet-left hook.
However, their rematch two months later on April 24th at Lumpinee Stadium saw Changpuek win via decision, extending his lead in their series to 2-1 and cementing himself as Kaman’s toughest and most persistent challenge.
In November 1990, Kaman faced Ernesto Hoost in a long-awaited rematch in Amsterdam. Kaman had beaten Hoost convincingly back in 1987, when the 21-year-old was a rising star. Many questioned whether Kaman could still compete at the highest level following his knockout loss to Peter Smit earlier that year in Tokyo.
Kaman silenced critics by knocking Hoost out with a left hook in the fifth round, securing one of the most important wins of his career.
From 1992 onward, Kaman’s career focused on Tokyo and Paris, where he delivered highlight-reel knockouts of Adam Watt and Mark Russell, as well as two KO wins over Jerome Turcan—once with low kicks and once with a high kick.
Kaman’s rivalry with Changpuek concluded in 1993 at the K-2 Grand Prix quarterfinals in Tokyo, where Changpuek secured a decision victory, solidifying his 3–1 record over Kaman.
In 1994, Kaman rematched Rick Roufus in Paris. Their 1991 fight, scheduled for 12 two-minute rounds, was ruled a no-contest after the fourth round ended prematurely at 1:11, just as Kaman landed two head kicks that left Roufus visibly staggered. It’s unfortunate the two didn’t rematch sooner, as the controversy from their first bout left fans wanting a clear winner.
By the time they finally rematched, both fighters were past their physical primes—Kaman was around 34 years old, and Roufus, a couple of years younger, was also not at his peak. In round two of their rematch, Kaman sloppily stepped forward into a southpaw stance to throw a right hook, leaving his chin exposed. Roufus countered with a sharp left hook, dropping Kaman. Although Kaman beat the count, the referee stopped the fight.
Kaman fought sporadically over the next two years and retired in 1996 following a KO loss to Jean-Claude Leuyer. He returned in 1999, defeating Alexey Ignashov by decision in his final fight.
Legacy and Impact
After retiring, Kaman transitioned into coaching, passing his expertise to fighters in disciplines ranging from K-1 to MMA, including UFC competitors.
He passed away on March 30th, 2024, at the age of 63.
