Cătălin Zmărăndescu (born January 26, 1973, in Bucharest)[1] is a Romanian Super heavyweight kickboxer and, more recently, mixed martial artist. He became known participating in the Local Kombat fighting circuit and for his rivalry against Daniel Ghiţă's cousin, Ciprian Sora, also kickboxer but now retired. Zmărăndescu was also a bodyguard for Gigi Becali.
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Cătălin Zmărăndescu practised sport since he was 7 years old. He started with rugby, but after just 1 year he landed in the yard of Steaua Bucharest the wrestling section, where he remained until 1993. In parallel with the fighting, he practiced martial arts and boxing.[2]
Since 1993, he became Wushu, Thaibox, Kempo and multiple wrestling champion in Romania. He is also wrestling silver-medalist at the Balkan Games, also Wushu Vice-World Champion and European Champion. Besides these and many other medals he is Kung Fu European Champion and WAKO bronze-medalist at the World Cup.[3]
He is married and has two children.[4]
After four years with no fight, Cătălin Zmărăndescu made his return in the ring at K-1 ColliZion 2010 Croatia where he won by TKO in the 1st Round in a mixed martial arts match.[5]
Two months later, he faced Valentijn Overeem at K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Bucharest in a mixed martial arts match but lost by KO.[6]
He returned again at BAMMA 6 stopping English brawler Sharif Mohammed Ali early in the first round due to a forearm choke. [7]
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 8 matches | 6 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 1 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 1 |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 6–2 | Sharif Mohammed Ali | Submission (front choke) | BAMMA 6 | May 21, 2011 | 1 | 0:32 | London, England | |
| Loss | 5–2 | Kamen Georgiev | Decision (unanimous) | Local Kombat: Bătălia Balcanilor | July 16, 2010 | 2 | 5:00 | Constanţa, Romania | |
| Loss | 5–1 | Valentijn Overeem | KO (knee) | K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Bucharest | May 21, 2010 | 1 | 0:40 | Bucharest, Romania | |
| Win | 5-0 | Erni Strmonja | TKO (punches) | K-1 ColliZion 2010 Croatia | March 27, 2010 | 1 | 0:56 | Split, Croatia | |
| Win | 4–0 | Marian Vişan | TKO (punches) | Strike FC 3: Noaptea Demonilor | October 31, 2008 | 1 | 0:58 | Cluj Napoca, Romania | |
| Win | 3–0 | Tom Clemens | Decision (unanimous) | Strike FC 2: Mamaia | August 1, 2008 | 2 | 5:00 | Mamaia, Romania | |
| Win | 2–0 | Houston Smith | TKO (punches) | Invincible: A Means to an End | June 21, 2008 | 2 | 1:54 | Ontario, California, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Steve Sayegh | TKO (punches) | Strike FC: Night of Gladiators | April 18, 2008 | 1 | 0:13 | Ploiești, Romania |