Zhora Akopyan (born 6 November 1997) is a Belarusian-Armenian kickboxer. He is the former Fair Fight welterweight champion, FEA WGP lightweight champion and the 2019 Tatneft Cup lightweight tournament winner.

Zhora Akopyan
BornZhora Gevorgovich Akopyan
(1997-11-06) November 6, 1997 (age 26)
Akhalkalaki, Georgia
Native nameЖора Акопян
NationalityArmenian
Belarusian
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10+12 in)
Weight70 kg (150 lb; 11 st)
StyleMuay Thai, Kickboxing
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofMinsk, Belarus
TeamGridin Gym[1]
TrainerAndrei Gridin
Years active2013 - present
Kickboxing record
Total35
Wins29
By knockout9
Losses6
By knockout0

Kickboxing career

edit

Akopyan grew up in Polotsk, Belarus, he practiced Karate as a child. His uncle noticed his love for martial arts and brought him to a Muay Thai and Kickboxing club in his hometown when Zhora was 11. Akopyan won the IFMA gold medal in 2014 after five years of training. The following year he moved to Minsk to join Gridin gym and try to breakout in the professional world.[2]

Akopyan was scheduled to face Eduard King at KOK Elimination Tournament on October 6, 2018. He won the fight by a second-round knockout.[3]

Akopyan was scheduled to face Mirkko Moisar at Number One Fight Show 11 on May 14, 2019. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[citation needed]

Akopyan was scheduled to face Vladislav Ukrainets, in 1/8 of the -70 kg tournament held on June 11, 2019. The fight went into an extra round, after which Akopyan won the decision.[4] A month later, on July 20, Akopyan faced Yanis Budagov in the tournament quarterfinals. The fight once again went into an extra round, after which he was awarded a decision.[5]

Akopyan was scheduled to participate in the FEA World Grand Prix, held on August 17, 2019. He beat Stanislav Kazantsev by unanimous decision in the tournament semifinals. Advancing to the finals, he faced Constantin Rusu, whom he beat by decision, after an extra round was fought.[6]

Akopyan was scheduled to face Ilya Sokolov in the semifinals of the Tatneft Cup, held on October 4, 2019. He won the fight by decision, after an extra round was fought.[7]

Akopyan was scheduled to face Ivan Kondratiev in the finals of the 2019 Tatneft Cup -70 kg tournament, held on December 15, 2019. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[8]

Akopyan was scheduled to fight a rematch with Rafał Dudek at MGC Promotion on February 29, 2020. The two of them previously fought at DSF Kickboxing Challenge on August 9, 2018, with Dudek winning by decision. Akopyan was more successful in the rematch, as he won by unanimous decision.[9]

Akopyan was scheduled to face Maxim Spodarenko at BFC 65 on December 23, 2020. He won the fight by split decision.[10]

Akopyan was scheduled to fight Maxim Sulgin for the vacant Fair Fight -77 kg title at Fair Fight XV on August 28, 2021. He won the fight by split decision.[11]

Akopyan was scheduled to face Jonathan Mayezo at Empire Fight - Vikings Edition on October 2, 2021. He lost the fight by majority decision.[12]

Akopyan was scheduled to face Fabien Bignell at Tour Event Fight 9 on April 2, 2022.[13] Akopyan withdrew from the bout, as the French Federation did not allow him to compete due to sanctions against Belarus in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[14]

Akopyan faced Mamuka Usubyan at Fair Fight XVII on April 16, 2022 for the Fair Fight Lightweight title.[15] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[16]

Akpyan defeated Daniele Iodice by unanimous decision at PetrosyanMania GOLD EDITION in Italy on April 30, 2022.[17]

Akopyan faced Sayfullah Khambakadov in a Fair Fight lightweight title eliminator at RCC Fair Fight 19 on November 26, 2022.[18] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[19]

Akopyan was expected to face Vasilii Semenov in the Fair Fight lightweight tournament semifinals at RCC Fair Fight 20 on February 18, 2023. He was forced to withdraw with an injury and the bout was rescheduled for RCC 15 on May 13, 2023.[20] He won the fight by decision.

On February 8, 2024, it was announced that Akopyan would be one of sixteen participants of the 2024 K-1 World MAX Final 16, which took place on March 20, 2024.[21] He faced Taras Hnatchuk at K-1 World MAX 2024 - World Tournament Opening Round on March 20, 2024. Akopyan won the fight by unanimous decision.[22]

Championships and accomplishments

edit

Professional

  • TatNeft Arena
    • 2019 Tatneft Cup Lightweight (-70 kg) Tournament Winner[23]
  • FEA World Grand Prix
    • 2019 FEA WGP Lightweight (-71 kg) Championship[24]
  • Fair Fight
    • 2021 Fair Fight Welterweight (-77 kg) Championship[25]
  • Multi Fight Club
    • 2022 MFC Lightweight (-71 kg) Championship

Amateur

Fight record

edit
Professional Kickboxing Record
29 Wins (9 (T)KO's), 6 Losses
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2024-10-05 Loss   Darryl Verdonk K-1 World GP 2024 in Osaka Osaka, Japan Ext.R Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00
2024-07-07 Loss   Kacper Muszyński K-1 World MAX 2024 - World Championship Tournament Final, Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2024-03-20 Win   Taras Hnatchuk K-1 World MAX 2024 - World Tournament Opening Round Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Qualifies for K-1 World MAX 2024 World Championship Final.
2024-02-03 Win   Andrey Elin RCC Fair Fight 26 Yekaterinburg, Russia KO (Knee to the head) 1
2023-09-23 Loss   Aleksei Ulianov RCC Intro 28 Yekaterinburg, Russia Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
For the interim RCC Fair Fight -70kg title.
2023-05-13 Win   Vasilii Semenov RCC 15 Yekaterinburg, Russia Ext. R. Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00
2022-11-26 Win   Saifullah Khambakhadov RCC Fair Fight 19 Yekaterinburg, Russia Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2022-04-30 Win   Daniele Iodice PetrosyanMania GOLD EDITION Milan, Italy Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2022-04-16 Loss   Mamuka Usubyan Fair Fight XVII Yekaterinburg, Russia Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
For the Fair Fight -70kg title.
2022-03-05 Win   Abdalla Nagy MFC 1 Yerevan, Armenia TKO (Punches) 4 0:30
Wins the inaugural MFC -72kg title.
2021-10-02 Loss   Jonathan Mayezo Empire Fight - Vikings Edition Montbéliard, France Decision (Majority) 5 3:00
For the Empire Fight Kickboxing -70kg Title.
2021-08-28 Win   Maxim Sulgin Fair Fight XV Yekaterinburg, Russia Decision (Split) 5 3:00
Wins the vacant Fair Fight -77kg title.
2021-08-07 Win   Mathieu Tavares Number One Fight Show 13 Tallinn, Estonia KO (Left Hook to the Body) 2
2020-12-23 Win   Maxim Spodarenko BFC 65 Minsk, Belarus Decision (Split) 3 3:00
2020-03-21 Win   Vladislav Ukrainets Fair Fight XI Yekaterinburg, Russia KO (Left Hook to the Body) 2
2020-02-29 Win   Rafał Dudek MGC Promotion Minsk, Belarus Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2019-12-15 Win   Ivan Kondratev Tatneft Cup, -70 kg Tournament Final Kazan, Russia Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Wins 2019 Tatneft Cup -70kg title.
2019-11-23 Win   Aaras Anass Number One Fight Show Tallinn, Estonia KO (Punches) 2 2:32
2019-10-04 Win   Ilya Sokolov Tatneft Cup, -70 kg Tournament Semi Final Kazan, Russia Ext.R Decision 4 3:00
2019-08-17 Win   Constantin Rusu FEA WGP, Final Odesa, Ukraine Ext.R Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00
Wins FEA WGP -71kg title.
2019-08-17 Win   Stanislav Kazantsev FEA WGP, Semi Final Odesa, Ukraine Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2019-07-20 Win   Yanis Budagov Tatneft Cup, -70 kg Tournament Quarter Final Kazan, Russia Ext.R Decision 4 3:00
2019-06-11 Win   Vladislav Ukrainets Tatneft Cup, -70 kg Tournament 1/8 Final Kazan, Russia Ext.R Decision 4 3:00
2019-05-14 Win   Mirkko Moisar Number One Fight Show 11 Tallinn, Estonia Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2018-10-06 Win   Eduard King KOK Elimination Tournament Chișinău, Moldova KO 2
2018-08-09 Loss   Rafał Dudek DSF Kickboxing Challenge Twierdza, Poland Decision 3 3:00
2017-11-17 Win   Dmitry Nikokoshev Royal Fight Minsk Minsk, Belarus Decision 3 3:00
2016-04-23 Win   Henrikas Vikšraitis Lithuania Decision 3 3:00
2016-04-23 Win   Sigurds Krauklis Lithuania KO 2
2015-11-10 Win   Erlandas Kaminsky Latvia KO 1
2015-11-10 Win   Elvis Jansons Latvia Decision 3 3:00
2015-05-23 Win   Kirill Andreev Latvia KO 1
2014-01-26 Win   Ilya Kharlamov League of combat Belarus Decision 3 3:00
2014-01-26 Win   Maxim Savchits League of combat Belarus Decision 3 3:00
2013-02-23 Win   Dmitry Filonchik Belarus Decision 3 3:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes
Amateur Muay Thai Record
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2014-05- Win   Corrie Ellis IFMA World Championship, Final Malaysia Decision
Wins IFMA World Championship Junior -67kg Gold Medal.
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Zhora Akopyan Interview". www.kickboxingz.com.
  2. ^ "Самые перспективные тайбоксеры Беларуси". www.fightershop.by.
  3. ^ "Роман Крыкля стал чемпионом в супертяжелом весе и остальные результаты ивента". mmaugly.com. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Победа Мамазулунова и другие результаты боев по правилам TNA". orionawards.com. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Первые четвертьфиналы Кубка TNA - мощь, эстетика и взрыв эмоций". sports.ru. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Армянский кикбоксер Акопян победил Русу в поединке за титул чемпиона FEA в легком весе". ua.tribuna.com. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Полуфиналы турнира «Бои по правилам TNA на Кубок ТатНефть 2019». Видео". superkarate.ru. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Финалы Боёв ТNA. Фрик-шоу Дацик - Ле Баннер. Видео всех поединков". superkarate.ru. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  9. ^ "Mixed Gladiator Championship 2: победа Акопяна и остальные результаты". kickrecord.com. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Результаты BFC 65". mixfight.by. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  11. ^ "Жесткие нокауты и "Бэтмен против Супермена": в Екатеринбурге завершился турнир по кикбоксингу". e1.ru. 29 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  12. ^ "Boxe thaï : Jimmy Vienot décroche la ceinture mondiale à Montbéliard". estrepublicain.fr. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Tour Event Fight 9: Bignell – Akopian in the main event". headkicknews.com. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  14. ^ "Tour Event Fight 9 : changement d'adversaire pour Bignell". headkicknews.com. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  15. ^ "В российском промоушене может появиться двойной чемпион. В Екатеринбурге сводят чемпионов из разных весовых категорий". sports.ru. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  16. ^ "Запрещенные удары и кровавое месиво: в Екатеринбурге прошел турнир по профессиональному кикбоксингу". e1.ru. 17 April 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  17. ^ Colombo, Guido. "PETROSYANMANIA 'GOLD EDITION' RESULTS: 'THE DOCTOR' CRUISES TO VICTORY". combatpress.com. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  18. ^ "Жора Акопян сразится с Хамбахадовым на Fair Fight". vahesport.ru. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  19. ^ "Жора Акопян победил Хамбахадова на RCC Fair Fight (видео)". vahesport.ru. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  20. ^ Pico, Borna (11 May 2023). "Top Ranked Light Heavyweight Nikita Kozlov to Face Gustavo Jones, Zhora Akopyan to Face Vasilii Semenov on May 13". beyondkick.com. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  21. ^ "【K-1】16名による-70kg世界最強決定トーナメントの出場者12名が決定、GLORY世界1位コプリヴレンスキー、元GLORY世界王者ダビッド・キリアら参戦。チンギス・アラ..." ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  22. ^ "【K-1】"アラゾフの後継者"アカピャン、残り10秒でダウン奪う快勝!ウクライナ新鋭を撃破(イーファイト)". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  23. ^ "2019 Tatneft Cup Kickboxing Finals Results". wwwkickboxingz.com.
  24. ^ "FEA World Grand Prix Results Zhuravlev demolishes Ozer Akopyan wins four man tournament". www.combatpress.com.
  25. ^ "Вышел на замену за несколько дней до боя и завоевал чемпионский пояс: Жора Акопян и Максим Сульгин закатили яркий бой". sports.ru.
  26. ^ "IFMA OFFICIAL-RESULTS-WC2014- PDF" (PDF). www.ifmamuaythai.org.