Frank Muñoz (born 14 August 1983) 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.

Frank Muñoz
BornFrancisco Muñoz
(1983-08-14) August 14, 1983 (age 41)
Barcelona, Spain
Other namesThe Professor, Crazy Frank, La Pantera de Menorca
NationalitySpanish
Height1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Weight98–84 kg (216–185 lb; 15 st 6 lb – 13 st 3 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight light heavyweight - Middleweight
StyleKickboxing
Fighting out ofAmsterdam, Netherlands
TeamMoya Barcelona (2005- 2008)
Chakuriki Gym (2010-2013)
Vos Gym (2008-2010) Mousid gym 2013-2016 KOPS GYM Amsterdam 2016- 2017, AKA Gym California (2016-present)
TrainerBob "Crazy Bob"CookJavier Mendez Mousid Akhamrane Thom Harinck
Xavi Moya
Ivan Hippolyte
Years active2005 - present
Kickboxing record
Total83
Wins61
By knockout31
Losses21
Draws1
Other information
Websitewww.frankmunoz.net

Biography and career

edit

Frank Muñoz was adopted by Menorcan family and spent his first days on the island. He started kickboxing in Barcelona in 2005 at Esportrogent gym with former fullcontact champion Xavi Moya. He had been inspired after watching Remy Bonjasky fight on television.[1] In 2008 he moved to Amsterdam and joined Vos Gym. He was trained by Ivan Hippolyte and had famous sparring partners like Mirko Filipović, Remy Bonjasky. After that he joined Chakuriki Gym in 2010, trained by Thom Harinck alongside Le Banner, Braddock Silva, Peter Aerts and Hesdy Gerges he faced some top fighters.[2]

He was Spanish Muay thai professional champion, in 2010 he fought Brice Guidon for his WPMF European Heavyweight Muaythai title and lost the fight by split decision. In the same year he became Amsterdam fight club heavyweight tournament champion defeating Slovenian Jasmin Bečirović and Thiago Martina in the final.[3] Later that year he had debout for the world top promotion It's Showtime and lost to Rico Verhoeven by decision.

In 2011 he participated Enfusion: Quest for honor tournament. It was a TV Show featuring 15 fighters that live, train and fight together. During the show he defeated Sahak Parparyan and Redouan Cairo in SUPERKOMBAT, some of the best -95 kg fighters and went to the final tournament in Prague where he defeated Wendell Roche and loss to domestic Ondřej Hutník in the finals.

In 2012 he fought in a tournament for WKN kickboxing GP and lost in the finals to one of the best French kickboxers Stéphane Susperregui after extra round.[4][5] Then he fought Steve McKinnon for WBC Muaythai Super Cruiserweight World title and surprisingly lost the fight in the first round by overhand right knockout after only 16 seconds.[6][7]

On October 20, 2012 he became WAKO-Pro K-1 European champion defeating Toni Čatipović from Croatia after five rounds. In the second round Čatipović caught him with few elbows but without any cut that would hinder Muñoz to take victory. Later Čatipović was few times at the edge of knockout but managed to Finnish the fight, that clearly belonged to Muñoz.[8]

He was late replacement in a non-tournament bout at the K-1 World Grand Prix FINAL in Zagreb on March 15, 2013 and he lost to Mladen Brestovac via unanimous decision .[9][10]

He competed in the tournament at SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix 10 in Craiova, Romania on May 18, 2013. After defeating Nikolaj Falin via unanimous decision in the semi-finals, he lost a controversial unanimous decision to Sebastian Ciobanu following an extension round in the final.[11][12]

As much of the kickboxing community felt that Muñoz was very solid against Ciobanu, SUPERKOMBAT officials decided to award him with a wildcard spot in the SUPERKOMBAT Grand Prix 2013.[13]

He defeated Damien Garcia by unanimous decision in a rather lackluster fight at the K-1 World MAX 2013 World Championship Tournament Final 16 in Majorca, Spain on September 14, 2013.[14][15]

He faced Muamer Tufekčić on SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix 2013 Final Elimination in quarter finals. In second round Muñoz sent a low blow and referee counted to Tufekčić, at the end of the round Muamer was also deducted a point for clinching. In third round Muamer scored a knockdown but could not Finnish the fight and Muñoz won by judges split decision.[16][17][18]

He won the SUPERKOMAT World Grand Prix 2013 Final in Galați, Romania on December 21, 2013, beating D'Angelo Marshall by unanimous decision in the semi-finals before taking an extension round unanimous decision over Redouan Cairo in the final.[19] Graduated in International Sports Management & Business from the Hogeschool van Amsterdam class 2018.

Coached as a professional fighter by the greatest Dutch kickboxing pioneers such as Ivan Hyppolite, Mousid Akhamrane and godfather Thom Harinck, Frank absorbed the best of each coach and created a unique Kickboxing training style.

During his university internship in Chicago, he was hired as a professional sparring partner and standout strategy coach by Ultimate Fighting Championship champion Daniel Cormier. Frank helped Cormier in various fighting camps, eventually becoming the UFC light heavyweight championship in Boston. After training at the American Kickboxing Academy under head coach Javier Mendez, Frank's passion and willpower allow him to study the program in other prestigious American gyms such as Couture MMA (Las Vegas). Kings MMA (Huntington Beach) under master Rafael Cordeiro.

After the success in America, working with elite fighters and giving a Dutch kickboxing seminar tour, Frank was part of the Dutch Bellator Champion Gegard Mousasi team. (Leiden) The Netherlands.

The Swedish UFC greatest fighter of all time, Alexander Gustafsson, also hired Frank Munoz as a sparring partner and standout coach specialist at All Stars Gym Stockholm. One of the best mixed martial arts gymnastics in the UK London Shoot Fighters ask Frank Munoz training services for different fighters like the star Michael Venom Page.

All this experience collected Frank and not only developed a training system with the best of the best gyms in the world, Frank debuted in MMA with a technical knockout victory in Austria in 2019.

Frank currently works for the sports department of the Amsterdam gementee as a Martial Artist instructor, and several spot schools in Amsterdam. Frank is an active MMA athlete.

Honours and awards

edit

On January 24 after winning SUPERKOMAT World Grand Prix 2013 Final he was awarded with Silver Flabiol and won the "Ciutadellencs de s’Any 2013" award, becoming Sportsman of the year and the Honorary citizen of hometown Ciutadella de Menorca.[20] On April 17, 2014 Frank Muñoz was awarded in Menorca at the I Gala de l'es port menorqui with the Gold distinction as outstanding athlete 2013.[21]

Titles

edit

Professional

edit
  • 2013 SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix 2013 tournament champion
  • 2013 SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix II tournament runner up
  • 2012 WAKO-Pro K-1 European champion -94.2 kg
  • 2012 WKN kickboxing GP runner up[22]
  • 2011 Enfusion Quest for honor tournament runner up -95 kg
  • 2010 Amsterdam fight club heavyweight tournament champion
  • 2009 K-1 Spain Battles 2009 tournament runner up
  • Spanish muaythai pro champion

Amateur

edit
  • 2010 Spanish Olympic boxing championships  
  • 2008 Spanish Olympic boxing championships  
  • 2008 W.A.K.O. European Championships in Oporto, Portugal   −91 kg (K-1 rules)

Kickboxing record

edit
Professional Kickboxing Record
61 Wins (31 (T)KO's, 30 Decisions), 21 Losses, 1 Draw
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2016-09-10 Loss   Antonio Plazibat W5 European League XXXVI Zvolen, Slovakia Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2016-05-19 Loss   Fabrice Aurieng Capital Fights Paris, France Decision 3 3:00
2015-11-27 Loss   Mladen Kujundžić FFC21: Rijeka Rijeka, Croatia KO (Right High Kick) 2 2:43
FFC Light Heavyweight Title Eliminator.
2015-08-04 Win   Zinedine Hameur-Lain Fight Night Saint-Tropez[23] Saint Tropez, France Decision (Unanimous) 4 2:00
2015-03-13 Loss   Dževad Poturak FFC 7: Sarajevo Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2015-02-07 Loss   César Córdoba International Fighting Championship 2 Barcelona, Spain Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2014-12-07 Win   Nikolay Gusniev Tatneft Cup 2015 1st selection 1/8 final Kazan, Russia RTD 3 3:00
2013-12-21 Win   Redouan Cairo SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix 2013 Final, Final Galați, Romania Ext R. Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00
Wins 2013 SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix tournament title.
2013-12-21 Win   D'Angelo Marshall SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix 2013 Final, Semi Finals Galați, Romania Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2013-11-09 Win   Muamer Tufekčić SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix 2013 Final Elimination, Quarter Finals Ploiești, Romania Decision (Split) 3 3:00
Muñoz was awarded wildcard for the event after an appeal.
2013-09-14 Win   Damian Garcia K-1 World MAX 2013 World Championship Tournament Final 16 Majorca, Spain Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 2013.
2013-05-18 Loss   Sebastian Ciobanu SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix II 2013, Final Craiova, Romania Ext. R Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00
Fight was for SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix II tournament title.
2013-05-18 Win   Nikolaj Falin SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix II 2013, Semi Finals Craiova, Romania Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2013-03-15 Loss   Mladen Brestovac K-1 World Grand Prix FINAL in Zagreb, Super Fight Zagreb, Croatia Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2012-12-02 Draw   Alex Roberts REBELS, Legends 3 Kumamoto, Japan Draw 3 3:00
2012-10-20 Win   Toni Čatipović Grand Casino Origen Madrid, Spain Decision 5 3:00
Wins vacant WAKO Pro Muay Thai rules cruiser heavyweight European title -94.2 kg.
2012-06-09 Loss   Steve McKinnon Singha Battle For The Belts Bangkok, Thailand KO (Punch) 1 0:16
For McKinnon's WBC Muaythai Super Cruiserweight World title.
2012-04-28 Loss   Stéphane Susperregui Le Banner Series Acte 1, Final Geneva, Switzerland Ext.R.Decision 4 2:00
For WKN kickboxing GP -100 kg title.
2012-04-28 Win   Yuksel Ayaydin Le Banner Series Acte 1, Semi Finals Geneva, Switzerland Decision 3 2:00
2012-02-25 Loss   Goran Radonjić SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix I 2012 Podgorica, Montenegro Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2011-12-30 Loss   Ondřej Hutník Enfusion Kickboxing Tournament '11, Final Prague, Czech Republic Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
For Enfusion kickboxing tournament championship.
2011-12-30 Win   Wendell Roche Enfusion Kickboxing Tournament '11, Semi Finals Prague, Czech Republic Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2011-10-01 Win   Redouan Cairo SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix III 2011 Brăila, Romania Decision 3 3:00
2011-06-11 Loss   Nicolas Wamba 8ème Nuit des Sports de Combat Geneva, Switzerland Decision 5 2:00
2011-02-? Win   Marc Vlieger Enfusion Kickboxing Tournament '11, 2nd Round Koh Samui, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Qualifies for Enfusion Kickboxing 2011 Final 4.
2011-01-? Win   Sahak Parparyan Enfusion Kickboxing Tournament '11, 1st Round Koh Samui, Thailand Decision 3 3:00
Drops down from heavyweight to 95KG.
2010-12-18 Loss   Rico Verhoeven Fightclub presents: It's Showtime 2010 Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision 3 3:00
2010-11-27 Loss   Nathan Corbett Evolution 22 Gold Coast, Australia TKO (Referee stoppage) 3 N/A
2010-09-24 Win   Thiago Martina Amsterdam fight club, Final Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Amsterdam fight club heavyweight tournament champion.
2010-09-24 Win   Jasmin Bečirović Amsterdam fight club, Semi Finals Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision 3 3:00
2010-07-23 Loss   Brice Guidon Muay Thai France vs Thailand Stade de l'Est, Réunion Decision (Split) 5 3:00
For Guidon's WPMF European Heavyweight Muaythai title ( 91 kg).
2010-06-26 Loss   Slavo Polugić Best of Leone II Bern, Switzerland Decision N/A 3:00
2010-04-17 Win   Sam Nelson Spain V USA Barcelona, Spain TKO 1
2010-03-01 Win   Jim Richards Spain V USA Barcelona, Spain TKO 3 2:00
2010-02-27 Loss   Benjey Zimmerman Amsterdam Fightclub: Rotterdam vs Amsterdam, Semi Finals Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision 3 3:00
2009-11-? Win   Cristiano Delgado Gladiadores del Siglo XXI Málaga, Spain TKO (Doctor stoppage) 3 N/A
2009-10-04 Loss   Michael Duut Ring Rage III Groningen, Netherlands Decision 3 3:00
2009-08-18 Win   Yoel Garica Spanish Kickboxers Barcelona, Spain Decision 3 2:00
2009-07-10 Win   Nacho Spanish Heavyweights Barcelona, Spain Decision 3 2:00
2009-06-06 Loss   Damian Garcia K-1 Spain Battles 2009 Tournament (Heavyweight), Final Barcelona, Spain DQ 1 N/A
For K-1 Spain Battles 2009 Heavyweight Tournament Title.
2009-06-06 Win   Algirdas Valenta K-1 Spain Battles 2009 Tournament (Heavyweight), Semi Finals Barcelona, Spain TKO (Strikes) N/A N/A
2009-05-09 Loss   Ismael Londt SLAMM Catalonia vs Netherlands Barcelona, Spain Decision 3 3:00
2009-04-05 Win   Raul Salas WKN Spain Barcelona, Spain Decision 4 2:00
2009-03-14 Win   Erik Susunaga Pamplona, Spain RTD 3 3:00
2009-02-06 Loss   Fabrice Aurieng K-1 Kick Tournament in Marseille, Semi Finals Marseille, France Decision 3 3:00
2008-12-12 Win   Ismael Fernández Campeonato Del Mundo DE Full Contac Barcelona, Spain N/A N/A N/A
2008-07-25 Win   Hamza Kendircioglu The new generation of kickboxing, Team Europe vs Team Turkey Istanbul, Turkey NA 3 N/A
2008-06-01 Win   Saul Rosas KBF Barcelona, Spain Decision 3 2:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes
Amateur Kickboxing Record
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2009-10-24 Loss   Alexey Kudin W.A.K.O World Championships 2009, Low-Kick 1/4 Finals 91 kg Villach, Austria N/A N/A N/A
2009-10-24 Win   Ivan Bijelić W.A.K.O World Championships 2009, Low-Kick First Round 91 kg[24] Villach, Austria N/A N/A N/A
2008-11 Loss   Vladimir Mineev W.A.K.O European Championships 2008, K-1 Semi Finals -91 kg Porto, Portugal Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00
Wins W.A.K.O. European Championship '08 K-1 Bronze Medal -91 kg.
2008-11 Win   Alberto Morais W.A.K.O European Championships 2008, K-1 Quarter Finals -91 kg Porto, Portugal Decision (Split) 3 2:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "On the Upswing: FSA Talks to SUPERKOMBAT Star Frank Munoz | Fight Sport Asia". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  2. ^ "BIOGRAPHY - Frank Munoz". Archived from the original on October 26, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  3. ^ Daniel Romero (2010-09-27). "Frank Muñoz ganador Amsterdam Fight Club Tournament". Spaceboxing. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  4. ^ "Vijest - LE BANNER SERIES U GENEVI". croring.com.
  5. ^ "Le Banner Series: acte 1 | Muaythaitv". muaythaitv.fr.
  6. ^ Bulgaria, M. M. A. "Steve Mckinnon нокаутира Frank Munoz — MMA.BG". mma.bg (in Bulgarian).
  7. ^ "Muay Thai superstar Grand Prix in Bangkok". Bangkok Post.
  8. ^ "Frank Muñoz, rey europeo de Muay Thai » Deporte Menorca » Deportes » Ultima Hora Menorca". ultimahora.es. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  9. ^ Dave Walsh (10 January 2020). "K-1 World Grand Prix 2013 Live Results". liverkick.com.
  10. ^ Patrick L. Stumberg (15 March 2013). "K-1 World Grand Prix Final 8 results and LIVE kickboxing coverage from Zagreb, Croatia TODAY (March 15)". MMAmania.com.
  11. ^ Dave Walsh (5 February 2020). "Full Fight Card For This Week's Super Kombat WGP in Craiova". liverkick.com.
  12. ^ Dave Walsh (5 February 2020). "SuperKombat WGP Craiova Results". liverkick.com.
  13. ^ Dave Walsh (5 February 2020). "SuperKombat: Frank Munoz Receives a Wild Card in SK WGP". liverkick.com.
  14. ^ Dave Walsh (20 May 2017). "K-1 World MAX 2013 Final 16 Live Results". liverkick.com.
  15. ^ "K-1 World Max Final 16 2013 Results - Muay Thai Authority". muaythaiauthority.com. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20.
  16. ^ "Morosanu i Catinas slavili nokautima, Tufekčić poražen - Profightstore". Profightstore.hr. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  17. ^ Dave Walsh (21 March 2018). "SuperKombat Notes; Results and Nov. 9th Fight Card". liverkick.com.
  18. ^ Dave Walsh (5 March 2018). "Weekend Results: SuperKombat WGP Final Elimination". liverkick.com.
  19. ^ Dave Walsh (19 October 2018). "SuperKombat World Grand Prix Final Results". liverkick.com.
  20. ^ "Frank Muñoz, la "Delfín Serra" y Lluís Meca ganan los Fabiols del Casino Nou » Cultura » Menorca » Menorca.info - Es diari". Menorca.info. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  21. ^ "Dijous Sant es dur a terme sa Gala de s'Esport Menorquí - deportesmenorca.com". deportesmenorca.com. Archived from the original on 2014-05-06. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
  22. ^ "Resultat ACTE I | LE BANNER SERIES". Archived from the original on November 2, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  23. ^ "Croring Magazine - Vijest - Jerome Le Banner oprašta se protiv Mauricea Jacksona". Croring.com. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  24. ^ "Završen drugi dan Svjetskog kickboxing prvenstva - Profightstore". Profightstore.hr. 2009-10-24. Retrieved 2015-11-20.