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Mike Zambidis
Mike Zambidis.png
Born Michális Zambídis
(1980-07-15) 15 July 1980 (age 44)
Porto Rafti, Athens, Greece
Native name Μιχάλης Ζαμπίδης
Other names Iron Mike, Turkofagos (Turkeater)
Height 1.67 m (5 ft 5+12 in)
Weight 70 kg (154 lb; 11 st 0 lb)
Division Welterweight
Middleweight
Style Muay Thai, Kickboxing
Team Zambidis Club
Trainer Kru Mario Barbatsas
Years active 2000–2015
Kickboxing record
Total 181
Wins 157
By knockout 87
Losses 24
By knockout 7
last updated on: 28 June 2015

Michalis "Iron Mike" Zambidis (Greek: Μιχάλης Ζαμπίδης; born 15 July 1980) is a professional Greek kickboxer and martial artist. He is an 18-time World Champion, including former World version W5, SUPERKOMBAT and in a series of K-1 Tournaments and Grand Prix Champion. He mostly competed in the K-1 MAX where he scored mostly knockouts.

Biography and career

Mike Zambidis started training in martial arts before he was nine years old with his brother Spiros Zambidis and his best friend Lazaros Filipas. He has trained in Shotokan, Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, sanshou and Pankration. He started competing professionally in 2000, scoring a string of victories over notable opponents. He was given the nickname Turkofagos (Turkeater) after his 11th win over Turkish fighters due to the fact that he never lost to a Turk. He has been technically knocked out twice himself early in his career due to cuts, but after 2002, his next technical knock-out defeat came in 2008 against Andy Souwer in an extra round.

From 2000 till 2002, Zambidis defeated notable kickboxer Jenk Behic twice, Gürkan Özkan twice who outweighed Mike by over 50 lbs in two rare open-weight fights, Kara Murat twice, Baris Nezif, Wanlop Sosathopan, Bakari Tounkara, Matteo Sciacca and Petr Polak. In 2002, he knocked out the strong and experienced Dutch-Moroccan Hassan Kassrioui. On 26 November 2002 he won the K-1 Oceania MAX 2002 title after defeating John Wayne Parr in the final.

In 2003, promoter Tarik Solak arranged Zambidis' debut fight in Japan against 2002 World K-1 Max Champion Albert Kraus, whom he knocked out in the 2nd round. In April 2005, Zambidis knocked out the popular Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto with a right hook, in front of thousands of the Japanese kickboxer's fans. Zambidis' weakness seems to be receiving low kicks, as was seen in his 2006 defeat by Japanese Yoshihiro Sato, who, despite getting hurt by Zambidis' punches, managed to land many kicks and knees which racked up enough points to "secure a unanimous decision." Zambidis is a 4 time national champion in kickboxing as well as holding a large number of international titles.

In addition to his many outstanding fights, the K-1 World MAX 2010 Final 16 match on October the 3rd, 2010 against Chahid Oulad El Hadj was notable as being one of the most exciting of his career. In addition, as stated by ring side commentators "Sugar" Ray Sefo and Michael Schiavello, this contest was one by which a standard was set for other K-1 fights. However, Zambidis did not make it to the final as he lost to Giorgio Petrosyan by unanimous decision. Zambidis knocked down Petrosyan in the fight, but it was controversially ruled a slip by the referee.

Zambidis fought a rubber match (both having won 1 match apiece) with Australian Muay Thai champion John Wayne Parr in May 2011. He lost by TKO (three knockdowns) in round 1.

He defeated Reece McAllister by unanimous decision in the quarter-finals of the K-1 World MAX 2012 World Championship Tournament Final in Athens, Greece on 15 December 2012. He then lost by the eventual champion Murthel Groenhart in the semis. The much larger Groenhart won the fight with knees and punches, forcing his corner to stop the fight at the end of round two.

He was expected to compete in a four-man tournament in Russia on 25 May 2013, facing Dzhabar Askerov in the semi-finals. However, he was replaced by Enriko Gogokhia.

Zambidis beat Harun Kina by unanimous decision for the vacant SUPERKOMBAT Middleweight Championship at SUPERKOMBAT VIP Edition in Bucharest, Romania on 31 August 2013.

He was scheduled to fight Elam Ngor at the K-1 World MAX 2013 World Championship Tournament Final 16 in Majorca, Spain on 14 September 2013. However, he withdrew from the tournament and was replaced by Ismat Aghazade.

He lost to Xu Yan by unanimous decision, suffering controversial knockdowns in rounds one and two as he received below blows in both occasions, at Hero Legends in Jinan, China on 3 January 2014.

Zambidis and Batu Khasikov had a rematch fight and challenge the WKN Heavyweight Kickboxing World Championship at Fight Night: Battle of Moscow XV event in Moscow, Russia on 28 March 2014. The Russian Batu Khasikov won the battle again for the second time.

He won his first defence of his SUPERKOMBAT middleweight title against Harun Kina on 17 January at Iron Challenge 2015 from Athens, Greece.

In May 2015 he announced he would retire after his final fight in June against Steve Moxon, in his home country of Greece. This happened on 5 June 2015.

In October 2017, he participated in the reality game Nomads.

In March 2019, returned to active action after 3.5 years off abstention for a professional boxing match vs Venezuelan Antonio Gomez. Although Zambidis sustained an injury during the 1st round that forced him to fight with only one hand, he was victorious after a gruelling fight.

Titles

  • 2019 BREAKOUT. Champion
  • 2015 World W.K.U. Champion
  • 2015 W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World Champion −71 kg (6th title defence)
  • 2015 SUPERKOMBAT Middleweight Championship -71 kg/156.5lb (2nd title defence)
  • 2013 SUPERKOMBAT Middleweight Championship -71 kg/156.5lb (One time)
  • 2012 K-1 World MAX 3rd Place
  • 2012 W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World Champion -71 kg (5th title defence)
  • 2011 W5 World Grand Prix KO World Champion -71 kg
  • 2011 W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World Champion -70 kg (4th title defence)
  • 2010 K-1 World MAX 3rd Place
  • 2009 World PROFI World Champion (1st title defence)
  • 2008 W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World Champion -70 kg (3rd title defence)
  • 2008 A-1 Combat Cup Super Welterweight World Champion
  • 2006 W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World Champion -70 kg (2nd title defence)
  • 2005 World PROFI World Champion
  • 2005 W.K.B.F. Super Welterweight World Champion
  • 2005 W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World Champion -70 kg (1st title defence)
  • 2004 A-1 World Combat Cup Champion -76 kg
  • 2003 W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World Champion -70 kg
  • 2002 W.O.K.A Super Welterweight World Champion (4th title defence)
  • 2002 K-1 World Max Oceania Champion
  • 2002 W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Thai Boxing Tournament Champion
  • 2001 W.O.K.A Super Welterweight World Champion (3 title defences that year)
  • 2000 W.O.K.A Super Welterweight World Champion
  • 1998 World PROFI Europe Champion
  • 1997 I.S.K.A. Balkan Champion
  • 1996/1998/1999/2000 Greek Boxing Champion

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing Record
157 Wins (87 (T)KOs), 24 Losses
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2015-06-27 Win Australia Steve Moxon Iron Challenge Athens, Greece, Decision 5 3:00
2015-05-09 Win Turkey Erkan Varol Iron Challenge 2015 Limassol, Cyprus Decision 5 3:00
2015-01-17 Win Turkey Harun Kina Iron Challenge 2015 Athens, Greece KO (Right Kick/Left Hook) 5
Defended the SUPERKOMBAT Middleweight Championship
2014-03-28 Loss Russia Batu Khasikov Fight Nights: Battle of Moscow 15 Moscow, Russia Decision (Split) 5 3:00
For WKN Super Welterweight Oriental Rules World Championship -72.6 kg.
2014-01-03 Loss China Xu Yan Hero Legends Jinan, China Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
For the Hero Legends World Championship Title (-70 kg)
2013-08-31 Win Turkey Harun Kina SUPERKOMBAT VIP Edition Bucharest, Romania Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Won the vacant SUPERKOMBAT Middleweight Championship
2012-12-15 Loss Netherlands Murthel Groenhart K-1 World MAX 2012 World Championship Tournament Final, Semi Finals Athens, Greece TKO (Doctor Stoppage, Cut) 2 3:00
2012-12-15 Win England Reece McAllister K-1 World MAX 2012 World Championship Tournament Final, Quarter Finals Athens, Greece Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2012-05-27 Win Netherlands Chahid Oulad El Hadj K-1 World MAX 2012 World Championship Tournament Final 16, First Round Madrid, Spain KO (Left Hook) 3 1:34
Qualifies for K-1 World MAX 2012 Final.
2012-04-29 Win Syria Fadi Merza Iron Challenge Athens, Greece Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2011-11-05 Loss Russia Batu Khasikov W5 Moscow, Russia TKO (Doctor Stoppage) 1 1:51
Losses W5 World Title (-71 kg)
2011-10-01 Win Russia Danila Utenkov Kings of the Ring Cyprus Decision (Unanimous) 3 -
2011-05-27 Loss Australia John Wayne Parr Payback Time: "The Decider" Melbourne, Australia TKO (Referee Stoppage) 1
2011-04-09 Win Russia Dzhabar Askerov W5 Grand Prix K.O, Final Moscow, Russia Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Wins W5 World Grand Prix KO world title -71 kg
2011-04-09 Win Ukraine Enriko Gogokhia W5 Grand Prix K.O, Semi Final Moscow, Russia Ext R. Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00
2011-03-12 Win Turkey Ali Gunyar Iron Challenge Athens, Greece Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
Retains W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World title.
2010-11-08 Loss Italy Giorgio Petrosyan K-1 World MAX 2010 Final Semi-final Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2010-11-08 Win Japan Yuichiro Nagashima K-1 World MAX 2010 Final Quarter-final Tokyo, Japan TKO (Referee Stoppage) 3 0:53
2010-10-03 Win Netherlands Chahid Oulad El Hadj K-1 World MAX 2010 Final 16 - Part 2 Seoul, South Korea Ext.R Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00
Qualifies for K-1 World MAX 2010 Final.
2010-03-20 Win South Africa Warren Stevelmans Kickboxing Superstar XIX Milan, Italy Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2009-11-20 Win Russia Dzhabar Askerov War of the Worlds Brunswick, Australia Decision (Majority) 5 3:00
2009-10-26 Loss Japan Hinata Watanabe K-1 World MAX 2009 World Championship Super Fight Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2009-05-07 Loss Australia John Wayne Parr Payback Time Melbourne, Australia Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
2009-01-31 Win Denmark Rhassan Muhareb Athletic Club "Minoas" Heraklion, Crete, Greece Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Retains World PROFI World title.
2008-07-07 Loss Netherlands Albert Kraus K-1 World MAX 2008 World Championship Final 8 Super Fight Tokyo, Japan TKO (Doctor Stoppage) 3 3:00
2008-06-23 Win Croatia Sanel Muslic Iron Challenge Athens, Greece TKO (Referee Stoppage) 3 2:00
Retains W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World title.
2008-04-09 Loss Netherlands Andy Souwer K-1 World MAX 2008 World Championship Final 16 Hiroshima, Japan Ext.R KO (Left High Kick) 4 2:05
Fails to qualify for K-1 World MAX 2008 World Championship although he will be invited to take part in a Super Fight.
2008-03-03 Win Australia Daniel Dawson No Respect 4 Melbourne, Australia Decision (Split) 5 3:00
Wins A-1 World Combat Cup Super Welterweight World title.
2007-12-09 Win Spain Bernardo Marban De La Horra Urban Fighters Athens, Greece KO (Right Hooks) 3 1:05
2007-10-03 Loss Ukraine Artur Kyshenko K-1 World MAX 2007 World Championship Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan Ext.R Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00
2007-06-28 Win Armenia Gago Drago K-1 World MAX 2007 World Tournament Final Elimination Tokyo, Japan Ext.R Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00
Qualifies for K-1 World MAX 2007 World Championship.
2007-04-04 Win Japan Kozo Takeda K-1 World MAX 2007 World Elite Showcase Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2006-09-04 Win Japan Tatsuji K-1 World MAX 2006 Champions Challenge Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2006-04-05 Loss Japan Yoshihiro Sato K-1 World MAX 2006 World Tournament Open Tokyo, Japan Decision (Split) 3 3:00
Fails to qualify for K-1 World MAX 2006 Championship.
2006-03-12 Win Czech Republic Michal Hansgut Great Kickboxing Spectacle in Greece Thessaloniki, Greece Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Retains W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World title.
2006-02-04 Loss Thailand Buakaw Por. Pramuk K-1 World MAX 2006 Japan Tournament Saitama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2005-11-07 Win Turkey Kara Murat No Respect 3 Melbourne, Australia Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
2005-10-12 Win Japan Satoru Suzuki K-1 World MAX 2005 Champions' Challenge Tokyo, Japan KO 2 1:17
2005-07-20 Loss Japan Masato K-1 World MAX 2005 Championship Quarter Finals Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2005-06-05 Win Turkey Kara Murat Professional Title Gala Athens, Greece Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
2005-05-04 Win Japan Norifumi Yamamoto K-1 World MAX 2005 World Tournament Open Tokyo, Japan KO (Right Hook) 3 0:39
Qualifies for K-1 World MAX 2005 Championship.
2005-03-12 Win Croatia Goran Borović Greece and Serbia Fight the World Sydney, Australia KO (Overhand Right) 5
Retains W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World title and wins W.K.B.F. Super Welterweight world title.
2005-02-20 Win Papua New Guinea Stanley Nandex Kicker vs Boxer Melbourne, Australia KO 1
2004-10-13 Win Japan Kojiro K-1 World MAX 2004 Champions' Challenge Tokyo, Japan KO (3 Knockdowns, Punches) 1 2:21
2004-11-28 Win Turkey Gurkan Ozkan A-1 World Combat Cup 2004, Final Melbourne, Australia Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Wins A-1 World Combat Cup 2004 title -76 kg.
2004-11-28 Win Morocco Hamid Boujaoub A-1 World Combat Cup 2004, Semi Finals Melbourne, Australia Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2004-11-28 Win United States Pete Spratt A-1 World Combat Cup 2004, Quarter Finals Melbourne, Australia TKO (Ref Stop/3 Knockdowns) 2
2004-04-07 Loss Japan Takayuki Kohiruimaki K-1 World MAX 2004 World Tournament Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2004-04-07 Win Japan Hayato K-1 World MAX 2004 World Tournament Open Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Qualifies for K-1 World MAX 2004 World Tournament.
2003-11-30 Win Turkey Gurkan Ozkan No Respect 2 Melbourne, Australia KO (Overhand Right) 12
2003-07-05 Loss Japan Masato K-1 World MAX 2003 World Tournament Quarter Finals Saitama, Japan Decision (Split) 3 3:00
2003-05-17 Win Thailand Wanlop SitPholek Kickboxing Superstar XII Milan, Italy Decision 5 3:00
Wins W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World title.
2003-03-01 Win Netherlands Albert Kraus K-1 World MAX 2003 Japan Grand Prix Tokyo, Japan KO (Right Hook) 2 0:16
2003-02-18 Win Finland Niklas Winberg K-1 No Respect 2003 Melbourne, Australia KO 3 1:12
2002-11-26 Win Turkey Jenk Behic K-1 Oceania MAX 2002 Semi Finals Melbourne, Australia TKO (Referee Stoppage) 5 2:48
2002-12-08 Win Turkey Jenk Behic W.O.K.A. Super Welterweight World Title Fight Melbourne, Australia KO 6 1:46
Retains W.O.K.A. Super Welterweight World title.
2002-11-26 Win Australia John Wayne Parr K-1 Oceania MAX 2002 Final Melbourne, Australia Decision 3 3:00
Wins K-1 Oceania MAX 2002 title.
2002-11-26 Win Papua New Guinea Billy Mamu K-1 Oceania MAX 2002 Quarter Finals Melbourne, Australia TKO (Corner Stoppage) 2
2002-11-03 Loss Netherlands Youness El Mhassani Tulp Thaiboks gala Hoofddorp, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
2002-10-05 Loss Netherlands Noel Soares Thaiboxing @ Topsportcentrum Rotterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
2002-05-19 Win Netherlands Hassan Kassrioui Kickboxing Mania Athens, Greece KO (Punches) 6
2002 Win Czech Republic Petr Polak "King Of The Ring" Italy Thai Boxing Tournament, Final Italy KO (Left Hook) 1
Wins W.I.P.U. "King Of The Ring" 2002 Italy Thai Boxing Tournament title.
2002 Win Italy Matteo Sciacca "King Of The Ring" Italy Thai Boxing Tournament, Semi Finals Italy KO (Right Hook) 2
2002 Win France Bakari Tounkara "King Of The Ring" Italy Thai Boxing Tournament, Quarter Finals Italy TKO (Referee Stoppage) 1
2002-03-02 Loss France Alain Zankifo Le Grand Tournoi Paris, France TKO (Referee Stoppage, Cut) 3
2001-11-11 Loss Australia Mike Cope K-1 Oceania MAX 2001 Quarter Finals Melbourne, Australia TKO (Corner Stoppage, Cut) 1
2001-09-08 Win Australia Shannon Forrester W.O.K.A. Super Welterweight World Title Fight Gold Coast, Australia KO (Punches) 3
Retains W.O.K.A. Super Welterweight World title.
2001-09-01 Win Australia Paul Shearing W.O.K.A. Super Welterweight World Title Fight Sydney, Australia KO 1
Retains W.O.K.A. Super Welterweight World title.
2001-04-03 Win Thailand Krongsak Lek W.O.K.A. Super Welterweight World Title Fight Melbourne, Australia TKO (Referee Stoppage, Punches) 8 1:46
Retains W.O.K.A. Super Welterweight World title.
2000-11-19 Win Turkey Baris Nezif K-1 Oceania Star Wars 2000 Melbourne, Australia KO (Punches) 12 1:46
Wins W.O.K.A. Super Welterweight World title.
Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Mike Zambidis para niños

  • List of K-1 Events
  • List of K-1 champions
  • List of male kickboxers
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