Ky Hollenbeck

Ky Hollenbeck
Born Ky Conrad Hollenbeck
(1987-06-17) June 17, 1987
San Bruno, California, United States
Nationality American
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in)
Weight 70.0 kg (154.3 lb; 11.02 st)
Division Welterweight
Middleweight
Super Middleweight
Light Heavyweight
Reach 70.0 in (178 cm)
Style Muay Thai
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of San Francisco, California, United States
Team World Team USA
Trainer Kru Sam Phimsouthsam
Years active 2006-present
Kickboxing record
Total 21
Wins 17
By knockout 8
Losses 3
By knockout 2
Draws 1
Mixed martial arts record
Total 6
Wins 5
By knockout 1
By submission 4
Losses 1
Draws 0
last updated on: June 21, 2014

Ky Conrad Hollenbeck[1] (born June 17, 1987) is an American Muay Thai kickboxer who competes in the middleweight division. He won national and North American titles as an amateur in his teens before turning professional in 2007 and beating Billy Evangelista for the California state belt. He soon began competing internationally and rose to prominence when he took a decision victory over Steve Moxon in the final of a four-man tournament in 2010. The following year, Hollenbeck outpointed Gregory Choplin for the WBC Muaythai Interim World Middleweight Championship and then debuted in the Glory promotion in May 2012.

An aggressive and dynamic fighter, Hollenbeck uses a large arsenal of attacks and possesses considerable punching power.[2]

Career

Early career (2006–2010)

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Hollenbeck began wrestling at the age of ten and took up Muay Thai at fifteen initially to give him an edge against opponents while street fighting. However, under the guidance of Kru Sam Phimsouthsam at the World Team USA gym, he was able to channel his aggression off the streets and into the ring, winning national and North American titles as an amateur nak muay.[3]

While studying kinesiology at the University of Hawaii, Hollenbeck turned professional and soon found himself fighting in K-1. At the K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Hawaii on April 28, 2007, he knocked out Mighty Mo, Jr., the fourteen-year-old son of Mighty Mo, with a spinning back kick in the first round.[4][5] Upon his return to the mainland, he won the IMTO California Light Heavyweight Championship by defeating Billy Evangelista on points in Fresno, California on November 10, 2007.[6] In addition to the striking credentials, he also holds a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Ralph Gracie and pursued a career in mixed martial arts between 2007 and 2009, going 5-1 with four submission wins and one KO. He ultimately decided to continue with Muay Thai, citing opportunities to fight internationally in the sport as the deciding factor.[7]

International emergence (2010–2012)

In his first international match-up, Hollenbeck knocked out Shawn Lee inside the opening frame at the Legends of Heroes: Muaythai vs. Kung Fu event held in Pahang, Malaysia's Arena of Stars.[8][9] He then won a four-man 72.5 kg/160 lb tournament held over two days in Haikou, Haidian Island, China. In the semi-finals on December 18, 2010, he defeated Pavel Obozny via technical knockout due to knee strikes in round three before taking a unanimous decision over Steve Moxon in the final on December 19 to win the tournament title and $10,000 in prize money.[10][11][12]

He was scheduled to face Joe Schilling for the WBC Muaythai United States Super Middleweight (-76.204 kg/168 lb) Championship on March 5, 2011 in Los Angeles, California but he pulled out of that bout and was then expected to fight Yohan Lidon in a WBC Muaythai World Middleweight (-72.575 kg/160 lb) title match in April 2011.[13][14] The fight did not materialise, however, and he instead fought Vuyisile Colossa for the WCK Muay Thai World Middleweight (-75 kg/165.3 lb) title in Nanning, China on April 23, 2011. He outpointed his South African opponent over the five rounds to take the belt.[15][16] Less than a month later, on May 14, 2011, Hollenbeck beat Gregory Choplin by way of unanimous decision to be crowned the WBC Muaythai Interim World Middleweight Champion at Lion Fight: Battle in the Desert 2 in Primm, Nevada. Utilizing a wide array of attacks including flying knees and spinning elbows, he took the decision on score cards of 50-45, 50-45 and 49-46.[17][18][19] Then, in his third fight in as many months, he TKO'd Wong Foo Long in the second round round of their contest in Manila, Philippines on June 26, 2011. This despite his opponent coming in 4.5 kg/10 lb over the agreed weight limit. Initially, it was expected that Hollenbeck would compete in the four-man Shandong World Sanda Tournament at the event but he was replaced by Dorian Price.[20][21][22]

A fight between Hollenbeck and Gornpet DeJrat was booked for Push Kick: World Stand Off in Pomona, California on July 16, 2011 but the event was cancelled.[23] On August 20, 2011, he made the first defence of his WBC Interim World title with a unanimous decision win over a resiliant Simon Chu at Lion Fight: Battle in the Desert 3 in Primm.[24][25][26][27]

Having signed with the short-lived Muaythai Premier League in August,[28] Ky Hollenbeck debuted with the promotion against Jordan Watson at Muaythai Premier League: Strength and Honor in Padova, Italy on October 8, 2011 and scored an upset as he floored the Englishman with a spinning backfist early on and won the three round bout by unanimous decision.[29][30][31] In his sophomore appearance in the MPL, he tasted defeat for the first time in his professional career when he dropped a unanimous decision to Nieky Holzken at Muaythai Premier League: Blood and Steel on November 6, 2011 in The Hague, Netherlands. Holzken knocked Hollenbeck down with a left hook after countering a flying knee in round one, and again with a spinning back kick and body shots as the final bell rang.[32][33][34]

He was set to fight the legendary John Wayne Parr at Knees of Fury 36 in Adelaide, Australia on February 25, 2012 but Parr was forced to withdraw after breaking his index finger in training and was replaced by Kym Johnson.[35][36][37] Hollenbeck then also pulled out of the fight for unknown reasons.[38] He instead kicked off his 2012 campaign against Cyrus Washington at the Legends Muay Thai Championship in his home town of San Francisco, California on April 28 and won with a vicious spinning elbow KO in round one to take the WMC Intercontinental Middleweight (-72.58 kg/160 lb) belt.[39][40][41]

Glory (2012–present)

Hollenbeck was recruited by the newly founded Glory kickboxing organization in April 2012[42][43] and was immediately entered into the 2012 70 kg/154 lb Slam tournament, made up of sixteen of the world's best middleweight kickfighters.[44][45] He was matched with fellow American Michael Corley at the tournament's opening stage, held in Stockholm, Sweden at Glory 1: Stockholm - 2012 70kg Slam First 16 on May 26, 2012,[46] and forced a standing eight count after rocking Corley with a right overhand in the opening seconds. He then swarmed on his opponent, causing referee Joop Ubeda to call a halt to the contest at the 0:47 mark of the first round.[47][48]

Another big fight then fell through for Hollenbeck as his match with Aikpracha Meenayotin at Push Kick: Thailand vs. The Americas in Pomona on August 18, 2012 was scrapped. Initially, Malaipet Sasiprapa filled in when Aikpracha withdrew but eventually the bout was cancelled.[49][50][51]

He was drawn against pound for pound great Giorgio Petrosyan in the quarter-finals of the 2012 Glory tournament at Glory 3: Rome - 2012 70kg Slam Final 8 on November 3, 2012 in Rome, Italy.[52][53] With his hair dyed in the colours of the American flag, Hollenbeck entered the fight as a massive underdog. Petrosyan scored a knockdown in round one with a perfectly timed right hook and, while Hollenbeck recovered from this blow, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and bowed out from this in round two.[54][55][56]

When Jordan Watson was unable to compete against Albert Kraus at Glory 10: Los Angeles - Middleweight World Championship Tournament in Ontario, California on September 28, 2013 due to visa issues, Ky Hollenbeck stepped in to take his place, completing his comeback from injury.[57] He won a dominant unanimous decision.[58][59]

He was scheduled face Shemsi Beqiri in the tournament reserve match at Glory 12: New York - Lightweight World Championship Tournament in New York City, New York on November 23, 2013.[60] However, Beqiri withdrew for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Warren Stevelmans.[61] In an ugly fight where Hollenbeck used his unorthodox style consisting of clinching and spinning back fists, he was able to outpoint the South African for much of the bout and scored a standing eight count with a knee in round two before winning a unanimous decision.[62][63][64]

Hollenbeck was set to face Andy Ristie for the inaugural Glory Lightweight (-70 kg/154 lb) Championship at Glory 14: Zagreb in Zagreb, Croatia on March 8, 2014.[65] He withdrew from the match, however, in order to pursue a career in firefighting and the fight coincided with important dates of his training program.[66] He was replaced by Davit Kiria.[67]

The Hollenbeck-Ristie fight was then scheduled for Glory 17: Los Angeles in Inglewood, California on June 21, 2014.[68] Hollenbeck was stunned by a jab from Ristie before being knocked out with a left hook thirty-five seconds into round one.[69][70][71]

Championships and awards

Kickboxing

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record

Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

Mixed martial arts record

Mixed martial arts record

Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

References

  1. ↑ NSAC report of Lion Fight: Battle in the Desert 2
  2. ↑ The future of North American Muay Thai
  3. ↑ Ky Hollenbeck's Can't Stop Crazy profile
  4. ↑ K1 Grand Prix 2007 " Results & Analysis"
  5. ↑ MIGHTY MO WINS K-1′S HAWAIIAN GRAND PRIX
  6. ↑ WARRIOR'S CHALLENGE NOVEMBER 2007
  7. ↑ Representative: GLORY World Series kickboxer Ky Hollenbeck interview exclusive with MMAmania.com
  8. ↑ Malaipet, Yodsanklai, and Hollenbeck are in action this weekend in Malaysia
  9. ↑ Hero Legends Results - Hollenbeck and Yodsanklai win, Malaipet loses
  10. ↑ Stacked fight card for WCK Muay Thai December 18th in China
  11. ↑ Results for WCK Muay Thai China Day 1
  12. ↑ Results for WCK Muay Thai China Day 2
  13. ↑ Joe Schilling vs. Ky Hollenbeck WBC Title fight set for March 5th MTAA show
  14. ↑ Ky Hollenbeck not fighting for WBC Muay Thai Middleweight World Title according to WBC
  15. ↑ Ky Hollenbeck vs Vuyisile Colossa likely for April
  16. ↑ Ky Hollenbeck defeats Vuyisile Colossa
  17. ↑ Ross, Mulkey, Yarborough, Romulo & Hollenbeck expected to be back in action at May Lion Fight Promotions event
  18. ↑ Two WBC titles on the line at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 2", including interim world title
  19. ↑ Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 2" event recap
  20. ↑ Muay Thai action in the Philippines June 26th, Hollenbeck, Nakamoto, and Adanza among notables set to fight
  21. ↑ Dorian Price added to 4-man tournament in the Philippines, Ky Hollenbeck now scheduled for super fight
  22. ↑ Adanza and Hollenbeck win in the Philippines
  23. ↑ Kevin Ross, Ky Hollenbeck, Baxter Humby, and Lerdsila "Mr. Lightning" rumored for July Push Kick Promotions event
  24. ↑ Cosmo Alexandre vs. Sakmongkol official to headline Battle in the Desert 3, three more fights confirmed
  25. ↑ Ky Hollenbeck set to defend his interim Muay Thai world title against Simon Chu
  26. ↑ Four titles on the line at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 3"
  27. ↑ Results and Recap: Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 3"
  28. ↑ Ky Hollenbeck joins the Muaythai Premier League
  29. ↑ Fight Card for MPL's "Strength and Honour" event in Padova, Italy
  30. ↑ Results and Recap: Muaythai Premier League "Strength and Honour"
  31. ↑ MuayThai Premier League Second Round Results
  32. ↑ Fight Card for MPL's "Baptism by Fire" event on November 6th
  33. ↑ Results and Recap: Muaythai Premier League "Blood & Steel"
  34. ↑ MuayThai Premier League 3rd Round Results
  35. ↑ John Wayne Parr vs. Ky Hollenbeck Set for Feb. 2012
  36. ↑ Ky Hollenbeck vs. John Wayne Parr expected to take place at Knees of Fury 36 in February
  37. ↑ Injury forces John Wayne Parr out of fight with Ky Hollenbeck at Knees of Fury 36, replaced by Kym Johnson
  38. ↑ Ky Hollenbeck not fighting Kym Johnson at Knees of Fury 36
  39. ↑ Miriam Nakamoto vs. Sandra Bastian set for Legends Muay Thai event on April 28th, Palacios and Hollnebeck in action as well
  40. ↑ Ky Hollenbeck vs. Cyrus Washington set for Legends Muay Thai Championship
  41. ↑ Results and Recap: Legends Muay Thai Championship
  42. ↑ Petrosyan, Askerov, Hollenbeck, Pinca, Sato, Mulkey and more expected to fight in Glory World Series 154lb tourney
  43. ↑ Kickboxing Results: Petrosyan, Schilt, Kharitonov Reign Supreme
  44. ↑ GLORY Announces Glory World Series 2012 70kg "First 16"
  45. ↑ Finalized Glory World Series Fight Card For This Saturday, May 26
  46. ↑ Glory World Series 154lb tournament full line up announced and opening round matches
  47. ↑ Glory World Series Final 16/Schilt vs. Zimmerman Live Results
  48. ↑ Results and Recap: Glory World Series "First 16"
  49. ↑ Push Kick Promotions "Thailand vs. The Americas" set for August 18th in Pomona, CA
  50. ↑ BREAKING NEWS: Malaipet Sasiprapa replaces Aegpracha Meenayothin against Ky Hollenbeck
  51. ↑ UPDATE: Opponent Change for Ky Hollenbeck This Saturday
  52. ↑ GLORY 3 Rome: Final 8 Matches Set, Petrosyan Fights Hollenbeck
  53. ↑ GLORY Final 8 draws: Ky Hollenbeck faces Giorgio Petrosyan
  54. ↑ GLORY 3 Rome - Final 8: Live Results
  55. ↑ Results and Recap: Glory 3
  56. ↑ Weekly Kicks: Giorgio Petrosyan wins at Glory, K-1 names Grand Prix fights, Superkombat preview
  57. ↑ Jodan Watson out, Ky Hollenbeck in vs. Albert Kraus at Glory 10
  58. ↑ GLORY 10 Live Results and Updates
  59. ↑ GLORY 10 results, LIVE online fight coverage stream for 'Los Angeles'
  60. ↑ Ky Hollenbeck vs. Shemsi Beqiri and Jamal Ben Saddik vs. Ben Edwards official for Glory 12
  61. ↑ Warren Stevelmans replaces Shemsi Beqiri against Ky Hollenbeck at Glory 12 this weekend
  62. ↑ Glory 12 Results and Recap: Andy Ristie shocks the world with two huge knockouts
  63. ↑ GLORY 12 Live Results and Updates
  64. ↑ GLORY 12 results: Upsets galore as Giorgio Petrosyan falls short to tourney winner Andy Ristie
  65. ↑ GLORY 14 Zagreb
  66. ↑ Ky Hollenbeck Reluctantly Forgoes Glory Title Shot for Noble Pursuit
  67. ↑ Kiria In - Ky Out vs. Ristie at GLORY 14
  68. ↑ GLORY 17 Keeps Getting Bigger
  69. ↑ Glory 17 and Last Man Standing Live Results
  70. ↑ Glory's Last Man Standing Results
  71. ↑ Glory results: Artem Levin, Rico Verhoeven and Joseph Valtellini take home Glory gold
  72. ↑ Muay Thai Authority 2010 Awards
  73. ↑ 2011 Muay Thai Authority Awards

External links

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