Tomasz "Giraffe" Narkun[2] (born December 3, 1989) is a Polish mixed martial artist currently competing for KSW. A professional MMA competitor since 2009, he is the former KSW Light Heavyweight Champion and has also competed for M-1 Global, where he is the former Light Heavyweight Champion.
| Tomasz Narkun | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Tomasz Narkun December 3, 1989[1] |
| Other names | Zyrafa ("Giraffe")[2] |
| Nationality | Polish |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Weight | 224 lb (102 kg; 16 st 0 lb) |
| Division | Heavyweight Light Heavyweight |
| Reach | 76.8" (195cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Stargard Szczeciński, Poland[2] |
| Team | Berserkers Team[2] |
| Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Piotr Bagiński |
| Years active | 2009–2011, 2013–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 25 |
| Wins | 19 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 14 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Losses | 6 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
editWeighing in at around 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st), Narkun is considered small by North American standards for light heavyweights.[1] He has, however, earned respect for his tactical and defensive capabilities. Gegard "Dreamcatcher" Mousasi, a regular training partner of Narkun, has said of Narkun: "Tactically and technically he has reached a very high level". Mousasi has also stated his belief that Narkun "is the future light heavyweight champion".[1]
Career
editEarly career
editNarkun made his professional MMA debut in 2009, winning via armbar submission in the first round.
M-1 Global
editIn 2010 Narkun appeared for M-1 Global at their Western Europe Selections Light Heavyweight Tournament in 2010. Narkun won his first two bouts with relative ease; submitting each opponent within a minute of the first round. In the Tournament Final in July, Narkun faced Georgian David Tkeshelashvili, winning again via first-round submission. This also awarded Narkun the M-1 Global Light Heavyweight Championship belt.
Narkun next faced Vyacheslav Vasilevsky in his first title defense on December 10, 2010. Narkun was handed his first professional loss via second-round TKO after Narkun's corner threw in the towel.
At the weigh-ins for M-1 Challenge 28 in Russia, for his fight against Saparbek Safarov, both fighters ended up slapping each other. At first it appeared to be a joke, but when Safarov threw a right hook at Narkun, M-1 officials intervened. Safarov was disqualified from the event.[3]
Narkun fought only once in 2011; winning via first-round submission; this would be his last fight under the M-1 Global banner. After not returning to the cage until 2013, Narkun won his next three fights via submission before signing with KSW in his native Poland.
KSW
editNarkun made his promotional debut against Brazilian veteran Charles Andrade at KSW 27 on May 17, 2014. He won via kneebar submission in the first round.
KSW Light Heavyweight Champion
editNarkun returned to face Croatian Goran Reljic at KSW 29. Narkun was defeated via majority decision. In 2015, Narkun defeated Karol Celinski via first-round rear-naked choke before being given a rematch with Reljic, who had since defeated Attila Végh to become KSW Light Heavyweight Champion, at KSW 32. Narkun won via first-round knockout, becoming the KSW Light Heavyweight Champion.
After defeating Reljic in their rematch for the belt, Narkun had his first title defense against Brazilian Cassio "Jacare" de Oliveira at KSW 34 in early 2016, and then defeated Sokoudjou for his second defense in October of that year. For his third defense, Narkun defeated Marcin Wojicik via triangle choke with just a second left in the first round at KSW 39: Colosseum.
At KSW 42, Narkun prepared for a non-title bout against Mamed Khalidov, the former KSW Middleweight Champion. The pair met at a Catchweight of 203 lbs. After getting knocked down twice in the first round, Narkun was able to regroup, he won via triangle choke submission in the third round; breaking Khalidov's 15-fight unbeaten streak.[4] The pair met again at KSW 46 on December 1, 2018. Narkun won again, this time via unanimous decision after three rounds.[5]
Narkun next challenged KSW Heavyweight Champion and former UFC veteran Phil De Fries for his title at KSW 47 on March 23, 2019. Narkun lost via unanimous decision.[6]
Narkun next defended his Light Heavyweight Championship at KSW 50: London against Przemysław Mysiala, winning via guillotine choke submission in the first round.[7]
Narkun faced Ivan Erslan at KSW 56: Polska vs. Chorwacja on November 14, 2020.[8] He defended his title, winning the fight via second round submission.[9]
Narkun rematched Phil De Fries on April 24, 2021 at KSW 60: De Fries vs. Narkun 2 for the KSW Heavyweight Championship. The pair previously met on March 23, 2019 in the main event at KSW 47: The X-Warriors, where De Fries defeated Narkun by unanimous decision and defended his KSW heavyweight title.[10] He lost the bout in the second round via ground and pound.[11]
Narkun faced Ibragim Chuzhigaev on January 15, 2022 at KSW 66: Ziółkowski vs. Mańkowski.[12] Narkun lost via unanimous decision, ending his reign as the Light Heavyweight champion.[13]
Post Title Reign
editIn his first appearance after losing the belt, Narkun faced Henrique da Silva on October 14, 2022 at KSW 75: Ruchała vs. Stasiak. After dominating on the ground in the first round, Narkun was knocked out via a front kick 28 seconds into the second round.[14]
Championships and accomplishments
editMixed martial arts
edit- Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki
- KSW Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- Five Successful Title Defenses
- Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Mamed Khalidov and Ibragim Chuzhigaev
- Submission of the Night (One times) vs. Przemyslaw Mysiala (KSW 50)
- KSW Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- European MMA
- EUMMA Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- M-1 Global
- 2010 M-1 Global Western Europe Selection Tournament Winner
- Super League of MMA
- Fight of the Night (One time)
- Submission of the Night (One time)
Grappling
edit- 2012: ADCC European Championship - 1st place in 99 kg category (Ljubljana)
- 2014: ADCC European Championship - 1st place in 99 kg category (Sofia)
Mixed martial arts record
edit| 26 matches | 20 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 3 |
| By submission | 15 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 3 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 20–6 | Jussi Halonen | Submission (triangle choke) | Seaside BattleS MMA 4 | December 1, 2023 | 1 | 0:30 | Płoty, Poland | |
| Win | 19–6 | Antonio Zovak | TKO (punches) | Seaside BattleS MMA 3 | June 7, 2023 | 1 | 0:16 | Szczecin, Poland | |
| Loss | 18–6 | Henrique da Silva | KO (front kick) | KSW 75: Ruchała vs. Stasiak | October 14, 2022 | 2 | 0:28 | Nowy Sącz, Poland | |
| Loss | 18–5 | Ibragim Chuzhigaev | Decision (unanimous) | KSW 66: Ziółkowski vs. Mańkowski | January 15, 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Szczecin, Poland | Lost the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 18–4 | Phil De Fries | TKO (punches) | KSW 60: De Fries vs. Narkun 2 | April 24, 2021 | 2 | 3:37 | Łódź, Poland | For the KSW Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 18–3 | Ivan Erslan | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KSW 56: Materla vs. Soldić | November 14, 2020 | 2 | 0:51 | Łódź, Poland | Defended the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 17–3 | Przemysław Mysiala | Submission (guillotine choke) | KSW 50: London | September 14, 2019 | 1 | 4:03 | London, England | Defended the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. Submission of the Night. |
| Loss | 16–3 | Phil De Fries | Decision (unanimous) | KSW 47: The X-Warriors | March 23, 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | Łódź, Poland | For the KSW Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–2 | Mamed Khalidov | Decision (unanimous) | KSW 46: Khalidov vs. Narkun 2 | December 1, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Gliwice, Poland | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 15–2 | Mamed Khalidov | Submission (triangle choke) | KSW 42: Khalidov vs. Narkun | March 3, 2018 | 3 | 1:18 | Łódź, Poland | Submission of the Night. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 14–2 | Marcin Wójcik | Submission (triangle choke) | KSW 39: Colosseum | May 27, 2017 | 1 | 4:59 | Warsaw, Poland | Defended the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–2 | Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou | TKO (punches) | KSW 36: Materla vs. Palhares | October 1, 2016 | 1 | 4:38 | Zielona Gora, Poland | Defended the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–2 | Cassio Barbosa de Oliveira | TKO (knee and punches) | KSW 34: New Order | March 5, 2016 | 1 | 1:46 | Warsaw, Poland | Defended the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 11–2 | Goran Reljic | KO (punches) | KSW 32: Road to Wembley | October 31, 2015 | 1 | 1:55 | London, England | Won the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–2 | Karol Celinski | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KSW 31: Materla vs. Drwal | May 23, 2015 | 1 | 2:17 | Gdańsk, Poland | |
| Loss | 9–2 | Goran Reljic | Decision (majority) | KSW 29: Reload | Dec 6, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Kraków, Poland | |
| Win | 9–1 | Charles Andrade | Submission (kneebar) | KSW 27: Cage Time | May 17, 2014 | 1 | 1:02 | Gdańsk, Poland | |
| Win | 8–1 | Simon Carlsen | Submission (armbar) | EMMA 7: European MMA 7 | November 7, 2013 | 2 | 3:30 | Aarhus, Denmark | Won the EMMA Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–1 | Michal Gutowski | Submission (rear-naked choke) | XCage: Extreme Cage 5 | May 17, 2013 | 2 | 3:30 | Toruń, Poland | |
| Win | 6–1 | Rafal Zawidzki | Submission (guillotine choke) | Super League Mixed Martial Arts | April 18, 2013 | 1 | 3:45 | Warsaw, Poland | |
| Win | 5–1 | Shamil Tinagadjiev | Submission (triangle choke) | M-1 Challenge 23: Guram vs. Grishin | March 5, 2011 | 1 | 3:33 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Loss | 4–1 | Vyacheslav Vasilevsky | TKO (retirement) | M-1 Challenge 22: Narkun vs. Vasilevsky | December 10, 2010 | 2 | 2:20 | Moscow, Russia | For the inaugural M-1 Global Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 4–0 | David Tkeshelashvili | Submission (rear-naked choke) | M-1 Selection 2010: Eastern Europe Finals | July 22, 2010 | 1 | 1:50 | Moscow, Russia | 2010 M-1 Western Europe Light Heavyweight Selection Final. |
| Win | 3–0 | Timo Karttunen | Submission (triangle armbar) | M-1 Selection 2010: Western Europe Round 3 | May 29, 2010 | 1 | 0:49 | Helsinki, Finland | |
| Win | 2–0 | Olutobi Ayodeji Kalejaiye | Submission (rear-naked choke) | M-1 Selection 2010: Western Europe Round 2 | March 27, 2010 | 1 | 0:52 | Weesp, Netherlands | |
| Win | 1–0 | Daniel Biskupic | Submission (armbar) | FCB 14: Fight Club Berlin 14 | November 15, 2009 | 1 | N/A | Berlin, Germany |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Tomasz 'Giraffe' Narkun: Poland's Slick Submission Specialist". sherdog.com. September 27, 2010. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e "Tomasz "Giraffe" Narkun". sherdog.com. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
- ^ "The Fight Nerd | when staredowns go wrong – M-1 Global style". Archived from the original on 2011-11-17. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
- ^ "KSW 42 results: Tomasz Narkun rallies to beat fellow champ Mamed Khalidov". MMAjunkie.com. March 3, 2018.
- ^ Peter Carroll (December 1, 2018). "KSW 46 results: Mamed Khalidov retires following second loss to Tomasz Narkun". mmafighting.com.
- ^ Peter Carroll (March 23, 2019). "KSW 47 results: Phil De Fries scores dominant win over Tomasz Narkun". mmafighting.com.
- ^ "KSW 50: London Full Results". cagesidepress.com. September 14, 2019.
- ^ Tristen Critchfield (October 12, 2020). "KSW 56 to Feature WW Champion Roberto Soldic, LHW King Tomasz Narkun on Nov. 14". sherdog.com.
- ^ SHAKIEL MAHJOURI (November 14, 2020). "KSW 56 Results And Video Highlights: Fighter Breaks His Leg!". fightful.com.
- ^ "KSW 60: It's time for de Fries' big rematch with Narkun!". polsatsport.pl. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-04-24). "KSW 60: Phil De Fries Beats Tomasz Narkun Again, Earns Finish". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
- ^ "Ibragim Chuzhigaev będzie rywalem Tomasza Narkuna na KSW 66 - myMMA.pl" (in Polish). 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
- ^ "Sensacja w Szczecinie! Tomasz Narkun pokonany na KSW 66! Ibragim Chuzhigaev nowym mistrzem! - Lowking.pl".
- ^ Bohn, Mike (2022-10-14). "KSW 75 video: Henrique da Silva flattens Tomasz Narkun with front kick KO". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2022-10-15.