{{short description|English kickboxer}} {{Use British English|date=February 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Alexis Rufus | native_name = | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = | other_names = Ruthless | nationality = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1979|04|28}} | birth_place = London, England | fighting_out_of = London, England | death_date = | death_place = | height = {{height|m=1.62|precision=1}} | weight = {{convert|56.7|kg|lb st|abbr=on}} | weight_class = Bantamweight <br> Featherweight | reach = {{convert|64.0|in|cm|abbr=on}} | style = Muay Thai | rank = | stance = Orthodox | team = Stars Gym <br> Kiatphontip Gym | trainer = Mati Parks <br> Neil Dunn | years_active = 2005–present | mma_win = 1 | mma_kowin = | mma_loss = | mma_koloss = | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | kickbox_win = 27 | kickbox_kowin = 3 | kickbox_loss = 9 | kickbox_koloss = 1 | kickbox_draw = 0 | kickbox_nc = | other = | occupation = | spouse = | children = | relatives = | students = | university = | url = | updated = 22 February 2014 | sherdog = 22562 }}
'''Alexis Rufus''' (born 28 April 1979) is an English Muay Thai kickboxer who competes in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. Having turned professional in 2005, Rufus is a two-time European and five-time world champion.
==Early life== Alexis Rufus was raised with two brothers and has described herself as a tomboy growing up. She was involved in numerous sports in her childhood and, at eighteen, began studying fine art sculpture at university and then worked in the London art industry for ten years. She began training in Muay Thai when a friend suggested it as an alternative to normal workouts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mylifeasaboxer.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/portrait-of-a-female-fighter-alexis-rufus-five-x-world-champion/|title=Portrait of a female fighter: Alexis Rufus Five x World Champion|date=18 February 2013}}</ref>
==Career== Having begun her professional career in 2005, Alexis Rufus suffered her first loss in a full contact kickboxing{{Broken anchor|date=2024-07-19|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Kickboxing#Full contact|reason=Anchor "Kickboxing#Full contact" links to a specific web page: "Full-contact". The anchor (Full contact) has been deleted.}} match on 7 April 2007 when she dropped a unanimous decision to Tracey Renow in Hove, England.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://goldenbeltassociation.com/09/04/2007/21st-century-promotions-championship-kickboxing-7th-april-2007/ |title="21st Century Promotions Championship Kickboxing – 7th April 2007" |access-date=15 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316003922/http://goldenbeltassociation.com/09/04/2007/21st-century-promotions-championship-kickboxing-7th-april-2007/ |archive-date=16 March 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The pair rematched in Hove on 24 November 2007 with the vacant Golden Belt Women's British -59.5 kg/131 lb Full Contact Championship on the line, and Renow again came out on top, this time by majority decision.<ref>[http://goldenbeltassociation.com/26/11/2007/championship-kickboxing-24th-november-2007-brighton/ Championship Kickboxing, 24 November 2007, Brighton] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316004659/http://goldenbeltassociation.com/26/11/2007/championship-kickboxing-24th-november-2007-brighton/ |date=16 March 2014 }}</ref> Rufus then rebounded with a lengthy win streak and, on 13 September 2009, outpointed Lucy Payne at ''Muay Thai Addicts II'' in London to become the United Kingdom Muaythai Federation (UKMF) Women's English Featherweight (-57 kg/125 lb) Champion.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ko-muaythai.com/classes-a-info/beginners/33-muay-thai/figths/112-results-muaythai-addicts-ii.html |title=Results - Muaythai Addicts II |access-date=15 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316010457/http://www.ko-muaythai.com/classes-a-info/beginners/33-muay-thai/figths/112-results-muaythai-addicts-ii.html |archive-date=16 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Now a reigning domestic champion, she soon moved up to international competition and beat Caterino Valerio by decision to take the ISKA Women's European Bantamweight (-54.5 kg/120 lb) Muay Thai title in Essex, England on 13 March 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/othersport/5066324.titles-joy-for-keddles-fighters-in-romford/|title=Titles joy for Keddles fighters in Romford|website=News Shopper|date=17 March 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/sport/thai_boxing_boxers_enjoy_gr_eight_night_bout_in_essex_1_585015 |title=Thai Boxing: Boxers enjoy gr-eight night bout in Essex |access-date=15 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316005906/http://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/sport/thai_boxing_boxers_enjoy_gr_eight_night_bout_in_essex_1_585015 |archive-date=16 March 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Later that year, on 23 October, she became a world champion for the first time when she beat Malika Machtoune for the ISKA World Muay Thai title in Essex. Winning by technical knockout in round two, Rufus forced Machtoune's team to throw in the towel after cornering the Frenchwoman and delivering a barrage of unanswered knees and punches. Rufus ended out 2010 with a unanimous decision win over Jessica Gladstone, who she has described as her toughest opponent,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.enfusion-tv.com/live/alexis-rufus/|title=Alexis Rufus | Enfusion-live.com -}}</ref> at ''Journey Fight Series I'' in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on 13 November.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.journeyfightseries.com/journey-i.php|title=Journey Fight Series | Journey I Results|website=www.journeyfightseries.com}}</ref>
On 19 March 2011, Rufus took on Lorena Klijn for the vacant IKF Women's World Bantamweight (-55.4 kg/122 lb) Muay Thai title in Essex. The first two rounds were close but Rufus began to pull away in the third and inflicted Klijn's first defeat by unanimous decision.<ref>[http://www.ikfkickboxing.com/News11March.htm Championship Muay Thai]</ref> Shortly after, she won her third world title when he beat Joanne Calderwood for the WKA belt. Challenging for the WPMF Women's World Featherweight (-57.1 kg/126 lb) Championship, Rufus suffered her first defeat in four years when she lost to Mesa Tor Buamas on points at the ''Queen's Cup 2011'' in Bangkok, Thailand on 11 August 2011.
After rebounding with a UD win over Mellony Geugjes at ''Stars Fight Night'' in London on 27 November 2011, Alexis Rufus won the WPMF Women's World Bantamweight (-53.5 kg/118 lb) Championship in Thailand in March 2012. She fought Kate Heuston for the vacant WMC Women's Intercontinental Featherweight (-57.1 kg/126 lb) title at ''Ignition Muay Thai'' in Perth, Australia on 22 April 2012, losing a UD.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wmcmuaythai.org/2012/05/09/wmc-intercontinental-title-battle-at-the-ignition-muaythai-event-perth-aus|title=WMC Intercontinental Title Battle at the Ignition Muaythai Event, Perth AUS|access-date=15 March 2014|archive-date=16 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316010630/http://www.wmcmuaythai.org/2012/05/09/wmc-intercontinental-title-battle-at-the-ignition-muaythai-event-perth-aus|url-status=dead}}</ref> This would kick off a three-fight losing streak for Rufus as she then lost two decisions to Sawsing Sor Sopit at Rangsit Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand in May and then Farseethong Sithsorung in a WPMF world featherweight title match at the ''King's Cup 2012'' on 27 July 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://alexisrufus.co.uk/wpmf-title-fight/ |title=WPMF Title Fight |access-date=15 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316022025/http://alexisrufus.co.uk/wpmf-title-fight/ |archive-date=16 March 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> She got back in the win column on 23 September 2012 when she beat Ilsury Hendrikse via UD for the WMC Women's World Bantamweight (-53.5 kg/118 lb) Championship, her fifth world title belt, at ''Stars Fight Night 3'' in London.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mixfight.nl/portal/ilsury-hendrikse-dames-wmc-mad-worldtitle-53-kg-london/ |title=Ilsury Hendrikse – Dames WMC MAD Worldtitle 53 kg – London |access-date=15 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316005019/http://www.mixfight.nl/portal/ilsury-hendrikse-dames-wmc-mad-worldtitle-53-kg-london/ |archive-date=16 March 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 1 December 2012, she beat Kate Stables on points at ''Smash Muay Thai 2'' in Liverpool, England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thescienceof8limbs.com/2012/12/01/smash-muay-thai-2-december-1-2012-results/|title=Smash Muay Thai 2 December 1 2012 Results|date=2 December 2012}}</ref>
Rufus was knocked out for the first time in her career when she lost to Tiffany van Soest in the co-main event of ''Lion Fight 8'' in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on 25 January 2013. It was a closely contested affair up until round four when van Soest rocked Rufus with a high kick before dropping her for good with a right hand.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.muaythaiauthority.com/2013/01/lion-fight-8-results-and-recap.html |title=Lion Fight 8 Results and Recap: Yodsanklai Fairtex impressive in American debut |access-date=15 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707185155/http://www.muaythaiauthority.com/2013/01/lion-fight-8-results-and-recap.html |archive-date=7 July 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://liverkick.com/|title=Liver Kick - outside the comfort zone|website=Liver Kick}}</ref> Competing under Oriental kickboxing rules{{Broken anchor|date=2024-07-19|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Kickboxing#European rules|reason= The anchor (European rules) has been deleted.}}, she lost for the second time on the trot when she dropped a unanimous decision to Iman Barlow after a back-and-forth fight in which the inaugural Enfusion Live Women's -54 kg/119 lb Championship was up for grabs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.meltontimes.co.uk/sport/other-sport/melton-thai-boxer-iman-lands-world-title-1-4956202|title=Melton Thai boxer Iman lands world title|access-date=15 March 2014|archive-date=16 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316003830/http://www.meltontimes.co.uk/sport/other-sport/melton-thai-boxer-iman-lands-world-title-1-4956202|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fightsportasia.com/2013/03/31/enfusion-live-london-results/|title=Enfusion Live London Results|access-date=15 March 2014|archive-date=16 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316011712/http://fightsportasia.com/2013/03/31/enfusion-live-london-results/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://liverkick.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2412:enfusion-live-london-live-results&catid=37:kickboxing&Itemid=75 Enfusion Live London: Live Results]</ref> Rufus was expected to fight Christi Brereton ''Smash Muay Thai 7'' in Liverpool on 21 December 2013 but Brereton withdrew after having issues with the promoter and was replaced by Tanya Merrett.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bkokungfu.com/2013/11/interview-with-alexis-rufus-5-times.html |title=Interview with Alexis Rufus, 5 Times World Champion, Alexis Rufus |access-date=15 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316011321/http://www.bkokungfu.com/2013/11/interview-with-alexis-rufus-5-times.html |archive-date=16 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Rufus defeated Merrett on points.
Alexis Rufus and Christi Brereton finally met in Telford, England on 22 February 2014 at ''Muay Thai Unleashed II'', with Brereton winning by unanimous decision to take the previously vacant UKMF Women's British Bantamweight (-55 kg/121 lb) Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wombatsports.wordpress.com/2014/02/25/muay-thai-tuesday-feb-25/|title=Muay Thai Tuesday – Feb. 25|date=26 February 2014}}</ref>
==Championships and awards==
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukmtf.com/ |title=United Kingdom Muaythai Federation |website=ukmtf.com/}}</ref> ===Kickboxing=== *'''International Kickboxing Federation''' **International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) Women's World Bantamweight (-55.4 kg/122 lb) Muay Thai Championship (One time) *'''International Sport Karate Association''' **2011 ISKA Female Fighter of the Year **ISKA Women's European Bantamweight (-54.5 kg/120 lb) Muay Thai Championship (One time) **ISKA Women's World Muay Thai Championship (One time) *'''United Kingdom Muaythai Federation''https://ukmtf.com/ **UKMF Women's English Featherweight (-57 kg/125 lb) Championship (One time) https://ukmtf.com/ **UKMF Women's British Championship (One time) *'''World Kickboxing Association''' **WKA Women's World Muay Thai Championship (One time) *'''World Muaythai Council''' **WMC Women's European Championship (One time) **WMC Women's World Bantamweight (-53.5 kg/118 lb) Championship (One time) *'''World Professional Muaythai Federation''' **WPMF Women's World Bantamweight (-53.5 kg/118 lb) Championship (One time)
==Mixed martial arts record== {{MMArecordbox | draws= | nc= | ko-wins= 0 | ko-losses= 0 | sub-wins= 0 | sub-losses= 0 | dec-wins= 1 | dec-losses= 0 | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins= | other-losses= }} {{MMA record start}} |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 1–0 | Shalinq Roberts | Decision (majority) | Cage Fight Series: D-Day | {{dts|format=dmy|2007|May|12}} | align=center|3 | align=center|5:00 | Ipswich, England | |}
==Kickboxing record== {{Kickboxing record start|title=Kickboxing record|record='''27 wins''' (3 KOs), '''9 losses''', '''0 draws'''}} |- |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2014-02-22 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Christi Brereton || Muay Thai Unleashed II || Telford, England || Decision (unanimous) || 5 || 3:00 || 27-9 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{Small|For the UKMF Women's British Bantamweight (-55 kg/121 lb) Championship.}} |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2013-12-21 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|WAL}} Tanya Merrett || Smash Muay Thai 7 || Liverpool, England || Decision || 5 || || 27-8 |- |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2013-03-30 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Iman Barlow || Enfusion Live 3 || London, England || Decision (unanimous) || 5 || 3:00 || 26-8 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|For the Enfusion Live Women's -54 kg/119 lb Championship.}} |- |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2013-01-25 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Tiffany van Soest || Lion Fight 8 || Las Vegas, Nevada, USA || KO (left high kick and punches) || 4 || 2:05 || 26-7 |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2012-12-01 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Kate Stables || Smash Muay Thai 2 || Liverpool, England || Decision (unanimous) || 5 || || 26-6 |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2012-09-23 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|NED}} Ilsury Hendrikse || Stars Fight Night 3 || London, England || Decision (unanimous) || 5 || 3:00 || 25-6 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|Wins the WMC Women's World Bantamweight (-53.5 kg/118 lb) Championship.}} |- |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2012-07-27 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|THA}} Farseethong Sithsorung || King's Cup 2012 || Thailand || Decision (unanimous) || 5 || 3:00 || 24-6 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|For the WPMF Women's World Featherweight (-57.1 kg/126 lb) Championship.}} |- |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2012-05-00 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|THA}} Sawsing Sor Sopit || Rangsit Stadium || Pathum Thani, Thailand || Decision || 5 || || 24-5 |- |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2012-04-22 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|AUS}} Kate Heuston || Ignition Muay Thai || Perth, Australia || Decision || 5 || || 24-4 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|For the WMC Women's Intercontinental Featherweight (-57.1 kg/126 lb) Championship.}} |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2012-03-00 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|THA}} || || Thailand || Decision || 5 || 2:00 || 24-3 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|Wins the WPMF Women's World Bantamweight (-53.5 kg/118 lb) Championship.}} |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2011-11-27 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|NED}} Mellony Geugjes || Stars Fight Night || London, England || Decision (unanimous) || 5 || 2:00 || |- |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2011-08-11 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|THA}} Mesa Tor Buamas || Queen's Cup 2011 || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || || |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|For the WPMF Women's World Featherweight (-57.1 kg/126 lb) Championship.}} |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2011-00-00 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|SCO}} Joanne Calderwood ||Shin Kick Promotions, WFN ||Woking, England ||Decision || || || |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|Wins the WKA Women's World Muay Thai Championship.}} |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2011-03-19 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|NED}} Lorena Klijn || Keddle's Promotions: Championship Muay Thai || Essex, England || Decision (unanimous) || 5 || 3:00 || |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|Wins the IKF Women's World Bantamweight (-55.4 kg/122 lb) Muay Thai Championship.}} |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2010-11-13 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|CAN}} Jessica Gladstone || Journey Fight Series I || Calgary, Alberta, Canada || Decision (unanimous) || 5 || 3:00 || |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2010-10-23 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|FRA}} Malika Machtoune || Keddle's Promotions || Essex, England || TKO (punches and knees) || 2 || 0:26 || |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{Small|Wins the ISKA Women's World Muay Thai Championship.}} |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2010-03-13 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|POR}} Caterino Valerio || Keddle's Promotions || Essex, England || Decision || 5 || || |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{Small|Wins the ISKA Women's European Bantamweight (-54.5 kg/120 lb) Muay Thai Championship.}} |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2009-09-13 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Lucy Payne || Muay Thai Addicts II || London, England || Decision || 5 || 2:00 || |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{Small|Wins the UKMF Women's English Featherweight (-57 kg/125 lb) Championship.}} |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2008-11-23 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Jo Abrehart || Capital Punishment: Battle of Waterloo || London, England || || || || |- |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2007-11-24 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Tracey Renow || 21st Century Promotions: Championship Kickboxing || Hove, England || Decision (majority) || || || |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{Small|For the Golden Belt Women's British -59.5 kg/131 lb Full Contact Championship.}} |- |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2007-04-07 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Tracey Renow || 21st Century Promotions: Championship Kickboxing || Hove, England || Decision (unanimous) || || || |- |- | colspan=9 | '''''Legend''''': {{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win |border=1px solid #CCFFCC}} {{legend2|#FFBBBB|Loss |border=1px solid #FFBBBB}} {{legend2|#c5d2ea|Draw/No contest |border=1px solid #c5d2ea}} {{legend2|White|Notes |border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{end}}
==External links== * {{official website|http://alexisrufus.co.uk/}} * [http://www.awakeningfighters.com/athletes/alexis-rufus/ Awakening profile] * [http://www.enfusion-tv.com/live/alexis-rufus/ Official Enfusion profile] * {{Sherdog}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rufus, Alexis}} Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:English female kickboxers Category:Bantamweight kickboxers Category:Featherweight kickboxers Category:English female Muay Thai practitioners Category:Martial artists from London Category:English female mixed martial artists Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Muay Thai