Iman Barlow

Iman Barlow (born 14 April 1993) is a retired professional English female kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter.

She is the former two time Enfusion 54 kg World champion with six successful title defenses, the former WRSA World champion, former Lion Fight Super Bantamweight champion., and the former WPMF World Bantamweight champion. She has fought Sofia Olofsson for the World Muaythai Council world title.

In May 2020, Combat Press ranked her #3 female fighter in the world, while WBC Muaythai ranked her #3 Super Bantamweight in the world in April 2020.

In 2013 Awakening Fighters voted her Fighter of the Year, Inspirational Fighter of the Year and awarded her the Fight of the Year (vs. Filipa Correia). In 2019 WBC Muaythai voted her the Female Fighter of the Year.

Kickboxing career

Barlow began kickboxing at a young age, winning the IKF Junior British and European titles at just 9 years of age.

She made her professional debut in 2008, when she fought Evelina Adomulyte. She won the fight in the fourth round, by TKO due to punches. In the same year, she fought Denephar, and won a unanimous decision to clinch her first major honor, the S1 Bantamweight World title. She would later name Denephar as the best opponent she ever fought.

Barlow fought Nathalie Visschers for the WKA Muay Thai Bantamweight World title in 2009. She won a unanimous decision.

Over the next four years she amassed a 12–1–1 record. Denephar would give Barlow her first professional loss, by a unanimous decision. During this time Barlow achieved notable wins over Meryem Uslu, Teresa Wintermyr, Amy Pirnie, and Mellony Geugjes.

This winning streak culminated in a chance to fight for the Enfusion 54 kg World title against Alexis Rufus. Barlow won a unanimous decision. She would lose a split decision to Eva Naranjo in her first title defense.

A year later she faced Maritzarda Hersisia for the Golden Belt Bantamweight World title. Barlow won the fight with a high kick knockout in the second round. In the same year she defeated Linda Mancini to win the World Ring Sports Association Bantamweight belt, as well as winning a unanimous decision against Iman Ghbalou Chairi to once again win the Enfusion 54 kg World title.

She would subsequently enter the Enfusion K1 tournament. After beating Simone van Dommelen, Samantha van Doorn and Marina Zueva, she faced Anissa Meksen in the finals. Meksen won the fight with a second-round knockout.

She defended her Enfusion title in a rematch with Samantha van Doorn, her second defense would be against Veronika Petríková, and the third against Ilsury Hendrikse.

She won a unanimous decision win over Jeri Sitzes to win the Lion Fight Super Bantamweight World title, and a unanimous decision win over Meryem Uslu to defend the Lion Fight title.

In 2017 she scored a KO win over Therese Gunnarsson to win the Bantamweight Muay Thai Grand Prix.

Barlow once against defended her Enfusion title, with a split decision win over Ashley Nichols.

During Rumble of the Kings 18, she challenged Sofia Olofsson for the WMC Bantamweight World Championship. Olofsson won a unanimous decision.

Barlow's next Enfusion 54 kg title defense came against Lara Fernandez. She won a unanimous decision.

Barlow's eight Enfusion title defense came during Enfusion 82, when she fought Delphine Guénon. Barlow won a unanimous decision.

In November 2019, Barlow fought Brooke Farrell for the WBC Muaythai International title and won a unanimous decision.

ONE Championship

Barlow was booked to face Daniela Lopez at ONE: Lights Out on March 11, 2022. She won the fight by doctor stoppage in the first round.

Barlow faced Ekaterina Vandaryeva on March 25, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 8. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Barlow announced her retirement from competition due to inactivity while contracted with the promotion.

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur titles

• International Kickboxing Federation IKF 2002 Junior British Championship IKF 2002 Junior European Championship
• World Kickboxing Association WKA 2009 Kickboxing World Championship WKA 2009 K-1 World Championship
• World Games 2022 IFMA Muay Thai at the World Games -57 kg
• International Federation of Muaythai Associations 2021 IFMA World Championships −57 kg

Professional titles

• World Kickboxing Association WKA Muay Thai Bantamweight World Championship
• World Ring Sports Association WRSA 54 kg World Championship
• World Professional MuayThai Federation WPMF World Bantamweight Championship (One time, former)
• Lion Fight Lion Fight 54 kg World Championship (One time, current) One successful title defense
• Enfusion Enfusion 54 kg World Championship (Two times, former) Six successful title defenses Record number of title defenses (6) Most consecutive title defenses (6) Longest serving Enfusion champion (1924 days)
• World Boxing Council Muaythai WBC International Muaythai 54 kg World Championship (One time, current)

Kickboxing and Muay Thai record

See also

List of female kickboxers

External links

• at Awakening Fighters
• at ONE Championship
• on Instagram