Tomasz Narkun

Tomasz "Giraffe" Narkun[2] (born December 3, 1989) is a Polish mixed martial artist currently competing for KSW. A professional MMA competitor since 2009, he is the former KSW Light Heavyweight Champion and has also competed for M-1 Global, where he is the former Light Heavyweight Champion. He is currently ranked #3 in the KSW Light Heavyweight rankings.[3]

Tomasz Narkun
BornTomasz Narkun
(1989-12-03) December 3, 1989[1]
Other namesZyrafa ("Giraffe")[2]
NationalityPolish
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight224 lb (102 kg; 16 st 0 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Reach76.8" (195cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofStargard Szczeciński, Poland[2]
TeamBerserkers Team[2]
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Piotr Bagiński
Years active2009–2011, 2013–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total25
Wins19
By knockout4
By submission14
By decision1
Losses6
By knockout3
By decision3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Weighing in at around 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st), Narkun is considered small by North American standards for light heavyweights.[1] He has, however, earned respect for his tactical and defensive capabilities. Gegard "Dreamcatcher" Mousasi, a regular training partner of Narkun, has said of Narkun: "Tactically and technically he has reached a very high level". Mousasi has also stated his belief that Narkun "is the future light heavyweight champion".[1]

Career

Early career

Narkun made his professional MMA debut in 2009, winning via armbar submission in the first round.

M-1 Global

In 2010 Narkun appeared for M-1 Global at their Western Europe Selections Light Heavyweight Tournament in 2010. Narkun won his first two bouts with relative ease; submitting each opponent within a minute of the first round. In the Tournament Final in July, Narkun faced Georgian David Tkeshelashvili, winning again via first-round submission. This also awarded Narkun the M-1 Global Light Heavyweight Championship belt.

Narkun next faced Vyacheslav Vasilevsky in his first title defense on December 10, 2010. Narkun was handed his first professional loss via second-round TKO after Narkun's corner threw in the towel.

At the weigh-ins for M-1 Challenge 28 in Russia, for his fight against Saparbek Safarov, both fighters ended up slapping each other. At first it appeared to be a joke, but when Safarov threw a right hook at Narkun, M-1 officials intervened. Safarov was disqualified from the event.[4]

Narkun fought only once in 2011; winning via first-round submission; this would be his last fight under the M-1 Global banner. After not returning to the cage until 2013, Narkun won his next three fights via submission before signing with KSW in his native Poland.

KSW
Narkun during the official weigh-in before KSW 27 (May 16, 2014)

Narkun made his promotional debut against Brazilian veteran Charles Andrade at KSW 27 on May 17, 2014. He won via kneebar submission in the first round.

KSW Light Heavyweight Champion

Narkun returned to face Croatian Goran Reljic at KSW 29. Narkun was defeated via majority decision. In 2015, Narkun defeated Karol Celinski via first-round rear-naked choke before being given a rematch with Reljic, who had since defeated Attila Végh to become KSW Light Heavyweight Champion, at KSW 32. Narkun won via first-round knockout, becoming the KSW Light Heavyweight Champion.

After defeating Reljic in their rematch for the belt, Narkun had his first title defense against Brazilian Cassio "Jacare" de Oliveira at KSW 34 in early 2016, and then defeated Sokoudjou for his second defense in October of that year. For his third defense, Narkun defeated Marcin Wojicik via triangle choke with just a second left in the first round at KSW 39: Colosseum.

At KSW 42, Narkun prepared for a non-title bout against Mamed Khalidov, the former KSW Middleweight Champion. The pair met at a Catchweight of 203 lbs. After getting knocked down twice in the first round, Narkun was able to regroup, he won via triangle choke submission in the third round; breaking Khalidov's 15-fight unbeaten streak.[5] The pair met again at KSW 46 on December 1, 2018. Narkun won again, this time via unanimous decision after three rounds.[6]

Narkun next challenged KSW Heavyweight Champion and former UFC veteran Phil De Fries for his title at KSW 47 on March 23, 2019. Narkun lost via unanimous decision.[7]

Narkun next defended his Light Heavyweight Championship at KSW 50: London against Przemysław Mysiala, winning via guillotine choke submission in the first round.[8]

Narkun faced Ivan Erslan at KSW 56: Polska vs. Chorwacja on November 14, 2020.[9] He defended his title, winning the fight via second round submission.[10]

Narkun rematched Phil De Fries on April 24, 2021 at KSW 60: De Fries vs. Narkun 2 for the KSW Heavyweight Championship. The pair previously met on March 23, 2019 in the main event at KSW 47: The X-Warriors, where De Fries defeated Narkun by unanimous decision and defended his KSW heavyweight title.[11] He lost the bout in the second round via ground and pound.[12]

Narkun faced Ibragim Chuzhigaev on January 15, 2022 at KSW 66: Ziółkowski vs. Mańkowski.[13] Narkun lost via unanimous decision, ending his reign as the Light Heavyweight champion.[14]

Post Title Reign

In his first appearance after losing the belt, Narkun faced Henrique da Silva on October 14, 2022 at KSW 75: Ruchała vs. Stasiak. After dominating on the ground in the first round, Narkun was knocked out via a front kick 28 seconds into the second round.[15]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts
  • Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki
    • KSW Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
      • Five Successful Title Defenses
    • Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Mamed Khalidov and Ibragim Chuzhigaev
    • Submission of the Night (One times) vs. Przemyslaw Mysiala (KSW 50)
  • European MMA
    • EUMMA Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
  • M-1 Global
    • 2010 M-1 Global Western Europe Selection Tournament Winner
  • Super League of MMA
    • Fight of the Night (One time)
    • Submission of the Night (One time)

Grappling

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
25 matches 19 wins 6 losses
By knockout 4 3
By submission 14 0
By decision 1 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 19–6 Antonio Zovak TKO (punches) Seaside BattleS MMA 3 June 7, 2023 1 0:16 Nowy Sącz, Poland
Loss 18–6 Henrique da Silva KO (front kick) KSW 75: Ruchała vs. Stasiak October 14, 2022 2 0:28 Nowy Sącz, Poland
Loss 18–5 Ibragim Chuzhigaev Decision (unanimous) KSW 66: Ziółkowski vs. Mańkowski January 15, 2022 5 5:00 Szczecin, Poland Lost the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship Fight of the Night.
Loss 18–4 Phil De Fries TKO (punches) KSW 60: De Fries vs. Narkun 2 April 24, 2021 2 3:37 Łódź, Poland For the KSW Heavyweight Championship
Win 18–3 Ivan Erslan Submission (rear-naked choke) KSW 56: Materla vs. Soldić November 14, 2020 2 0:51 Łódź, Poland Defended the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship
Win 17–3 Przemysław Mysiala Submission (guillotine choke) KSW 50: London September 14, 2019 1 4:03 London, England Defended the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. Submission of the Night
Loss 16–3 Phil De Fries Decision (unanimous) KSW 47: The X-Warriors March 23, 2019 5 5:00 Łódź, Poland For the KSW Heavyweight Championship.
Win 16–2 Mamed Khalidov Decision (unanimous) KSW 46: Khalidov vs. Narkun 2 December 1, 2018 3 5:00 Gliwice, Poland Fight of the Night.
Win 15–2 Mamed Khalidov Submission (triangle choke) KSW 42: Khalidov vs. Narkun March 3, 2018 3 1:18 Łódź, Poland Fight of the Night.Submission of the Night.
Win 14–2 Marcin Wójcik Submission (triangle choke) KSW 39: Colosseum May 27, 2017 1 4:59 Warsaw, Poland Defended the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 13–2 Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou TKO (punches) KSW 36: Materla vs. Palhares October 1, 2016 1 4:38 Zielona Gora, Poland Defended the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 12–2 Cassio Barbosa de Oliveira TKO (knee and punches) KSW 34: New Order March 5, 2016 1 1:46 Warsaw, Poland Defended the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship Performance of the Night.
Win 11–2 Goran Reljic KO (punches) KSW 32: Road to Wembley October 31, 2015 1 1:55 London, England Won the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 10–2 Karol Celinski Submission (rear-naked choke) KSW 31: Materla vs. Drwal May 23, 2015 1 2:17 Gdańsk, Poland
Loss 9–2 Goran Reljic Decision (majority) KSW 29: Reload Dec 6, 2014 3 5:00 Kraków, Poland
Win 9–1 Charles Andrade Submission (kneebar) KSW 27: Cage Time May 17, 2014 1 1:02 Gdańsk, Poland
Win 8–1 Simon Carlsen Submission (armbar) EMMA 7: European MMA 7 November 7, 2013 2 3:30 Aarhus, Denmark Won the EMMA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 7–1 Michal Gutowski Submission (rear-naked choke) XCage: Extreme Cage 5 May 17, 2013 2 3:30 Toruń, Poland
Win 6–1 Rafal Zawidzki Submission (guillotine choke) Super League Mixed Martial Arts April 18, 2013 1 3:45 Warsaw, Poland Fight of the Night and Submission of the Night.
Win 5–1 Shamil Tinagadjiev Submission (triangle choke) M-1 Challenge 23: Guram vs. Grishin March 5, 2011 1 3:33 Moscow, Russia
Loss 4–1 Vyacheslav Vasilevsky[16] TKO (retirement) M-1 Challenge 22: Narkun vs. Vasilevsky December 10, 2010 2 2:20 Moscow, Russia[17] Lost the M-1 Global Light Heavyweight Championship.[17]
Win 4–0 David Tkeshelashvili[18] Submission (rear-naked choke) M-1 Selection 2010: Eastern Europe Finals July 22, 2010 1 1:50 Moscow, Russia[19] 2010 M-1 Western Europe Light Heavyweight Selection Final.[20]
Win 3–0 Timo Karttunen[21] Submission (triangle/armbar) M-1 Selection 2010: Western Europe Round 3 May 29, 2010 1 0:49 Helsinki, Finland[22]
Win 2–0 Olutobi Ayodeji Kalejaiye[23] Submission (rear-naked choke) M-1 Selection 2010: Western Europe Round 2 March 27, 2010 1 0:52 Weesp, Netherlands[24]
Win 1–0 Daniel Biskupic[25] Submission (armbar) FCB 14: Fight Club Berlin 14 November 15, 2009 1 N/A Berlin, Germany[26]

Except where otherwise indicated, details provided in the record box are taken from Sherdog[2]

See also

References
  1. "Tomasz 'Giraffe' Narkun: Poland's Slick Submission Specialist". sherdog.com. September 27, 2010. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  2. "Tomasz "Giraffe" Narkun". sherdog.com. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  3. "ONE Championship Unveils First Official Athlete Rankings". ONE FC.com. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  4. "The Fight Nerd | when staredowns go wrong – M-1 Global style". Archived from the original on 2011-11-17. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  5. "KSW 42 results: Tomasz Narkun rallies to beat fellow champ Mamed Khalidov". MMAjunkie.com. March 3, 2018.
  6. Peter Carroll (December 1, 2018). "KSW 46 results: Mamed Khalidov retires following second loss to Tomasz Narkun". mmafighting.com.
  7. Peter Carroll (March 23, 2019). "KSW 47 results: Phil De Fries scores dominant win over Tomasz Narkun". mmafighting.com.
  8. "KSW 50: London Full Results". cagesidepress.com. September 14, 2019.
  9. Tristen Critchfield (October 12, 2020). "KSW 56 to Feature WW Champion Roberto Soldic, LHW King Tomasz Narkun on Nov. 14". sherdog.com.
  10. SHAKIEL MAHJOURI (November 14, 2020). "KSW 56 Results And Video Highlights: Fighter Breaks His Leg!". fightful.com.
  11. "KSW 60: It's time for de Fries' big rematch with Narkun!". polsatsport.pl. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  12. Anderson, Jay (2021-04-24). "KSW 60: Phil De Fries Beats Tomasz Narkun Again, Earns Finish". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  13. "Ibragim Chuzhigaev będzie rywalem Tomasza Narkuna na KSW 66 - myMMA.pl" (in Polish). 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  14. "Sensacja w Szczecinie! Tomasz Narkun pokonany na KSW 66! Ibragim Chuzhigaev nowym mistrzem! - Lowking.pl".
  15. Bohn, Mike (2022-10-14). "KSW 75 video: Henrique da Silva flattens Tomasz Narkun with front kick KO". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  16. "Vyacheslav "Slava" Vasilevsky". sherdog.com. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  17. "The M-1 Challenge XXII Light Heavyweight Championship Showdown: Tomasz Narkun vs. Vyacheslav Vasilevski". m-1global.com. November 30, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  18. "David Tkeshelashvili". sherdog.com. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  19. "M-1 Selection 2010 - Eastern Europe Finals". sherdog.com. July 22, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  20. "Western Europe Light Heavyweight Selection Finals Preview". m-1global.com. July 5, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  21. "Timo Karttunen". sherdog.com. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  22. "M-1 Selection 2010 - Western Europe Round 3". sherdog.com. May 29, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  23. "Tomasz Narkun vs. Olutobi Ayodeji Kalejaiye". sherdog.com. March 27, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  24. "M-1 Selection 2010 - Western Europe Round 2". sherdog.com. March 27, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  25. "Daniel Biskupic". sherdog.com. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  26. "FCB 14 - Fight Club Berlin 14". sherdog.com. November 15, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
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