Jörgen Kruth

Jörgen Ingmar Kruth (born May 8, 1974) is a retired Swedish professional kickboxer and mixed martial artist. He is a former two time World Muay Thai Council Heavyweight Muaythai World Champion. He is considered to be among the greatest Scandinavian kickboxers of all time.

Biography and career

Muay Thai career Jörgen started practicing martial arts first time in 1984. He tried Judo and Jujutsu and couple years later switched over to taekwondo. It was not until 1987 when he came in contact with Muay Thai first time. He started to train under Po Lindwall.

Kruth had his first Muay Thai fight in 1988 at the age of 14. In 1993 he had 3 amateur boxing bouts and as well as two Savate fights. In 1994, at the age of 19, he became Nordic Muaythai Champion.

In 1995, Kruth participated at IAMTF Amateur World Muay Thai Championships in Bangkok. He worked his way all the way to the final where he lost against a Thai and went home with a silver medal in -81 kg.

In 1996, he became the Amateur Muay Thai World Champion for the first time and defended this title in 1997 as well.

In 1997 Jörgen changed his training center to his current club, Vallentuna Boxing Camp (VBC) and a year later turned pro. He won his first two professional fights by KO at the famous Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok and became WKA Muay Thai Cruiserweight World Champion.

In 1999 Jörgen Kruth fought in Japan for the first time and won by KO. He followed up his strong debut by knocking out all three opponents in the same night at K-1 World GP tournament in Zagreb.

In 2004, Kruth became the WMC Heavyweight Muay Thai World Champion defeating Polish-Australian Paul Slowinski. In February 2005, he defended his title against Sergei Gur from Belarus,

MMA career Kruth made his professional MMA debut in April 2009. He amassed an undefeated record of 5 wins over the next couple of years with none of his fights having reached the second round.

Kruth was expected to make his UFC debut on April 14, 2012 against Cyrille Diabaté at UFC on Fuel TV 2. However, Kruth was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Tom DeBlass.

Kruth was expected to finally make his UFC debut against Fabio Maldonado on September 29, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 5 in Nottingham, England. However it was reported on September 7, 2012 that Kruth dropped out of his fight with Maldonado to retire from combat sports.

Titles Professional 2004 WMC Superheavyweight Muay Thai World Champion 2004 K-1 Italy Champion 2003 K-1 World Grand Prix Preliminary Holland Champion 2001 K-1 Holland GP in Arnhem Runner Up 2000 K-1 Grand Prix Europe Champion 1998 WKA Muaythai Cruiserweight World Champion Amateur 1997 WKA Amateur World Championships, Copenhagen, Denmark Gold 1997 IAMTF World Amateur Muaythai Championships, Bangkok, Thailand Gold 1996 IAMTF World Amateur Muaythai Champion, Bangkok, Thailand Gold 1995 IAMTF World Amateur Muaythai World Champion, Bangkok, Thailand Silver (-81 kg) 1994 Nordic Muay Thai Champion

Kickboxing record

Mixed martial arts record Win

Yusuke Kawaguchi TKO (punches and elbows) Rumble of the Kings 6

Stockholm, Sweden Win

Tadas Sapoka TKO (submission to punches) International Fighting Arena 2

Uppsala, Sweden Win

Jaime Fletcher TKO (punches) K-1 Rumble of the Kings 2009 in Stockholm

Stockholm, Sweden Win

Tadas Levickas Submission (triangle choke) K-1 Rumble of the Kings Qualification 2009 Malmö

Malmö, Sweden Win

Arturas Liutika TKO (punches) World Freefight Challenge 8 "D-Day"

Ljubljana, Slovenia