SPORTS
Zabit Samadov - a professional Azerbaijani kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter
Baku, March 29, AZERTAC
Zabit Samadov nicknamed “Maugli” is a professional kickboxer who was born in an Azerbaijani family in 1981, in Jandar village of Gardabani region of Georgia.
He started to practice martial arts at the age of 9, studied karate for 6 months and then changed to Muay Thai.
In 1998, he joined Chinuk Gym, a well-known gym based in Minsk and trained under the guidance of Alexey lgnashov and Sergei Gur, was recruited by top martial arts organization K-1 after achieving several titles in various events between 2004 and 2006.
On 26 April 2008, Samadov competed in K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Amsterdam, dispatched Doug Viney and Brian Douwes, respectively. However, he was beaten by Errol Zimmerman in the final on points.
Samadov fought at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008, where beating Mindaugas Sakalauskas, Raul Catinas and Sergei Lascenko passed to 1/16 Final. Unfortunately, the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 was unsuccessful for him as Samadov was knocked out by Badr Hari.
Zabit again faced with Badr at the 2013 Grand Prix, but was beaten by knockout this time too. Two consecutive failures forced him to train harder reaching his goal on May 25, 2013 in Moscow. Samadov dropped Hari late in round one, and sent him to the canvas again with a left hook in the second.
In August of 2016, K-1 master of Azerbaijan faced with Romanian Catalin Morosanu for the WBC Muaythai World Champion title and knocked his opponent in 1 minute 13 seconds and finished the fight at the first round.
Samadov also sealed KOK Europe title after beating French Freddy Kymajo at ZHARA Fight Show at Vegas City Hall - Crocus City Hall in Moscow, the Russian Federation, on May 31, 2018. He knocked out his French rival Freddy Kymajo nicknamed “Crazy Horse” and won the "King of Kings" (KOK) edition of the European Championship.
Winning championship titles in various versions through his career, Zabit gained his last success in October of 2021. Azerbaijani K-1 fighter celebrated his next victory by defeating Knife Didier of South Africa with a technical knockout (TKO).