Frank Muñoz

Frank Muñoz (born 14 August 1983) is a Spanish heavyweight kickboxer, who has competed in the SUPERKOMBAT Fighting Championship, where he is a former 2013 SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix Tournament Champion. He is also the former WAKO-Pro K-1 European champion.

Biography and career Frank Muñoz was adopted by Menorcan family and spent his first days on the island. He started kickboxing in Barcelona in 2005 at Esportrogent gym with former fullcontact champion Xavi Moya. He had been inspired after watching Remy Bonjasky fight on television. In 2008 he moved to Amsterdam and joined Vos Gym. He was trained by Ivan Hippolyte and had famous sparring partners like Mirko Filipović, Remy Bonjasky. After that he joined Chakuriki Gym in 2010, trained by Thom Harinck alongside Le Banner, Braddock Silva, Peter Aerts and Hesdy Gerges he faced some top fighters.

He was Spanish Muay thai professional champion, in 2010 he fought Brice Guidon for his WPMF European Heavyweight Muaythai title and lost the fight by split decision. In the same year he became Amsterdam fight club heavyweight tournament champion defeating Slovenian Jasmin Bečirović and Thiago Martina in the final. Later that year he had his debut for the world top promotion It's Showtime and lost to Rico Verhoeven by decision.

In 2011 he participated Enfusion: Quest for honor tournament. It was a TV Show featuring 15 fighters that live, train and fight together. During the show he defeated Sahak Parparyan and Redouan Cairo in SUPERKOMBAT, some of the best -95 kg fighters and went to the final tournament in Prague where he defeated Wendell Roche and loss to domestic Ondřej Hutník in the finals.

In 2012 he fought in a tournament for WKN kickboxing GP and lost in the finals to one of the best French kickboxers Stéphane Susperregui after extra round. Then he fought Steve McKinnon for WBC Muaythai Super Cruiserweight World title and surprisingly lost the fight in the first round by overhand right knockout after only 16 seconds.

On October 20, 2012, he became WAKO-Pro K-1 European champion defeating Toni Čatipović from Croatia after five rounds. In the second round Čatipović caught him with few elbows but without any cut that would hinder Muñoz to take victory. Later Čatipović was few times at the edge of knockout but managed to Finnish the fight, that clearly belonged to Muñoz.

He was late replacement in a non-tournament bout at the K-1 World Grand Prix FINAL in Zagreb on March 15, 2013 and he lost to Mladen Brestovac via unanimous decision .

He competed in the tournament at SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix 10 in Craiova, Romania on May 18, 2013. After defeating Nikolaj Falin via unanimous decision in the semi-finals, he lost a controversial unanimous decision to Sebastian Ciobanu following an extension round in the final.

As much of the kickboxing community felt that Muñoz was very solid against Ciobanu, SUPERKOMBAT officials decided to award him with a wildcard spot in the SUPERKOMBAT Grand Prix 2013.

He defeated Damien Garcia by unanimous decision in a rather lackluster fight at the K-1 World MAX 2013 World Championship Tournament Final 16 in Majorca, Spain on September 14, 2013.

He faced Muamer Tufekčić on SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix 2013 Final Elimination in quarter finals. In second round Muñoz sent a low blow and referee counted to Tufekčić, at the end of the round Muamer was also deducted a point for clinching. In third round Muamer scored a knockdown but could not Finnish the fight and Muñoz won by judges split decision.

He won the SUPERKOMAT World Grand Prix 2013 Final in Galați, Romania on December 21, 2013, beating D'Angelo Marshall by unanimous decision in the semi-finals before taking an extension round unanimous decision over Redouan Cairo in the final. Graduated in International Sports Management & Business from the Hogeschool van Amsterdam class 2018.

Trained as a professional fighter by Dutch kickboxing pioneers Ivan Hyppolite, Mousid Akhamrane, and Thom Harinck, Frank combined their teachings to develop his own distinctive kickboxing training style.

During his university internship in Chicago, he was hired as a professional sparring partner and standout strategy coach by Ultimate Fighting Championship champion Daniel Cormier. Frank helped Cormier in various fighting camps, eventually becoming the UFC light heavyweight championship in Boston. After training at the American Kickboxing Academy under head coach Javier Mendez, Frank's passion and willpower allow him to study the program in other prestigious American gyms such as Couture MMA (Las Vegas). Kings MMA (Huntington Beach) under master Rafael Cordeiro.

After the success in America, working with elite fighters and giving a Dutch kickboxing seminar tour, Frank was part of the Dutch Bellator Champion Gegard Mousasi team. (Leiden) The Netherlands.

The Swedish UFC greatest fighter of all time, Alexander Gustafsson, also hired Frank Munoz as a sparring partner and standout coach specialist at All Stars Gym Stockholm. One of the best mixed martial arts gymnastics in the UK London Shoot Fighters ask Frank Munoz training services for different fighters like the star Michael Venom Page.

All this experience collected Frank and not only developed a training system with gyms across the world, Frank debuted in MMA with a technical knockout victory in Austria in 2019. Frank currently works for the sports department of the city of Amsterdam as a Martial Artist instructor, and several spot schools in Amsterdam. Frank is an active MMA athlete. Frank Muñoz, from Menorca, fights for survival after suffering a stroke

The well-known kickboxer from Ciutadella recounts how he survived a stroke and how he "has returned to work without physical or cognitive limitations."

Frank Muñoz has opened his heart in a letter he wrote on Facebook to explain the ordeal he has gone through in recent months and how he has managed to recover and return to normal. The well-known kickboxer from Ciutadella, who returned to Menorca a few years ago after living in Amsterdam, recounts that he suffered a stroke that required him to be transferred and undergo emergency surgery in Mallorca.

"Last November 21st, while dropping my daughter off at school, I suffered a stroke (ischemic stroke). Right after saying goodbye to her, I started to feel the right side of my body failing," he explains.

"The quick action of the incredible team at @consolaciociutadella was key. They happened to be conducting a first aid training course." They laid me on the floor and activated the emergency medical protocol."

Frank Muñoz describes how "I prepared myself to die. I felt no pain or fear. Only anger and a deep sadness when I thought of my 3-year-old daughter, my wife, and my parents." He was transferred to the Mateu Orfila Hospital in Maó and from there to Son Espases Hospital by helicopter for emergency surgery: "They operated to unblock a clot that was preventing oxygen from reaching my brain. The operation went well."

"When I woke up in the ICU, I couldn't speak or move the right side of my body. The neurologist told me I would need more than a year of rehabilitation, although without any lasting effects. I was devastated. I depended on help for everything. The life I knew had vanished."

Nevertheless, Muñoz explains, he began his recovery "as if it were a battle." And today, just seven weeks later, I'm back to my normal life and have returned to work without any physical or cognitive limitations. "Thank you to everyone in Ciutadella for respecting my privacy during these almost two months. Life is fragile. And also a gift," concludes Frank Muñoz, who has won his battle against death

Honours and awards On January 24 after winning SUPERKOMAT World Grand Prix 2013 Final he was awarded with Silver Flabiol and won the "Ciutadellencs de s’Any 2013" award, becoming Sportsman of the year and the Honorary citizen of hometown Ciutadella de Menorca. On April 17, 2014, Frank Muñoz was awarded in Menorca at the I Gala de l'es port menorqui with the Gold distinction as outstanding athlete 2013. Honorary citizen of Ciutadella de Menorca (2013) Sportsman of the year Ciutadella de Menorca (2013) Gold distinction as outstanding athlete (2013) Honorary member of Penya Barcelonista Ciutadella (2014)

Titles

Professional 2013 SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix 2013 tournament champion 2013 SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix II tournament runner up 2012 WAKO-Pro K-1 European champion -94.2 kg 2012 WKN kickboxing GP runner up 2011 Enfusion Quest for honor tournament runner up -95 kg 2010 Amsterdam fight club heavyweight tournament champion 2009 K-1 Spain Battles 2009 tournament runner up Spanish muaythai pro champion

Amateur 2010 Spanish Olympic boxing championships 2008 Spanish Olympic boxing championships 2008 W.A.K.O. European Championships in Oporto, Portugal −91 kg (K-1 rules)

Kickboxing record (incomplete) Professional Kickboxing Record 61 Wins (31 (T)KO's, 30 Decisions), 21 Losses, 1 Draw Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time 2016-09-10 Loss Antonio Plazibat W5 European League XXXVI Zvolen, Slovakia Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2016-05-19 Loss Fabrice Aurieng Capital Fights Paris, France Decision 3 3:00 2015-11-27 Loss Mladen Kujundžić FFC21: Rijeka Rijeka, Croatia KO (Right High Kick) 2 2:43 2015-08-04 Win Zinedine Hameur-Lain Fight Night Saint-Tropez Saint Tropez, France Decision (Unanimous) 4 2:00 2015-03-13 Loss Dževad Poturak FFC 7: Sarajevo Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2015-02-07 Loss César Córdoba International Fighting Championship 2 Barcelona, Spain Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2014-12-07 Win Nikolay Gusniev Tatneft Cup 2015 1st selection 1/8 final Kazan, Russia RTD 3 3:00 2013-12-21 Win Redouan Cairo SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix 2013 Final, Final Galați, Romania Ext R. Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00 2013-12-21 Win D'Angelo Marshall SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix 2013 Final, Semi Finals Galați, Romania Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2013-11-09 Win Muamer Tufekčić SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix 2013 Final Elimination, Quarter Finals Ploiești, Romania Decision (Split) 3 3:00 2013-09-14 Win Damian Garcia K-1 World MAX 2013 World Championship Tournament Final 16 Majorca, Spain Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2013-05-18 Loss Sebastian Ciobanu SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix II 2013, Final Craiova, Romania Ext. R Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00 2013-05-18 Win Nikolaj Falin SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix II 2013, Semi Finals Craiova, Romania Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2013-03-15 Loss Mladen Brestovac K-1 World Grand Prix FINAL in Zagreb, Super Fight Zagreb, Croatia Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2012-12-02 Draw Alex Roberts REBELS, Legends 3 Kumamoto, Japan Draw 3 3:00 2012-10-20 Win Toni Čatipović Grand Casino Origen Madrid, Spain Decision 5 3:00 2012-06-09 Loss Steve McKinnon Singha Battle For The Belts Bangkok, Thailand KO (Punch) 1 0:16 2012-04-28 Loss Stéphane Susperregui Le Banner Series Acte 1, Final Geneva, Switzerland Ext.R.Decision 4 2:00 2012-04-28 Win Yuksel Ayaydin Le Banner Series Acte 1, Semi Finals Geneva, Switzerland Decision 3 2:00 2012-02-25 Loss Goran Radonjić SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix I 2012 Podgorica, Montenegro Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2011-12-30 Loss Ondřej Hutník Enfusion Kickboxing Tournament '11, Final Prague, Czech Republic Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2011-12-30 Win Wendell Roche Enfusion Kickboxing Tournament '11, Semi Finals Prague, Czech Republic Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2011-10-01 Win Redouan Cairo SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix III 2011 Brăila, Romania Decision 3 3:00 2011-06-11 Loss Nicolas Wamba 8ème Nuit des Sports de Combat Geneva, Switzerland Decision 5 2:00 2011-02-? Win Marc Vlieger Enfusion Kickboxing Tournament '11, 2nd Round Koh Samui, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2011-01-? Win Sahak Parparyan Enfusion Kickboxing Tournament '11, 1st Round Koh Samui, Thailand Decision 3 3:00 2010-12-18 Loss Rico Verhoeven Fightclub presents: It's Showtime 2010 Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision 3 3:00 2010-11-27 Loss Nathan Corbett Evolution 22 Gold Coast, Australia TKO (Referee stoppage) 3 N/A 2010-09-24 Win Thiago Martina Amsterdam fight club, Final Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2010-09-24 Win Jasmin Bečirović Amsterdam fight club, Semi Finals Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision 3 3:00 2010-07-23 Loss Brice Guidon Muay Thai France vs Thailand Stade de l'Est, Réunion Decision (Split) 5 3:00 2010-06-26 Loss Slavo Polugić Best of Leone II Bern, Switzerland Decision N/A 3:00 2010-02-27 Loss Benjey Zimmerman Amsterdam Fightclub: Rotterdam vs Amsterdam, Semi Finals Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision 3 3:00 2009-11-? Win Cristiano Delgado Gladiadores del Siglo XXI Málaga, Spain TKO (Doctor stoppage) 3 N/A 2009-10-04 Loss Michael Duut Ring Rage III Groningen, Netherlands Decision 3 3:00 2009-06-06 Loss Damian Garcia K-1 Spain Battles 2009 Tournament (Heavyweight), Final Barcelona, Spain DQ 1 N/A 2009-06-06 Win Algirdas Valenta K-1 Spain Battles 2009 Tournament (Heavyweight), Semi Finals Barcelona, Spain TKO (Strikes) N/A N/A 2009-05-09 Loss Ismael Londt SLAMM Catalonia vs Netherlands Barcelona, Spain Decision 3 3:00 2009-04-05 Win Raul Salas WKN Spain Barcelona, Spain Decision 4 2:00 2009-03-14 Win Erik Susunaga Pamplona, Spain RTD 3 3:00 2009-02-06 Loss Fabrice Aurieng K-1 Kick Tournament in Marseille, Semi Finals Marseille, France Decision 3 3:00 2008-12-12 Win Ismael Fernández Campeonato Del Mundo DE Full Contact Barcelona, Spain N/A N/A N/A 2008-07-25 Win Hamza Kendircioglu The new generation of kickboxing, Team Europe vs Team Turkey Istanbul, Turkey NA 3 N/A Legend:

Amateur Kickboxing Record Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time 2009-10-24 Loss Alexey Kudin W.A.K.O World Championships 2009, Low-Kick 1/4 Finals +91 kg Villach, Austria N/A N/A N/A 2009-10-24 Win Ivan Bijelić W.A.K.O World Championships 2009, Low-Kick First Round +91 kg Villach, Austria N/A N/A N/A 2008-11 Loss Vladimir Mineev W.A.K.O European Championships 2008, K-1 Semi Finals -91 kg Porto, Portugal Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 2008-11 Win Alberto Morais W.A.K.O European Championships 2008, K-1 Quarter Finals -91 kg Porto, Portugal Decision (Split) 3 2:00Legend: