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   » » Wiki: Cheick Kongo
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Cheick Kongo (born May 17, 1975) is a French mixed martial artist and former who fights in the Heavyweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2001, he has also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship and .


Early life
Born to a father and a Congolese mother, Kongo began training in martial arts when he was 5 years old, learning and . As he grew older, he had already received a black belt in both styles and began to expand his repertoire and trained in , , , and Greco Roman Wrestling at the age of 19. At the age of 23 he learned Persaudaraan Setia Hati Terate under the tutelage of Charles Joussoat and Franck Ropers, who learned it from C. N. Hardjono Turpijn, the pioneer of Pencak Silat PSHT in Europe. English – Cheick Kongo. Team-kongo.over-blog.com. Retrieved August 4, 2011. Silat PSHT Tersohor di Dunia Berkat Franck Ropers, Pendekar Prancis yang Miliki Ribuan Murid. Malangtimes. Retrieved August 17, 2024. Kongo was interducted to through at age 25, and started his career in mixed martial arts in 2001. He is also a cousin of rugby star Fulgence Ouedraogo, the French back-rower. Cheick is also a columnist for the French MMA magazine, Top Fight.


Mixed martial arts career
On June 10, 2001, Kongo began his professional career by knocking out Doog Ward. Kongo then followed up that win with a TKO over Dave van der Veen. He then lost his third professional MMA fight to by decision. He faced on May 20, losing for the second time in his career when he tapped to strikes in the second round. He trained with Anderson Silva and Wanderlei Silva in the early days of Pride Fighting Championships.


Ultimate Fighting Championship
Kongo entered the UFC to fight Gilbert Aldana at UFC 61, whom he beat by TKO due to a doctor stoppage. Kongo followed up with a win over UFC newcomer Christian Wellisch by KO due to a knee strike, before losing to UFC newcomer at UFC 64. Then, Kongo defeated Assuério Silva by majority decision at UFC 70.

At UFC 75 on September 8, 2007, he defeated Mirko Cro Cop by unanimous decision. Though there was controversy as Kongo kneed Cro Cop in the groin several times without having any points deducted, inspiring American MMA fans to give Kongo the nickname "Cup Cheick".

He fought against at UFC 82, losing by split decision. At UFC 87 he fought against UFC newcomer , whom he defeated by first-round TKO.

Kongo fought at UFC 92 on December 27, 2008, where he beat former British Heavyweight champion Mustapha al-Turk by TKO. Kongo dropped Al Turk with two right hands. Then fired on a vicious ground and pound attack, Kongo pounced on al-Turk with elbows and punches, opening up a big cut above the eye. Referee Steve Mazzagatti stopped the fight after 4:37 of the first round.

In his next fight he defeated at UFC 97 by second-round TKO.

Kongo replaced Heath Herring on three weeks notice at UFC 99 to face the up-and-coming in the co-main event. Kongo lost to Velasquez by unanimous decision in a one-sided affair. He did however, manage to drop Velasquez on two occasions with straight punches. It had been rumoured that if he was to defeat Velasquez, Kongo would earn a title shot against the winner of the UFC 100 Heavyweight Championship between and . Mir lost his bout against Lesnar and actually ended up fighting Kongo at UFC 107. During the pre-fight talk, Mir stated that Kongo had no ground game, so at the weigh ins Cheick Kongo turned his back to Mir, to be disrespectful. Mir won the fight by a submission. After connecting with a left overhand punch that dropped Kongo, Mir finished him with a guillotine choke, rendering Kongo unconscious just 72 seconds into the first round.

Kongo defeated on March 21, 2010, at by submission due to elbows.

Kongo was expected to face The Ultimate Fighter 10 winner Roy Nelson on July 3, 2010, at UFC 116 but a back injury to Kongo has caused the cancellation of the fight.

Kongo's next fight was against undefeated at UFC 120.Marrocco, Steven. (July 2, 2010) Heavyweights Cheick Kongo vs. Travis Browne targeted for UFC 120 . MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved August 4, 2011. They fought to a unanimous draw. Kongo repeatedly grabbed Browne's shorts and had 1 point deducted in the final round.

Kongo fought Pat Barry on June 26, 2011, at UFC on Versus 4. His fight against Barry became the main event since was not medically cleared for his welterweight debut against . During the bout Kongo was dropped by a looping right hand. Visibly rocked, Kongo got back to his feet but was dropped again seconds later by another hard punch. Despite being dropped twice, Kongo was able to knock Barry out with a hard overhand right to the ear, followed by an uppercut to the chin to secure a win midway through the first round.

Kongo faced on October 29, 2011, at UFC 137. He won the fight via unanimous decision by utilizing his reach with his jab and securing multiple takedowns.

Kongo faced on February 26, 2012, at UFC 144. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Kongo was expected to face Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira on July 21, 2012, at . However, Nogueira pulled out of the bout, citing that an arm injury sustained in his last bout against had not healed enough to resume the proper training and was replaced by . Kongo defeated Jordan via unanimous decision.

Kongo faced Roy Nelson on April 27, 2013, at UFC 159, they were supposed to meet before at UFC 116. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round. After his loss to Nelson, Kongo's UFC contract expired and he was released from the UFC.

Before UFC 159 the UFC offered Kongo a four-fight deal, which he turned down. Kongo left the UFC with a 11-6-1 record.

On May 4, 2013, Kongo stated that he is on good terms with the UFC and was quoted saying: "Don't believe he said-she said stories. I have not been cut by the UFC. I am Cheick Kongo so I know best what's next for me. It doesn't mean that I am leaving the UFC, it doesn't mean that I am staying – it means this is my life." Kongo has stated that he is open to the possibility of resigning a contract with the UFC.


Bellator MMA
Shortly after it was announced that Cheick's teammate was going to , it was stated that Kongo will be following his teammate. Kongo's move to was official on August 28, 2013.

Kongo made his debut in the . He faced Mark Godbeer on October 4, 2013, at . Kongo won the fight via TKO in the second round.

He was then expected to face in the tournament finals, on November 2, 2013, at . However, due to a change in the line up, the bout was canceled.

Bout between Kongo and Queiroz was then expected to take place on November 8, 2013, at Bellator 107. However, Queiroz was later forced to withdraw from the bout due to a knee injury and was replaced by Peter Graham. Kongo won the fight via unanimous decision.

Kongo faced undefeated Bellator Heavyweight Champion at Bellator 115 on April 4, 2014. He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision. Kongo faced Eric Smith at Bellator 120 on May 17, 2014. He won the fight via TKO by way of knees and punches at 4:35 of Round 2.

Kongo faced fellow striker at Bellator 123 on September 5, 2014. He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the first round. This marked his first submission win that was not caused by strikes since 2003.

Kongo faced at on February 27, 2015. He lost the fight via split decision.

Kongo faced former Bellator Heavyweight Champion Alexander Volkov on June 26, 2015, at Bellator 139. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Kongo faced at Bellator 150 on February 26, 2016. In the third round, Kongo was dropped by a right hand, however, he was able to recover and win a split decision.

Kongo faced Tony Johnson at Bellator 161 on September 16, 2016. He won the fight via majority decision.

Kongo faced former training partner at Bellator 172 on February 18, 2017. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Kongo faced at Bellator 179 on May 19, 2017. He won the fight via split decision.

Kongo faced at Bellator 199 on May 12 in San Jose, CA. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Kongo faced Timothy Johnson on October 13, 2018, at Bellator 208. He won the fight by knockout in the first round.

Kongo faced for a second time on February 16, 2019, at Bellator 216 He won the fight by unanimous decision.

On July 11, 2019, it was announced that Kongo will be facing for the Bellator Heavyweight World Championship on September 7 at Bellator 226. The bout ended in a no contest at 3:52 of the first round after an accidental eye poke from Bader rendered Kongo unable to continue.

On May 4, 2020, it was revealed that Kongo had signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator.

On October 10, 2020, Kongo fought in a rematch Timothy Johnson at Bellator 248 in Paris, France. He lost via split decision.

Kongo faced Sergei Kharitonov on August 20, 2021, at Bellator 265. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round two.

Kongo faced for the Bellator Heavyweight World Championship on May 6, 2022, at Bellator 280. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.


Championships and achievements

Kickboxing
  • 2005 World Champion Federation King of the Rings
  • 2005 King of Colosseum Tournament Champion
  • 2005 Rings World Champion
  • 2004 King of the Ring Super World Champion
  • 2004 Muay Thai World Champion
  • 2003 Intercontinental Muay Thai Champion
  • 2002 RINGS European Champion
  • 2001 RINGS European Vice Champion
  • European Savate Champion


Mixed martial arts
    • Most fights in Bellator Heavyweight division history (18)
    • Most victories in Bellator Heavyweight division history (13)
  • Ultimate Fighting Championship
    • Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Pat Barry
    • UFC.com Awards
      • 2007: Ranked #8 Upset of the Year
      • 2009: Ranked #7 Loss of the Year
      • 2011: Knockout of the Year
  • King of the Ring
    • KOTR Super World Champion -103 kg
  • World MMA Awards
    • 2011 Comeback of the Year vs. Pat Barry at


Mixed martial arts record
|- |Loss |align=center| | |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator 280 | |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |, France | |- |Win |align=center|31–11–2 (1) | Sergei Kharitonov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 265 | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 4:59 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|30–11–2 (1) |Timothy Johnson |Decision (split) |Bellator 248 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |, France | |- |NC |align=center|30–10–2 (1) | |NC (accidental eye poke) |Bellator 226 | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:52 |San Jose, California, United States | |- |Win |align=center|30–10–2 | |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator 216 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |- |Win |align=center|29–10–2 |Timothy Johnson |KO (punches) |Bellator 208 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:08 |Uniondale, New York, United States | |- |Win |align=center|28–10–2 | |KO (punches) |Bellator 199 | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:29 |San Jose, California, United States | |- |Win |align=center|27–10–2 | |Decision (split) |Bellator 179 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |, England | |- |Win |align=center|26–10–2 | |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator 172 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |San Jose, California, United States | |- |Win |align=center|25–10–2 |Tony Johnson |Decision (majority) |Bellator 161 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Cedar Park, Texas, United States | |- |Win |align=center|24–10–2 | |Decision (split) |Bellator 150 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Mulvane, Kansas, United States | |- |Win |align=center|23–10–2 |Alexander Volkov |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator 139 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Mulvane, Kansas, United States | |- |Loss |align=center| | |Decision (split) |Bellator 134 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 22–9–2 | | Submission (rear-naked choke) | | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 3:27 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 21–9–2 | Eric Smith | TKO (knees and punches) | | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 4:35 | Southaven, Mississippi, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 20–9–2 | | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 115 | | align=center| 5 | align=center| 5:00 | Reno, Nevada, United States | |- | Win | align= center| 20–8–2 | Peter Graham | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 107 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 19–8–2 | | TKO (knees and punches) | | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 2:04 | Visalia, California, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 18–8–2 | Roy Nelson | KO (punches) | UFC 159 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:03 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 18–7–2 | | Decision (unanimous) | | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | |- | Loss | align=center| 17–7–2 | | TKO (punches) | UFC 144 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:11 | Saitama, Japan | |- | Win | align=center| 17–6–2 | | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 137 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 16–6–2 | Pat Barry | KO (punch) | | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:39 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | |- | Draw | align=center| 15–6–2 | | Draw (unanimous) | UFC 120 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | , England | |- | Win | align=center| 15–6–1 | | TKO (submission to elbows to the legs) | | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 1:16 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 14–6–1 | | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 107 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:12 | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 14–5–1 | | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 99 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | , Germany | |- | Win | align=center| 14–4–1 | | TKO (punches) | UFC 97 | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 2:29 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |- | Win | align=center| 13–4–1 | | TKO (elbows and punches) | UFC 92 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:37 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 12–4–1 | | TKO (punches) | UFC 87 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:55 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 11–4–1 | | Decision (split) | UFC 82 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 11–3–1 | Mirko Cro Cop | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 75 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | , England | |- | Win | align=center| 10–3–1 | Assuério Silva | Decision (majority) | UFC 70 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | , England | |- | Loss | align=center| 9–3–1 | | Decision (split) | UFC 64 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 9–2–1 | Christian Wellisch | KO (knee) | UFC 62 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:51 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 8–2–1 | Gilbert Aldana | TKO (doctor stoppage) | UFC 61 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:13 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 7–2–1 | Dave Dalgliesh | TKO (punches) | | | align=center| 2 | align=center| N/A | | |- | Win | align=center| 6–2–1 | Gabor Nemeth | KO (punches) | King of the Ring: Mission Impossible | | align=center| 2 | align=center| N/A | , Croatia | |- | Loss | align=center| 5–2–1 | | TKO (punches) | It's Showtime 2004 Amsterdam | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 4:40 | , Netherlands | |- | Win | align=center| 5–1–1 | | KO (punch) | | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:31 | | |- | Win | align=center| 4–1–1 | Dave Vader | Decision (unanimous) | | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 2:00 | | |- | Win | align=center| 3–1–1 | | Submission (armbar) | It's Showtime 2003 Amsterdam | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 0:59 | , Netherlands | |- | Draw | align=center| 2–1–1 | Michael Knaap | Draw (unanimous) | | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 5:00 | | |- | Loss | align=center| 2–1 | | Decision (unanimous) | | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 5:00 | , Netherlands | |- | Win | align=center| 2–0 | Dave van der Veen | TKO (punches) | | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 1:25 | | |- | Win | align=center| 1–0 | André Tete | Submission (heel hook) | | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 3:20 | , Netherlands |


Kickboxing record (incomplete)
21 wins (16 (T)KO's), 1 loss {style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:100%;" class="wikitable sortable"
WinDusko BasrakTKO (punches)King of Colosseum 2005 4N/A
WinDecision (split)King of Colosseum 2005 33:00
WinTihamer BrunnerKOKing of Colosseum 2005 N/AN/A
LossDecision (unanimous)Ichigeki Paris 2005 33:00Paris, France
WinSinisa AndrijasevicTKO (knee to the liver)King of the Ring 2N/APriština, Serbia and Montenegro
WinMarcin RozalskiTKO (knees)N/AN/A3N/AParis, France

Legend:

|}


See also
  • List of male mixed martial artists
  • List of male kickboxers


External links
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