Cheick Kongo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cheick Kongo |
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| Born | May 17, 1975 Paris, France |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Weight | 242 lb (110 kg) |
| Division | Heavyweight |
| Reach | 81 in (206 cm) |
| Style | Kickboxing Karate Muay Thai Boxing Greco-Roman Wrestling Kendo Pencak Silat Savate Shootfighting |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Team | Kongo Smashin' Club Wolfslair MMA Academy Huntington Beach Training Center |
| Rank | Black belt in Karate Black belt in Kendo Brown belt in Pencak Silat Persaudaraan Setia Hati Terate |
| Years active | 2001–present (MMA) |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 23 |
| Wins | 21 |
| By knockout | 12 |
| Losses | 2 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 46 |
| Wins | 31 |
| By knockout | 15 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 12 |
| Losses | 12 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 8 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 1 |
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last updated on: October 17, 2010
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Cheick Kongo (born May 17, 1975) is a famous French mixed martial artist and former kickboxer. He competes in the Heavyweight division. Since 2001, he has been a professional MMA fighter. He has fought in major organizations like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Cheick Kongo was born in Paris, France. His father was from Burkina Faso, and his mother was from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He started learning martial arts at just 5 years old. His first styles were Kendo and Karate.
As he grew up, he earned black belts in both Kendo and Karate. At 19, he started to learn more fighting styles. These included Boxing, Muay Thai, Savate, and Greco Roman Wrestling. When he was 23, he began training in Pencak Silat. He learned this from Charles Joussoat and Franck Ropers.
At 25, Cheick Kongo discovered Shootfighting through Bas Rutten. This led him to start his career in mixed martial arts in 2001. He is also a cousin of the rugby player Fulgence Ouedraogo.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Cheick Kongo began his professional fighting journey on June 10, 2001. He won his first fight by knocking out his opponent. He then won his second fight with a TKO (Technical Knockout). A TKO happens when a fighter can't continue safely.
He faced his first loss in his third professional MMA fight. Later, he trained with famous fighters like Anderson Silva. This was during the early days of Pride Fighting Championships.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
Kongo joined the UFC and had his first fight at UFC 61. He won against Gilbert Aldana when the doctor stopped the fight. He then knocked out Christian Wellisch with a knee strike. After a loss, he defeated Assuério Silva by decision at UFC 70.
At UFC 75 in 2007, he won against Mirko Cro Cop. This was a big win for him. He later fought Heath Herring at UFC 82 and lost by a close decision. At UFC 87, he defeated Dan Evensen with a TKO in the first round.
In December 2008, Kongo fought Mustapha al-Turk at UFC 92. He won by TKO after hitting al-Turk with elbows and punches. He also defeated Antoni Hardonk at UFC 97 with a TKO.
Kongo then faced Cain Velasquez at UFC 99. He lost this fight by unanimous decision. In his next fight at UFC 107, he faced Frank Mir. Mir won the fight quickly with a submission. A submission is when a fighter makes their opponent give up.
On March 21, 2010, Kongo defeated Paul Buentello. He won this fight by TKO due to elbows. He was supposed to fight Roy Nelson at UFC 116. However, Kongo had a back injury, and the fight was canceled.
Kongo's next fight was against Travis Browne at UFC 120. The fight ended in a draw. Kongo was penalized one point for holding Browne's shorts.
He fought Pat Barry at UFC on Versus 4 in 2011. Kongo was knocked down twice in the fight. But he made an amazing comeback and knocked Barry out. This win earned him the "Knockout of the Night" award.
Kongo then defeated Matt Mitrione at UFC 137 by decision. He used his long reach and took Mitrione down multiple times. In February 2012, he lost to Mark Hunt at UFC 144 by TKO.
At UFC 149, Kongo was set to fight Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. But Nogueira pulled out due to an injury. Shawn Jordan stepped in, and Kongo won the fight by decision.
His last UFC fight was against Roy Nelson at UFC 159. Kongo lost this fight by knockout in the first round. After this, his contract with the UFC ended. He left the UFC with a record of 11 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw.
Bellator MMA
After leaving the UFC, Cheick Kongo joined Bellator. He made his debut in the Season 9 Heavyweight tournament. On October 4, 2013, he defeated Mark Godbeer by TKO.
He then won the tournament final against Peter Graham. Kongo won this fight by unanimous decision.
Kongo challenged Vitaly Minakov for the Bellator Heavyweight World Championship. He lost this close fight by decision. He then defeated Eric Smith by TKO in May 2014.
In September 2014, Kongo won against Lavar Johnson. He won by a rear-naked choke, which is a type of submission. This was his first submission win in a long time.
Kongo faced King Mo Lawal in February 2015 and lost by a split decision. He then defeated former Bellator Heavyweight Champion Alexander Volkov by decision.
He continued his winning streak in Bellator. He defeated Vinicius Queiroz in a split decision in 2016. He also won against Tony Johnson and Oli Thompson by decision.
In 2017, Kongo defeated Augusto Sakai by split decision. In 2018, he had two knockout wins. He knocked out Javy Ayala and Timothy Johnson in the first round.
In 2019, Kongo had a rematch with Vitaly Minakov and won by decision. He then fought Ryan Bader for the Bellator Heavyweight World Championship. This fight ended in a "no contest" because of an accidental eye poke.
Kongo signed a new contract with Bellator in 2020. He had a rematch with Timothy Johnson in Paris, France, but lost by split decision. In 2021, he defeated Sergei Kharitonov by submission.
His most recent fight was another challenge for the Bellator Heavyweight World Championship. He faced Ryan Bader again in May 2022. Kongo lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Championships and Achievements
Cheick Kongo has achieved many things in his career:
Kickboxing
- 2005 World Champion Federation King of the Rings
- 2005 King of Colosseum Tournament Champion
- 2005 Rings World Champion
- 2004 King of the Ring Super World Champion
- 2004 Muay Thai World Champion
- 2003 Intercontinental Muay Thai Champion
- 2002 RINGS European Champion
- 2001 RINGS European Vice Champion
- European Savate Champion
Mixed Martial Arts
- Bellator MMA
- Bellator Season 9 Heavyweight Tournament Championship
- Most fights in Bellator Heavyweight division history (18)
- Most victories in Bellator Heavyweight division history (13)
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- King of the Ring
- KOTR Super World Champion -103 kg
- World MMA Awards
- 2011 Comeback of the Year vs. Pat Barry at UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 46 matches | 31 wins | 12 losses |
| By knockout | 15 | 3 |
| By submission | 4 | 1 |
| By decision | 12 | 8 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 31–12–2 (1) | Ryan Bader | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 280 | May 6, 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Paris, France | For the Bellator Heavyweight World Championship. |
| Win | 31–11–2 (1) | Sergei Kharitonov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 265 | August 20, 2021 | 2 | 4:59 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States | |
| Loss | 30–11–2 (1) | Timothy Johnson | Decision (split) | Bellator 248 | October 10, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Paris, France | |
| NC | 30–10–2 (1) | Ryan Bader | NC (accidental eye poke) | Bellator 226 | September 7, 2019 | 1 | 3:52 | San Jose, California, United States | For the Bellator Heavyweight World Championship. Accidental eye poke rendered Kongo unable to continue. |
| Win | 30–10–2 | Vitaly Minakov | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 216 | February 16, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Bellator Heavyweight title eliminator. |
| Win | 29–10–2 | Timothy Johnson | KO (punches) | Bellator 208 | October 13, 2018 | 1 | 1:08 | Uniondale, New York, United States | |
| Win | 28–10–2 | Javy Ayala | KO (punches) | Bellator 199 | May 12, 2018 | 1 | 2:29 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Win | 27–10–2 | Augusto Sakai | Decision (split) | Bellator 179 | May 19, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Win | 26–10–2 | Oli Thompson | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 172 | February 18, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Win | 25–10–2 | Tony Johnson | Decision (majority) | Bellator 161 | September 16, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Cedar Park, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 24–10–2 | Vinicius Queiroz | Decision (split) | Bellator 150 | February 26, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Mulvane, Kansas, United States | |
| Win | 23–10–2 | Alexander Volkov | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 139 | June 26, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Mulvane, Kansas, United States | |
| Loss | 22–10–2 | Muhammed Lawal | Decision (split) | Bellator 134 | February 27, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 22–9–2 | Lavar Johnson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 123 | September 5, 2014 | 1 | 3:27 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 21–9–2 | Eric Smith | TKO (knees and punches) | Bellator 120 | May 17, 2014 | 2 | 4:35 | Southaven, Mississippi, United States | |
| Loss | 20–9–2 | Vitaly Minakov | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 115 | April 4, 2014 | 5 | 5:00 | Reno, Nevada, United States | For the Bellator Heavyweight World Championship. |
| Win | 20–8–2 | Peter Graham | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 107 | November 8, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | Bellator Season 9 Heavyweight Tournament Final. |
| Win | 19–8–2 | Mark Godbeer | TKO (knees and punches) | Bellator 102 | October 4, 2013 | 2 | 2:04 | Visalia, California, United States | Bellator Season 9 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Loss | 18–8–2 | Roy Nelson | KO (punches) | UFC 159 | April 27, 2013 | 1 | 2:03 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 18–7–2 | Shawn Jordan | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 149 | July 21, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | |
| Loss | 17–7–2 | Mark Hunt | TKO (punches) | UFC 144 | February 26, 2012 | 1 | 2:11 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 17–6–2 | Matt Mitrione | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 137 | October 29, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 16–6–2 | Pat Barry | KO (punch) | UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry | June 26, 2011 | 1 | 2:39 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | Knockout of the Night. Knockout of the Year. |
| Draw | 15–6–2 | Travis Browne | Draw (unanimous) | UFC 120 | October 16, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | Kongo was deducted one point in round 3 for holding onto Browne's shorts. |
| Win | 15–6–1 | Paul Buentello | TKO (submission to elbows to the legs) | UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones | March 21, 2010 | 3 | 1:16 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 14–6–1 | Frank Mir | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 107 | December 12, 2009 | 1 | 1:12 | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | |
| Loss | 14–5–1 | Cain Velasquez | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 99 | June 13, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Cologne, Germany | |
| Win | 14–4–1 | Antoni Hardonk | TKO (punches) | UFC 97 | April 18, 2009 | 2 | 2:29 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| Win | 13–4–1 | Mostapha al-Turk | TKO (elbows and punches) | UFC 92 | December 27, 2008 | 1 | 4:37 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 12–4–1 | Dan Evensen | TKO (punches) | UFC 87 | August 9, 2008 | 1 | 4:55 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | |
| Loss | 11–4–1 | Heath Herring | Decision (split) | UFC 82 | March 1, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 11–3–1 | Mirko Cro Cop | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 75 | September 8, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Win | 10–3–1 | Assuério Silva | Decision (majority) | UFC 70 | April 21, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Manchester, England | |
| Loss | 9–3–1 | Carmelo Marrero | Decision (split) | UFC 64 | October 14, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 9–2–1 | Christian Wellisch | KO (knee) | UFC 62 | August 26, 2006 | 1 | 2:51 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 8–2–1 | Gilbert Aldana | TKO (doctor stoppage) | UFC 61 | July 8, 2006 | 1 | 4:13 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–2–1 | Dave Dalgliesh | TKO (punches) | Rings Holland: Men of Honor | December 11, 2005 | 2 | N/A | Utrecht City, Utrecht | |
| Win | 6–2–1 | Gabor Nemeth | KO (punches) | King of the Ring: Mission Impossible | June 4, 2005 | 2 | N/A | Zagreb, Croatia | Won KOTR -103 kg Super World Championship. |
| Loss | 5–2–1 | Gilbert Yvel | TKO (punches) | It's Showtime 2004 Amsterdam | May 20, 2004 | 2 | 4:40 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | |
| Win | 5–1–1 | Joop Kasteel | KO (punch) | RINGS Holland: World's Greatest | April 4, 2004 | 1 | 4:31 | Utrecht City, Utrecht | |
| Win | 4–1–1 | Dave Vader | Decision (unanimous) | RINGS Holland: The Untouchables | September 27, 2003 | 3 | 2:00 | Utrecht City, Utrecht | |
| Win | 3–1–1 | Hans Nijman | Submission (armbar) | It's Showtime 2003 Amsterdam | June 8, 2003 | 2 | 0:59 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | |
| Draw | 2–1–1 | Michael Knaap | Draw (unanimous) | It's Showtime: As Usual / Battle Time | September 29, 2002 | 2 | 5:00 | Haarlem, North Holland | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Rodney Faverus | Decision (unanimous) | Rings Holland: Saved by the Bell | June 2, 2002 | 2 | 5:00 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | |
| Win | 2–0 | Dave van der Veen | TKO (punches) | Rings Holland: Some Like It Hard | December 2, 2001 | 2 | 1:25 | Utrecht City, Utrecht | |
| Win | 1–0 | André Tete | Submission (heel hook) | Rings Holland: No Guts, No Glory | June 10, 2001 | 1 | 3:20 | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
Kickboxing record (incomplete)
| Kickboxing record (Incomplete) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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21 wins (16 (T)KO's), 1 loss
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest |
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See also
In Spanish: Cheick Kongo para niños
- List of male mixed martial artists
- List of male kickboxers
