Niamh Kinehan (born 4 April 1999) is an English kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter. She is the reigning WBC, WMO and ISKA Muay Thai 135 lbs world champion.
Kinehan has continually been considered a top 10 pound-for-pound muay thai fighter in the world by the WMO and Combat Press since the creation of the rankings in July 2023 and February 2024.[1][2]
Career
Early career
Kinehan made her A-class debut on November 26, 2016, when she faced Anke Van Gestel at Prime Time 7. She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[3]
Kinehan and Anke Van Gestel rematched on March 24, 2017, for the Enfusion -64 kg title at Enfusion 48. She lost the fight by decision.[4]
On September 16, 2017, Kinehan faced Orinta Van der Zee at Enfusion #52 for the Enfusion -61 kg title. She lost the bout by split decision.[5]
Kinehan rematched Nora Cornolle in the semifinals of the Enfusion Reality Tournament on June 20, 2017. She lost by decision.[6]
On September 9, 2018, Kinehan travelled to Shangqiu, China, to face Wang Cong in the quarterfinals bout of an eight women one night night tournament at Kunlun Fight 76. She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[7]
On November 18, 2018, Kinehan faced Sarah Worsfold for the KGP -61 kg title at Muay Thai Grand Prix 21. She won the fight by unanimous decision.[8]
On June 29, 2019, Kinehan faced Isa Tiblad for the vacant MTGP World -61 kg title at Muay Thai Grand Prix 27. She won the fight by unanimous decision.[9]
On March 7, 2020, Kinehan faced Stéphanie Ielo Page at YOKKAO 47–48. She won the fight by unanimous decision.[10]
On December 3, 2021, Kinehan travelled to the United States to face Ashley Smallwood at Lion Fight 72. She won the fight by doctor stoppage in the third round.[11]
World Champion
On February 12, 2022, Kinehan faced Ludovica Ciarpaglini for the vacant WBC Muaythai lightweight world title. She won the fight by unanimous decision.[12]
Kinehan successfully defende her WBC Muaythai world lightweight on June 25, 2022, when she defeated Shannon Gardiner by unanimous decision at Muay Thai Grand Prix Australia.[13]
On June 10, 2023, Kinehan faced Kèro Riefstahl for the WMO World lightweight title at Hitman Fight League 2. She won the fight by unanimous decision making her a simultaneous WBC, WMO and ISKA world champion.[14]
On August 10, 2024, Kinehan faced Michaela Hlavacikova for the vacant WKA Muay Thai world lightweight title. She won by unanimous decision.[15]
Titles and accomplishments
Professional
World Boxing Council Muaythai
2022 WBC Muaythai World Lightweight (135 lbs) Champion
Two successful title defenses
2022 WBC Muaythai Female Fighter of the Year
World Muaythai Organization
2023 WMO World Lightweight (135 lbs) Champion
2024 WMO World Super Lightweight (140 lbs) Champion
