Serkan Yılmaz

Serkan Yılmaz (born May 11, 1975 in Kırşehir, Turkey), known as "The Turkish Samurai" and "The Turkish Wonder Kicker", is a Turkish taekwondo practitioner and kickboxer.

Biography and career

Yılmaz was born in 1975 in Kırşehir, and moved to Istanbul at the age of 2. He started learning Taekwondo at the age of 13 under the instruction of Salih Güzelordu. Later, he continued with Sadik Oflu. He started learning kickboxing at 14 years old.

He fought a lot of competitive matches in his young years, and won the tournaments in Istanbul in the 36, 40, 47 and 54 kg weight categories. He eventually became the Turkish champion in 1992, and at that time started training in kickboxing with Sadik Oflu. From 1992 to 2002, he won and defended the championship title, in Turkey and Europe. In the meantime, he started fighting wushu matches from 2000. He won the Turkish Wushu championship titles in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

Yılmaz started his K-1 career in 2003, defeating Takashi Ohno at K-1 World MAX 2003 World Tournament Final in his debut. He lost his next fight to Mike Cope, but was invited to compete in the 8-man Japan Grand Prix at K-1 World MAX 2004 Japan Tournament on February 24, 2004. He knocked out Kazuya Yasuhiro and Tomo in the quarter and semi-final stages before losing to Takayuki Kohiruimaki by decision in the final.^[1]

On April 7, 2004, Yılmaz lost to Japanese fans' favourite Masato via decision in the opening round of the K-1 World MAX at K-1 World MAX 2004 World Tournament Open. Following this, he competed twice more for K-1, against the USA's Duane Ludwig and Thailand's Shin Nopadetsorn, both of which he lost.

Yılmaz then fought one mixed martial arts match against Caol Uno in 2005, and lost via submission with an armlock.

Fighting style

His fighting style involves mostly kicking techniques, predominantly the turning kick, reverse turning kick and perhaps most spectacularly, the back piercing kick. He is very proficient with his punching techniques, and holds his guard up high.

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record

3 wins (2 KOs), 6 losses Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes Loss 3-7 Baker Barakat Ext.R. decision 02006-06-06-0000June 6, 2006 4 3:00 Turkey Loss 3-6 Kenichi Ogata Extra round decision (unanimous) Shoot Boxing 2005 Ground Zero Fukuoka 02005-01-23-0000January 23, 2005 6 3:00 Fukuoka, Japan Loss 3-5 Shin Nopadetsorn Decision (unanimous) Titans 1st 02004-11-06-0000November 6, 2004 3 3:00 Kitakyūshū, Japan Loss 3-4 Duane Ludwig Decision (unanimous) K-1 World MAX 2004 World Tournament Final 02004-07-07-0000July 7, 2004 3 3:00 Tokyo, Japan Loss 3-3 Masato Decision (unanimous) K-1 World MAX 2004 World Tournament Open 02004-04-07-0000April 7, 2004 3 3:00 Tokyo, Japan 2004 K-1 World MAX opening round. Loss 3-2 Takayuki Kohiruimaki Decision (unanimous) K-1 World MAX 2004 Japan Tournament 02004-02-24-0000February 24, 2004 3 3:00 Tokyo, Japan 2004 Japan Grand Prix final. Win 3-1 Tomo KO K-1 World MAX 2004 Japan Tournament 02004-02-24-0000February 24, 2004 1 2:13 Tokyo, Japan 2004 Japan Grand Prix semi-final. Win 2-1 Kazuya Yasuhiro KO K-1 World MAX 2004 Japan Tournament 02004-02-24-0000February 24, 2004 2 1:33 Tokyo, Japan 2004 Japan Grand Prix quarter-final. Loss 1-1 Mike Cope Decision (split) K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Melbourne 02003-07-27-0000July 27, 2003 3 3:00 Melbourne, Australia Win 1-0 Takashi Ohno Decision (unanimous) K-1 World MAX 2003 World Tournament Final 02003-07-05-0000July 5, 2003 3 3:00 Saitama, Japan Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest

Mixed martial arts record

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	0-1	Caol Uno	Submission (armbar)	K-1 World MAX 2003 World Tournament Final	02005-02-23-0000February 23, 2005	1	1:50	Tokyo, Japan

References

External links

• Professional MMA record for Serkan Yılmaz from Sherdog
• Serkan Yilmaz Fansite
• Serkan Yilmaz's K-1 record