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Denis Grachev (fighter)

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Denis Grachev
BornDenis Alexandrovich Grachev
(1982-08-03) August 3, 1982 (age 42)
Chaykovsky, Perm Oblast, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Native nameДенис Грачев
Other namesDrago's Son
The Pirate
NationalityRussian
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
DivisionLight Heavyweight (Boxing)
Light Cruiserweight (Kickboxing)
Welterweight (Mixed Martial Arts)
Reach175 cm (68.9 in)
StyleKickboxing, Boxing
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofSan Diego, California, U.S.
TeamCity Boxing
TrainerVernon Lee
Manny Melchor
RankInternational Master of Sport in Kickboxing
Years active1997–2014
Professional boxing record
Total38
Wins20
By knockout11
Losses17
By knockout3
Draws1
Kickboxing record
Total20
Wins17
By knockout7
Losses3
Mixed martial arts record
Total4
Wins3
By knockout1
By submission2
Losses1
By decision1
Other information
OccupationKickboxing Instructor [1]
SpouseMarika
Children1
Notable school(s)San Diego City College
Chaykovsky State Institute of Physical Culture
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Denis Grachev
Medal record
Representing  Russia
Men's Kickboxing
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2005 Szeged -81 kg (Full Contact)
Bronze medal – third place 2004 Basel -81 kg (Low Kick)
Russian Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Chelyabinsk -86 kg (Full Contact)
Gold medal – first place 2006 Samara -81 kg (Low Kick)
Gold medal – first place 2006 Cherepovets -84 kg (Light Contact)
Gold medal – first place 2005 Nevinnomyssk -81 kg (Full Contact)
Gold medal – first place 2004 Perm -81 kg (Light Contact)

Denis Alexandrovich Grachev (Russian: Денис Александрович Грачев) (born August 3, 1982)[2] is a Russian boxer, kickboxer, and mixed martial artist residing in the United States. Grachev was the IKF Muay Thai world light cruiserweight champion.

Biography

[edit]

Grachev was born in 1982 in the city of Chaykovsky, Perm Oblast, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. Grachev started training in kickboxing at the age of 14 and was trained by Gregory Golubkova, Mikhail Stepanov, Alik Basharov, Vyacheslav Tutubalina, Yuri Vtyurina and Vladimir Lavrov throughout the years. In 2005, Grachev graduated from the Chaykovsky State Institute of Physical Culture with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education.[1][3]

In 2006, Grachev moved to San Diego, California, United States with Evgeny Khil — long-time friend and fellow kickboxer — after appointing Mark Dion of City Boxing as his manager. Grachev would represent City Boxing's professional fight team, as well as being the gym's kickboxing instructor. Although competing mostly under low kick/international and full contact rules, Grachev competed under Muay Thai rules while in the United States.[3] When Grachev first moved into the United States, he had no understanding of English at all and was enrolled in English classes at San Diego City College by his manager Mark Dion. At this stage of Grachev's migration into the United States, he had been dabbling in mixed martial arts and boxing — his manager Mark Dion had plans of moving Grachev's career away from kickboxing since there was little money in the sport.[4] Due to the lack of popularity of kickboxing in the United States, Denis Grachev eventually made the full-time commitment to boxing in 2011 and is primarily trained by former IBF minimumweight world champion Manny Melchor. Grachev states he has always enjoyed boxing, though resorted to kickboxing while growing up in Russia because there weren't any good boxing gyms in Chaykovsky.[5]

Kickboxing career

[edit]

As an amateur in kickboxing, Grachev achieved a record of 123-18, with 40 of his wins coming by way of (T)KO.[6] In the 2004 WKA/IAKSA Amateur World Championships in Basel, Switzerland — the first joint federation world championship — Grachev won the bronze medal under low kick/international rules.[7] The following year in WAKO's Amateur World Championships in Szeged, Hungary, Grachev won the gold medal under full contact rules, also earning the classification of International Master of Sport in kickboxing.[8]

During his professional career in Russia, Grachev competed most of his bouts in World BARS Kickboxing Federation. On September 13, 2006, he won WBKF's vacant Commonwealth of Independent States -81 kg championship under international/low kick rules when he defeated Denis Goncharenko of Belarus.[9]

After moving to the United States in 2006, Grachev competed in his first kickboxing bout under Muay Thai rules against kickboxing legend Manson Gibson on July 7, 2007. The bout was for International Kickboxing Federation's Muay Thai light cruiserweight world championship. Grachev went on to win the world title with a third round TKO over Gibson after Gibson's corner threw in the towel from too much punishment.[10]

On November 29, 2007, Grachev took on WBC Muaythai light heavyweight world champion Joe Schilling — who is currently renowned for being a sparring partner of mixed martial arts world champion Nick Diaz.[11] Grachev defeated Schilling with a 47-second knockout in the first round after Grachev delivered a spinning heel kick to the body, as Schilling was unable to beat the referee's 10-count. In result, Grachev won IKKC's vacant U.S. super middleweight national championship.[12]

Boxing career

[edit]

Denis Grachev made the transition to boxing in 2007 when he faced Rosendo Rubalcaba on June 24 — the professional debut for both combatants. Grachev won his professional debut with a second round knockout after knocking down Rubalcaba a total of four times the entire bout.[13]

On December 11, 2009 (in a 6-round fight), Grachev fought to a controversial majority draw against Ernesto Castaneda in a fight where he was the effective aggressor, more ring-general, landed more punches and the harder punches in a majority of the rounds, and the fact that almost every ringside observer thought that Grachev had done enough to win. One judge scored it in his favour, with the other to judges scoring the fight even.

On July 4, 2011, Grachev went on to capture his first major championship in boxing when he defeated Eddie Caminero with a third round TKO and becoming the WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight champion.[14]

On April 27, 2012, Grachev took on then-reigning NABF light heavyweight champion Ismayl Sillakh. At the time, Sillakh was a consensus top-10 ranked light heavyweight and was going into the bout as a heavy 11 to 1 odds favorite over Grachev. After being knocked down in the third round by Sillakh, as well as losing most rounds on the judges' scorecards, Grachev rallied an upset of the year TKO victory in the 8th round; also becoming the new NABF light heavyweight champion[15][16]

Denis Grachev put his NABF light heavyweight title against former IBF super middleweight world champion Lucian Bute on November 3, 2012.[17] The bout took place in Bute's hometown. Despite a tough, solid effort over 12 rounds, Grachev lost by unanimous decision. Though some believed that Grachev won the majority of the rounds (and therefore the fight) with his sheer aggression and the fact that he landed more punches,[18] most analysts and ringside observers agreed and believed that Bute had the upper hand throughout the bout, as he out-boxed Grachev throughout a majority of the rounds of the fight and managed to land the harder punches of both of the fighters.[19][20]

On March 30, 2013, Grachev added another big name to his boxing resume when he fought Zsolt Erdei in a 10-round fight and defeated him via split decision.

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

Boxing

[edit]
  • Golden Gloves Ltd
    • 2013 Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four Tournament Runner-up[21]
  • World Boxing Council
    • NABF Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)[22]
    • WBC Continental Americas Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)[14]
    • 2012 NABF Upset of the Year vs. Ismayl Sillakh on April 27[16]

Kickboxing

[edit]
  • International Kickboxing Federation
    • IKF Muay Thai World Light Cruiserweight Championship (One time)[6]
  • International Karate Kickboxing Council
    • IKKC Muay Thai United States Super Middleweight Championship (One time)[12]
  • World BARS Kickboxing Federation
    • WBKF Low Kick Commonwealth of Independent States -81 kg Championship (One time)[23]
    • WBKF Low Kick Commonwealth of Independent States -86 kg Championship (One time)[24]
  • World Association of Kickboxing Organizations
  • World Kickboxing Association/International Amateur Kickboxing Sports Association
    • 2004 WKA/IAKSA Amateur World Championships Low Kick Light Heavyweight Bronze Medalist[7]
  • Kickboxing Federation of Russia
    • 2006 Russia Amateur National Championships Full Contact Bronze Medalist[25]
    • 2006 Russia Amateur National Championships Low Kick Gold Medalist[26]
    • 2006 Russia Amateur National Championships Light Contact Gold Medalist[27]
    • 2005 Russia Amateur National Championships Full Contact Gold Medalist[28]
    • 2004 Russia Amateur National Championships Light Contact Gold Medalist[29]
    • 2001 Cup of Peter International Tournament Low Kick Gold Medalist[30]
  • Federal Executive Body in the Field of Physical Culture & Sports

Professional boxing record

[edit]
13 Wins (8 knockouts, 4 decisions), 5 Losses, 1 Draw
Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
Loss 13–5–1 Thomas Oosthuizen RTD 11 (12) 2014-11-15 Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa
Loss 13–4–1 Ryno Liebenberg UD 12 2014-08-09 Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa For vacant WBC Silver light heavyweight title
Loss 13–3–1 Isaac Chilemba UD 10 2014-03-15 Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Loss 13–2–1 Edwin Rodriguez TKO 1 (10), 2:50 2013-07-13 Salle des Etoiles, Monte-Carlo, Monaco Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four Tournament Final.
Win 13–1–1 Zsolt Erdei SD 10 2013-03-30 Salle des Etoiles, Monte-Carlo, Monaco Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four Tournament Semifinal.
Loss 12–1–1 Lucian Bute UD 12 2012-11-03 Centre Bell, Montréal, Québec, Canada Lost NABF light heavyweight title
Win 12–0–1 Ismayl Sillakh TKO 8 (10), 2:18 2012-04-27 Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas, U.S. Won NABF light heavyweight title
Win 11–0–1 Eddie Caminero TKO 3 (10), 1:29 2011-07-09 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood, Hollywood, Florida, U.S. Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title
Win 10–0–1 Vladine Biosse TKO 4 (10), 2:56 2011-05-06 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
Win 9–0–1 Azea Augustama MD 8 2011-01-14 Magic City Casino, Miami, Florida, U.S.
Draw 8–0–1 Ernesto Castaneda MD 6 2009-12-11 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
Win 8–0 Roberto Baro KO 3 (6), 2:58 2009-11-12 Four Points Sheraton Hotel, San Diego, California, U.S.
Win 7–0 Carlos Raul Ibarra MD 6 2009-08-27 Four Points Sheraton Hotel, San Diego, California, U.S.
Win 6–0 Ayodeji Fadeyi TKO 4 (6), 1:00 2009-04-30 4th and B, San Diego, California, U.S.
Win 5–0 Thomas Haines TKO 3 (6), 0:54 2008-10-23 Four Points Sheraton Hotel, San Diego, California, U.S.
Win 4–0 Caleb Caldwell KO 2 (4), 2:26 2008-07-24 4th and B, San Diego, California, U.S.
Win 3–0 Freeman Taft UD 4 2007-10-11 Oceanview Pavilion, Port Hueneme, California, U.S.
Win 2–0 Robert Ryan UD 4 2007-07-29 Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S.
Win 1–0 Rosendo Rubalcaba KO 2 (4), 2:06 2007-06-24 Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, California, U.S.

Kickboxing record (incomplete)

[edit]
Kickboxing Record
17 Wins (7 (T)KO's, 10 decisions), 3 Losses, 0 Draws
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
October 2, 2010 Win United States Fernando Gonzalez WCK: Full Rules Muay Thai United States Pala, California UD 5 3:00
November 29, 2007 Win United States Joe Schilling WCK: Full Rules Muay Thai United States Pala, California KO 1 0:47
Won vacant IKKC Muay Thai United States Super Middleweight Championship.
July 7, 2007 Win United States Manson Gibson WCK: Full Rules Muay Thai United States Inglewood, California TKO 3 0:27
Won vacant IKF Muay Thai World Light Cruiserweight Championship.
September 13, 2006 Win Belarus Denis Goncharenko BARS: CIS Middleweight Championship 2006 Russia Moscow, Moscow Oblast UD 8 3:00
Won vacant WBKF International Rules Commonwealth of Independent States -81 kg Championship.
July 19, 2006 Win Belarus Andrey Gerasimchuk BARS: Eurasian Super Heavyweight Championship 2006 Russia Moscow, Moscow Oblast UD 3 3:00
June 7, 2006 Win Belarus Alexander Shlakunov BARS: Yashinov vs Zhuravlev Russia Moscow, Moscow Oblast UD 3 3:00
May 10, 2006 Win Belarus Pavel Turuk BARS: European Welterweight Championship 2006 Russia Moscow, Moscow Oblast UD 3 3:00
March 29, 2006 Win Ukraine Alexander Romaschenko BARS: European Super Heavyweight Championship 2006 Russia Moscow, Moscow Oblast UD 3 3:00
March 16, 2006 Win Russia Kirill Ivanov World BARS Kickboxing Federation Russia Perm, Perm Oblast UD 3 3:00
Won vacant WBKF International Rules Commonwealth of Independent States -86 kg Championship.
September 21, 2005 Win Belarus Alexander Svitin BARS: Zdragush vs Podolyachin Russia Moscow, Moscow Oblast UD 3 3:00
June 18, 2005 Loss Russia Oleg Utenin World BARS Kickboxing Federation Russia Dedovsk, Moscow Oblast SD 8 3:00
For Russia International Rules -81 kg Championship.
May 11, 2005 Win Belarus Alexander Shlakunov World BARS Kickboxing Federation Russia Moscow, Moscow Oblast UD 3 3:00
October 6, 2004 Loss Russia Mikhail Chalykh BARS: Shvoev vs Tsgoev Russia Moscow, Moscow Oblast UD 3 3:00
April 14, 2004 Loss Ukraine Dmitry Borulko World BARS Kickboxing Federation Russia Moscow, Moscow Oblast UD 3 3:00
March 24, 2004 Win Ukraine Vladimir Todorov World BARS Kickboxing Federation Russia Moscow, Moscow Oblast SD 3 3:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
4 matches 3 wins 1 loss
By knockout 1 0
By submission 2 0
By decision 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 3–1 Ricardo Funch Decision (unanimous) Cage Fight MMA 2: Blunt Force Trauma August 23, 2008 3 5:00 Manchester, New Hampshire, United States
Win 3–0 Daniel McWilliamson Submission (guillotine) Fist Series: WinterFist 2008 February 20, 2008 2 0:47 Irvine, California, United States
Win 2–0 Chris Reed TKO (punches) Primal MMA: Noche de los Muertos November 3, 2007 1 2:55 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Win 1–0 Kevin Greenwall Submission (guillotine) Ultimate Combat Experience: Round 27 - Finals September 22, 2007 1 2:31 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

References

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  1. ^ a b "Denis Grachev". cityboxing.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-24.
  2. ^ "Denis Grachev". boxrec.com. Archived from the original on 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  3. ^ a b "I'm in Russia, want to go home..." chaint.ru. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  4. ^ "Russkie Business". utsandiego.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-05. Retrieved 2012-10-27.
  5. ^ "Denis Grachev: If I Win a World Championship Belt in the Future, I Will Open My Own Promotional Company". allboxing.ru. Archived from the original on 2012-10-28. Retrieved 2012-10-27.
  6. ^ a b "IKF Men's Pro Muay Thai and/or Modified & K-1 Rules World Rankings". ikfkickboxing.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-19. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  7. ^ a b "World Kickboxing Championships 2004 (WKA and IAKSA)". fkr.ru. Archived from the original on 2020-04-11. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  8. ^ a b "Szeged World Championships (Hungary)" (PDF). fkr.ru. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  9. ^ "News". wbkf.ru. Archived from the original on 2012-10-08. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  10. ^ "World Championship Muay Thai Recap". thefightgame.tv. Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  11. ^ "Diaz brings in Top Muay Thai Fighters Schilling & Mulkey in Preparation for Condit at UFC 143". mmainterviews.tv. Archived from the original on 2012-02-02. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  12. ^ a b "WCK: Full Rules Muay Thai Recap". thefightgame.tv. Archived from the original on 2014-09-03. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  13. ^ "June 07 News". ikfkickboxing.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-25. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  14. ^ a b "City Boxing's Denis Grachev Stops Caminero". thefightgame.tv. Archived from the original on 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  15. ^ "Denis Grachev, an 11-1 Underdog Upsets Ismayl Sillakh". philboxing.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-29. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  16. ^ a b "NABF Awards!". nabfnews.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  17. ^ "Bute-Grachev Slated for Nov. 3". ringtv.com. Archived from the original on 2013-07-09.
  18. ^ "MMQB: Bute saved by hometown decision". montrealgazette.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-13.
  19. ^ "Bute dominates Grachev in impressive performance - Boxing News". 3 November 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  20. ^ "Bute is back! Froch is next - Boxing News". 3 November 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  21. ^ Christ, Scott (13 July 2013). "Boxing results: Edwin Rodriguez starches Denis Grachev in one, Allakhverdiev retains". BadLeftHook.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  22. ^ "President's Report: May 2012". nabfnews.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  23. ^ "Results". wbkf.ru.
  24. ^ "Two Titles in Four Bouts". nevod.ru. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  25. ^ "Kickboxing Championships of Russia CHELYABINSK '06". fkr.ru. Archived from the original on 2009-02-10. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  26. ^ "Kickboxing Championships of Russia SAMARA '06". fkr.ru. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  27. ^ "Kickboxing Championships of Russia CHEREPOVETS '06". fkr.ru. Archived from the original on 2009-07-05. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  28. ^ "Kickboxing Federation of Russia Competition Results". fkr.ru. Archived from the original on 2012-01-13. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  29. ^ "Gold' Eight". nevod.ru.[permanent dead link]
  30. ^ "Tchaikovsky kickboxer Artem Poleschuk won "Cup of Peter"". kamasport.ru. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  31. ^ "Honored Coaches, Honored Master of Sports, International Master of Sports". chaikovskiy.ru. Archived from the original on 2014-10-23. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
[edit]
Achievements
Preceded by NABF Light Heavyweight Champion
April 27, 2012 – November 3, 2012 		Succeeded by
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