Gabriel Varga
Gabriel Varga | |
---|---|
Born | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | May 16, 1985
Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
Weight | 64.9 kg (143 lb; 10.22 st) |
Division | Lightweight Welterweight Featherweight |
Reach | 73.8 in (187 cm) |
Style | Kickboxing |
Fighting out of | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada |
Team | Varga Bros. Martial Arts |
Trainer | Aaron Varga |
Rank | 4th degree black belt in Shotokan karate |
Years active | 2006–present |
Kickboxing record | |
Total | 24 |
Wins | 18 |
By knockout | 4 |
Losses | 6 |
By knockout | 1 |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 2 |
Wins | 1 |
By knockout | 1 |
Losses | 1 |
By decision | 1 |
Amateur record | |
Total | 15 |
Wins | 15 |
By knockout | 7 |
Other information | |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Last updated on: February 3, 2018 |
YouTube information | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Channel | |||||||
Years active | 2009–present | ||||||
Genre | vlog | ||||||
Subscribers | 208 thousand[1] | ||||||
Total views | 27.38 million[1] | ||||||
| |||||||
Last updated: 1 October 2023 |
Gabriel Varga (born May 16, 1985) is a Canadian kickboxer who competes in the Lightweight division of Karate Combat. He is a former Bellator KB Featherweight champion, former two time Glory Featherweight champion, and former WKN lightweight champion.
A martial artist since his childhood, Varga started out in Shotokan karate and made the switch to kickboxing at seventeen. After becoming a Canadian, North American and two-time world champion during his amateur career, he turned professional in 2009 and won two more world championships in the pro ranks inside the space of seven months during 2011. Varga has since competed in the K-1, Glory, and Bellator Kickboxing promotions. In 2018, Gabriel started to upload videos to his YouTube channel.[2]
Early life
Gabriel Varga was born in Toronto, Ontario and spent part of his childhood in Australia and New Zealand before settling in Victoria, British Columbia, in 1999.[3] He was introduced to martial arts at an early age by his father, Keith, a boxer and karateka. Also a classically trained pianist, Varga formally began training in Shotokan at the age of eight and eventually earned the rank of fourth degree black belt. He made the switch to kickboxing and Muay Thai, along with his brothers Aaron and Jacob, at seventeen years old.[4][5]
Kickboxing career
Amateur career
Varga began competing as an amateur in 2006 at the age of twenty and, after amassing an 8–0 record by 2008, spent three months training in Thailand at Eminent Air, Fairtex, Por Pramuk and Sinbi Muay Thai.[6]
Upon his return to Canada, he was given the chance to fight for his first title and he
Now a national and continental belt holder, Varga faced Joe Concha in an ISKA super lightweight amateur world title match in his hometown of Victoria on January 24, 2009. He scored a knockdown in the fifth and final round and won by decision.
Following this, Varga moved back up in weight to challenge for the ISKA amateur light welterweight world title against Devon Henry in Victoria on July 20, 2009. He won by split decision after a back-and-forth fight.[11] In his final bout as an amateur, he took a unanimous decision over Nathan Smandych on October 3, 2009, in Victoria to defend his ISKA light welterweight strap and bring his record to 15–0.[12]
Professional career
WKN and WKF titles
Having fought mostly under
He returned to the ring on January 8, 2011, at a Canada vs. China event in
Glory Kickboxing
After a year out of the ring, he signed with
He was recruited into
Varga was set to face
He was then set to make a defence of his WKN title for the first time against Jessy Petit-Jean in Belgium on November 9, 2013, but the bout was cancelled for undisclosed reasons.[32]
Varga won the 2014 Glory Featherweight Contendership Tournament at
On April 3, 2015, Varga defeated #1 ranked
Two months later, Varga fought Liu Wei at the Hero Legends event in
Bellator Kickboxing
Varga subsequently left Glory, and signed with
On July 14, 2018, in Rome, Italy Varga won his 6th professional world title. He defeated Kevin Ross by 1st-round TKO to win the Bellator Kickboxing Featherweight World Title.
On March 19, 2021, Varga was released by Bellator as he had fulfilled his contract and Bellator would no longer be featuring Kickboxing events. Varga still held the Bellator World Kickboxing title.[51]
Karate Combat
On December 22, 2021, it was announced that Varga had signed an exclusive contract with Karate Combat and will debut in the Lightweight division in the 2022 season.[52]
Mixed martial arts career
In 2019, Varga made the transition to mixed martial arts competition for Bellator.
In his second fight, Varga faced Teejay Britton on February 21, 2020, at
Championships and awards
Kickboxing
- Bellator Kickboxing
- Hero Legends
- Hero Legends 2016 Featherweight (-65 kg/143.3 lb) Champion
- Glory
- Glory Featherweight Champion (two times; first)
- 2015, 2016 Glory Featherweight (-65 kg/143.3 lb) Champion
- 2014 Glory Featherweight (-65 kg/143.3 lb) Contender Tournament Winner
- International Sport Karate Association
- ISKA Amateur Canadian Super Lightweight (-62.3 kg/137.2 lb) Oriental Championship
- ISKA Amateur North American Light Welterweight (-64.5 kg/142.2 lb) Oriental Championship
- ISKA Amateur World Super Lightweight (-62.3 kg/137.2 lb) Oriental Championship
- ISKA Amateur World Light Welterweight (-64.5 kg/142.2 lb) Oriental Championship
- World Kickboxing Association
- WKA Amateur British Columbia Light Welterweight (-64 kg/141.1 lb) Championship
- World Kickboxing Federation
- WKF World Light Welterweight (-64.5 kg/142 lb) K-1 Championship
- World Kickboxing Network
- WKN World Lightweight (-64.4 kg/142 lb) Oriental Championship
Karate Combat record
3 matches | 2 wins | 1 loss |
By knockout | 1 | 0 |
By decision | 1 | 1 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 2–1 | Edgars Skrivers | Decision (split) | Karate Combat 40 | June 24, 2023 | 3 | 3:00 | Miami, Florida , United States
| |
Win | 2–0 | Tommy Azouz | TKO (punches) | Karate Combat 37 | December 17, 2022 | 3 | 2:02 | Orlando, Florida, United States | |
Win | 1–0 | Bruno Assis | Decision (unanimous) | Karate Combat Season 4: Episode 4 | June 25, 2022 | 3 | 3:00 | Orlando, Florida, United States |
Kickboxing record
18 Wins (4 (T) KO's, 14 decisions), 6 Losses | ||||||||
Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019-10-12 | Win | Cristian Faustino | Bellator Kickboxing 12 |
Milan, Italy |
Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | 18-6 |
Defends the Bellator Kickboxing Featherweight Championship. | ||||||||
2018-12-01 | Win | Shan Cangelosi | Bellator Kickboxing 11 |
Genoa, Italy |
KO (Punch) | 1 | 2:42 | 17-6 |
Defends the Bellator Kickboxing Featherweight Championship. | ||||||||
2018-07-14 | Win | Kevin Ross | Bellator Kickboxing 10 : Rome |
Rome, Italy |
TKO (Ref. Stoppage/Punches) | 1 | 2:08 | 16-6 |
Wins the Bellator Kickboxing Featherweight Championship. | ||||||||
2018-02-03 | Loss | Tie Yinghua | Glory of Heroes: Chengdu | Chengdu, China |
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 15-6 |
2017-12-09 | Win | Roberto Gheorghiță | Bellator Kickboxing 8: Florence |
Florence, Italy |
TKO (Ref. Stoppage) | 2 | 2:49 | 15-5 |
2017-06-25 | Win | Lu Yichen | Hero Legends | Shenzhen, China |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 14-5 |
2017-04-14 | Loss | Gábor Görbics | Bellator Kickboxing 6: Budapest |
Budapest, Hungary |
Decision (Split) | 3 | 3:00 | 13-5 |
2016-10-21 | Loss | Robin van Roosmalen | Glory 34: Denver | Broomfield, Colorado | TKO (corner stoppage) | 4 | 3:00 | 13-4 |
Loses the Glory Featherweight Championship. | ||||||||
2016-07-22 | Win | Serhiy Adamchuk |
Glory 32: Virginia |
Norfolk, Virginia | Decision (majority) | 5 | 3:00 | 13-3 |
Wins the Glory Featherweight Championship. | ||||||||
2016-01-16 | Win | Liu Wei | Hero Legends | Hainan, China | Decision(unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 12-3 |
Wins the Hero Legends Featherweight Championship. | ||||||||
2015-11-06 | Loss | Serhiy Adamchuk |
Glory 25: Milan |
Monza, Italy | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | 11-3 |
Losses the Glory Featherweight Championship. | ||||||||
2015-04-03 | Win | Mosab Amrani | Glory 20: Dubai |
Dubai, UAE |
Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | 11-2 |
Wins the Glory Featherweight Championship. | ||||||||
2014-06-21 | Win | Shane Oblonsky | Glory 17: Los Angeles - Featherweight Contender Tournament, Final |
Inglewood, California, US | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 10-2 |
Wins the Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament. | ||||||||
2014-06-21 | Win | Yodkhunpon Sitmonchai | Glory 17: Los Angeles - Featherweight Contender Tournament, Semi Finals |
Inglewood, California, US | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 9-2 |
2013-10-12 | Win | Jose Palacios | Glory 11: Chicago |
Hoffman Estates, Illinois, US | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 8-2 |
2013-05-03 | Loss | Yuta Kubo | Glory 8: Tokyo - 65 kg Slam Tournament, Semi Finals |
Tokyo, Japan |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 7-2 |
2013-05-03 | Win | Abdellah Ezbiri | Glory 8: Tokyo - 65 kg Slam Tournament, Quarter Finals |
Tokyo, Japan |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 7-1 |
2012-09-08 | Win | Lerdsila Chumpairtour | K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 in Los Angeles |
Los Angeles, California , US |
Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 6-1 |
2011-09-24 | Win | Roy Tan | Fight for a Dream | Vienna, Austria |
KO | 3 | 5-1 | |
Wins the WKF World Light Welterweight (-64.5 kg/142 lb) K-1 Championship. | ||||||||
2011-03-12 | Win | Yohan Ha Van | Quest for the Title | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | 4-1 |
Wins the WKN World Lightweight (-64.4 kg/142 lb) Oriental Championship. | ||||||||
2011-01-08 | Win | Xiao Jie | Canada vs. China | Jinan, China |
Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | 3-1 |
2010-07-17 | Loss | Terrence Hill | Take-On Productions, Quarter Finals | New York City, New York, US | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 2-1 |
2010-02-19 | Win | Justin Greskiewicz | Friday Night Fights | New York City, New York, US | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | 2-0 |
2009-12-12 | Win | Omar Ahmed | The New York Showdown II | New York City, New York, US | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | 1-0 |
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes |
Amateur kickboxing record
15 Wins (7 (T) KO's, 8 decisions), 0 Losses | ||||||||
Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009-10-03 | Win | Nathan Smandych | Quest for the Title IV | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 2:00 | |
Retains the ISKA Amateur World Light Welterweight (-64.5 kg/142.2 lb) Oriental Championship.
| ||||||||
2009-07-20 | Win | Devon Henry | Quest for the Title III | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | Decision (split) | 5 | 2:00 | |
Wins the ISKA Amateur World Light Welterweight (-64.5 kg/142.2 lb) Oriental Championship.
| ||||||||
2009-06-12 | Win | Matt Embree | Summer Slugfest III | Vancouver, British Columbia , Canada |
Decision | 5 | 2:00 | |
Retains the ISKA Amateur World Super Lightweight (-62.3 kg/137.2 lb) Oriental Championship.
| ||||||||
2009-04-04 | Win | Emil Salva | Quest for the Title II | Langford, British Columbia, Canada | TKO (punches) | 3 | 2:00 | |
Retains the ISKA Amateur World Super Lightweight (-62.3 kg/137.2 lb) Oriental Championship.
| ||||||||
2009-01-24 | Win | Joe Concha | Quest for the Title I | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | Decision | 5 | 2:00 | |
Wins the ISKA Amateur World Super Lightweight (-62.3 kg/137.2 lb) Oriental Championship.
| ||||||||
2008-08-15 | Win | Chuck Mady | Summer Slugfest | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | KO (body punches) | 1 | ||
Wins the ISKA Amateur Canadian Super Lightweight (-62.3 kg/137.2 lb) Oriental Championship.
| ||||||||
2008-00-00 | Win | Carlos Garcia | Decision | 4 | 2:00 | |||
Wins the ISKA Amateur North American Light Welterweight (-64.5 kg/142.2 lb) Oriental Championship.
| ||||||||
2006-04-15 | Win | Ronnie Alampour | Battle at the Bear | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | KO (punches) | 1 | ||
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes |
Mixed martial arts record
2 matches | 1 win | 1 loss |
By knockout | 1 | 0 |
By decision | 0 | 1 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 1–1 | Teejay Britton | Decision (split) | Bellator 239
|
February 21, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
Win | 1–0 | Jamese Taylor | TKO (punches) | Bellator 224
|
July 12, 2019 | 2 | 3:23 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States |
See also
References
- ^ a b "About Gabriel Varga". YouTube.
- ^ "Gabriel Varga - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
- ^ Eric Rivera. "Profiles in Muay Thai: Global Edition – Vol. 1 – Gabriel Varga". Muaythaiislife.com. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ "Gabriel Varga: Home Grown Ring King". ¸LYF Marketing Blog.
- ^ "totalmuaythai.com". Totalmuaythai.com. Archived from the original on 2013-06-30. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ a b c d "Story". Official Site for Gabriel Varga and Varga Bros. Archived from the original on 2016-09-01. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- ^ Colonist, Times (2008-08-15). "Warren, Wilson featured in five-round grudge match". Canada.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-24. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ "The Martlet | UVic kickboxers capture titles". Archived from the original on May 31, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ "Varga Defends World Amateur Title". Iskaworldhq.com. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ "Varga Brothers Win Again!". Iskaworldhq.com. 2009-06-12. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ "QUEST FOR THE TITLE 3". Iskaworldhq.com. 2009-07-20. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ "The Martlet | Varga defends world title, looks to turn pro". Archived from the original on 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- ^ ChampionsWay (2009-12-12). "Wka Usa". Wka Usa. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ ChampionsWay (2010-02-19). "Wka Usa". Wka Usa. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ ChampionsWay (2010-07-17). "Wka Usa". Wka Usa. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ "Gabriel Varga vs. Justin Greskiewicz set for the Warriors Cup XIII on December 3rd in Lincroft, NJ ~ Muay Thai Authority". Archived from the original on December 19, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ "Justin Greskiewicz out of fight with Gabriel Varga at the Warriors Cup XIII ~ Muay Thai Authority". Archived from the original on December 19, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ "North American Muay Thai Fighter of the Year Award Nominees ~ Muay Thai Authority". Archived from the original on December 19, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ "Kevin Ross and Miram Nakamoto win 2010 fighter of the year awards ~ Muay Thai Authority". Archived from the original on July 8, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
- ^ "World Championship Kick Boxing | Muaythaitv". muaythaitv.fr.
- ^ "Kickboxers successful in title quest". Nanaimo News Bulletin. 14 March 2011.
- ^ "Gabriel Varga vs. Justin Greskiewicz set for August 11th Take-On Productions "Battle at Bally's 2" ~ Muay Thai Authority". Archived from the original on December 19, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ Travis Paterson. "Thai fighter: Canada's kickboxing champ in the Far East". Victoria News.
- ^ "Fighter, Gabriel Varga wins Second Professional World Title in Austria". FILES News.
- ^ Christian J. Stewart. "Gabriel Varga Signs Deal to Fight in the K1". The Independent Sports News.
- ^ Christian J. Stewart. "Gabriel Varga Wins First K1 Bout". The Independent Sports News.
- ^ Rian Scalia. "GLORY 8 Tokyo Live Results". LiverKick.com. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ "Gabriel Varga Returns Home From Glory 8 World Series Kickboxing Event in Tokyo". The Independent Sports News. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ "Three New Fights Confirmed for GLORY 11 Chicago". Gloryworldseries.com. 2013-09-12. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ Dave Walsh. "GLORY 11 Full Event Card Announced". LiverKick. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ Dave Walsh. "GLORY 11 Chicago Live Results and Discussion". LiverKick.com. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ "MMA Opinion". Mmaopinion.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2014-07-10. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ "Glory 17 and Last Man Standing Live Results". Liverkick.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
- ^ Fraser Coffeen (22 June 2014). "Glory results: Artem Levin, Rico Verhoeven and Joseph Valtellini take home Glory gold". Bloody Elbow.
- ^ "GLORY 20: Dubai live results: Gabriel Varga crowned and Robin van Roosmalen defends". mmaplus.co.uk. 3 April 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "GLORY 20: DUBAI - Review and Results". sportskeeda.com. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Full Fight: Serhiy Adamchuk wins featherweight title against Gabriel Varga at GLORY 25 MILAN". fightsports.tv. 29 November 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Watch Gabriel Varga claim Hero Legends 64kg Title". strikingcorner.com. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "GLORY 32: Serhiy Adamchuk to Rematch Gabriel Varga". fcfighter.com. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Glory 32 Film Study: Serhiy Adamchuk vs. Gabriel Varga". strikescoremma.com. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "GLORY 34 results: Robin van Roosmalen drops Gabriel Varga twice, wins featherweight title by TKO". mmamania.com. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Gabriel Varga Set For Promotional Debut At Bellator Kickboxing 6". muaythaiauthority.com. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Bellator Kickboxing 6 Results: Ghajji Edges Laszak to Reclaim Belt, Baars Dominates". combatpress.com. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "WATCH: Gabriel Varga vs. Lu Yichen From Hero Legends". mmaexchange.com. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Bellator Kickboxing 8 Recap". fightsports.tv. 10 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Glory of Heroes Results: Yinghua Fends Off Varga, Jianbo Tops Teerachai". combatpress.com. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Varga Takes Out Ross To Win Bellator Featherweight Title". fightsports.tv. 15 July 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Varga KOs Cangelosi, Keeps Title at Bellator Kickboxing 11". fightsports.tv. December 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Bellator Kickboxing 12: Varga Keeps Gold". FIGHT SPORTS. 12 October 2019.
- ^ "Bellator Kickboxing 12 Results: Varga Cruises Past Faustino, Retains Featherweight Strap". Combat Press. 9 December 2023.
- ^ "Bellator parts ways with nine fighters, including Roger Huerta, Brandon Girtz, and more". MMA Junkie. 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ "Former Bellator Kickboxing champion Gabriel Varga signs exclusive deal with Karate Combat". MMA Junkie. 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
- ^ Nolan King (11 July 2019). "Kickboxing champ Gabriel Varga nervous for MMA debut at Bellator 224, but that's how he wants it". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
- ^ stevejuon (2019-07-12). "LIVE! Bellator 224 Results & Streaming Play-By-Play Updates". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
- ^ Tucker, Bryan (2020-02-21). "Bellator 239 Results: Ruth vs. Amosov". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-12-23.