Rui Botelho

European Kickboxing Champion Rui Botelho is from Mafra, a small city that is part of the greater Lisbon region in Portugal.

Born into a military family, he was raised under strict discipline from his father, who recognized he needed an outlet for his energy at an early age.

At his father’s insistence, Botelho began training in Muay Thai at the age of 16, and just like it has with so many other martial artists, the sport changed his life forever.

Driven by a desire to test himself and his skills, he began competing professionally in 2014 and realized that he had found his calling in life. In just a few short years, Botelho compiled an impressive winning record against elite competition.

After blazing a trail across Europe, he has faced the very best in the world in his ONE Championship tenure so far, and now he is aiming to vie for a coveted ONE World Title.