Mike Zambidis

Mike Zambidis
Mike Zambidis
Born	Michális Zambídis; 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+1⁄2 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
Website	www.ironmikezambidis.com
	Last updated on: June 28, 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.^[5]

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.^[6] 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,^[7] Kara Murat twice, Baris Nezif, Wanlop Sosathopan, Bakari Tounkara, Matteo Sciacca and Petr Polak. In 2002, he knocked out the strong and experienced^[8]^[9] Dutch-Moroccan Hassan Kassrioui. On November 26, 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."^[10] 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 December 15, 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.^[11]^[12]

He was expected to compete in a four-man tournament in Russia on May 25, 2013, facing Dzhabar Askerov in the semi-finals.^[13] However, he was replaced by Enriko Gogokhia.^[14]

Zambidis beat Harun Kina by unanimous decision for the vacant SUPERKOMBAT Middleweight Championship at SUPERKOMBAT VIP Edition in Bucharest, Romania on August 31, 2013.^[15]^[16]

He was scheduled to fight Elam Ngor at the K-1 World MAX 2013 World Championship Tournament Final 16 in Majorca, Spain on September 14, 2013.^[17]^[18] However, he withdrew from the tournament and was replaced by Ismat Aghazade.^[19]

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 January 3, 2014.^[20]

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 March 28, 2014.^[21] 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 January 17 at Iron Challenge 2015 from Athens, Greece.^[22]

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^[23]
2011 W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World Champion -70 kg (4th title defence)^[24]
2010 K-1 World MAX 3rd Place
2009 World PROFI World Champion (1st title defence)^[25]^[26]
2008 W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World Champion -70 kg (3rd title defence)^[27]
2008 A-1 Combat Cup Super Welterweight World Champion^[28]
2006 W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World Champion -70 kg (2nd title defence)^[29]
2005 World PROFI World Champion
2005 W.K.B.F. Super Welterweight World Champion^[30]
2005 W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World Champion -70 kg (1st title defence)^[30]
2004 A-1 World Combat Cup Champion -76 kg^[31]
2003 W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" Oriental Rules Super Welterweight World Champion -70 kg^[32]
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^[33]
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^[34]
Date	Result	Opponent	Event	Location	Method	Round	Time
157 Wins (87 (T)KOs), 24 Losses
2015-06-27	Win	Steve Moxon	Iron Challenge	Athens, Greece,	Decision	5	3:00
2015-05-09	Win	Erkan Varol	Iron Challenge 2015	Limassol, Cyprus	Decision	5	3:00
2015-01-17	Win	Harun Kina	Iron Challenge 2015	Athens, Greece	KO (Right Kick/Left Hook)	5
Defended the SUPERKOMBAT Middleweight Championship
2014-03-28	Loss	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	Xu Yan	Hero Legends	Jinan, China	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
For the Hero Legends World Championship Title (-70 kg)
2013-08-31	Win	Harun Kina	SUPERKOMBAT VIP Edition	Bucharest, Romania	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
Won the vacant SUPERKOMBAT Middleweight Championship
2012-12-15	Loss	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	Reece McAllister	K-1 World MAX 2012 World Championship Tournament Final, Quarter Finals	Athens, Greece	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2012-05-27	Win	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	Fadi Merza	Iron Challenge	Athens, Greece	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2011-11-05	Loss	Batu Khasikov	W5	Moscow, Russia	TKO (Doctor Stoppage)	1	1:51
Losses W5 World Title (-71 kg)
2011-10-01	Win	Danila Utenkov	Kings of the Ring	Cyprus	Decision (Unanimous)	3	-
2011-05-27	Loss	John Wayne Parr	Payback Time: "The Decider"	Melbourne, Australia	TKO (Referee Stoppage)	1
2011-04-09	Win	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	Enriko Gogokhia	W5 Grand Prix K.O, Semi Final	Moscow, Russia	Ext R. Decision (Unanimous)	4	3:00
2011-03-12	Win	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	Giorgio Petrosyan	K-1 World MAX 2010 Final Semi-final	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2010-11-08	Win	Yuichiro Nagashima	K-1 World MAX 2010 Final Quarter-final	Tokyo, Japan	TKO (Referee Stoppage)	3	0:53
2010-10-03	Win	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	Warren Stevelmans	Kickboxing Superstar XIX	Milan, Italy	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2009-11-20	Win	Dzhabar Askerov	War of the Worlds	Brunswick, Australia	Decision (Majority)	5	3:00
2009-10-26	Loss	Hinata Watanabe	K-1 World MAX 2009 World Championship Super Fight	Yokohama, Japan	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2009-05-07	Loss	John Wayne Parr	Payback Time	Melbourne, Australia	Decision (Unanimous)	5	3:00
2009-01-31	Win	Rhassan Muhareb	Athletic Club "Minoas"	Heraklion, Crete, Greece	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
Retains World PROFI World title.
2008-07-07	Loss	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	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	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	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	Bernardo Marban De La Horra	Urban Fighters	Athens, Greece	KO (Right Hooks)	3	1:05
2007-10-03	Loss	Artur Kyshenko	K-1 World MAX 2007 World Championship Quarter Finals	Tokyo, Japan	Ext.R Decision (Unanimous)	4	3:00
2007-06-28	Win	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	Kozo Takeda	K-1 World MAX 2007 World Elite Showcase	Yokohama, Japan	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2006-09-04	Win	Tatsuji	K-1 World MAX 2006 Champions Challenge	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2006-04-05	Loss	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	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	Buakaw Por. Pramuk	K-1 World MAX 2006 Japan Tournament	Saitama, Japan	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2005-11-07	Win	Kara Murat	No Respect 3	Melbourne, Australia	Decision (Unanimous)	5	3:00
2005-10-12	Win	Satoru Suzuki	K-1 World MAX 2005 Champions' Challenge	Tokyo, Japan	KO	2	1:17
2005-07-20	Loss	Masato	K-1 World MAX 2005 Championship Quarter Finals	Yokohama, Japan	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2005-06-05	Win	Kara Murat	Professional Title Gala	Athens, Greece	Decision (Unanimous)	5	3:00
2005-05-04	Win	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	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	Stanley Nandex	Kicker vs Boxer	Melbourne, Australia	KO	1
2004-10-13	Win	Kojiro	K-1 World MAX 2004 Champions' Challenge	Tokyo, Japan	KO (3 Knockdowns, Punches)	1	2:21
2004-11-28	Win	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	Hamid Boujaoub	A-1 World Combat Cup 2004, Semi Finals	Melbourne, Australia	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2004-11-28	Win	Pete Spratt	A-1 World Combat Cup 2004, Quarter Finals	Melbourne, Australia	TKO (Ref Stop/3 Knockdowns)	2
2004-04-07	Loss	Takayuki Kohiruimaki	K-1 World MAX 2004 World Tournament Quarter Finals	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (Unanimous)	3	3:00
2004-04-07	Win	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	Gurkan Ozkan	No Respect 2	Melbourne, Australia	KO (Overhand Right)	12
2003-07-05	Loss	Masato	K-1 World MAX 2003 World Tournament Quarter Finals	Saitama, Japan	Decision (Split)	3	3:00
2003-05-17	Win	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	Albert Kraus	K-1 World MAX 2003 Japan Grand Prix	Tokyo, Japan	KO (Right Hook)	2	0:16
2003-02-18	Win	Niklas Winberg	K-1 No Respect 2003	Melbourne, Australia	KO	3	1:12
2002-11-26	Win	Jenk Behic	K-1 Oceania MAX 2002 Semi Finals	Melbourne, Australia	TKO (Referee Stoppage)	5	2:48
2002-12-08	Win	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	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	Billy Mamu	K-1 Oceania MAX 2002 Quarter Finals	Melbourne, Australia	TKO (Corner Stoppage)	2
2002-11-03	Loss	Youness El Mhassani	Tulp Thaiboks gala	Hoofddorp, Netherlands	Decision (Unanimous)	5	3:00
2002-10-05	Loss	Noel Soares	Thaiboxing @ Topsportcentrum	Rotterdam, Netherlands	Decision (Unanimous)	5	3:00
2002-05-19	Win	Hassan Kassrioui	Kickboxing Mania	Athens, Greece	KO (Punches)	6
2002	Win	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	Matteo Sciacca	"King Of The Ring" Italy Thai Boxing Tournament, Semi Finals	Italy	KO (Right Hook)	2
2002	Win	Bakari Tounkara	"King Of The Ring" Italy Thai Boxing Tournament, Quarter Finals	Italy	TKO (Referee Stoppage)	1
2002-03-02	Loss	Alain Zankifo	Le Grand Tournoi	Paris, France	TKO (Referee Stoppage, Cut)	3
2001-11-11	Loss	Mike Cope	K-1 Oceania MAX 2001 Quarter Finals	Melbourne, Australia	TKO (Corner Stoppage, Cut)	1
2001-09-08	Win	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	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	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	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