Dick Vrij

Last updated
Dick Vrij
BornMay 1965
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight242 lb (110 kg; 17.3 st)
Division Heavyweight
Style Kickboxing, Wrestling
Teacher(s) Chris Dolman
Thom Harinck
Years active1995 - 2003
Mixed martial arts record
Total15
Wins7
By knockout5
By decision2
Losses7
By knockout2
By submission2
Unknown3
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Dick Vrij is a retired Dutch [1] professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. [2] A professional competitor from 1995 until 2003, he competed in the Heavyweight [3] division for RINGS and It's Showtime.

Contents

Professional wrestling career

A former bodybuilder and club bouncer, Vrij started training martial arts at the Chris Dolman gym. He had his debut to a worldwide audience when he wrestled a special match in Japanese pro wrestling promotion UWF Newborn, facing Yoshiaki Fujiwara in a losing effort. He would return to defeat Yoji Anjo and lose again to Fujiwara. When the promotion closed, Dolman and Vrij followed UWF member Akira Maeda to his Fighting Network RINGS promotion in 1990, becoming full time wrestlers for it.

Mixed martial arts career

Fighting Network RINGS

Vrij took part in RINGS's first main event, wrestling Maeda himself. He later became famous for his kickboxing strikes and intimidating physique, being nicknamed "Cyborg".

Vrij competed both in pro wrestling and shoot matches, having the first of them at the event RINGS Mega Battle IV, where he knocked out Mitsuya Nagai with a palm strike. He would defeat him in a rematch in RINGS Holland, knocking Nagai several times before winning by knee strike. They faced again in a rubber match in RINGS Maelstrom 6, but an improved Nagai capitalized on Vrij's lack of grappling skill and submitted him with a heel hook. Vrij would have another fight in Holland in 1997 against Pedro Palm, but the bout went to no contest due to Vrij landing an illegal kick while Palm was downed.

In February 1998, Vrij took on Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Paul Varelans in a vale tudo rules match for his return to RINGS Holland. Dick fought in bad health and under heavy ephedrine medication for a foot injury gained in a wrestling match with Valentijn Overeem, but he did not back down from the event. The subsequent match was controversial, as although Dick dominated the first round with multiple unanswered combos, drawing abundant blood from Varelans's face and hitting ground and pound from the mount, the referee repeatedly pushed Vrij aside and restarted the bout instead of stopping it. At the second round, Vrij felt the effects of his health, and Varelans capitalized to land a right punch and knock him out, winning the match.

Vrij bounced back from the loss at the next Holland event, defeating another UFC alumnus in the form of Zane Frazier.

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
15 matches7 wins7 losses
By knockout52
By submission22
Unknown03
Draws1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win7-7 (1) Barrington Patterson KO (punch)It's Showtime: Amsterdam ArenaJune 8, 200321:47 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Loss6-7 (1) Chris Haseman Submission (rear-naked choke) RINGS Australia: NR 3 March 7, 199915:17Australia
Win6-6 (1) Zane Frazier KO (punch) RINGS Holland: Judgement Day February 7, 199912:34Amsterdam, Netherlands
Loss5-6 (1) Wataru Sakata TKO RINGS: World Mega Battle Tournament December 23, 199812:29Japan
Loss5-5 (1) Paul Varelans KO (punch) RINGS Holland: The King of Rings February 8, 199820:30Amsterdam, Netherlands
Loss5-4 (1) Magomedkhan Gamzatkhanov N/A RINGS: Battle Dimensions Tournament 1997 Final January 21, 199800:00Japan
Win5-3 (1) Tariel Bitsadze Submission (rear-naked choke) RINGS: Mega Battle Tournament 1997 Semifinal 1 October 25, 199716:07Japan
Win4-3 (1) Tony Halme TKO (doctor stoppage) RINGS: Extension Fighting 2 April 22, 199712:42Japan
NC3-3 (1) Pedro Palm No Contest RINGS Holland: The Final Challenge February 2, 199711:00Amsterdam, Netherlands
Loss3-3 Tsuyoshi Kosaka N/A RINGS: Battle Dimensions Tournament 1996 Opening Round October 25, 199600:00Japan
Loss3-2 Mitsuya Nagai Submission (heel hook) RINGS: Maelstrom 6 August 24, 199616:16Japan
Win3-1Hubert NumrichSubmission (forearm choke) RINGS Holland: Kings of Martial Arts February 18, 199611:48Amsterdam, Netherlands
Loss2-1 Akira Maeda N/A RINGS: Battle Dimensions Tournament 1995 Opening Round October 21, 199500:00Japan
Win2-0 Mitsuya Nagai KO (knee) RINGS Holland: Free Fight February 19, 199513:07Amsterdam, Netherlands
Win1-0 Tony Halme KO RINGS: Budokan Hall 1995 January 25, 199512:55 Tokyo, Japan

See also

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References

  1. "Dick Vrij". Sherdog. Archived from the original on November 1, 2014.
  2. "Dick Vrij". mixedmartialarts.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2014.
  3. "Dick Vrij". fightmatrix.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2014.