Biography and career
Karim Ghajji is a French boxer of Moroccan descent; he resides in Meaux, France, and is part of Fantastik Armada. It is one of the fighters of 2009 and 2010.
Karim began karate at the age of 12 and in parallel, he has learned breakdance with his classmates, because at the time it was fashionable. Gradually, the two disciplines have become important in his life. His trainer is Abel El Quandili.
Turned pro in kickboxing since 3 years, he is now captain of France in the same discipline.
In 2010 he made a great tournament in Dijon at the UKC France MAX and reached the final. He won K1 Pro French title, K1 W.P.M.F European title and F-1 World Max Tournament. On 4 September, he won SportAccord Combat Games gold medal.
He defeated Dmitry Valent via decision at Nuit des Champions in Marseilles on November 24, 2012. [5] [6] [7]
On December 15, 2012, he defeated Luis Reis [8] and Jeremy Ragazzagi, [9] respectively, on points to win the WKN 75 kg Full Contact European Grand Prix at Full Night 6 in Agde, France.
Ghajji caused a major upset by winning the 72.5 kg Muay Thai tournament at La Nuit des Titans in Tours, France on February 2, 2013. In the semi-finals, he had his rubber match with Yohan Lidon and won on points after a close fight. Then, in the final, he knocked out the much-fancied Eakpracha Meenayotin in the first round with a combination of a high kick, straight left, knee and a huge right hand. [10] [11]
Ghajji KO'd Darko Delic at Explosion Fight Night 7 in Châteauroux, France on March 16, 2013. [12]
He made his debut with major kickboxing promotion Glory against Nieky Holzken at Glory 6: Istanbul in Istanbul Turkey on April 6, 2013, losing via TKO due to a cut in an extension round. [13] [14] [15]
Ghajji defeated Yuri Bessmertny via unanimous decision at Time Fight 3 in Tours, France on June 15, 2013. [16]
He was TKO'd by Joseph Valtellini late in round three at Glory 11: Chicago - Heavyweight Championship Tournament in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States on October 12, 2013. [17] [18] [19] [20]
He lost to Alexander Stetsurenko by unanimous decision in the Glory 13: Tokyo - Welterweight World Championship Tournament reserve match in Tokyo, Japan on December 21, 2013. [21] [22]
He defended his ISKA title during Final Fight 2, when he defeated Ruben Garcia Gonzales by decision. [23]
Ghajji took part in the 2015 Glory Welterweight Contender Tournament. He won a majority decision against Yoann Kongolo in the semi-finals, but lost a unanimous decision to Murthel Groenhart in the finals. [24]
In his next fight, Ghajji fought Mustapha Haida for the inaugural Bellator Kickboxing Welterweight Championship. Karim won by a split decision. [25] He lost the title in his first title defense against Zoltan Laszak by a split decision. [26] The two met again a year later, and Ghajji recaptured the title by a split decision. [27] Ghajji once again failed to defend the Bellator title, as he lost to Raymond Daniels by a first round TKO during Bellator KB 7. [28]
Ghajji defended the ISKA belt two additional times, against Enrico Carrara and Giannis Boukis, to bring his total tally of ISKA title defenses up to 15. [29]
In December 2020, Ghajji was scheduled to fight Cédric Doumbé for the Glory Welterweight Championship, as a late notice replacement for Murthel Groenhart. [30] He lost the title fight by a third round TKO. [31]
Ghajji faced Jordan Zebo in a MMA bout on May 20, 2022, at Ares FC 6. He lost by the way of unanimous decision. [32]
Ghajji faced Ammari Diedrick on January 20, 2023, at Ares FC 11, losing by the way of split decision. [33]
