Superkombat Fighting Championship

SUPERKOMBAT
SportKickboxing
Founded2011
FounderEduard Irimia
Ceased2021 (2021)
CountryRomania
HeadquartersBucharest, Romania
Broadcaster(s)Eurosport[1]
Combate Channel[2]
FightBox[3]
Fight Now TV
CBS Sports
Official websitesuperkombat.com Archived 2015-05-06 at the Wayback Machine

The Superkombat Fighting Championship stylized as SUPERKOMBAT or SK, was a Romanian kickboxing and mixed martial arts promotion based in Bucharest, Romania.[4] The organization was considered one of the world’s top kickboxing organizations[5] and at one point the largest kickboxing promotion in Europe,[6][7] featuring some of the highest-level fighters in the sport on its roster.

Superkombat rose to prominence during the decline of the Japanese kickboxing giant K-1 in 2011.[8] The next year, the organization partnered with K-1, assisting with event production, European talent recruitment and co-promoted K-1's 2012 event series in USA, Greece and Japan such as the K-1 World Grand Prix.[9][7] Superkombat had partnerships with the World Kickboxing Network and WAKO for event sanctioning.[10] Superkombat founder Eduard Irimia was awarded the Promoter of the Year 2011 by WIPU (World Independent Promoters Union) winning over kickboxing powerhouses Its Showtime and United Glory, an award who had previously been given to boxing promoter Don King.[11] In 2016, the promotion held the Superkombat World Grand Prix IV 2016 which drew a record-setting attendance of 34,000 spectators in Comănești, Romania.[12] This set a new European audience record for kickboxing, surpassing the previous mark of 25,000 set at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Amsterdam.[13] The next highest attendances were 20,000 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Amsterdam, and 9,000 at GLORY 26: Amsterdam in 2015, which featured the promotion’s two biggest Dutch stars, Nieky Holzken and Rico Verhoeven.[14]

History

Promoter Eduard Irimia built Local Kombat into a national sensation in Romania and in 2004 co-promoted in partnership with World Kickboxing Network, the first major world championship held on Romanian soil in kickboxing history.[15][16] In 2009, Irimia made cover of the first issue of Forbes Romania magazine.[17][18] Local Kombat eventually rebranded as Superkombat in 2011 and rose to global success during the decline of Japan's top kickboxing organization K-1 which catapulted Irimia to one of the most influential figures in kickboxing.[8] Stephane Cabrera, President of the World Kickboxing Network stated that: "Kickboxing was completely unknown in Romania. Now their fighters are even more popular than football players. Eduard Irimia is now one of the biggest European promoters who makes a Superkombat show every month live on Eurosport, with a large and serious audience."[16] Superkombat and Eurosport announced a three-year broadcast deal, and ultimately lasted until the end of 2016.[1] Fight Now TV was the exclusive broadcaster in the United States and the partnership started with Superkombat World Grand Prix III 2013.[19] On December 14, 2016, the promotion announced a one-year broadcast deal with CBS Sports, through its subsidiary CBS Sports Network, to air events in the United States.[20] The deal included six events for 2017.[21] In Brazil, Superkombat events were broadcast on Combate Channel from Globosat.[2] FightBox aired Superkombat fights in over 40 countries around the world.[3] The promotion was featured in the TV magazine program Eurosport Fight Club.[22] Bob Sapp and Alexandru Lungu won Special Fight of the Year for their match at Superkombat World Grand Prix IV 2011.[23][24]

On August 10, 2012, SK entered in a co-promotion agreement with Japanese-based kickboxing promotion K-1 was announced.[7]Though the agreement would eventually end, SK president Eduard Irimia stated that while its company will be independent in 2013, it will still continue to have cooperation with any interested promotion, including K-1, by exchanging fighters.[25] In November 2012, Superkombat announced that it would host a major mixed martial arts event in Bucharest, Romania. The competition was scheduled to take place on December 22 at the Polivalenta Hall and featured fighters from multiple countries. According to the organizers, the event was expected to attract a global audience and was part of Superkombat's strategy to expand its international presence.[26]

In 2013, Superkombat expanded internationally through strategic support from Syrian-born entrepreneurs Basel and Khaled Fetrawi. Their involvement as official ambassadors contributed to the organization’s ability to host events in new markets such as Dubai and secure broader global broadcast distribution.[27] The promotion donated all revenues from tickets sales for Superkombat World Grand Prix 2013 Final to flood victims in Galați County[28] and in 2015 donated half of ticket sales for Superkombat World Grand Prix 2015 Final to Colectiv nightclub fire victims.[29] The same year, Tarik Khbabez faced Roman Kryklia in the SUPERKOMBAT Heavyweight Grand Prix finals and won by decision.[30][31] Superkombat champion Cătălin Moroșanu was scheduled to face Badr Hari at Global Fighting Championship Fight Series 4 in Dubai, but the fight never materialized.[32] Khbabez faced Kryklia again in 2019 for the inaugural ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Championship. Going into the fight as a favorite, Khbabez lost by TKO in the second round.[33] In 2018, the promotion only held one event named SUPERKOMBAT Dream at the Magic Place in Bucharest, Romania.[34][35]

Notable competitors

List of athletes who competed in :

Events

# Event Date Venue Location Attendance
059 Superkombat Dream Mar 25, 2018 Magic Place Grant Romania Bucharest, Romania —
058 Superkombat New Heroes 11 Nov 24, 2017 Aqua Blue Romania Târgoviște, Romania —
057 Superkombat In the Cage Oct 30, 2017 Lux Divina Romania Brașov, Romania —
056 Superkombat Expo Sep 17, 2017 Romexpo Romania Bucharest, Romania —
055 Superkombat World Grand Prix III 2017 Aug 26, 2017 Shenzhen Arena China Shenzhen, China —
054 Superkombat Special Edition II China Aug 12, 2017 Shenzhen Arena China Shenzhen, China —
053 Superkombat Special Edition China Jul 29, 2017 Shenzhen Arena China Shenzhen, China —
052 [Superkombat World Grand Prix II 2017 May 6, 2017 Palacio Vistalegre Spain Madrid, Spain 6,000
051 Superkombat World Grand Prix I 2017 Apr 7, 2017 Romexpo Dome Romania Bucharest, Romania —
050 Superkombat New Heroes 10 Mar 12, 2017 Berăria H Romania Bucharest, Romania —
049 Superkombat World Grand Prix 2016 Final Nov 12, 2016 Bucharest Arena Romania Bucharest, Romania 3,000
048 Superkombat World Grand Prix 2016 Final Elimination Oct 1, 2016 Iași Arena Romania Iași, Romania 2,500
047 Superkombat World Grand Prix IV 2016 Aug 6, 2016 Galleon Hill Romania Comănești, Romania 34,000
046 Superkombat World Grand Prix III 2016 Jul 30, 2016 Tenis Club Idu Romania Mamaia, Romania 2,000
045 Superkombat New Heroes 9 Jun 25, 2016 Brașov Olympic Ice Rink Romania Brașov, Romania —
044 Superkombat World Grand Prix II 2016 May 7, 2016 Romexpo Pavilion Romania Bucharest, Romania —
043 Superkombat World Grand Prix I 2016 Mar 26, 2016 Roberto Clemente Coliseum Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico —
042 Superkombat Special Edition Italy Dec 12, 2015 Pala Alpitour Italy Turin, Italy 5,000
041 Superkombat World Grand Prix 2015 Final Nov 7, 2015 Dinamo Hall Romania Bucharest, Romania —
040 Superkombat World Grand Prix 2015 Final Elimination Oct 2, 2015 Gran Teatro Linear4Ciak Italy Milan, Italy 3,000
039 Superkombat World Grand Prix IV 2015 Aug 1, 2015 Piațeta Cazino Romania Mamaia, Romania 5,000
038 Superkombat World Grand Prix III 2015 Jun 19, 2015 Constanța Arena Romania Constanța, Romania 2,500
037 Superkombat Special Edition Switzerland Jun 13, 2015 Umweltarena Switzerland Zürich, Switzerland —
036 Superkombat World Grand Prix II 2015 May 23, 2015 Bucharest Arena Romania Bucharest, Romania 6,000
035 Superkombat World Grand Prix I 2015 Mar 7, 2015 Olimpia Hall Romania Ploiești, Romania 4,000
034 Superkombat World Grand Prix 2014 Final Nov 22, 2014 PalaIper Italy Milan, Italy 6,000
033 Superkombat World Grand Prix 2014 Final Elimination Oct 25, 2014 Geneva Arena Switzerland Geneva, Switzerland 4,000
032 Superkombat World Grand Prix IV 2014 Sep 27, 2014 Topsportcentrum Netherlands Amsterdam, Netherlands 3,000
031 Superkombat New Heroes 8 Aug 2, 2014 Constanța Arena Romania Constanța, Romania —
030 Superkombat World Grand Prix III 2014 Jun 21, 2014 Constanța Arena Romania Constanța, Romania 2,000
029 Superkombat World Grand Prix II 2014 May 24, 2014 Europa Entertainment Center Romania Mamaia, Romania —
028 Superkombat World Grand Prix I 2014 Apr 12, 2014 Reșița Arena Romania Reșița, Romania 2,000
027 Superkombat New Heroes 7 Mar 29, 2014 Olimpia Hall Romania Ploiești, Romania —
026 Superkombat World Grand Prix 2013 Final Dec 21, 2013 Dunărea Ice Arena Romania Galați, Romania 5,000
025 Superkombat World Grand Prix 2013 Final Elimination Nov 9, 2013 Olimpia Hall Romania Ploiești, Romania 2,500
024 Superkombat New Heroes 6 Nov 3, 2013 Carrarafiere Convention Center Italy Carrara, Italy 4,000
023 Superkombat World Grand Prix IV 2013 Oct 12, 2013 Chauncey Hardy Arena Romania Giurgiu, Romania —
022 Superkombat World Grand Prix III 2013 Sep 28, 2013 Elisabeta Lipă Arena Romania Botoșani, Romania 1,500
021 Superkombat VIP Edition Aug 31, 2013 Sala Epika Romania Bucharest, Romania —
020 Superkombat New Heroes 5 Aug 30, 2013 Târgoviște Arena Romania Târgoviște, Romania 3,000
019 Superkombat New Heroes 4 May 31, 2013 Al Boom Tourist Village United Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates —
018 Superkombat World Grand Prix II 2013 May 18, 2013 Craiova Arena Romania Craiova, Romania 2,000
017 Superkombat New Heroes 3 May 10, 2013 Gasometer Austria Vienna, Austria —
016 Superkombat World Grand Prix I 2013 Apr 6, 2013 Antonio Alexe Arena Romania Oradea, Romania 2,500
015 Superkombat New Heroes 2 Mar 3, 2013 Ginásio Milton Feijão Brazil São Paulo, Brazil —
014 Superkombat New Heroes 1 Feb 23, 2013 Hotel Kvarner Croatia Rijeka, Croatia —
013 Superkombat World Grand Prix 2012 Final Dec 22, 2012 Bucharest Arena Romania Bucharest, Romania 1,500
012 Superkombat World Grand Prix 2012 Final Elimination Nov 10, 2012 Craiova Arena Romania Craiova, Romania 5,000
011 Superkombat World Grand Prix IV 2012 Oct 10, 2012 Galleria Romania Arad, Romania 1,500
010 Superkombat World Grand Prix III 2012 July 7, 2012 Kongresna Hall Bulgaria Varna, Bulgaria 4,000
009 Superkombat World Grand Prix II 2012 May 12, 2012 Horia Demian Arena Romania Cluj-Napoca, Romania 3,000
008 Superkombat World Grand Prix I 2012 Feb 25, 2012 Morača Center Montenegro Podgorica, Montenegro 7,000
007 Superkombat World Grand Prix 2011 Final Nov 19, 2011 Böllenfalltorhalle Germany Frankfurt, Germany 2,000
006 Superkombat Fight Club Nov 17, 2011 Oradea Shopping City Romania Oradea, Romania 2,000
005 Superkombat World Grand Prix IV 2011 Oct 15, 2011 Piatra Neamț Arena Romania Piatra Neamț, Romania 4,000
004 Superkombat World Grand Prix III 2011 Oct 1, 2011 Danubius Arena Romania Brăila, Romania —
003 Superkombat World Grand Prix II 2011 Jul 16, 2011 Constanța Arena Romania Constanța, Romania 3,000
002 Superkombat World Grand Prix I 2011 May 21, 2011 Mihai Flamaropol Ice Arena Romania Bucharest, Romania —
001 Superkombat The Pilot Show Mar 18, 2011 Traian Hall Romania Râmnicu Vâlcea, Romania 2,000

Controversy

In 2016, an article by MMA Plus reported that several European kickboxing promotions, including Superkombat, were accused of withholding payments from fighters.[36] In October 2016, Superkombat publicly addressed claims of non‑payment from fighters, stating delays stemmed from contractual complexities involving third‑party promoters and agents, while reaffirming its intent to resolve all outstanding purses.[37]

Awards

  • World Independent Promoters Union (WIPU)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Programul galei Superkombat de pe 7 martie de la Ploieşti" (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. March 1, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Luptătorii Superkombat Filip, Năstase și Chelariu fac show în China" (in Romanian). Libertatea. August 21, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Card Changes for November 7th and Other Big News for Superkombat". fightbox.com. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  4. ^ "Liverkick's Exclusive Interview with Superkombat President Eduard Irimia". liverkick.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  5. ^ "Superkombat announces global expansion". Bloody Elbow. January 9, 2013. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. one of the world's top kickboxing organizations
  6. ^ "Superkombat New Heroes LIVE November 12, 2016". FightBox HD. November 7, 2016. one of the top kickboxing promotions in the world
  7. ^ a b c "K-1 Announces Agreement With SuperKombat". Liver Kick. liverkick.com. December 4, 2019. Archived from the original on April 20, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2021. Superkombat WGP is the industry leader in fight production throughout Europe.
  8. ^ a b Povestea lui Eduard Irimia, promotorul care a mutat K-1 din K-1 din Japonia în România Archived 2015-05-18 at the Wayback Machine - Alin Huiu - Accesat la data de 11.11.2011
  9. ^ "Kickboxing News: Badr Hari Update, Superkombat And K-1 Team Up, Much More". Bloody Elbow. August 14, 2012. Archived from the original on August 15, 2012.
  10. ^ "Mr. Eduard Irimia and WAKO President, E. Falsoni, signed an historical agreement in Bucharest". WAKO. February 7, 2011. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Eduard Irimia, cel mai bun promotor". Casino Life & Business Magazine. May 3, 2012.
  12. ^ "Iftimoaie Defeats Jorge & Receives WKN Belt Live on Eurosport". WKN. Archived from the original on November 20, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2021. The event broke European attendance record with 34.000 fans.
  13. ^ Rob Tatum (August 7, 2016). "Superkombat Comanesti Results". Combat Press. The crowd was the biggest in Europe since a K-1 event in Amsterdam in 2007.
  14. ^ Zach Aittama (August 10, 2016). "Superkombat Comănești Breaks European Attendance Record". Combat Press. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. record setting attendance that garnered an astounding 34,000 people in Comănești
  15. ^ "SuperKombat Tastes Prestige of WKN Live on Eurosport". Fightmag. November 8, 2015. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018.
  16. ^ a b "WKN Makes Kickboxing History in Romania". Fightmag. August 18, 2016. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016.
  17. ^ "Primul număr Forbes România: 50.000 tiraj şi copertă cu promotorul galelor Local Kombat". Pagina de Media (in Romanian). March 18, 2009.
  18. ^ "Forbes Romania intra pe piata intr-un tiraj de 50.000 de exemplare". Wall-Street.ro (in Romanian). March 19, 2009.
  19. ^ "Fight Now TV home for SUPERKOMBAT kickboxing in US". Sherdog. September 26, 2013.
  20. ^ "Superkombat to air kickboxing and MMA on CBS Sports Network in 2017". Bloody Elbow. December 14, 2016. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018.
  21. ^ "Superkombat Reaches Deal With CBSSN". fightsports.tv. January 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  22. ^ Gancu, Alexandru (Eurosport) (April 15, 2011). "Fight club - Kickbox cu români pe Eurosport - Consumer Site" (in Romanian). Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  23. ^ "Castigatorii premiilor SUPERKOMBAT WGP 2011" (in Romanian). Gladiatorium. December 4, 2011. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
  24. ^ "Lista premianţilor la festivitatea Superkombat International". OnlineSport.ro (in Romanian). December 4, 2011.
  25. ^ "Liverkick's Exclusive Interview with Superkombat President Eduard Irimia". Liverkick.com. February 19, 2013. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013.
  26. ^ "Mixed martial arts competition Superkombat to be held in Bucharest, Romania this December". Romania Insider. November 15, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  27. ^ "Kaled and Basel Fetrawi". Milestone Magazine. July 5, 2016. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024.
  28. ^ "SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix – Final in Galati, Romania on December 21st". Muaythai TV. December 13, 2013. Archived from the original on January 12, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  29. ^ "Donații pentru victimele din Colectiv, din încasările Galei Superkombat. Cauza, promovată în peste 100 de țări!" (in Romanian). România Liberă. November 2, 2015.
  30. ^ "Nicolas WAMBA s'incline en 1/2 finale du SUPERKOMBAT". muaythaitv.fr. January 2, 2021.
  31. ^ "Tarik Kbabez dominates Superkombat World Grand Prix, now waits to face Daniel Sam in Contender Promotions". mmaplus.co.uk. September 29, 2014.
  32. ^ Catalin Morosanu vs. Badr Hari Postponed Due to 'Conditions' Archived 2015-05-12 at the Wayback Machine - LiverKick - Accesat la data de 10.05.2015
  33. ^ "Roman Kryklia Makes World Title History With Spectacular KO". ONE Championship. November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  34. ^ "Șansa carierei pentru cel mai talentat luptător român! Se va lupta pentru centura mondială Superkombat" (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. March 25, 2018.
  35. ^ "Macedonian faces off against "Swiss" Beni Osmanovski". minareport.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  36. ^ Anoop Hothi (November 18, 2016). "European Kickboxing Promotions Withholding Payments from Fighters". MMA Plus.
  37. ^ Anoop Hothi (November 22, 2016). "Superkombat respond to non‑payment allegations by Colin George and Daniel Sam". MMA Plus.
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