Gilbert Yvel

Last updated

Gilbert Yvel
Gilbert Yvel UFC 115 (cropped).jpg
Born (1976-06-30) 30 June 1976 (age 48)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Other namesThe Hurricane
Residence Naarden, Netherlands
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight265 lb (120 kg; 18 st 13 lb)
Division Super Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Reach77 in (196 cm)
Style Kickboxing
Fighting out ofAmsterdam, Netherlands
TeamVos Gym
Throwdown Training Center
Teacher(s) Jon Bluming
Chris Dolman
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Remco Pardoel [1]
Years active1997–2013, 2016–present
Kickboxing record
Total2
Wins1
By knockout1
Losses1
By knockout1
Mixed martial arts record
Total58
Wins40
By knockout34
By submission6
Losses16
By knockout5
By submission2
By decision6
By disqualification3
Draws1
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Last updated on: 21 March 2024

Gilbert Yvel (born 30 June 1976) is a Dutch professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 1997, Yvel competed in the PRIDE Fighting Championships, Affliction, the UFC, Road FC, the RFA, RINGS, M-1 Challenge, Cage Rage, K-1, and Showtime promotions. He is the former RINGS Openweight Champion.

Contents

Background

Yvel was born in the Netherlands to parents of Surinamese and Haitian descent. [2] He was raised as an orphan in the neighborhood of the Bijlmermeer in Amsterdam. He was promoted to black belt in BJJ in 2024 by Remco Pardoel. [1]

Mixed martial arts career

RINGS

Yvel came into contact with kickboxing and MMA through his brother, and after only two years of training he made his debut at 17 years of age, representing Vos Gym. Gilbert was off to a flying start winning his first 9 fights, primarily fighting for the Fighting Network RINGS promotion, initially only in events hosted by its Dutch brand. One of his first opponents would be Bas Rutten's apprentice Leon Dijk, whom he defeated by KO, as well as "dirty" Bob Schrijber. In another of his performances, he squared off against Bas Jussen in an event promoted by RINGS Holland leader Chris Dolman. This fight would become controversial because Yvel, after getting his leg embraced by Jussen in a missed flying knee, grabbed the fence to keep himself vertical and then, still hanging off the cage, delivered several knees and axe kicks on his opponent's head. Yvel would go to win the match shortly after.

His first loss came in 1998 in a rematch against Schrijber, being knocked out in the first round. Yvel had actually met his biological mother for the first time two days before the fight. He would follow with a participation representing RINGS Holland in the Russian tournament Pankration European Championship, where he would face RINGS Russia fighter Karimula Barkalaev. Although Yvel dominated the match, he was disqualified after Barkalaev's coach Volk Han noted the referee Yvel had illegally bitten his fighter.

In the following years Yvel came to be considered the best Dutch Heavyweight fighter active on the European fighting circuit. He got a victory over teammate Valentijn Overeem by TKO, as well as a high level one over RINGS England chief Lee Hasdell. In April 1999, Yvel was finally called to Japan by RINGS, where he fought Tsuyoshi Kohsaka. Through the match, Yvel left himself behind by five points due to multiple fouls, which included grabbing the ropes, hitting the face on the ground, striking against an opponent on the knees and, in spectacular fashion, hanging himself off the turnbuckle in order to land a knee to the face. However, he rallied over in points with a palm strike and a tight guillotine choke, and finally won the match when it was stopped due to accumulated damage to Kohsaka's face. [3] He then would fly back to Holland in order to face Semmy Schilt in an interpromotional match. The bout was particularly intriguing because Schilt belonged to Pancrase, RINGS's rival promotion in Japan.

The fight was met under special rules, with Gilbert keeping his gloves for punching while Schilt preferred to go barehanded and use open palm strikes like it was done in Pancrase. Although Schilt was considered a heavy favourite, sporting a huge advantage in both weight and height and boasting victories over Masakatsu Funaki and Guy Mezger, Yvel proved himself at the first minutes of the match by scoring a shocking knockdown on Schilt by a flurry of hooks. The Pancrase fighter recovered with knees to the body and took Yvel down repeatedly in an attempt to submit him, but the ruleset's quick stand-ups and Yvel's own defensive acumen impeded any advance in this field. Meanwhile, while Schilt still won the earlier stand-up exchanges, Yvel eventually took over and bloodied Schilt's eye with punches and a possible eye gouge which was dismissed by the referee. At the end of several grinding assaults, Yvel overpowered Schilt and landed a long series of unanswered punches, finally knocking Schilt out on his feet for the victory. [4]

In his return to Japan, Yvel was scheduled in a rematch with Tsuyoshi Kohsaka. This time, however, Yvel was forced to spend a rope escape by an early toehold, and shortly after had to defend on the ground after being thrown down by the judo specialist. With Gilbert behind on points, the match was stood up, but then it was suddenly stopped when Kohsaka, trying another judo throw, made both them fall outside the ring and was rendered injured by the fall. The bout was declared no contest, but as Yvel had lost a point while Kohsaka hadn't lost any of them, the Japanese was controversially declared winner by points.

In December 1999, Yvel qualified for the King of Kings world tournament. He eliminated karate champion Tariel Bitsadze by armbar on the first round, and went to avenge his defeat to Kohsaka in the second, stopping him by a cut caused by a grazing punch. Yvel would face eventual winner Dan Henderson in his block's final match. The American controlled the wrestling and seemed to have an armbar locked, but Yvel rolled out of it and utilized a strategy consistent on trying to strike between takedown and takedown. In one of those instances, he got a yellow card for landing an illegal elbow to Henderson's spine. At the end, although Yvel landed solid shots, he couldn't finish Henderson and was eliminated by unanimous decision.

Yvel's last bout in RINGS would be against Kiyoshi Tamura in a match for the RINGS Openweight Championship. Again, Yvel was taken down and positionally controlled on the mat, but he resisted successfully Tamura's scarce submission attempts and knocked him out via strikes. He won the title, but was forced to vacate it shortly after due to signing up with PRIDE.

Affliction

In 2008 Yvel signed a three-fight deal with Affliction Entertainment, his first and only fight on the contract was against Josh Barnett at Affliction's 24 January 2009 "Day of Reckoning" event in Anaheim, California before Affliction abandoned MMA promotion. [5] During the fight, Yvel showed great resilience against his wrestling opponent and kept an active guard which prevented Barnett from submitting him in the first two rounds, until Yvel finally succumbed to punches at the 3:05 mark of the third round.

Yvel was scheduled to fight Chris Gathers at Affliction: Trilogy, a fight which never materialized due to the folding of the promotion.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Yvel fought up-and-coming Brazilian Heavyweight Junior dos Santos at UFC 108 [6] replacing Gabriel Gonzaga for the bout on 2 January. Yvel lost the fight, with Herb Dean stopping the fight at 2:07 in the first round due to strikes. Yvel protested the stoppage but congratulated Dos Santos for winning the fight moments later. [7]

Yvel next faced Ben Rothwell at UFC 115: Liddell vs. Franklin. Yvel lost by unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, and 29–28).

Yvel then faced Jon Madsen on 23 October 2010 at UFC 121, replacing an injured Todd Duffee. [8] Both men circled early on in the fight before Madsen shot for a double-leg takedown that downed Yvel after Gilbert slipped when his knee buckled, they ended up against the cage. Madsen then hit Yvel multiple times when Yvel's head was pressed up against the Octagon padding, resulting in the referee stopping the fight. Yvel was subsequently released from his UFC contract after the loss.

Post UFC

Yvel was scheduled to face former King of the Cage champion Tony Lopez in a PRIDE rules bout at Colosseo Championship Fighting 6: Bushido on 23 July 2011. [9] However, the event was postponed and was then scheduled take place on 3 September. [10] The event was subsequently canceled. [11]

Gilbert Yvel cut down to 205-pounds to compete in the Light-Heavyweight division for Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA). He was successful in his debut in this weight class, defeating Damian Dantibo at RFA 1 – Pulver vs. Elliott. The event took place on Friday, 16 December 2011 at the Viaero Event Center in Kearney, Nebraska. On 30 March 2012, Yvel faced Houston Alexander at RFA 2 – Yvel vs. Alexander, winning by first-round knockout.

Yvel was scheduled to fight against fellow UFC veteran and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champion Marcio Cruz on 2 November 2012 at Resurrection Fighting Alliance 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada. [12] but he was forced out of the bout due to an injury. [13]

Yvel announced his retirement in an interview with Ground and Pound TV. He plans to become a trainer at Agoge MMA in Germany. [14]

Yvel also has fought two kickboxing matches, losing to Ray Sefo and beating Yuji Sakuragi. [15]

Bad conduct and subsequent rehabilitation

Yvel has acquired, through a number of instances, a lingering reputation in the MMA community for his temper and poor sportsmanship in the ring earlier in his career. [16] [17] [18]

In his May 1998 bout with Karimula Barkalaev, Yvel was disqualified for biting his opponent. [17] [18]

In his September 2001 match with Don Frye, Yvel repeatedly raked his fingers across Frye's face and pushed his thumb into Frye's eyes to avoid being wrestled to the mat. Yvel was disqualified in this match, as well, although the official reason given was for grabbing the ropes. [17] [18]

During Yvel's November 2004 match with Atte Backman, the referee separated the fighters as they were falling over the ropes in a clinched position. Yvel refused the attempts by the referee to get the fighters to resume the clinched position away from ropes, swatting the referee's hand away when he attempted to guide the fighters back together. After a number of unsuccessful attempts to restart the fight in the clinched position, Yvel sucker-punched the referee in the head, dropping him to the canvas, and then kicked him while he was down. This was Yvel's 3rd disqualification in six years.

A scheduled PRIDE 33 match in 2007 with Sergei Kharitonov had to be cancelled when the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) refused to grant Yvel a license to fight in their state due to his history of poor conduct. [17] [19]

Yvel's 2009 Affliction match-up with Josh Barnett was scheduled to take place in California. Again, because of his past behaviour, there was debate over whether he should be allowed to have a fight license. After taking the unusual step of arranging a personal meeting between Yvel, Assistant Executive Officer Bill Douglas and Chief Athletic Inspector Dean Lohuis, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) did license him to fight there. [17] [18] [19]

In October 2009, after a new application, the NSAC again declined to grant Yvel a standard license but did grant him a limited, 1-fight only license to fight in Nevada due to his good conduct since his last instance of poor behaviour in 2004. [20]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
58 matches40 wins16 losses
By knockout345
By submission62
By decision06
By disqualification03
Draws1
No contests1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win40–16–1 (1) Mighty Mo Technical Submission (armbar) Road FC 047 12 May 201813:43 Beijing, China Road FC 2018 Openweight Grand Prix Round One.
Win39–16–1 (1) Ricco Rodriguez TKO (injury)Akhmat Fight Show 31: Ushukov vs. Vagaev19 November 201611:00 Grozny, Russia Return to Heavyweight.
Win38–16–1 (1) Houston Alexander KO (punch)RFA 2: Yvel vs. Alexander30 March 201213:59 Kearney, Nebraska, United States
Win37–16–1 (1)Damian DantiboTKO (submission to punches)RFA 1: Pulver vs. Elliott16 December 201113:12 Kearney, Nebraska, United States Light Heavyweight debut.
Loss36–16–1 (1) Jon Madsen TKO (punches) UFC 121 23 October 201011:48 Anaheim, California, United States
Loss36–15–1 (1) Ben Rothwell Decision (unanimous) UFC 115 12 June 201035:00 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Loss36–14–1 (1) Junior dos Santos TKO (punches) UFC 108 2 January 201012:07 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win36–13–1 (1) Pedro Rizzo KO (punches)Ultimate Chaos: Lashley vs. Sapp27 June 200912:10 Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Loss35–13–1 (1) Josh Barnett TKO (submission to punches) Affliction: Day of Reckoning 24 January 200933:05 Anaheim, California, United States
Win35–12–1 (1)Alexander TimonovTKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 9: Russia 21 November 200810:22 St. Petersburg, Russia
Win34–12–1 (1)Sergey ShemetovSubmission (toe hold)KOE: Tough Is Not Enough5 October 200810:53 Rotterdam, Netherlands
Win33–12–1 (1)Michał KitaKO (punch)Gentlemen Fight Night24 May 200820:02 Holland, Netherlands
Win32–12–1 (1)Hakim GouramKO (punch) K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Amsterdam 23 June 200710:31 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Win31–12–1 (1) Akira Shoji TKO (punches) PRIDE 34 8 April 200713:43 Saitama, Japan
Win30–12–1 (1) Rodney Glunder KO (punches)2H2H: Pride & Honor12 November 200611:38 Rotterdam, Netherlands
Win29–12–1 (1) Fabiano Scherner TKO (punches) Cage Rage 17 1 July 200611:30 London, England, United Kingdom
Loss28–12–1 (1) Roman Zentsov KO (punch) PRIDE FC: Total Elimination Absolute 5 May 200614:55 Osaka, Japan
Win28–11–1 (1) Valentijn Overeem Submission (armbar) It's Showtime Boxing & MMA Event 2005 Amsterdam 12 June 200514:30 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Loss27–11–1 (1) Ikuhisa Minowa Submission (toe hold) Pride Bushido 6 3 April 200511:10 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Loss27–10–1 (1)Atte BackmanDQ (struck the referee)Fight Festival 1213 November 200410:35 Helsinki, FinlandYvel was disqualified after striking the referee and knocking him out.
Win27–9–1 (1) Cheick Kongo TKO (punches) It's Showtime 2004 Amsterdam 20 May 200424:40 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Draw26–9–1 (1)Daniel TaberaDraw M-1 MFC: Russia vs. The World 7 5 December 2003110:00 St. Petersburg, Russia
Loss26–9 (1) Jeremy Horn Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 21 23 June 200235:00 Saitama, Japan
Win26–8 (1) Bob Schrijber TKO (doctor stoppage)2H2H 4: Simply the Best 417 March 2002N/AN/A Rotterdam, Netherlands
Win25–8 (1)Ibragim MagomedovSubmission (rear-naked choke) M-1 MFC: Russia vs. the World 2 11 November 2001N/A2:45 St. Petersburg, Russia
Loss24–8 (1) Don Frye DQ (gouging the eyes) PRIDE 16 24 September 200117:27 Osaka, Japan
Loss24–7 (1) Igor Vovchanchyn Submission (rear-naked choke) PRIDE 14: Clash of the Titans 27 May 200111:52 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Win24–6 (1) Carlos Barreto KO (flying knee)2H2H 2: Simply The Best18 March 200112:20 Rotterdam, Netherlands
Loss23–6 (1) Kazuyuki Fujita Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 12: Cold Fury 9 December 2000210:00 Saitama, Japan
NC23–5 (1) Wanderlei Silva NC (kick to groin) PRIDE 11: Battle of the Rising Sun 31 October 200010:21 Osaka, JapanYvel was rendered unable to continue after accidental groin strike.
Win23–5 Gary Goodridge KO (head kick) PRIDE 10: Return of the Warriors 27 August 200010:28 Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
Loss22–5 Vitor Belfort Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 9 4 June 2000210:00 Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Win22–4 Kiyoshi Tamura TKO RINGS: Millennium Combine 1 20 April 2000113:13 Tokyo, JapanWon the RINGS Openweight Championship. Later vacated title.
Win21–4Brian DunnTKO (punches)2H2H 1: 2 Hot 2 Handle5 March 200010:21 Rotterdam, Netherlands
Loss20–4 Dan Henderson Decision (unanimous) RINGS: King of Kings 1999 Final 26 February 200025:00 Tokyo, Japan1999 RINGS King of Kings Third Round.
Win20–3 Joop Kasteel KO (palm strikes) RINGS Holland: There Can Only Be One Champion 6 February 200014:16 Utrecht, Netherlands
Win19–3 Tsuyoshi Kohsaka TKO (doctor stoppage) RINGS: King of Kings 1999 Block B 22 December 199911:17 Osaka, Japan1999 RINGS King of Kings Tournament Second Round.
Win18–3 Tariel Bitsadze Submission (armbar)12:181999 RINGS King of Kings Tournament First Round.
Win17–3Dennis ReedKO (flying knee)AAC 2: Amsterdam Absolute Championship 227 November 199911:43 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Win16–3Fabio PiamonteTKOWVC 9: World Vale Tudo Championship 927 September 199912:28 Aruba
Loss15–3 Tsuyoshi Kohsaka Technical Decision (lost points) RINGS: Rise 5th 19 August 199918:17 Japan
Win15–2 Semmy Schilt KO (punches) RINGS Holland: The Kings of the Magic Ring 20 June 199924:45 Utrecht, Netherlands
Win14–2 Tsuyoshi Kohsaka TKO (doctor stoppage) RINGS: Rise 2nd 23 April 1999114:58 Japan
Win13–2Todd MedinaKO (knee)WVC: World Vale Tudo Championship20 March 199910:10 Aruba
Win12–2 Big Mo T KO (flying knee) RINGS Holland: Judgement Day 7 February 199911:59 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Win11–2 Lee Hasdell TKO (doctor stoppage) RINGS Holland: The Thialf Explosion 24 October 1998N/AN/A Heerenveen, Netherlands
Win10–2 Valentijn Overeem TKO (shoulder injury) RINGS Holland: Who's the Boss 7 June 199810:38 Utrecht, Netherlands
Loss9–2Karimula BarkalaevDQ (biting)IAFC: Pankration European Championship 199823 May 199814:49 Moscow, Russia
Loss9–1 Bob Schrijber KOIMA: KO Power Tournament12 April 199814:15 Amsterdam, NetherlandsIMA: KO Power Tournament Finals.
Win9–0Algirdas DarulisTKO (3 knockdowns)13:02IMA: KO Power Tournament First Round.
Win8–0 Bob Schrijber Submission (achilles lock) RINGS Holland: The King of Rings 8 February 199821:12 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Win7–0Bas JussenKORDFF 2: Red Devil Free Fight 27 December 1997N/AN/A Amsterdam, Netherlands
Win6–0Oleg TsygolnikKO (punch) M-1 MFC: World Championship 1997 1 November 199711:41 St. Petersburg, RussiaWon the 1997 M-1 MFC Light Heavyweight Tournament.
Win5–0Sergei TunicKO (punches)11:161997 M-1 MFC Light Heavyweight Tournament Semifinals.
Win4–0 Pedro Palm TKOGym Almaar: Fight Gala5 October 1997N/AN/A Bergen, Netherlands
Win3–0Vyacheslav KiselyovTKO (knees)RDFF 1: Red Devil Free Fight 127 September 199710:51 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Win2–0Leon DijkKO (knee) RINGS Holland: Utrecht at War 29 June 199712:05 Utrecht, Netherlands
Win1–0Rob van LeeuwenTKO (corner stoppage) RINGS Holland: The Final Challenge 2 February 199714:06 Amsterdam, Netherlands

[24]

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record
1 win (1 KO), 1 loss
DateResultOpponentEventLocationMethodRoundTimeRecord
28 October 2007Win Yuji Sakuragi Shoot Boxing Battle Summit "Ground Zero Tokyo, Japan TKO (3 Knockdowns)11:481–1
14 July 2002Loss Ray Sefo K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Fukuoka Fukuoka, Japan KO (Low Kicks)22:070–1
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest

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References

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