K-1
Gegard Mousasi, MMA-Fighter With A 27-2-1 Record And Only 24 Years Old
Today I would to introduce to you a mixed martial artist who has been consistently climbing in the MMA rankings in an almost stealth-like manner.
Not too long he was referred to as “Europe’s Best-Kept Secret”. It’s time to reveal the secret.
Born in Iran to Armenian parents, Gegard Mousasi and his family moved to the Netherlands when he was only 4 years.
The university town of Leiden, also birthplace of the Dutch Constitution, has become home to this exceptional mixed martial artist.
The very talented Gegard Mousasi started with Judo as a kid and then by age 15 he immersed himself into Western boxing.
Astonishingly enough, it has been reported that after training for only about a year, he became Dutch amateur boxing champion.
The next stepping stone was kickboxing which has a long tradition in The Netherlands and that has brought out many amazing fighters. (I look forward to talking about them in the very near future.)
Equipped with profound skills in Judo, Western boxing and kickboxing as well as the desire to take on new challenges, Mousasi entered the arena of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
He currently fights on Team Jurojin and is also a member of Red Devil Sport Club.
His first official MMA fight on record was in April 2003, when he was still 17 years old! Mousasi was declared the winner after 3:40 minutes of the first round by TKO.
He had a 5-0-1 record until Mousasi had to swallow his first loss in February 2005, which led him to make numerous changes in his approach to MMA.
The only other loss he had to suffer was in August 2006.
It has been now over 3 years and a rather successful undertaking for Gegard Mousasi who has a stunning fight record of 27 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw (early on in his career).
He was good for a surprise by signing up for a K-1 fight in 2008 against Musashi which he quickly won in the first round through referee stoppage.
After competing as a Middleweight, Gegard Mousasi has moved up to Strikeforce’s Light Heavyweight division.
I admit that I am very impressed with his overall fighting skills, demeanor and professional approach to his career.
And at the relatively young age of only 24 and if he stays injury-free, there’s no telling how far and how long Gegard Mousasi can go.
Do I hear the UFC and Dana White calling?
In Memoriam, Andy Hug, K-1 Fighter Extraordinaire From Switzerland
Did you read my post of October 7 with the title “Switzerland Is The Place For Cheese, Chocolate, Skiing, Watches And ….Wrestling?” You can read it here again.
Well, then you already know that there really is a lot more to this picturesque European country than most people know.
But then again, because you visit TheMartialArtsReporter.com on a daily base you are not like most people anyway!
Considering the size of the country and its relatively small population, it’s amazing how many great athletes Switzerland has produced.
Skiing and tennis immediately pop into my mind.
I wouldn’t necessarily think of karate and kickboxing. Would you?
One Swiss karateka, who absolutely deserves to be mentioned and remembered, is Andy Hug.
He left us way too early. In 2000, that is.
Andy Hug started with karate at the age of eleven.
By the time he was only 15, Andy was already a Swiss Oyama Cup winner.
And only two years later, he was on the national Kyokushinkai karate team!
During the early 80s Andy Hug was winning tournaments throughout Europe.
In 1987, he was even the first non-Japanese ever to reach the finals of Kyokushinkai world championship and only lost due to a controversial point decision.
Andy Hug continued to fight in Japan, where the fans certainly appreciated his diverse fighting style.
Thereafter he switched to Seidokai and the launch to his professional K-1 fighting career was set.
During the mid 90s, Andy Hug fought against some of the greatest K-1 fighters such Ernesto Hoost, Sam Greco, Peter Aerts, Mike Bernardo, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipović, Maurice Smith, Bart Vale, just to name a few.
He was known for his devastating axe kick and his low heel spin kick which left numerous more than just stunned.
His kickboxing record was an astonishing 37 wins, 9 losses and 1 draw.
Andy Hug left such an impression that he was only K-1 fighter ever to be rewarded an honorary samurai title by its founder, Kazuyoshi Ishii.
Sadly, Andy Hug died of leukemia shortly before reaching the age of 36.
After his cremation, Andy Hug’s ashes were deposited in the cemetery of the Hoshuin temple in former Japanese capital city of Kyoto.
Andy Hug, K-1 Fighter Extraordinaire From Switzerland, May He Rest In Peace.
Pages
Recent Posts
Archives
Categories
Blogroll
Most comprehensive site for all areas of martial arts related subjects including styles, history, people, movies, books, etc.
