Sorin Căliniuc

Sorin Mihai Căliniuc (born 12 July 1996) is a Romanian professional kickboxer and Olympic boxer, and former kempo practitioner.[1] He currently competes in the Lightweight division for Glory. A professional competitor since 2018, Căliniuc formerly competed in the Colosseum Tournament, in which he was the reigning champion of the lightweight and super lightweight divisions. Căliniuc is a multiple national boxing champion and 2016 Kempo World Champion.

Sorin Căliniuc
BornSorin Mihai Căliniuc
(1996-07-12) July 12, 1996
Bucharest, Romania
Other namesRonin
Baby Face (former)
NationalityRomanian
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight70 kg (150 lb; 11 st)
DivisionLight middleweight (2018–present)
Middleweight (2020)
Fighting out ofBucharest, Romania
TeamMMA Estéfano Team/SAS Gym
TrainerEstéfano Tănăsescu Popescu
Years active2018–present
Kickboxing record
Total13
Wins11
By knockout0
Losses2
By knockout0
Draws0
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing the  Romania
Romania Boxing Championships
Gold medal – first place2021 Târgu Mureș80 kg
Gold medal – first place2020 Iași75 kg
Romanian Boxing Cup
Gold medal – first place2022 Piatra Neamț75 kg
Gold medal – first place2020 Arad75 kg
Men's kempo
Representing the  Romania
IKF World Kempo Championships
Gold medal – first place2016 Bucharest75 kg
IKF European Kempo Championships
Silver medal – second place2017 Bucharest80 kg
Last updated on: October 7, 2023

As of 4 January 2023, Căliniuc is ranked the #16 lightweight in the world in the kickboxing/Muay Thai combined ranking by Boxemag.[2]

Professional kickboxing career

Early career

Căliniuc practiced judo from 4 to 15 years old. He then started kickboxing at the age of 17, but not at a professional level. Căliniuc worked simultaneously as a casino security guard until he met coach and promoter Estéfano Tănăsescu Popescu who enrolled him to a gym.[3][4]

Wins over Milea, Salvador and Dzhaniev

With a background of being IKF world kempo champion, Căliniuc began his kickboxing career by winning his first four fights by decision.[5] He initially fought for SAS Gym (a Bucharest-based kickboxing promotion), where he won the SAS Gym 01 and the SAS Gym 02 tournaments.[6][7]

Căliniuc faced Bogdan Costan on November 2, 2018, in the semifinals of the Lightweight Tournament at SAS Gym 01. Căliniuc won the fight via unanimous decision to progress to the final round of the tournament. He then faced Colosseum Tournament World Lightweight Champion Cristian Milea in the finals. Căliniuc defeated Milea via unanimous decision.[6]

Căliniuc faced former Glory lightweight championship challenger Dylan Salvador on June 13, 2019, in the semifinals of the Lightweight Tournament at SAS Gym 02. Căliniuc won the fight via split decision to progress to the final round of the tournament. He then faced Muay Thai standout Khayal Dzhaniev in the finals. Căliniuc defeated Dzhaniev via unanimous decision.[7]

Colosseum Tournament

In December 2020, it was announced that Căliniuc had signed a multi-fight deal with Colosseum Tournament.[8]

Căliniuc faced Colosseum Tournament world lightweight champion Andrei Ostrovanu on December 18, 2020, at Colosseum Tournament 22.[9] Căliniuc defeated Ostrovanu via unanimous 3-round decision to become the inaugural Colosseum Tournament World Super Lightweight Champion.[10]

Two-division champion

In January 2021, it was officially announced that Căliniuc next bout would be against former ISKA world middleweight champion Gabriel Bozan for the vacant Colosseum Tournament World Lightweight Championship on 26 February at Colosseum Tournament 23.[11] Căliniuc dominated the fight and won via unanimous 5-round decision to become the Colosseum Tournament World Lightweight Champion.[12]

In April 2021, Colosseum Tournament announced that Căliniuc would make his first defence of his lightweight title against former KOK lightweight champion Vitalie Matei at Colosseum Tournament 25 on 31 May in Cluj-Napoca.[13] He won the fight via unanimous 5-round decision.[14]

Căliniuc vs. Koprivlenski

Căliniuc was scheduled to defend his title for the second time against former Glory Lightweight Contender Tournament Winner Stoyan Koprivlenski on September 20, 2021 at Colosseum Tournament 27.[15] He retained his championship, being declared the winner via split decision.[16]

Căliniuc was scheduled to defend his title for the third time against former Kunlun Fight World MAX Tournament Champion Dzianis Zuev on April 8, 2022 at Colosseum Tournament 30. However, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Zuev removed from the card and he was replaced by Andre Mannaart's Sami Lamiri.[17] Căliniuc dominated the bout, taking Lamiri down in the third round. He defeated Lamiri via unanimous decision.[18]

Căliniuc was finally scheduled to make his third title defense against former Wu Lin Feng World Championship Champion Nafi Bilalovski (Filip Verlinden Gym) on June 23, 2022, at Colosseum Tournament 33.[19] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[20]

Căliniuc was once again scheduled to defend his title against WKN World Super Welterweight Champion Jordi Requejo, in September, 2022, at Colosseum Tournament 35. He won a unanimous decision, dominating Requejo.[21]

On October 30, 2022, his team announced on social media that Căliniuc parted ways with Colosseum Tournament. Subsequently, Căliniuc signed a multi-fight contract with Glory on 13 December 2022.[22]

GLORY

In his Glory promotional debut, Căliniuc faced former ISKA World Light Middleweight Champion Arman Hambaryan on February 11, 2023, at GLORY 83.[23] He lost the fight via controversial split decision. Madfight scored the fight 29–28 for Căliniuc.[24]

Căliniuc vs. Koprivlenski II

Căliniuc rematched Stoyan Koprivlenski in the co-main event of Glory 89 on October 7, 2023. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[25]

Personal life

Căliniuc is a Christian.[26][27]

He said his model is Daniel Ghiță.[3] Căliniuc is inspired by Abdulrashid Sadulaev.[28]

He is a fan of Steaua București.[28]

Championships and accomplishments

Kickboxing
  • Colosseum Tournament
    • Colosseum Tournament World Lightweight Championship (One time)
      • Four successful title defenses
    • Colosseum Tournament World Super Lightweight Championship (One time)
  • SAS Gym

Kempo

Boxing
  • Romanian Boxing Federation
    • 2022 Romanian Boxing Cup Gold −75.0 kg[30]
    • 2021 Romania National Boxing Championships Gold −80.0 kg[31]
    • 2020 Romania National Boxing Championships Gold −75.0 kg[32]
    • 2020 Romanian Boxing Cup Gold −75.0 kg[33]

Professional kickboxing record
Kickboxing record
11 wins (0 KOs), 2 losses (0 KOs), 0 draws
Date Result OpponentEventLocation MethodRoundTimeRecord
2023-10-07LossBulgaria Stoyan KoprivlenskiGlory 89Burgas, BulgariaDecision (unanimous)33:0011-2-0
2023-02-11LossBelgium Arman HambaryanGLORY 83Essen, GermanyDecision (split)33:0011-1-0
2022-09-30WinSpain Jordi RequejoColosseum Tournament 35: Căliniuc vs. RequejoTârgoviște, RomaniaDecision (unanimous)53:0011-0-0
Defended the Colosseum Tournament World Lightweight Championship.
2022-06-23WinBelgium Nafi BilalovskiColosseum Tournament 33: Căliniuc vs. BilalovskiBucharest, RomaniaDecision (unanimous)53:0010-0-0
Defended the Colosseum Tournament World Lightweight Championship.
2022-04-08WinNetherlands Sami LamiriColosseum Tournament 30: Căliniuc vs. LamiriMalmö, SwedenDecision (unanimous)33:009-0-0
2021-09-20WinBulgaria Stoyan KoprivlenskiColosseum Tournament 27: Căliniuc vs. KoprivlenskiOradea, RomaniaDecision (split)53:008-0-0
Defended the Colosseum Tournament World Lightweight Championship.
2021-05-31WinMoldova Vitalie MateiColosseum Tournament 25: Căliniuc vs. MateiCluj-Napoca, RomaniaDecision (unanimous)53:007-0-0
Defended the Colosseum Tournament World Lightweight Championship.
2021-02-26WinRomania Gabriel BozanColosseum Tournament 23: Căliniuc vs. BozanBucharest, RomaniaDecision (unanimous)53:006-0-0
Won the vacant Colosseum Tournament World Lightweight Championship.
2020-12-18WinRomania Andrei OstrovanuColosseum Tournament 22: Ostrovanu vs. CăliniucBucharest, RomaniaDecision (unanimous)33:005-0-0
Won the inaugural Colosseum Tournament World Super Lightweight Championship.
2019-06-13WinRussia Khayal DzhanievSAS Gym 02, FinalBucharest, RomaniaDecision (unanimous)33:004-0-0
Won the SAS Gym 02 Lightweight Tournament.
2019-06-13WinFrance Dylan SalvadorSAS Gym 02, SemifinalsBucharest, RomaniaDecision (split)33:003-0-0
2018-11-02WinRomania Cristian MileaSAS Gym 01, FinalBucharest, RomaniaExtra round decision (unanimous)43:002-0-0
Won the SAS Gym 01 Lightweight Tournament.
2018-11-02WinRomania Bogdan CostanSAS Gym 01, SemifinalsBucharest, RomaniaDecision (unanimous)33:001-0-0
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also

References
  1. "Sorin Caliniuc". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  2. "Classement des combattants". boxemag.com (in French). Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  3. "Un jucător de la FCSB a șocat campionul național de kickboxing" (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. 22 January 2018.
  4. "Povestea lui Sorin Caliniuc, noul star al României din ring!" (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. 20 November 2018.
  5. "Anuarul Sportului 2016" (PDF) (in Romanian). Ministry of Youth and Sport. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  6. "SAS GYM Legendele Piramidei! Sorin Caliniuc castiga marea piramida" (in Romanian). Pro X. 13 June 2019.
  7. "CE VICTORIE! Caliniuc castiga gala FAST AND FURIOS la debut!" (in Romanian). Pro X. 2 November 2018.
  8. "Andrei Ostrovanu luptă vineri seară, în direct la Digi Sport, în main-event-ul galei Colosseum Tournament" (in Romanian). GazetaSV.ro. 16 December 2020.
  9. "Colosseum Tournament Kickboxing XXII "Clash of Heroes" - LIVE from Bucharest, Romania 18.12.2020". FightBox. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  10. "Results for Colosseum Tournament XXII "Clash of Heroes" from Bucharest, Romania 18.12.2020". FightBox. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  11. "Colosseum Tournament: Caliniuc vs Bozan in February". kickboxingz.com. 19 January 2021.
  12. Contreras, Fernando (27 February 2021). "Giorgio Petrosyan derrota a Davit Kiria en ONE: Fists of Fury y Eduard Gafencu pierde su invicto en Colosseum Tournament XXIII". patadaalta.com (in Spanish).
  13. "Big Event Planned for Colosseum Tournament XXV". kickboxingz.com. 10 April 2021.
  14. "Results for Colosseum Tournament XXV from Cluj-Napoca, Romania 31.05.2021". FightBox. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  15. "Surpriză majoră pentru "elevii" lui Iordănescu! Fotbaliștii FCSB-ului, vizitați la antrenamente de un campion mondial" (in Romanian). Pro X. 17 September 2021.
  16. "Стоян Копривленски загуби битката си в Румъния" (in Bulgarian). Sportal. 22 September 2021.
  17. "Colosseum Tournament Kickboxing 30 - LIVE from Malmo, Sweden 08.04.2022". FightBox. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  18. "Results for Colosseum Tournament 30 from Malmo, Sweden 08.04.2022". FightBox. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  19. "Colosseum Tournament 33 - LIVE from Bucharest, Romania 23.06.2022". fightbox.com. 22 June 2022.
  20. Dziubicki, Daniel (23 June 2022). "Sorin Caliniuc obronił pas z byłym zawodnikiem Glory na gali Colosseum Tournament 33 (WYNIKI) (WIDEO)". madfight.pl (in Polish).
  21. "Results for Colosseum Tournament 35 from Targoviste, Romania 30.09.2022". fightbox.com. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  22. "Glory zet ongeslagen kickbokskampioen Sorin Caliniuc op contract". vechtsportinfo.nl (in Dutch). 13 December 2022.
  23. "Belgische kickbokser Arman Hambaryan in februari in actie op Glory 83". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). 3 January 2023.
  24. "Glory, în premieră în Bulgaria » Românul Sorin Căliniuc îl înfruntă pe favoritul gazdelor, „Lunetistul" Stoyan Koprivlenski". Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 17 August 2023.
  25. "Glory 89 results". fightmag.com.au. 7 October 2023.
  26. "Povestea lui Sorin Caliniuc" (in Romanian). Pro X. 8 June 2019.
  27. "Meet Sorin Caliniuc: Rising Romanian Champ". kickboxingz.com. 11 April 2021.
  28. "Sorin "Babyface" Căliniuc, noua senzație din kickboxingul românesc" (in Romanian). fanatik.ro. 17 April 2021.
  29. "Cupa Europeana de Kempo 2017, Editia a 10-a" (in Romanian). frkempo.ro. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  30. "Caliniuc Sorin Mihai vs Deaconu Ioan". YouTube. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  31. "BOX. Campionii sunt la Dinamo" (in Romanian). csdinamo.eu. 28 November 2021.
  32. "Box. Dinamo – 10 medalii la Naționalele de seniori Iași 2020. Andrei Arădoaie și Cristian Filip, campioni" (in Romanian). csdinamo.eu. 9 February 2020.
  33. "BOX. Cristian Filip și Sorin Mihai Caliniuc au câștigat Cupa României la seniori" (in Romanian). csdinamo.eu. 7 December 2020.
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