Ilya Grad

Last updated
Ilya Grad
Born (1987-06-22) June 22, 1987 (age 37)
Russia
Other namesAchilles
Nationality Israeli
Height192 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight72.5 kg (160 lb)
Division Lightweight
Middleweight
Style Muay Thai
Fighting out of Thailand
Kickboxing record
Total56
Wins40
By knockout18
Losses16
Draws0

Ilya Grad (born June 22, 1987) is an Israeli Muay Thai boxing champion. His current professional record stands at 35-13 (16 KOs). [1] In 2010 he was considered one of the eight best amateur Muai Thai boxers in the world. [2] In February 2012, Grad won the WCK international title in China, In January 2013 the I-1 WMC world professional title in Hong Kong and in April WMC title in Singapore. Grad also made history by being the first known Israeli fighter to enter Malaysia under his Israeli passport. [1]

Contents

Early life

Grad attributes much of his success to martial arts claiming that it led him away from the self-destructive path of bar fights in Jerusalem. He goes by the fight name “Achilles” in part, because of his fondness for Greek mythology and good looks. [3]

Controversies

During the 2009 kick boxing championships in Bangkok, Grad met fellow kick boxer and Iranian kick boxing team captain Mostafa Abdollahi. Despite the political discourse between the respective countries, the two quickly became friends, began training together and acted as corner-men for each other. A Muay Thai Federation website published the story but removed it after Iranian protests. [2]

The Challenger Muaythai controversy

In 2011, Grad became the first Israeli boxer to legally enter Malaysia after being invited to participate in the AXN Asia reality show, "The Challenger Muaythai" featuring various Muay Thai fighters from different countries. Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim nation, officially bans Israelis from entering the country. When he arrived at Kuala Lumpur airport, Grad was detained for 25 hours, but was finally allowed to enter the country following the intervention of the Malaysian Minister of Sports. [1] During his first bout, the show’s producers asked him to carry the Russian flag after his place of birth. He refused and stated that he would rather return home, after which the producers allowed him to proceed with the Israeli flag. When he entered the ring, the local audience booed him. He was matched against French fighter, Antoine Pinto but lost in a split decision. The two Malaysian judges voted against Grad while the Thai judge voted in his favor. Grad believed he had won the fight as did his corner-men and believed that politics played a role in the decision making process. [1]

I threw an upper elbow to meet his movement and cut him over the eyebrow. As I saw the blood pouring down his face I rushed forward and in the clinch I used big elbows and saw a big lump growing slowly over his forehead. The round was totally mine and my strategy proved to be effective. For the rest of the fight I claimed the center of the ring and Antoine was mostly on the ropes, working the middle kicks. The fight was close, but not hard. I was never physically hurt, I never lost my power and I was never on the ropes on the defensive side. I felt in control throughout the entire match. [4]

After the fight, Grad was approached by audience members who apologized for jeering him and informed him that they thought he had won the fight. [1]

Awards

In April 2012, Shalom Life ranked him Number 1 on its list of “the 50 most talented, intelligent, funny, and gorgeous Jewish men in the world.” [6] [7]

Fight record

Muay Thai record
40 Wins, 16 Losses
DateResultOpponentEventLocationMethodRoundTime
2018-12-01No Contest Flag of France.svg Jimmy Vienot Credissimo Golden Fight Levallois-Perret, France No Contest1
For the WMC World 160lbs title.
2018-06-16Win Flag of Thailand.svg Chujaroen Dabransarakarm Topking World Series Surat Thani, Thailand KO33:00
2018-05-20Win Flag of Thailand.svg Chanchai SittisukatoReal Hero Bangkok, Thailand KO10:38
2018-05-20Win Flag of Thailand.svg Yodpayak Sitsongpeenong Real Hero Bangkok, Thailand Decision15:00
2018-05-20Win Flag of Portugal.svg Ricardo BragaReal Hero Bangkok, Thailand KO10:39
2014-12-05Win Flag of Thailand.svg Tengnueng Sitjaesairoong 2014 King's Cup Bangkok, Thailand KO4
2019-12-05Win Flag of Brazil.svg Robin Elite Fight Club 2014 King's Cup Bangkok, Thailand Decision53:00
2014-09-07Win Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bradley StephenMAX Muay Thai Pattaya, Thailand Decision33:00
2014-09-07Win Flag of Thailand.svg Chanchai SittisukatoMAX Muay Thai Pattaya, Thailand Decision33:00
2013-04-13Win Flag of Malaysia.svg Faizal RamliMuaythai Singapore Challenge Singapore Decision53:00
2013-01-07Win Flag of Malaysia.svg Faizal RamliWMC I-1 World Muay Thai Grand Extreme 2013 Hong Kong TKO2
2013-01-07Win Flag of Germany.svg Sebastian Harms-MendezWMC I-1 World Muay Thai Grand Extreme 2013 Hong Kong TKO2
2012-04-03Loss Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jordan Watson The Royal Trophy Bangkok, Thailand Decision33:00
2011-12-19Win Flag of Thailand.svg M-100 SitpholekWMC I-1 Grand Xtreme 2011 Hong Kong Decision33:00
2011-12-19Loss Flag of South Africa.svg Vuyisile Colossa WMC I-1 Grand Xtreme 2011 Hong Kong Decision33:00
2011-09-17Loss Flag of France.svg Antoine Pinto The Challenger Muay Thai Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Decision33:00
2006-04-08Loss Flag of France.svg Mohamed BourkhisLa Nuit des Superfights IV Paris, France Decision53:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Itamar Eichner (October 26, 2011). "Israeli boxer a reality star in Malaysia". Ynet News.
  2. 1 2 Itamar Eichner (October 12, 2010). "Thai Boxing fosters Iran-Israel Friendship". Ynet News.
  3. ↑ "fighters ilya grad". challengermuaythai.com.
  4. ↑ "The Challenger Muaythai blog - Ilya Grad - Muay Thai Authority". muaythaiauthority.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-17. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Muay Thai Challenge Fighters, Ilya Grad". FBT Sports Online.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ catty. "Israeli Boxer Puts Up a Good Fight". Jewish Voice.
  7. ↑ "Top 50 Hottest Jewish Men (10-1)". Shalom Life. Archived from the original on 2012-05-31.
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