Murat Direkci | |
---|---|
Born | Murat Direkci July 17, 1979 Antwerp, Belgium |
Nationality | Belgian Turkish |
Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
Weight | 77 kg (170 lb; 12.1 st) |
Division | Middleweight, Super Middleweight |
Style | Kickboxing, Muay Thai |
Team | Universal Gym |
Kickboxing record | |
Total | 88 |
Wins | 69 |
By knockout | 57 |
Losses | 17 |
By knockout | 4 |
Draws | 2 |
Last updated on: September 27, 2020 |
Murat Direkci (born 17 July 1975 [1] in Antwerp, Belgium) is a Belgian-Turkish middleweight kickboxer, fighting out of Universal Gym, Antwerp, Belgium.
Direkci was born in Antwerp, Belgium as the youngest son of three siblings to a family originally from Konya, Derebucak, Turkey. His sister Nuray died at the age of 4 due to a brain tumor, and his brother Ercan died in 2004 as a result of a traffic accident at 29. After completing his school education, Direkci studied at technical school with the intention of becoming an electrician. After a short while, he found a job as a doorman at a nightclub in Antwerp, however, and took up this career.
Direkcu began training in martial arts at the age of 15 and was originally trained by Jan Gooyvaers. In 1999, he began training under Jan Pasztjerik.
After becoming the Belgian, European and World champion in kickboxing and muay Thai, he made his K-1 debut against Fikri Tijarti at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Amsterdam in May 2006, winning by technical knockout in round 3. In February the following year, he faced former K-1 world champion Albert Kraus at the K-1 World MAX 2007 Japan Tournament in Tokyo and shocked the world by knocking Kraus out in the first round. After winning two more fights in K-1, over Joerie Mes and Satoruvaschicoba, he took part in the final 16 of the 2008 K-1 World MAX at K-1 World MAX 2008 World Championship Tournament Final 16 in April 2008 but lost to Yoshihiro Sato via decision.
On February 8, 2009, he became the It's Showtime 70MAX Champion by defeating Gago Drago via technical knockout at Fights at the Border presents: It's Showtime 2009 in his hometown of Antwerp. He made his first defence of the title against Morocco's Chahid Oulad El Hadj at It's Showtime 2009 Lommel in October 2009, before losing it to Congolese Muay Thai fighter Chris Ngimbi at Yiannis Evgenikos presents: It's Showtime Athens in December 2010.
Direkci lost a decision to Robin van Roosmalen at It's Showtime 2012 in Leeuwarden on January 28, 2012. Following the fight, he announced his retirement. [2]
He would then come out of retirement, however, to face Nieky Holzken at Glory 2: Brussels on October 6, 2012 in Brussels, Belgium. He apparently decided that he will no longer cut weight for his fights and will fight Holzken at 78 kg as opposed to his usual division of 70 kg. [3] He lost via TKO due to a cut in the second round. [4]
He lost to Canadian prospect Joseph Valtellini via TKO due to corner stoppage in round two at Glory 6: Istanbul in Istanbul, Turkey on April 6, 2013. [5] [6] [7]
In July 2019, Enfusion announced Murat would return after a six year hiatus. [8] Two weeks later, they announced Hafid El Boustati as his opponent. [9] The two of them met during Enfusion 90, with El Boustati winning a split decision. [10]
68 Wins (57 (T)KO's, 11 decisions), 17 Losses, 2 Draws | ||||||||
Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019-11-02 | Loss | Hafid El Boustati | Enfusion Live 90 | Antwerp, Belgium | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2013-04-06 | Loss | Joseph Valtellini | Glory 6: Istanbul | Istanbul, Turkey | TKO (corner stoppage) | 2 | ||
2012-10-06 | Loss | Nieky Holzken | Glory 2: Brussels | Brussels, Belgium | TKO (cut) | 2 | ||
2012-01-28 | Loss | Robin van Roosmalen | It's Showtime 2012 in Leeuwarden | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (Majority) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2011-09-24 | Loss | Chris Ngimbi | BFN Group & Music Hall presents: It's Showtime "Fast & Furious 70MAX", Quarter Finals | Brussels, Belgium | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2010-12-11 | Loss | Chris Ngimbi | Yiannis Evgenikos presents: It's Showtime Athens | Athens, Greece | Decision (5-0) | 5 | 3:00 | |
Loses his It's Showtime 70MAX Championship. | ||||||||
2010-10-10 | Win | Enriko Kehl | Mix Fight Gala 10 | Darmstadt, Germany | TKO | 1 | 2:37 | |
2010-05-29 | Loss | Artur Kyshenko | It's Showtime 2010 Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (4-1) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2009-11-21 | Win | William Diender | It's Showtime 2009 Barneveld | Barneveld, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2009-10-24 | Win | Chahid Oulad El Hadj | It's Showtime 2009 Lommel | Lommel, Belgium | TKO (Doctor Stoppage, Cut) | 1 | ||
Retains It's Showtime 70MAX Championship. | ||||||||
2009-05-16 | Win | Brian Lo-A-Njoe | It's Showtime 2009 Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | TKO (Referee Stoppage) | 2 | N/A | |
2009-02-08 | Win | Gago Drago | Fights at the Border presents: It's Showtime 2009 | Antwerp, Belgium | TKO (Referee Stoppage) | 1 | 2:23 | |
Wins inaugural It's Showtime 70MAX Championship. | ||||||||
2008-11-29 | Win | Perry Ubeda | It's Showtime 2008 Eindhoven | Eindhoven, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2008-10-05 | Loss | Tarik El Idrissi | Tough Is Not Enough | Rotterdam, Netherlands | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | 2 | ||
Fight was for W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" K-1 Rules super welterweight title -70 kg. | ||||||||
2008-05-24 | Loss | Chahid Oulad El Hadj | Gentleman Promotions Fightnight | Tilburg, Netherlands | TKO (Referee Stoppage) | 3 | ||
2008-04-09 | Loss | Yoshihiro Sato | K-1 World MAX 2008 Final 16 | Hiroshima, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
Fails to qualify for K-1 World MAX 2008 Final 8. | ||||||||
2008-03-15 | Draw | Faldir Chahbari | It's Showtime 75MAX Trophy Final 2008, Super Fight | 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands | Decision Draw | 3 | 3:00 | |
2007-10-03 | Win | Satoruvashicoba | K-1 World MAX 2007 Final, Reserve Fight | Tokyo, Japan | KO (Left Hook) | 2 | 0:39 | |
2007-06-23 | Win | Joerie Mes | K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | 1 | 1:40 | |
2007-03-24 | Draw | Salah Edine Ait Naceur | It's Showtime Trophy 2007, Super Fight | Lommel, Belgium | Decision Draw | 3 | 3:00 | |
2007-02-05 | Win | Albert Kraus | K-1 World MAX 2007 Japan Tournament | Tokyo, Japan | KO (Left Hook) | 1 | 1:27 | |
2006-11-12 | Win | Ray Staring | 2H2H Ahoy | Rotterdam, Netherlands | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | |||
2006-05-13 | Win | Fikri Tijarti | K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | TKO (Referee Stoppage) | 3 | 2:10 | |
2006-02-03 | Win | Abdil Boukari | WFCA Gala | Roosendaal, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
2005-11-13 | Loss | Faldir Chahbari | WFCA Thai-Kickbox Gala | Nijmegen, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
Fight was for W.F.C.A. Thai-boxing junior middleweight European title -69.85 kg. | ||||||||
2005-09-25 | Win | Roland Vörös | Thaiboxing Gala, Arenahal | Deurne, Belgium | TKO | 2 | ||
2005-06-12 | Loss | Gago Drago | It's Showtime 2005 Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
2005-04-30 | Win | Melvin Rozenblad | Queens Fight Night | Eindhoven, Netherlands | KO | |||
2004-02-28 | Win | Janos Szenasi | Thaiboxing Gala | Mons, Belgium | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
2004-01-12 | Win | Nadir Larecht | Fights at the Border III | Lommel, Belgium | KO | 1 | ||
2003-10-18 | Win | Anthony Bassnett | Gala in Deurne | Deurne, Belgium | TKO | 3 | ||
Wins W.F.C.A. Thai-Boxing World title -70kg. | ||||||||
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes |
Gagik Harutyunyan, better known as Gago Drago, is an Armenian-born Dutch welterweight kickboxer from Alkmaar. He is known for his punch combinations and unpredictable kicking techniques and highly aggressive fighting style. Gago competed in K1-MAX and is trained at Loeks Gym, by Edwin van Os.
Artur Kyshenko is a Ukrainian middleweight kickboxer, fighting out of Kyshenko Gym. He is the 2015 Kunlun Fight 80 kg Tournament World Champion and K-1 World MAX 2008 Finalist.He was ranked as the #1 Welterweight in the world by Combat Press from September 2017 until February 2020, when he transitioned into boxing. He had been continually ranked in the welterweight top ten by Combat Press since September 2014. On 24 July 2019, Kyshenko was suspended for 4 years by National Anti-Doping Agency of France (AFLD) after testing positive for prohibited substances.
Nicolaas Hubertus Holzken is a Dutch kickboxer and professional boxer currently signed to ONE Championship, where he competes in the Lightweight division. He is the former Glory Welterweight Champion. In 2018, Holzken participated in the World Boxing Super Series as a substitute.
Hesdy Gerges is a Dutch kickboxer and mixed martial artist. He held the It's Showtime World Heavyweight title between 2010 and 2012. Gerges has competed in the K-1, It's Showtime, SUPERKOMBAT and Glory promotions.
Karim Ghajji, is a French-Moroccan kickboxer and B-boy. He is a former Glory Welterweight Championship challenger.
Robin van Roosmalen is a Dutch retired kickboxer and mixed martial artist. He is the former Glory Featherweight Champion and former Glory Lightweight Champion.
L'houcine "Aussie" Ouzgni is a Dutch-Moroccan former Light Heavyweight/Middleweight Muay Thai kickboxer. Aussie was known as a firm fan favorite in the Netherlands due to his exciting style and knockout power, likened to a smaller version of fellow Dutch-Moroccan fighter Badr Hari. He is a three time Dutch national Muay Thai champion and a It's Showtime world champion.
Ali Gunyar is a Turkish-Dutch middleweight Muay Thai kickboxer fighting out of Eindhoven, Netherlands for Team Gunyar, where he is trained by his brother Suleyman Gunyar. Ali is a four-time kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion, who has made appearances for the K-1 MAX, SuperLeague and It's Showtime organizations. As of 2011 Ali is the current W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" super middleweight world champion in K-1 rules
Chris "The African Warrior" Ngimbi is a Congolese-Dutch Muay Thai kickboxer fighting out of Ngimbi Sports Academy in Pelt, Belgium. He is the two times It's Showtime 70MAX world champion fighting primarily within the It's Showtime and the K-1 Global Holding organizations. He also held the SUPERKOMBAT Middleweight Championship in 2016.
Pajonsuk is a Thai middleweight Muay Thai-kickboxer fighting out of Superpro Samui in Koh Samui, Thailand. He is a former Lumpinee Stadium and three-time world Muay Thai champion. As well as fighting in Muay Thai and kickboxing, Pajonsuk has also pursued an amateur boxing career, most recently participating in the 2008 Olympic Games representing Thailand.
Murthel Cyrill Dwyth Groenhart is a Dutch-Surinamese kickboxer and mixed martial artist. Groenhart is the 2012 K-1 World MAX World Championship Tournament Champion and former Glory Welterweight Champion.
Sahak "Hak" Parparyan is an Armenian kickboxer, who is sometimes referred to as Sahak "Hak" Avetisyan. He’s a former It's Showtime 85MAX world champion and was ranked number one in the world from 2011-2012 before fighting Franci Grajš.
Enfusion is a Dutch kickboxing promotion company based in Alkmaar, Netherlands. Labelled as one of the top kickboxing organizations in the world. It produces events worldwide, which showcase twelve kickboxing weight classes.
Abraham Roqueñi Iglesias is a Spanish welterweight kickboxer. He was the K-1 MAX Spain 2004 tournament winner, and is a former ISKA, WAKO and WFCA world champion. He holds notable wins over Gago Drago, Luis Reis, Andy Souwer, Giga Chikadze, and Artur Kyshenko.
Harut Grigorian is an Armenian-Belgian kickboxer and former Glory Welterweight Champion. He has also competed in the It's Showtime and K-1 promotions.
Davit Kiria, also spelled as David Kyria, is a Georgian kickboxer who competes in the Featherweight and Lightweight divisions.
Andy Ristie is a Surinamese-Dutch kickboxer who competes in the lightweight division. After an unremarkable beginning to his career, he came to prominence with a lengthy and entertaining winning streak in the It's Showtime promotion in 2011 and 2012. This earned him an invite to fight amongst the 70 kg/154 lb division's elite, competing in the K-1 World MAX 2012 Tournament and debuting in Glory shortly after.
Karapet Karapetyan, also known as Karapet Papijan is an Armenian-Dutch kickboxer who competes in the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. A professional since 2002, Karapetyan established himself on the Dutch scene by becoming a national champion and having a short stint in the It's Showtime promotion before two ill-fated world title shots in 2012. He signed with Glory the following year. As of 2 November 2015, he is ranked the #3 welterweight in the world by GLORY.
Robin Ciric is a Dutch kickboxer currently competing in the welterweight division. He is the former Enfusion 80 kg champion.
Ibrahim El Boustati is a Dutch-Moroccan kickboxer competing as a cruiserweight and Middleweight in Enfusion and has spent his whole career fighting under their banner. He has held titles in three different weight classes in the organization, thrice at 187 lbs, and once in the 198 lbs He has throughout his career been ranked as one of the best kickboxers in the world.