Mark Miller (kickboxer)

Last updated
Mark "Fightshark" Miller
BornMark Jason Miller
(1971-09-17) September 17, 1971 (age 53)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other namesFightshark
Nationality Flag of the United States.svg American
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight220 lb (100 kg; 16 st)
Division Heavyweight
Style Kickboxing, Muay Thai
Fighting out of Los Angeles, California, U.S.
TeamIron City Gym
Team Fightshark
Golden Glory
Trainer Maurice Smith

Rob Kaman

Buddy McGirt
Years active1996-2012
Kickboxing record
Total24
Wins15
By knockout11
Losses8
Draws1
Last updated on: October 6, 2012

Mark Jason Miller [1] (born September 17, 1971) is a retired American kickboxer who competed in the heavyweight division. He is also a published author and artist.

Contents

Biography and career

Early life

Miller grew up in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and became involved with martial arts through his love of Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris films. His father took him to a boxing gym at a young age, and he also practiced Tang Soo Do, Hapkido, and Taekwondo as a child and teenager. He began competing in amateur boxing at the age of 18. [2]

Miller graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with degrees in economics and political science in December of 1993.

He later began Muay Thai and trained and fought in Thailand. [3]

Career

Mark Miller made his debut in the K-1 promotion in August 2000 at K-1 USA Championships 2000 , where he lost to Tommy Glanville via unanimous decision, suffering his first loss as a professional. He re-matched with Glanville in May the following year at K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Preliminary USA , and avenged his loss with a split decision victory. He then took on Dewey Cooper in August of 2001 at K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Las Vegas and lost by TKO in the 2nd round. In February 2002, he took part in the Grand Prix at K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Preliminary North America and lost to Canada's Giuseppe DeNatale in the first round. This was to be his last bout in K-1.

In August of 2006, Miller was set to compete in a bout for the S-1 Muay Thai promotion in Miami, Florida. However, he failed the Florida Athletic Commission's medical tests due to a heart condition. According to cardiologists, Miller had a 15% cardiac output due to a damaged aortic valve. [4] In September of 2007, he had open heart surgery to replace his aortic valve to repair the condition. [5]

He made his return to the ring on May 28, 2011 at United Glory 14: 2010-2011 World Series Finals in Moscow, Russia against Nikolaj Falin. Miller knocked Falin out with a right hook nine seconds into the first round. Following this match, Miller joined the famous Golden Glory gym in the Netherlands. [6]

10 months later, again in Moscow, Russia he faced Sergei Kharitonov at United Glory 15 in a fight where he gave up 46 pounds. Despite a strong early start, he succumbed to a massive right hand at the end of the first round losing by KO.

He faced Koichi Pettas at Glory 2: Brussels on October 6, 2012 in Brussels, Belgium [7] and lost via KO in the second round. [8] Due to suffering kidney failure in 2013, this would end up being the final fight of his professional career.

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record
15 Wins, 8 Losses, 1 Draw
DateResultOpponentEventLocationMethodRoundTime
2012-10-06Loss Flag of Japan.svg Koichi Pettas Glory 2: Brussels Brussels, Belgium KO (Right Cross)2
2012-03-23Loss Flag of Russia.svg Sergei Kharitonov United Glory 15 Moscow, Russia KO (Right Hook)11:59
2011-05-28Win Flag of Russia.svg Nikolaj Falin United Glory 14: 2010-2011 World Series Finals Moscow, Russia KO (right hook)10:09
2002-02-09Loss Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Giuseppe DeNatale K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Preliminary North America, Quarter Finals Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA TKO22:07
2001-08-11Loss Flag of the United States.svg Dewey Cooper K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada, USA TKO2
2001-05-05Win Flag of the United States.svg Tommy Glanville K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Preliminary USA Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision (split)53:00
2000-08-05Loss Flag of the United States.svg Tommy Glanville K-1 USA Championships 2000 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision (unanimous)33:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Personal life

Miller's memoir Pain Don't Hurt: Fighting Inside and Outside the Ring was published in July of 2014 by Ecco Press, an imprint of HarperCollins curated by chef and author Anthony Bourdain. The book, co-written with Miller's girlfriend at the time, Shelby Jones, tells of his origins in a troubled family, heart surgery, struggles with addiction, and his kickboxing career. Kirkus Reviews described the book as "thoughtful but unsentimental" and "a force to be reckoned with". [9] As of 2024, the memoir has a 4.7 out of 5 in reviews on Amazon Books. Miller had successful kidney and pancreas transplants at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in June of 2016.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Sefo</span> New Zealander kickboxer, boxer and mixed martial arts fighter

Ray Sefo is a New Zealand fight promoter and retired kickboxer, boxer, and mixed martial artist. He was the K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 Runner-up, is a six-time Muay Thai World Champion, and was an eight time K-1 World Grand Prix Finals tournament participant. He is the president of MMA promotion Professional Fighters League. In kickboxing, he defeated world champions Jerome Le Banner, Peter Aerts, Stefan Leko, Mike Bernardo, and Mark Hunt. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxers to have never won the K-1 World Grand Prix. As mixed martial artist, he most notably competed in the now defunct Strikeforce in 2009 and 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jérôme Le Banner</span> French kickboxer

Jérôme Philippe Le Banner is a French kickboxer, mixed martial artist, and professional wrestler. Le Banner fought for most of his career in K-1 and became known for his aggressive fighting style and knockout power. He is a 2-time K-1 World Grand Prix runner up, a 2-time K-1 Preliminary Grand Prix champion, and is a multiple time world champion in Kickboxing and Muay Thai. He holds notable victories over Ernesto Hoost (twice), Francisco Filho, Mark Hunt, Sam Greco, Mike Bernardo (twice), Peter Aerts, Rick Roufus, Remy Bonjasky, Tyrone Spong, Stefan Leko (twice), Masaaki Satake, Maurice Smith, Gary Goodridge (twice), Musashi (twice), Cyril Abidi and Choi Hong-man (twice).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Remy Bonjasky</span> Surinamese-Dutch former kickboxer

Remy Kenneth Bonjasky is a Surinamese-Dutch former kickboxer. He is a three-time K-1 World Grand Prix heavyweight champion, winning the title in 2003, 2004, and 2008. He is widely considered one of the greatest kickboxers of all time. Bonjasky has been known for his flying kicks, knee attacks and strong defense, hence the nickname "The Flying Gentleman".

Yoshihiro Sato is a Japanese kickboxer competing in K-1 at middleweight (−70 kg). He is the former world champion of Muay Thai in WKA and WPKC, and he won the Japanese national tournament of K-1 twice in 2006 and 2007. His official nickname is "Mugen Sniper" which means Infinite Sniper.

Stefan Leko is a German heavyweight kickboxer. He is the current WKA Super-Heavyweight world champion in kickboxing, and former Muay Thai world super-heavyweight champion and Kickboxing world super-heavyweight champion, WMTA, WKN, IKBO, IKBF, and WKA world champion, K-1 European Grand Prix 1998 champion, 1999 K-1 Dream champion and two time K-1 World Grand Prix in Las Vegas tournament champion. He fights out of Team Golden Glory in Breda, Netherlands under Cor Hemmers. Since 2011 Stefan Leko is coached and managed by Tom Trautsch and won two Heavyweight World Champion Titles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murat Direkçi</span>

Murat Direkci is a Belgian-Turkish middleweight kickboxer, fighting out of Universal Gym, Antwerp, Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Errol Zimmerman</span> Dutch kickboxer

Errol Zimmerman is a Curaçaoan-Dutch kickboxer, representing the Hemmers Gym in Breda, Netherlands. He is K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Amsterdam and SUPERKOMBAT Fight Club tournaments champion. Zimmerman is also former Glory Heavyweight Championship and K-1 Super Heavyweight Championship challenger. In 2011 WIPU voted him the Kickboxer of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gökhan Saki</span> Dutch kickboxer and mixed martial arts fighter

Gökhan Saki is a Turkish-Dutch kickboxer and mixed martial artist. He is a Dutch, European and World Muay Thai champion, K-1 World GP 2006 in Amsterdam tournament finalist, K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Hawaii champion and former Glory Light Heavyweight Champion. Saki also competed in the light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Ghiță</span> Romanian kickboxer and politician

Daniel Ghiță is a Romanian politician and former kickboxer, who serves as a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania since December 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mourad Bouzidi</span> Dutch kickboxer

Mourad "The Silent Power" Bouzidi is Dutch–Tunisian heavyweight kickboxer, fighting out of Dojo Kamakura/Team Aerts in The Hague, Netherlands. He is the current Dutch Heavyweight W.F.C.A. kickboxing champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anderson Silva (kickboxer)</span> Brazilian heavyweight kickboxer (born 1986)

Anderson Manoel da Silva, better known as Anderson Braddock, is a Brazilian heavyweight kickboxer and mixed martial artist. He has competed in the It's Showtime, K-1, SUPERKOMBAT, ONE Championship, and GLORY.

Mohamed "Real fighter" aka Machine Khamal is a Dutch-Moroccan welterweight Muay Thai kickboxer who fought out of Amsterdam, Netherlands for Vos Gym. He is the K-1 World MAX 2010 West Europe champion, who competed in K-1 MAX and It's Showtime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong</span> Thai Muay Thai kickboxer (born 1991)

Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong is a Thai Muay Thai kickboxer who is currently signed to ONE Championship. Sitthichai is a former Lumpinee Stadium Welterweight Champion and Glory Lightweight Champion. Combat Press ranks him as the #3 lightweight kickboxer in the world. As of October 27, 2022, he is ranked #3 in the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing rankings, and as of March 6, 2023, he is ranked #2 in the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai rankings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Igor Jurković</span> Croatian kickboxer

Igor Jurković is a Croatian heavyweight kickboxer fighting out of Poreč, Croatia. He was 6 times Croatian national champion 2004, 2005, 2006 in Thai boxing, and kickboxing champion 2005 in full contact, 2005 and 2006 in low kick rules, and also was sparring partner of Mirko Cro Cop. He has fought in K-1 and he is under contract with Glory promotion.

Bogdan Cristian Stoica is a Romanian professional kickboxer and boxer, and former wushu practitioner. Stoica is also one-time SUPERKOMBAT Cruiserweight Champion, one-time Enfusion Light Heavyweight and two-time wushu national champion. He was also ranked as a top-10 middleweight in the world for several years by LiverKick.com, CombatPress.com and GloryKickboxing.com. He has competed for GLORY, ONE Championship, SUPERKOMBAT Fighting Championship, Enfusion, Wu Lin Feng and Glory of Heroes.

Frank Muñoz is a Spanish heavyweight kickboxer, who has competed in the SUPERKOMBAT Fighting Championship, where he is a former 2013 SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix Tournament Champion. He is also the former WAKO-Pro K-1 European champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ky Hollenbeck</span> American kickboxer

Ky Conrad Hollenbeck is an American Muay Thai kickboxer who competes in the middleweight division. He won national and North American titles as an amateur in his teens before turning professional in 2007 and beating Billy Evangelista for the California state belt. He soon began competing internationally and rose to prominence when he took a decision victory over Steve Moxon in the final of a four-man tournament in 2010. The following year, Hollenbeck outpointed Gregory Choplin for the WBC Muaythai Interim World Middleweight Championship and then debuted in the Glory promotion in May 2012.

Marc de Bonte was a Belgian kickboxer who competed in the light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions. He won bronze at the IFMA World Championships in 2010 and silver in 2012 as an amateur, and debuted with the Glory promotion in October 2012. De Bonte went missing on the night/early morning of 4 and 5 November 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Filip Verlinden</span> Belgian kickboxer (born 1982)

Filip Verlinden is a Belgian kickboxer who competes in the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. Verlinden was introduced to the sport at an early age and came to prominence in 2008 when he won the WKA European Super Cruiserweight Muay Thai Championship, followed by the WKA World Cruiserweight title the following year. He then took the gold medal at the 2010 IFMA World Championships in the +91 kg/200 lb division as an amateur before a short stint in the It's Showtime promotion where he unsuccessfully challenged Danyo Ilunga for the It's Showtime 95MAX Championship in June 2012. Later that year, he joined Glory.

Jordan Watson is an English Muay Thai kickboxer who competes in the middleweight division. A powerful kicker, Watson began training in Muay Thai at six years old with Richard Smith at Bad Company, Leeds, UK and first came to prominence when he reached the final of the K-1 UK MAX Tournament 2007 Pain & Glory at nineteen. He won the ISKA World Super Welterweight Muay Thai Championship in 2010 and then found further recognition the following year by finishing as runner-up on The Challenger Muay Thai reality television show. He began fighting for Glory in 2012. He is the first ever and current Yokkao -70 kg champion.

References

  1. NSAC report of K-1 USA Championships 2000 Archived 2014-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Mark Miller Bio and Photos Archived 2011-06-30 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Mark Miller and the Iron City Gym Archived 2011-05-17 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Finally, the Heart-Champ Makes His Return! Archived 2011-05-31 at the Wayback Machine
  5. HKL Exclusive with Mark "Fight Shark" Miller Part 1: Early Career and Heart Surgery
  6. Mark "Fightshark" Miller joins Team Golden Glory
  7. "Glory 2: Brussels final fight card for this Saturday". Archived from the original on 2014-01-16. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  8. Glory 2: Brussels live results
  9. "PAIN Don't HURT | Kirkus Reviews".