KPK Kickboxing Kicks Off in Nashville: Knockdown Professional Kickboxing Debut Features UFC veteran Shonie Carter on the Call

By David Oglesby

NASHVILLE, TN - Knockdown Professional Kickboxing (KPK) makes a thunderous debut in Nashville on this Saturday, April 11, 2026, when the new promotion brings a full slate of professional bouts to Marathon Music Works. Produced by the leadership behind USA Kickboxing, KPK promises fast-paced, high-skill striking and a live fight-night atmosphere aimed at putting Tennessee on the map for pro kickboxing.

“I wanted a place where people can see the highest level of striking, live and loud,” said promoter Rob Zbilnski in an interview ahead of the event. Zbilnski — who helped build USA Kickboxing’s amateur pipeline and shepherd the sport toward Olympic recognition — described KPK as the natural professional extension of that work. “When you develop a great amateur program, you have to build a professional platform. Knockdown is that platform for future Olympians and top U.S. athletes,” he said.

KPK’s card will feature both emerging talent and experienced internationals, several of whom have represented the U.S. on world teams and in major competitions. Zbilnski emphasized the depth and pedigree of the roster: “A lot of them have international competition, they’ve been vetted — some are the best in the U.S. and ranked in the world. We provide a platform for them to exploit those skills.”

Adding star power to the broadcast, UFC veteran Shonie “Mr. International” Carter is confirmed as a guest commentator. Carter — known in MMA history for his spinning backfist knockout and an eclectic, decades-long fight career across organizations including the UFC, WEC and Bellator — said in an interview he’s excited to bring his personality and experience to the booth. “I’m here to develop fighters beyond the ring: marketing, business development, making the show an experience,” Carter said, explaining his belief that fighters must learn to sell themselves as entertainers as well as athletes.

Carter described Nashville as an under-tapped market for live combat sports, one he believes is ripe for a promotion that balances elite technique with fan-first production. “I plan to bring some flash — memorable moments, meet-and-greets, trading cards — things that keep fans engaged long after the bell,” he said.

Marathon Music Works, a compact, high-energy venue in the heart of the city, will host the launch. Zbilnski called it “perfect” for the debut: “It’s going to be loud and tight — everybody will be able to see the fights.” The promotion has already announced a second show slated for August 1 on a rooftop venue downtown, signaling plans to build a consistent Nashville presence and expand nationally through partnering promoters.

For fans outside Nashville, KPK will be available on pay-per-view through Fox Valley TV, widening exposure for fighters and the fledgling brand. Tickets are available via Knockdown’s official site.

As Zbilnski put it: “Kickboxing is fast, explosive and accessible — and we think people will love it live.”

Knockdown’s Nashville debut is more than a single fight night — it’s the opening act for a promotion seeking to turn amateur pedigrees into pro careers and to give fans a new kind of live combat spectacle in Music City.