Superkombat Fighting Championship Explained

SUPERKOMBAT
Founder:Eduard Irimia
Headquarters:Bucharest, Romania
Sport:Kickboxing
Tv:Eurosport[1]
Combate Channel[2]
FightBox[3]
Fight Now TV
CBS Sports
Country:Romania
Founded:2011

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] 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. 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.[7] [8] Superkombat had partnerships with the World Kickboxing Network and WAKO for event sanctioning.[9] Superkombat founder Eduard Irimia was awarded the Promoter of the Year 2011 by WIPU (World Independent Promoters Union) winning over Its Showtime and United Glory, an award who had previously been given to boxing promoter Don King.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12] [13]

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.[14] [15] In 2009, Irimia made cover of the first issue of Forbes Romania magazine.[16] [17] 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.[18] 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." Superkombat and Eurosport announced a three-year broadcast deal, and ultimately lasted until the end of 2016. 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. FightBox aired Superkombat fights in over 40 countries around the world. 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. 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] In 2018, the promotion only held one event named SUPERKOMBAT Dream at the Magic Place in Bucharest, Romania.[33] [34]

Notable competitors

List of athletes who competed in :

Events

EventDateVenueLocationAttendance
059Superkombat DreamMagic Place Grant Bucharest, Romaniarowspan="1
058Superkombat New Heroes 11Aqua Blue Târgoviște, Romaniarowspan="1
057Superkombat In the CageLux Divina Brașov, Romaniarowspan="1
056Superkombat ExpoRomexpo Bucharest, Romaniarowspan="1
055Superkombat World Grand Prix III 2017 Shenzhen Arena Shenzhen, Chinarowspan="1
054Superkombat Special Edition II ChinaShenzhen Arena Shenzhen, Chinarowspan="1
053Superkombat Special Edition ChinaShenzhen Arena Shenzhen, Chinarowspan="1
052[Superkombat World Grand Prix II 2017 |{{dts|2017|May|6}} |[[Palacio Vistalegre]]| Madrid, Spain| |-|051|Superkombat World Grand Prix I 2017||Romexpo Dome| Bucharest, Romania| rowspan="1 |-|050|Superkombat New Heroes 10||Berăria H| Bucharest, Romania| rowspan="1 |-|049|Superkombat World Grand Prix 2016 Final||Bucharest Arena| Bucharest, Romania| |-|048|Superkombat World Grand Prix 2016 Final Elimination||Iași Arena| Iași, Romania| |-|047|Superkombat World Grand Prix IV 2016||Galleon Hill| Comănești, Romania| |-|046|Superkombat World Grand Prix III 2016||Tenis Club Idu| Mamaia, Romania| |-|045|Superkombat New Heroes 9||Brașov Olympic Ice Rink| Brașov, Romania| rowspan="1 |-|044|Superkombat World Grand Prix II 2016||Romexpo Pavilion| Bucharest, Romania| rowspan="1 |-|043|Superkombat World Grand Prix I 2016||Roberto Clemente Coliseum| San Juan, Puerto Rico| rowspan="1 |-|042|Superkombat Special Edition Italy||Pala Alpitour| Turin, Italy| |-|041|Superkombat World Grand Prix 2015 Final||Dinamo Hall| Bucharest, Romania| rowspan="1 |-|040|Superkombat World Grand Prix 2015 Final Elimination||Gran Teatro Linear4Ciak| Milan, Italy | |-|039|Superkombat World Grand Prix IV 2015||Piațeta Cazino| Mamaia, Romania| |-|038|Superkombat World Grand Prix III 2015||Constanța Arena| Constanța, Romania| |-|037|Superkombat Special Edition Switzerland||Umweltarena| Zürich, Switzerland| rowspan="1 |-|036|Superkombat World Grand Prix II 2015||Bucharest Arena| Bucharest, Romania| |-|035|Superkombat World Grand Prix I 2015||Olimpia Hall| Ploiești, Romania| |- |034|Superkombat World Grand Prix 2014 Final ||PalaIper| Milan, Italy | |-|033|Superkombat World Grand Prix 2014 Final Elimination||Geneva Arena| Geneva, Switzerland | |-|032|Superkombat World Grand Prix IV 2014||Topsportcentrum| Amsterdam, Netherlands| |-|031|Superkombat New Heroes 8||Constanța Arena| Constanța, Romania| rowspan="1 |-|030|Superkombat World Grand Prix III 2014||Constanța Arena| Constanța, Romania| |-|029|Superkombat World Grand Prix II 2014||Europa Entertainment Center| Mamaia, Romania | rowspan="1 |-|028|Superkombat World Grand Prix I 2014||Reșița Arena| Reșița, Romania| |-|027|Superkombat New Heroes 7||Olimpia Hall| Ploiești, Romania| rowspan="1 |-|026|Superkombat World Grand Prix 2013 Final||Dunărea Ice Arena| Galați, Romania| |-|025|Superkombat World Grand Prix 2013 Final Elimination||Olimpia Hall| Ploiești, Romania| |-|024|Superkombat New Heroes 6||Carrarafiere Convention Center| Carrara, Italy||-|023|Superkombat World Grand Prix IV 2013||Chauncey Hardy Arena| Giurgiu, Romania| rowspan="1 |-|022|Superkombat World Grand Prix III 2013||Elisabeta Lipă Arena| Botoșani, Romania| |-|021|Superkombat VIP Edition||Sala Epika| Bucharest, Romania| rowspan="1 |-|020|Superkombat New Heroes 5||Târgoviște Arena| Târgoviște, Romania| |-|019|Superkombat New Heroes 4 ||Al Boom Tourist Village| Dubai, United Arab Emirates| rowspan="1 |-|018|Superkombat World Grand Prix II 2013||Craiova Arena| Craiova, Romania| |-|017|Superkombat New Heroes 3||Gasometer| Vienna, Austria| rowspan="1 |-|016|Superkombat World Grand Prix I 2013||Antonio Alexe Arena| Oradea, Romania| |-|015|Superkombat New Heroes 2||Ginásio Milton Feijão| São Paulo, Brazil| rowspan="1 |-|014|Superkombat New Heroes 1||Hotel Kvarner| Rijeka, Croatia| rowspan="1 |-|013|Superkombat World Grand Prix 2012 Final||Bucharest Arena| Bucharest, Romania| |-|012|Superkombat World Grand Prix 2012 Final Elimination||Craiova Arena| Craiova, Romania| |-|011|Superkombat World Grand Prix IV 2012||Galleria| Arad, Romania| |-|010|Superkombat World Grand Prix III 2012||Kongresna Hall| Varna, Bulgaria| |-|009|Superkombat World Grand Prix II 2012||Horia Demian Arena| Cluj-Napoca, Romania| |-|008|Superkombat World Grand Prix I 2012||Morača Center| Podgorica, Montenegro| |-|007|Superkombat World Grand Prix 2011 Final||Böllenfalltorhalle| Frankfurt, Germany| |-|006|Superkombat Fight Club||Oradea Shopping City| Oradea, Romania| |-|005|Superkombat World Grand Prix IV 2011||Piatra Neamț Arena| Piatra Neamț, Romania| |-|004|Superkombat World Grand Prix III 2011||Danubius Arena| Brăila, Romania| rowspan="1 |-|003|Superkombat World Grand Prix II 2011||Constanța Arena| Constanța, Romania| |-|002|Superkombat World Grand Prix I 2011||Mihai Flamaropol Ice Arena| Bucharest, Romania| rowspan="1 |-|001|Superkombat The Pilot Show||Traian Hall| Râmnicu Vâlcea, Romania| |}

Controversy

In 2016, an article by MMA Plus reported that several European kickboxing promotions, including Superkombat, were accused of withholding payments from fighters.[35] 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.[36]

Awards

  • World Independent Promoters Union (WIPU)

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Programul galei Superkombat de pe 7 martie de la Ploieşti . Gazeta Sporturilor. 1 March 2015. Romanian.
  2. Web site: Luptătorii Superkombat Filip, Năstase și Chelariu fac show în China. Libertatea. 21 August 2017. Romanian.
  3. Web site: Card Changes for November 7th and Other Big News for Superkombat. fightbox.com. 2 March 2021.
  4. News: Liverkick's Exclusive Interview with Superkombat President Eduard Irimia. liverkick.com. 25 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20200203225803/https://liverkick.com/liverkicks-exclusive-interview-with-superkombat-president-eduard-irimia/. 3 February 2020. dead.
  5. Web site: Superkombat announces global expansion. Bloody Elbow. 9 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130111221323/https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/1/9/3851882/superkombat-global-expansion-kickboxing-us-k-1-k1-wako. 11 January 2013. dead. one of the world’s top kickboxing organizations.
  6. Web site: Superkombat New Heroes LIVE November 12, 2016 . FightBox HD . November 7, 2016. one of the top kickboxing promotions in the world.
  7. Web site: Kickboxing News: Badr Hari Update, Superkombat And K-1 Team Up, Much More. Bloody Elbow. 14 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120815224144/https://bloodyelbow.com/2012/8/14/3241787/kickboxing-news-badr-hari-jail-assault-superkombat-k1-k-1-grand-prix-glory. 15 August 2012. dead.
  8. Web site: K-1 Announces Agreement With SuperKombat. Liver Kick . December 4, 2019 . liverkick.com. 1 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20200420153325/http://liverkick.com/k-1-announces-agreement-with-superkombat/. 20 April 2020. dead. Superkombat WGP is the industry leader in fight production throughout Europe..
  9. Web site: Mr. Eduard Irimia and WAKO President, E. Falsoni, signed an historical agreement in Bucharest. WAKO. 7 February 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20200919222637/http://wako.sport/en/article/2011/02/07/mr-eduard-irimia-and-wako-president-efalsoni-signed-an-historical-agre/66/. 19 September 2020. dead.
  10. Web site: Eduard Irimia, cel mai bun promotor . Casino Life & Business Magazine . May 3, 2012.
  11. Web site: Iftimoaie Defeats Jorge & Receives WKN Belt Live on Eurosport. WKN. 1 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20161120142414/https://www.worldkickboxingnetwork.com/2016/08/10/wkn-romania-superkombat-comanesti-results/. 20 November 2016. dead. The event broke European attendance record with 34.000 fans..
  12. Web site: Rob Tatum. Superkombat Comanesti Results. Combat Press. August 7, 2016. The crowd was the biggest in Europe since a K-1 event in Amsterdam in 2007..
  13. Web site: Superkombat Comănești Breaks European Attendance Record. Zach Aittama. Combat Press. August 10, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160822085344/http://combatpress.com/2016/08/superkombat-comanesti-breaks-attendance-record-in-europe/. August 22, 2016. dead. record setting attendance that garnered an astounding 34,000 people in Comănești.
  14. Web site: SuperKombat Tastes Prestige of WKN Live on Eurosport. Fightmag. 8 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20180621070351/https://www.fightmag.com.au/2015/11/08/superkombat-tastes-prestige-of-wkn-live-on-eurosport/. 21 June 2018. dead.
  15. Web site: WKN Makes Kickboxing History in Romania. Fightmag. 18 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160828151145/https://www.fightmag.com.au/2016/08/18/wkn-romania-makes-sports-history/. 28 August 2016. dead.
  16. News: Primul număr Forbes România: 50.000 tiraj şi copertă cu promotorul galelor Local Kombat. Pagina de Media. 18 March 2009. Romanian.
  17. News: Forbes Romania intra pe piata intr-un tiraj de 50.000 de exemplare. Wall-Street.ro. 19 March 2009. Romanian.
  18. http://alinhuiu.ro/2011/11/11/povestea-lui-eduard-irimia-promotorul-care-a-mutat-k-1-din-japonia-in-romania/ Povestea lui Eduard Irimia, promotorul care a mutat K-1 din K-1 din Japonia în România
  19. Web site: Fight Now TV home for SUPERKOMBAT kickboxing in US. Sherdog. 26 September 2013.
  20. Web site: Superkombat to air kickboxing and MMA on CBS Sports Network in 2017. Bloody Elbow. 14 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131420/https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/12/14/13957440/superkombat-kickboxing-mma-cbs-sports-network-2017-watch-online-news. 6 February 2018. dead.
  21. Web site: Superkombat Reaches Deal With CBSSN. January 2017 . fightsports.tv. 2 March 2021.
  22. News: Fight club - Kickbox cu români pe Eurosport - Consumer Site . Gancu, Alexandru (Eurosport) . 2011-04-15 . 2011-10-19 . ro . https://web.archive.org/web/20110831144059/http://tv.eurosport.ro/fightclub/storynews_sto2750820.shtml . 2011-08-31 . dead .
  23. Web site: Castigatorii premiilor SUPERKOMBAT WGP 2011 . Gladiatorium . 4 December 2011 . Romanian . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402114512/http://www.gladiatorium.ro/?p=2770 . 2 April 2015.
  24. Web site: Lista premianţilor la festivitatea Superkombat International. OnlineSport.ro. December 4, 2011. ro.
  25. Web site: February 19, 2013. Liverkick's Exclusive Interview with Superkombat President Eduard Irimia. Liverkick.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20131218213726/http://liverkick.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2310:liverkicks-exclusive-interview-with-superkombat-president-eduard-irimia-pt-1&catid=43:interviews. 18 December 2013. dead.
  26. Web site: Mixed martial arts competition Superkombat to be held in Bucharest, Romania this December . Romania Insider . 2012-11-15 . 2025-05-31.
  27. Web site: Kaled and Basel Fetrawi . Milestone Magazine . July 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20241112165703/https://milestonemagazine.com/kaled-and-basel-fetrawi/ . November 12, 2024.
  28. News: SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix – Final in Galati, Romania on December 21st. Muaythai TV. 13 December 2013. January 12, 2020. March 3, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20200112101826/http://www.muaythaitv.com/news/superkombat-world-grand-prix-e-final-in-galati-romania-on-december-21st-n3699.html#sthash.RFP89VmX.dpbs. dead.
  29. Web site: Donații pentru victimele din Colectiv, din încasările Galei Superkombat. Cauza, promovată în peste 100 de țări!. România Liberă. 2 November 2015. Romanian.
  30. Web site: Nicolas WAMBA s'incline en 1/2 finale du SUPERKOMBAT. muaythaitv.fr . 2 January 2021.
  31. Web site: Tarik Kbabez dominates Superkombat World Grand Prix, now waits to face Daniel Sam in Contender Promotions . mmaplus.co.uk. 29 September 2014.
  32. http://liverkick.com/index.php/item/3527-catalin-morosanu-vs-badr-hari-postponed-due-to-conditions Catalin Morosanu vs. Badr Hari Postponed Due to 'Conditions'
  33. Web site: Șansa carierei pentru cel mai talentat luptător român! Se va lupta pentru centura mondială Superkombat. Gazeta Sporturilor. 25 March 2018. Romanian.
  34. Web site: Macedonian faces off against "Swiss" Beni Osmanovski. minareport.com. 4 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181110034645/https://www.minareport.com/2018/11/04/macedonian-faces-off-against-swiss-beni-osmanovski/. 10 November 2018. dead.
  35. Web site: European Kickboxing Promotions Withholding Payments from Fighters . MMA Plus . Anoop Hothi . November 18, 2016.
  36. Web site: Anoop Hothi . Superkombat respond to non‑payment allegations by Colin George and Daniel Sam . MMA Plus . November 22, 2016.

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