A K1 fight night is an evening with several consecutive fights on the same ring, one after another, in which fighters can use punches, kicks, and knees according to the K1 rules. In Madrid, The Gulag Fight organizes events that combine K1, kickboxing, muay thai, and boxing with nightlife: first the fights, then the party, in the same venue.
If you have never been to one, here is what you need to know so you don't get lost.
What exactly is a fight night?
The term comes from traditional boxing: an evening with a fight card. There are opening fights, intermediate fights, and the most anticipated ones at the end. Between fights, there are fighter introductions, music, and the atmosphere keeps building.
At a The Gulag Fight event, there are amateur and professional fighters on the same night. The fights are fought at an agreed weight in kilograms, without named weight classes: both fighters must make weight at the weigh-in the day before, coming in under the agreed weight.
What makes it different from other fight nights
The Gulag Fight has no ranking. It has a path to the belt: whoever wins keeps their spot for the next event, whoever loses does not return, and after three victories, they win the GULAG belt. That is why every fight matters. There are no filler fights: people are fighting to keep their spot.
What the night is like, step by step
- Arrival. GULAG events are held in nightclubs and clubs: Sala Cats in Madrid for the first two, and Jowke Club in Alcorcón from the third one onward. Arrive early; with every edition sold out, the venue fills up.
- Fights. The ring is in the middle of the venue and the audience surrounds it. You can see everything up close: the strikes, the corners, the referee's face.
- The main events. The most anticipated fights are at the end. That is when the venue is packed.
- Afterward. When the last fight ends, the night continues in the same place. Fights and party, without changing venues.
Tips for your first fight night
Buy tickets early
All four editions of The Gulag Fight have sold out. GULAG I sold out in eight days, and GULAG II in four. Tickets are announced on Instagram, at @thegulag.fight. If you wait until the last day, there probably won't be any left.
Go to watch, not just to be there
You enjoy a fight night more if you follow the fighters. There is history in GULAG: whoever won at the previous one returns with their spot reserved, and whoever has two victories fights to get closer to the belt. Check social media beforehand and you will know who to cheer for.
Respect the ring
Cheer as much as you want. But the ring belongs to the fighters, the referee, and the corners. Every GULAG event is sanctioned by OMKLE, with a referee, ambulance, and insurance. It is a sport, with its own rules.
Dress for the whole night
You are going to watch fights and then keep partying. Many people wear the venue's clothing: the Gulag Fight t-shirt or the black sweatshirt. The entire collection is in the store.
K1, kickboxing, muay thai, and boxing: what you will see
On the GULAG III card, all four appeared: K1, kickboxing, muay thai, and boxing. For newcomers, the quick difference is this: in boxing, you only strike with your fists; in kickboxing, kicks are added; in K1, knees are also allowed; and in muay thai, elbows and clinching are also permitted. We explain it in detail in our own guide, but with this, you can already follow any fight.
Why a fight night in Madrid is worth it
Because it is an experience unlike any other. It is not a televised match or just another nightclub. It is watching people fight from two meters away, with the audience right there, and then continuing the night with the same people you shouted with during every round. That is why The Gulag Fight has a 100% sell-out rate and over 1.2 million views on Instagram.
If you want to learn more, we have a general guide about boxing events in Madrid and the report on the latest one, GULAG IV at Jowke. And for any questions, contact us.
If you are curious, the next The Gulag Fight event will be announced there first, along with the four previous ones.
Keep reading
- Boxing events in Madrid: guide for your first night
- GULAG IV at Jowke (Alcorcón): fourth event, fourth sell-out
Frequently asked questions
What is a K1 fight night?
An evening with several consecutive K1 fights on the same ring. Punches, kicks, and knees are allowed, according to the rules.
Do you need to know about martial arts to go?
No. It is easy to understand: whoever dominates the fight wins. Knowing who won at the previous one gives you the history.
Where are The Gulag Fight events held?
In nightclubs in the Madrid area. GULAG I and II were at Sala Cats (Madrid), and GULAG III and IV were at Jowke Club (Alcorcón).
Is there a party after the fights?
Yes. When the last fight ends, the night continues in the same venue.
How will I find out about the next event?
On Instagram, at @thegulag.fight. GULAG V will be announced there first.
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