How to Join King of the Streets: Application Process and Fighter Requirements
King of the Streets (KOTS) is one of the most well-known underground fighting organizations in Europe. Founded in 2013 in Sweden, the promotion operates under a vale tudo-inspired ruleset that permits a wider range of techniques than most other unsanctioned fight organizations. KOTS events have been held across multiple European countries, and the promotion has built a following of over one million YouTube subscribers and a highly active Telegram community.
For fighters interested in competing at KOTS, the organization maintains a public fight application process through its official website and communicates directly with applicants through its Telegram channel. This guide documents that process based on publicly available information from KOTS itself.
Understanding What KOTS Is
Before submitting an application, you need to understand the format you are signing up for.
KOTS fights are conducted under what the organization describes as a modified vale tudo ruleset. This means that, compared to standard MMA or boxing, the rules are significantly more permissive. Fights are typically bare knuckle or with minimal hand wrapping, and the range of legal techniques is broader than what you would encounter at organizations like Streetbeefs or Rough N Rowdy.
Key characteristics of KOTS fights:
- Bare knuckle or light wraps. Fighters compete without boxing gloves. Depending on the specific event and matchup, hand wraps may or may not be permitted.
- Vale tudo-style rules. The ruleset allows striking, grappling, and ground fighting with fewer restrictions than standard MMA. Head stomps, soccer kicks, and certain techniques that are banned in sanctioned MMA may be permitted under KOTS rules, depending on the specific event.
- European locations. Events are held in undisclosed locations across Europe. The exact venue is typically revealed to ticket holders and fighters only 24 hours before the event.
- Secrecy around events. KOTS operates with a deliberate layer of secrecy. Event locations, fighter lineups, and scheduling details are closely guarded and communicated through limited channels.
- PPV revenue model. Major events are sold as pay-per-view through the KOTS website, with select fights and highlights uploaded to YouTube for free.
This is not amateur boxing. The intensity, the ruleset, and the environment are significantly more demanding than most entry-level fight organizations. Fighters applying to KOTS should have meaningful combat sports experience.
The Application Process
Step 1: Visit the Official KOTS Fight Application Page
The primary way to apply to fight at King of the Streets is through the official fight application form on their website at kingofthestreets.com/fight-application. This is the channel that KOTS itself directs prospective fighters toward.
The application form asks for standard information that any fight promotion would require for matchmaking purposes.
Step 2: Complete the Application Form
When filling out the fight application, expect to provide the following details:
- Full name
- Age and date of birth
- Weight and height -- this is critical for matchmaking, as KOTS matches fighters within reasonable weight ranges
- Country of residence and nationality -- since KOTS events are held across Europe, your location affects which events you can realistically attend
- Fighting experience -- this includes any formal training, gym affiliations, amateur or professional fight records, and competition history in any combat sport (boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, etc.)
- Social media links or fight footage -- KOTS wants to see what you can do before they offer you a spot on a card. Links to YouTube fight videos, Instagram training clips, or any documented competition footage strengthen your application significantly
- Why you want to fight at KOTS -- a brief statement about your motivation and what you bring to the organization
Step 3: Join the KOTS Telegram Channel
Telegram is a central communication platform for King of the Streets. The organization uses its public Telegram channel to post event announcements, fighter callouts, behind-the-scenes content, and updates on upcoming cards. For fighters who have submitted applications, Telegram is often where direct follow-up communication takes place.
Search for "King of the Streets" on Telegram to find the official channel. Follow the channel and keep notifications on so you do not miss announcements or direct messages from KOTS staff.
Step 4: Wait for a Response
KOTS receives a significant volume of applications. Not everyone who applies will be selected. The promotion is selective about who fights on their cards, and matchmaking depends on multiple factors including your experience level, weight class, available opponents, and the specific needs of an upcoming event card.
Response times vary. Some applicants report hearing back within days; others wait weeks or months. If you have not heard back and a new event is approaching, it is reasonable to follow up through Telegram or by resubmitting your application with updated information or new fight footage.
Step 5: Receive Event Details
If you are selected, KOTS will provide you with the details of your fight. Consistent with the organization's operational approach, specifics about the event location are typically shared on a need-to-know basis, often just 24 hours before the event takes place. This applies to both fighters and ticket-holding spectators.
You can expect to receive:
- The date and approximate location (country and city, with the specific venue revealed closer to the event)
- Your opponent's name and any available information about them
- The ruleset for your specific bout
- Logistical details regarding travel, check-in, and event day procedures
Requirements and Expectations
Experience Level
KOTS is not a beginner-friendly organization. The vale tudo ruleset and the caliber of fighters on the roster mean that stepping into a KOTS event with no combat sports background is both dangerous and unlikely -- the promotion is generally not interested in putting untrained fighters on their cards.
At minimum, you should have:
- Consistent training in at least one striking and one grappling discipline (MMA training is ideal)
- Some form of competitive experience -- amateur fights, gym smokers, competitions in another organization, or a verifiable training background
- Physical conditioning appropriate for a high-intensity, multi-discipline fight format
Fighters with professional MMA, boxing, or Muay Thai experience are naturally given priority, but KOTS has also featured fighters from less traditional backgrounds who demonstrated the skill, toughness, and entertainment value the promotion looks for.
Physical Preparation
Because KOTS fights are bare knuckle or lightly wrapped, hand conditioning is particularly important. If you are coming from a gloved combat sport, you will need to adapt your striking for the bare knuckle format. Refer to our training guide for underground fighters for detailed conditioning and preparation protocols.
Cardiovascular conditioning is equally critical. The adrenaline, the permissive ruleset, and the absence of a controlled arena environment all increase the physical demands compared to a standard gym sparring session.
Travel
KOTS events take place in various European locations. If you are selected to fight, you will need to arrange your own travel. International fighters may need to account for passport requirements, visa issues, and travel expenses. KOTS does not typically cover fighter travel costs for undercard fighters, though arrangements may vary depending on the specific deal.
Legal and Safety Considerations
KOTS operates in a legal grey area in most European jurisdictions. The organization does not hold athletic commission sanctioning in the way that promotions like BKFC or the UFC do. This means there is no state-mandated medical screening, no commission-appointed ringside physicians (though KOTS does arrange medical personnel at events), and no regulatory body overseeing fighter safety.
Fighters accept these conditions when they agree to compete. Understanding this reality is part of making an informed decision about whether KOTS is the right organization for you.
What to Expect on Fight Night
The Venue
KOTS events are held in private or semi-private locations. Past events have taken place in warehouses, industrial spaces, and outdoor locations across multiple European countries. The venue is functional rather than glamorous -- this is underground fighting, not a Las Vegas arena show.
The Atmosphere
KOTS events are known for their intense, high-energy atmosphere. The crowd is close to the action, the production quality for the livestream is professional, and the energy in the room is elevated. Multiple cameras capture the fights for the PPV broadcast and subsequent YouTube uploads.
The Fight
Once the event begins, fights proceed according to the agreed-upon ruleset. A referee is present to enforce rules and to stop the fight if necessary. Fights end by knockout, submission, referee stoppage, or decision.
After the Fight
Your fight will be recorded and distributed through KOTS media channels -- the PPV broadcast, YouTube highlights, and social media clips. Compelling performances, whether wins or losses, can significantly raise a fighter's profile within the underground fighting community.
Tips for a Stronger Application
Based on what KOTS has publicly communicated about what they look for in fighters, here are several ways to strengthen your application:
- Include fight footage. Video evidence of your skills is far more persuasive than a written description. If you have competed at Streetbeefs, Strelka, The Scrapyard, or any other organization, include links to the footage.
- Be honest about your experience. Overstating your record or training background will become apparent quickly if you are selected and matched against someone beyond your level.
- Show personality. KOTS is a media brand as much as it is a fight promotion. Fighters who are charismatic, who have compelling stories, or who bring energy and entertainment value are more attractive to the promotion than technically proficient but bland fighters.
- Be persistent. If your first application does not result in a selection, keep training, keep competing, and reapply with updated credentials. Many fighters on KOTS cards were not selected on their first attempt.
- Engage with the community. Being active on the KOTS Telegram channel and engaging with the organization's social media content keeps your name visible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need professional fighting experience to apply?
No professional record is strictly required, but meaningful combat sports experience is expected. KOTS is not a beginner platform.
Do fighters get paid?
Compensation arrangements vary and are discussed privately between the organization and individual fighters. KOTS does not publicly disclose its standard fighter pay structure.
Can I apply if I live outside of Europe?
Yes, but you will be responsible for your own travel and logistics. Most KOTS fighters are based in Europe.
How often does KOTS hold events?
KOTS holds several events per year. The exact schedule varies and is announced through their website and Telegram channel.
What weight classes does KOTS use?
KOTS does not follow a strict, published weight class system like a state athletic commission. Fighters are matched at comparable weights, and the specific weight agreements are handled on a per-fight basis during matchmaking.
Is it safe?
KOTS operates outside of regulatory oversight, which means the safety framework differs from fully sanctioned promotions. The organization does arrange medical personnel at events and employs referees. However, the permissive ruleset and bare knuckle format carry inherent risks that exceed those of most regulated combat sports. Every fighter must make their own informed assessment of the risk.
Summary
The path to fighting at King of the Streets begins with the official fight application at kingofthestreets.com/fight-application and continues through the organization's Telegram channel. KOTS is selective, experience-driven, and operates in a unique space within the European underground fighting scene. Fighters who are serious about competing should submit a thorough application with video evidence of their skills, stay engaged with the KOTS community on Telegram, and ensure that their training and conditioning are appropriate for a bare knuckle, vale tudo-style format.
For broader preparation guidance, see our underground fighter training guide and our guide to preparing for your first underground fight.