Rustemi Kreshnik

Rustemi Kreshnik (born April 29, 1984) is an Albanian-Belgian kickboxer who competes in the heavyweight division. Having moved to Belgium from Kosovo as a youngster, Kreshnik began training in Muay Thai and kickboxing while working as a bouncer. He turned professional in 2003 and rose to prominence by claiming the Belgian and Benelux titles before going on to become a gatekeeper in the It's Showtime promotion from 2009 until the organization's demise in 2012.[1][2]

Rustemi Kreshnik
Born (1984-04-29) April 29, 1984
Pejë, SFR Yugoslavia
NationalityAlbanian
Belgian
Height1.87 m (6 ft 1 1⁄2 in)
Weight108 kg (238 lb; 17.0 st)
DivisionHeavyweight
StyleKickboxing • Muay Thai --k1
Fighting out ofAntwerp, Belgium
TeamTeam Celtix
Team Kreshnik
TrainerPeter Lamberts
Roger van Oudenhoven
Stefan Wellens
Years active2003–present
Kickboxing record
Total39
Wins30
By knockout11
Losses8
By knockout6
Draws1
last updated on: December 13, 2013

Career

Early career (2003–2008)

Kreshnik was born in the city of Peć in the now disputed territory of Kosovo. He spent the first years of his life there and rather surprisingly his first love was skiing, not fighting. In 1998, he left Peć to live with his sister in the city of Antwerp in Belgium. Growing up in Belgium, after initially struggling with the language, he started training as a mechanic with his future seemingly in the auto trade industry. To supplant his income, he also worked nights at a local club that was no stranger to trouble. At one of these nights, he met his future trainers Peter Lamberts and Omar Bel Hadi who invited him to their Muay Thai club where he started training in the art.[3]

After fighting on a number of shows in Belgium and fast establishing himself as one of the top heavyweights in the country. he made his K-1 debut (and so far only appearance for the organization) on February 24, 2006 at a small event in Tournai, France, where he faced Souleimane Konate for the World Full Contact Association (WFCA) Benelux Heavyweight (-95 kg/209 lb) Thaiboxing Championship, winning by stoppage. He held his title for little over a month, however, losing to Dutch-based Palestinian Mo Boubkhari in his next fight in Brussels. At the end of the year, Kreshnik overcame his biggest challenge yet when he defeated former K-1 fighter Naoufal Benazzouz at the Time for Action event across the border in the Netherlands.

It's Showtime (2009–2012)

It was the victory over Benazzouz that drew Rustemi to the fledgling It's Showtime organization who made him their fifth Belgian-based signing in September 2008 (although he had first fought and won on an It's Showtime card back in 2005).[4] By signing to such a competitive organization, Rustemi would have the chance to face some of Europe's top fighters. He made his official promotional debut on February 8, 2009 at Fights at the Border presents: It's Showtime 2009 in his home town of Antwerp, facing two time world champion Mourad Bouzidi, and losing via stoppage due to a cut in the first round.

He returned three months later to take on Christiano Delgado on the It's Showtime 2009 Amsterdam supercard at the Amsterdam Arena, where he won by technical knockout due to referee stoppage in the third round,[5] but then dropped a decision to Wendell Roche at It's Showtime 2009 Budapest on August 29, 2009.

On October 29, 2009, he scored the biggest victory of his career by defeating Rico Verhoeven at It's Showtime 2009 Lommel. The bout was scored a draw after the regulation three rounds, but Kreshnik was given the nod by the judges after a close extension round. He then followed this up with another points win over Tomáš Hron at It's Showtime 2010 Amsterdam on May 29, 2010 before stepping up to face the reigning It's Showtime Heavyweight Champion Hesdy Gerges in a non-title affair at Fightingstars presents: It's Showtime 2010 in Amsterdam, Netherlands on September 12, 2010. Gerges was simply too good, however, and stopped Kreshnik with low kicks in the second round.

Following this defeat, Kreshnik decided to move down to the 95 kg/209 lb weight class and debuted in this division against former amateur standout Nenad Pagonis at Yiannis Evgenikos presents: It’s Showtime Athens on December 11, 2010, losing a unanimous decision.[6] He then returned to the heavyweight division to take on Moises Baute at BFN Group & Music Hall presents: It's Showtime "Fast & Furious 70MAX" in Brussels on September 25, 2011 and won by knockout in round two.[7][8]

He was then expected to fight at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2011 in Nanjing Final 16 on October 29, 2011.[9][10] However, the event was cancelled due to the promotion experiencing severe financial problems.[11]

Kreshnik returned to the ring after eight months of inactivity with a first-round TKO of Michael Duut at Siam Gym Belgium presents: It's Showtime 56 in Kortrijk, Belgium.[12][13][14]

He was initially scheduled to face the legendary Jérôme Le Banner at the June 30, 2012 Music Hall & BFN Group present: It's Showtime 57 & 58,[15][16] but the Frenchman was forced to pull out due to contract issues[17] and Kreshnik was instead given a rematch with Mourad Bouzidi.[18] He lost by stoppage once again, this time suffering a horrific broken nose from a Bouzidi knee knockout in round two.[19][20]

Recent career (2013–present)

After eighteen months of inactivity following It's Showtime's buyout and subsequent closure by Glory, Kreshnik made his return to the ring at FFC10: Rodriguez vs. Batzelas in Skopje, Macedonia on December 13, 2013, taking a unanimous decision over Dino Belošević.[21]

He was scheduled to fight at the SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix I 2015 in Ploiești, Romania on 7 March 2015 but pulled out for unknown reasons.[22]

He was scheduled to fight at the SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix 2015 Final Elimination in Milan, Italy on 2 October 2015 but pulled out due to injury leaving Raul Cătinaș without opponent and out of the event.

Kreshnik appeared in the videoclip Street Credibility by the Belgian rapper CHG Unfadable.[23]

Championships and awards

Kickboxing
  • World Full Contact Association
    • WFCA European Super Heavyweight (+95 kg/+209 lb) K1 Championship [24]
    • WFCA Belgian Heavyweight (-95 kg/209 lb) Thaiboxing Championship
    • WFCA Benelux Heavyweight (-95 kg/209 lb) Thaiboxing Championship

Kickboxing record
Kickboxing record
30 wins (11 KOs), 7 losses, 1 draw[25]
DateResultOpponentEventLocationMethodRoundTimeRecord
2015-05-16Loss Ismael LondtA1 World Combat CupEindhoven, NetherlandsTKO (referee stoppage)130-8-1
2014-12-06Win Andre SchmelingFights at the BorderLommel, BelgiumDecision53:0030-7-1
For the WFCA European Heavyweight Title +95 kg. [26]
2014-09-13Win Alexander VolobuevTatneft Arena World Cup 2012 final, Super FightKazan, RussiaTKO (3 knockdowns)129-7-1
2013-12-13Win Dino BeloševićFFC10: Rodriguez vs. BatzelasSkopje, MacedoniaDecision (unanimous)33:0028-7-1
2012-06-30Loss Mourad BouzidiMusic Hall & BFN Group present: It's Showtime 57 & 58Brussels, BelgiumKO (right knee)20:2527-7-1
2012-05-12Win Michael DuutSiam Gym Belgium presents: It's Showtime 56Kortrijk, BelgiumTKO (punches)13:0027-6-1
2011-09-25Win Moises BauteBFN Group & Music Hall presents: It's Showtime "Fast & Furious 70MAX"Brussels, BelgiumKO (right hook)21:4126-6-1
2010-12-11Loss Nenad PagonisYiannis Evgenikos presents: It’s Showtime AthensAthens, GreeceDecision (unanimous)33:0025-6-1
2010-09-12Loss Hesdy GergesFightingstars presents: It's Showtime 2010Amsterdam, NetherlandsTKO (low kicks)22:3325-5-1
2010-05-29Win Tomáš HronIt's Showtime 2010 AmsterdamAmsterdam, NetherlandsDecision33:0025-4-1
2010-04-10Win Errol ParrisStar Muaythai V[27]Maastricht, NetherlandsTKO (referee stoppage)124-4-1
2009-10-24Win Rico VerhoevenIt's Showtime 2009 LommelLommel, BelgiumExtension round decision43:0023-4-1
2009-08-29Loss Wendell RocheIt's Showtime 2009 BudapestBudapest, HungaryDecision33:0022-4-1
2009-05-16Win Christiano DelgadoIt's Showtime 2009 AmsterdamAmsterdam, NetherlandsTKO (referee stoppage)322-3-1
2009-02-08Loss Mourad BouzidiFights at the Border presents: It's Showtime 2009Antwerp, BelgiumTKO (cut)11:5321-3-1
2008-05-24Win Volkan DüzgünGentleman Promotions Fight Night V[28]Tilburg, NetherlandsDecision33:00
2007-12-02Win Naoufal BenazzouzTime for Action[29][30]Nijmegen, NetherlandsDecision33:00
2007-03-18Loss Mo Boubkhari"The Real Team" Thai-box Gala[31]Brussels, BelgiumTKO (cut)
Loses the WFCA Benelux Heavyweight (-95 kg/209 lb) Thaiboxing Championship.
2007-02-24Win Souleimane KonatéK-1 Rules Heavy Weights Academy 2007Tournai, BelgiumTKO (doctor stoppage)
Wins the WFCA Benelux Heavyweight (-95 kg/209 lb) Thaiboxing Championship.
2007-01-13Win Zourdani Osman GymBKBMO Muay Thai GalaZwevegem, BelgiumDecision (unanimous)32:00
2006-12-03Win Daveaux ShianshinkaiMuay Thai Gala BrusselsBrussels, BelgiumKO4
2005-10-00Win Filip VerlindenFight of the Gladiator 4BelgiumDecision52:00
2005-10-02Win Robert WillemsIt's Showtime 75MAX Trophy, 1st Round - TilburgTilburg, NetherlandsTKO (doctor stoppage)1
2005-00-00Win David Keclik[32]AustriaKO (spinning back kick)1
2003-11-15Win FunziWKA Brussels Fight Night[33]Brussels, BelgiumTKO2
2003-10-18Win Bruno GeerinckxMuay Thai Gala DeurneDeurne, BelgiumDecision (unanimous)32:00

Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

References
  1. "Rustemi Kreshnik - It's Showtime - Official website (DOB, weight etc)". www.itsshowtime.nl. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  2. "Kreshnik Rrustemi Facebook (DOB, weight etc)". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  3. "Kreshnik Rrustemi (Early career details)". kosovaboxing.org. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  4. "Nieuw belgisch talent tekent bij IT'S SHOWTIME (In Dutch - Rustemi signs with It's Showtime)". kosovaboxing.org. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  5. "IT'S SHOWTIME 16/5/09 REPORT". Archived from the original on 2009-05-26. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
  6. Dave Walsh. "It's Showtime Athens Results". liverkick.com.
  7. Dave Walsh. "It's Showtime Fast & Furious 70MAX Preview: Super Fights". liverkick.com.
  8. Dave Walsh. "It's Showtime Fast & Furious 70MAX Live Results". liverkick.com.
  9. Dave Walsh. "Report: Xhavit Bajrami and Rustemi Kreshnik to Participate in K-1 WGP Final 16". liverkick.com.
  10. Dave Walsh. "Report: K-1 WGP Final 16 Match-ups - Peter Aerts Returns". liverkick.com.
  11. Fraser Coffeen. "Report: K-1 Grand Prix 2011 Cancelled". Bloody Elbow.
  12. Dave Walsh. "It's Showtime May 12 Fight Card: Grigorian vs. Chahid Headlines". liverkick.com.
  13. Dave Walsh. "It's Showtime 56 Tomorrow Features Daniel Ghita, 85kg Title Fight". liverkick.com.
  14. Dave Walsh. "It's Showtime 56 Live Results + How To Watch". liverkick.com.
  15. Dave Walsh. "It's Showtime June 30 Poster + Fights: Aerts, Spong, Le Banner, Ghita, Souwer Featured". liverkick.com.
  16. Dave Walsh. "It's Showtime June 30 Fight Card: Star Studded With 2 Title Fights". liverkick.com.
  17. Dave Walsh. "More Changes to It's Showtime 57&58 on June 30th". liverkick.com.
  18. Dave Walsh. "Full Fight Card For It's Showtime 57/58 Tomorrow, Headlined By Peter Aerts vs. Tyrone Spong". liverkick.com.
  19. Dave Walsh. "It's Showtime 57/58: Aerts vs. Spong Live Results". liverkick.com.
  20. "Rustemi Kreshnik Suffers Nasty Broken Nose During Kickboxing Bout (Video)". totalprosports.com.
  21. "Final fight championship 10 – rezultati". borilacki-klub.com.
  22. "Cel mai dur fotbalist polonez urcă în ring la Superkombat Ploieşti" (in Romanian). sportnews.ro. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  23. "(VIDEO) Valentijn Overeem i Rustemi Kreshnik u spotu belgijskog repera". croring.com. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
  24. "Round1Network » Uitslagen Fights at the Border". round1network.com. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
  25. "Rustemi Kreshnik - It's Showtime - Official website (Gives record up to 2011)". www.itsshowtime.nl. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  26. "Round1Network » Fights at the Border". round1network.com.
  27. "Fotoverslag Starmuay V / Maastricht 10 april". www.mixfight.nl. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  28. "GOLDEN GLORY (Gentlemen Promotions Fight Night results)". www.goldenglory.com. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  29. "noafal ( iron leg) benazouz maakt comeback!! (Dutch language - fight against Kreshnik)". www.kickbox.nl. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  30. "noafal iron leg vs kreshnik ronde 3". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  31. "Grote Mo wint Beneluxtitel!". www.kickbox.nl. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  32. "mededeling 9sept 2007 (Mentions Rustemi beating Keclik in Austria)". www.kickbox.nl. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  33. "Brussels Fight Night Results". message.axkickboxing.com. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
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