Constantin Rusu

Constantin Rusu (born May 17, 1994) is a Moldovan kickboxer, currently competing in the lightweight division of ONE Championship. He is the former KOK and FEA welterweight champion. A professional competitor since 2016, Rusu has also competed for Colosseum Tournament and Dynamite Fighting Show in Romania.

Constantin Rusu
Born (1994-05-17) May 17, 1994[1]
Chișinău, Moldova
NicknameLioncrusher
Height180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight77 kg (170 lb; 12.1 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Reach180 cm (71 in)
StyleKickboxing
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofChișinău, Moldova
Iași, Romania
TeamLion Fight Academy
Scorpions Iași
Years active2016–present
Kickboxing record
Total30
Wins24
By knockout9
Losses5
By knockout2
Draws1

As of November 2022, he is ranked the #9 welterweight kickboxer in the world by Beyond Kick and #8 by Combat Press.[2][3]

Kickboxing career

King of Kings

Rusu faced Denis Apavaloae at KOK Hero's World Series on September 30, 2017.[4] He won the fight by a first-round knockout. Rusu next faced Pavel Pravashynski at KOK World GP 2017 In Moldova on December 9, 2017. He once again won the fight by first-round stoppage, as he knocked Pravashynski out with a flurry of punches at the 1:37 minute mark.[5]

These two victories earned him a place in the 2018 King of Kings welterweight "Hero's Tournament", which took place on March 24, 2018.[6][7] Rusu faced Matteo Calzetta in the semifinals of the one-day tournament and beat him by unanimous decision. He advanced to the finals, where he faced his countryman Dorel Cristian. Rusu won the fight and the tournament title by a narrow split decision.[8]

Rusu faced the two-time World Boxing Council Muaythai champion Cheick Sidibé in an 80 kilogram bout at the July 4, 2018, Tatneft Cup event. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[9][10] Rusu made his second consecutive Tatneft Cup appearance against Victor Monfort on August 24, 2018, once again in an 80 kilogram bout. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[11]

Rusu was expected to face the reigning King of Kings Welterweight (-77 kg) champion Zaurs Džavadovs at KOK Fight Series 2018 in Riga on October 27, 2018. The pair previously fought in the finals of the 2017 KOK Hero's welterweight tournament, with Džavadovs winning their first meeting by unanimous decision.[12] Džavadovs withdrew from the bout on October 26, due to problems with his vision, and was stripped of the belt. Džavadovs was diagnosed with diplopia a few months before the title fight was supposed to take place. As his condition worsened in the days leading up to the fight, he wasn't cleared to compete at the pre-fight medical check.[13] Rusu was rescheduled to face Latvian Aleksejs Marizihins for the vacant title at the same event. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[14]

FEA

Rusu made his FEA Fighting Entertainment Association promotional debut against Chico Kwasi at FEA World Series 27 on December 8, 2018.[15] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[16]

Rusu was then placed in the 2018 FEA Welterweight tournament, held to crown the FEA Welterweight (-77 kg) champion. He faced Alan Scheinson in the semifinals of the one-day tournament at FEA 28 on March 30, 2019.[17] He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout, forcing a referee stoppage with a flurry of punches at the 1:53 minute mark. Rusu faced Dorel Cristian in the finals. He previously fought Cristian in the finals of the 2018 KOK Hero's Welterweight Tournament, when was able to beat him by split decision. Rusu was more convincing in the rematch, as he was needed just 53 seconds to knock his opponent out.[18]

Rusu faced Ricardo Fernades for the vacant WKL Middleweight (-75 kg) K-1 title at Fighting Championship Events on June 8, 2019. He won the fight by decision.[19]

Rusu moved down in weight in order to take part in the 2019 FEA Lightweight tournament. He was booked to face Furkan Karabag in the semifinals of the one-day tournament, which took place on August 17, 2019.[20] Although Rusu was able to beat Karabag by split decision,[21] he suffered a decision loss to Zhora Akopyan in the finals. The bout with Akopyan was ruled a draw after the first three rounds were contested, but a unanimous decision was awarded to the Armenian fighter after an extra fourth round was fought.[22]

Rusu was stripped of the King of Kings Welterweight (-77 kg) Championship on December 2, 2019, due to inactivity.[23]

Rusu faced Pavel Grishanovich at FEA: Keep Grinding 2 on December 7, 2019.[24] He won the fight by unanimous decision. Rusu faced Mina Manoli at FEA Kickboxing: Reset on March 13, 2021, following a fifteen-month absence from the sport. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[25]

Dynamite Fighting Show

In December 2021, it was reported that Robin Ciric, who had been slated to co-headline DFS 13 show against Florin Lambagiu on December 15, had tested positive for COVID-19, and that Rusu would be stepping in for Ciric.[26][27] Rusu won the fight by an upset unanimous decision.[28] He was nominated for a Debut of the Year award by the promotion.[29]

ONE Championship

Rusu faced Marouan Toutouh in his ONE Championship debut at ONE 158 on June 3, 2022. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Rusu scored the sole knockdown of the fight in the first round, as he dropped Toutouh with a spinning backfist.[30]

Rusu faced Islam Murtazaev at ONE 162 on October 21, 2022, stepping in as a short-notice replacement for Nieky Holzken, who withdrew with an injury.[31] At the weigh-ins, Rusu failed hydration test and was forced to take a catchweight, coming in at 173.25 lbs, 3.25 pounds over the limit.[32][33] Rusu won the fight by unanimous decision.[34]

Rusu faced Bogdan Shumarov at ONE Fight Night 12 on July 14, 2023.[35] He lost the fight by a third-round knockout.[36]

Championships and accomplishments

Kickboxing record
Kickboxing record
24 Wins (9 (T)KO's), 5 Losses, 1 Draw, 0 No Contests
Date Result OpponentEventLocation MethodRoundTime
2023-07-14LossBulgaria Bogdan ShumarovONE Fight Night 12Bangkok, ThailandTKO (Head kick)31:33
2022-10-21WinRussia Islam MurtazaevONE 162Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2022-06-03WinMorocco Marouan ToutouhONE 158Kallang, SingaporeDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2021-12-15WinRomania Florin LambagiuDynamite Fighting Show 13Bucharest, RomaniaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2021-10-23LossRussia Vasilii SemenovRCC 17Yekaterinburg, RussiaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2021-03-13WinMoldova Mina ManoliFEA Kickboxing: ResetChișinău, MoldovaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2019-12-07WinUkraine Pavel GrishanovichFEA: Keep Grinding 2Chișinău, MoldovaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2019-08-17LossArmenia Zhora AkopyanFEA WGP, -71 kg Tournament FinalOdesa, UkraineExt.R Decision (Unanimous)43:00
For the vacant FEA Lightweight (-71 kg) title.
2019-08-17WinTurkey Furkan KarabagFEA WGP, -71 kg Tournament SemifinalOdesa, UkraineDecision (Split)33:00
2019-06-08WinPortugal Ricardo FernandesFighting Championship EventsLisbon, PortugalDecision53:00
Won the WKL Middleweight (-75 kg) title.
2019-03-30WinMoldova Dorel CristianFEA 28, Welterweight Tournament FinalChișinău, MoldovaTKO (Referee stoppage)10:53
Won the vacant FEA Welterweight (-77 kg) title.
2019-03-30WinArgentina Alan ScheinsonFEA 28, Welterweight Tournament SemifinalChișinău, MoldovaTKO (Punches)21:53
2018-12-08WinNetherlands Chico KwasiFEA 27Chișinău, MoldovaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2018-10-27WinLatvia Aleksejs MarizihinsKOK Fight Series 2018 in RigaRiga, LatviaDecision (Unanimous)53:00
Won the vacant KOK Welterweight (-77 kg) title.
2018-08-24WinSpain Victor MonfortTatneft CupKazan, RussiaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2018-07-04WinFrance Cheick SidibéTatneft Cup, -80 kg Prestige FightKazan, RussiaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2018-03-24WinMoldova Dorel CristianKOK 36 Hero's World Series, Welterweight Tournament FinalChișinău, MoldovaDecision (Split)33:00
Won the KOK Welterweight (-77 kg) Hero's Tournament title.
2018-03-24WinItaly Matteo CalzettaKOK 36 Hero's World Series, Welterweight Tournament SemifinalChișinău, MoldovaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2017-12-09WinBelarus Pavel PravashynskiKOK World GP 2017 In MoldovaChișinău, MoldovaTKO (Punches)11:37
2017-09-30WinMoldova Denis ApăvăloaeKOK Hero's World SeriesChișinău, MoldovaKO (Body shot)11:45
2017-08-23WinRussia Sahab VagapovAkhmat Fight ShowKazan, RussiaKO (Body kick)
2017-07-14WinRomania Adrian CibuColosseum Tournament 3: Romania vs. GermanyConstanța, RomaniaKO (Knee to the body)22:02
2017-06-17WinRomania Alin CîmpanColosseum Tournament 2Ploiești, RomaniaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2017-04-01WinRomania Emilian SîngeorzanColosseum Tournament 1Ploiești, RomaniaTKO (Referee stoppage)23:00
2017-02-25LossLatvia Zaurs DžavadovsKOK Hero's Series 2017 In Riga, Welterweight Tournament FinalsRiga, LatviaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
For the KOK Welterweight (-77 kg) Hero's Tournament title.
2017-02-25WinUnited Kingdom Danny RichardsKOK Hero's Series 2017 In Riga, Welterweight Tournament SemifinalsRiga, LatviaTKO (Referee stoppage)11:10
2016-12-10DrawMoldova Andrei TerentiKOK World GP 2016 MoldovaChișinău, MoldovaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2016-09-06LossRussia Dmitry MenshikovTATNEFT CUP, -80 kg Tournament Quarter FinalRussiaTKO (Straight Right)22:25
2016-03-20WinRomania Cezar BuzduganGP Tracia 33Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also

References
  1. "CONSTANTIN RUSU (КОНСТАНТИН РУСУ)". sportnetwork.pro. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  2. Aittama, Zach. "Combat Press Kickboxing Rankings: November 2022". combatpress.com. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  3. "Rankings November 2022". beyondkick.com. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  4. "Gala KOK: Constantin Rusu îşi va măsura puterile cu Denis Apăvăloae". publika.md. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  5. "2017年12月9日KOK 53期摩尔多瓦站 – [视频]KOK WORLD GP 2017". hula8.net. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  6. "În goana după centură! Rusu şi Cristian se vor lupta sâmbătă la Gala KOK". hellrun.md. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  7. ""Regele" RUSU, încrezător! Sportivul moldovean va lupta la gala KOK de la Chişinău". publika.md. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  8. "Constantin Rusu: "I Want to be a Champion and Idol" (With Grisha Zeigermaher)". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  9. "Tatneft Cup : la réaction de Massinissa Hamaili". headkicknews.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  10. "Victorie clara pentru Constantin Rusu la Kazan. Luptatorul K1 din Moldova l-a invins in cadrul turneului din Rusia pe un francez". protv.md. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  11. "Constantin Rusu continua goana dupa trofeul Tatneft". protv.md.
  12. "KOK Announces Title Fight for Riga Event". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  13. "Zaur Dzhavadov Unable to Compete at KOK 61: Rusu Faces Marzhinis for Title". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  14. "Rusu Wins Title at KOK 61". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  15. "Vrea sa puna cireasa pe tort. Constantin Rusu a castigat 5 lupte in acest an si va incheia sezonul ca duelul de la Gala K1 de pe 8 decembrie". protv.md. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  16. "FEA World Series. Stanislav Reniță l-a învins la puncte pe Dumitru Sîrbu". publika.md. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  17. "Rusu Faces Scheinson at FEA 28". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  18. "Pumni, picioare şi lovituri devastatoare. Luptătorii moldoveni de K-1 Stanislav Reniţă şi Constantin Rusu au cucerit centurile de campioni în circuitul FEA". canal3.md. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  19. "Rusu Wins Third Title". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  20. "ANTRENAMENT DE K-1 ÎN APĂ. Rusu şi Vetrilă se pregătesc de turneul de la Odesa". publika.md. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  21. "Kickboksörlerimizle Ukrayna'da Bir Sevindik Üç Üzüldük! Zhuravlev'e Şansımız Tutmuyor!". fightclub.com.tr. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  22. Navshyrvanov, Ruslan. "FEA World Grand Prix Results: Zhuravlev Demolishes Ozer, Akopyan Wins Four-man Tournament". combatpress.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  23. "Rusu Stripped of KOK Welterweight Title". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  24. Dziubicki, Daniel. "Wasieniow i Rusu z wygranymi przed czasem na FEA: Keep Grinding 2 (WYNIKI)". madfight.pl. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  25. "FEA Reset Welterweight Category. Mina Manoli Vs Constantin Rusu Highlights". fea.md. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  26. "Turneu pentru centura lui Moroșanu. "Cred că e afectat de lovituri, nu-și mai aduce aminte că l-am învins!"". Prosport (in Romanian). 20 November 2021.
  27. Former Enfusion Champ Ciric Battles Rambo at Dynamite Fighting Show 13
  28. Surpriză imensă în duelul Rambo al Moldovei vs Constantin Rusu
  29. "NOMINALIZĂRILE PENTRU DFS AWARDS 2021" (in Romanian). Dynamite Fighting Show. 28 December 2021.
  30. "ONE 158 Results: Tawanchai Knocks Out Larsen In Round 2". combatpress.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  31. "More ONE 162 Fight Card Changes". fightsports.tv. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  32. "ONE Championship 162 weigh-ins and hydration test results". South China Morning Post. 2022-10-20. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  33. Strobel, Kevin. "ONE 162 Weigh-in Results". Beyond Kickboxing - The Home of Kickboxing. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  34. "Россиянин Муртазаев Проиграл Молдаванину Русу В Бою По Правилам Кикбоксинга На Турнире ONE Championship 162". matchtv.ru. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  35. Richards, Vince (6 June 2023). "Constantin Rusu set to face Bogdan Shumarov in lightweight kickboxing at ONE Fight Night 12". sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  36. "ONE on Prime Video 12 Highlight Video: Bogdan Shumarov Crushes Constantin Rusu with Head Kick". sherdog.com. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
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