Murthel Groenhart

Groenhart began his kickboxing career fighting on small shows in the Netherlands. He made his SLAMM debut in 2006, losing both of his fights with the organization, including a decision loss to Leroy Kaestner at B-Klass level. In 2008, Groenhart was invited by the K-1 organization to take part in an eight-man tournament, which had originally been intended for heavyweights but was changed later for fighters around the 75 kg bracket. Groenhart won the competition in spectacular fashion, dispatching all three of his opponents by stoppage on the night to take the title in Milan.[3]

The performance at the K-1 tournament led to Groenhart being invited to take part in a fight within the It's Showtime organization – the Netherlands biggest kickboxing organization. He lost his debut to It's Showtime Reality winner Sem Braan but impressed enough to be invited back for further matches.[4] Although an impressive fighter with a good knockout ratio, Groenhart has had up and down performances within the organization, winning fights against the likes of Yassin Boudrouz and Joep Beerenpoot by knockout, but losing to Vladimir Moravcik and being knocked out by Ali Cenik, fights he should have been expected to do better in. Groenhart has also fought and lost to top class fighters such as Cosmo Alexandre and Nieky Holzken – with the loss against Holzken after an extension round, being slightly unfortunate for some who felt Groenhart deserved more.[5] Despite some inconsistent performances, Groenhart won the vacant E.M.T.A. European title at the start of 2010, defeating Amir Zeyada in an impressive showing.[6]

Groenhart ventured up to the 79 kg division to face Marc de Bonte at Glory 2: Brussels on October 6, 2012, in Brussels, Belgium[7][8] and scored another come-from-behind victory as he knocked his opponent out with a knee strike in the second round.[9]

Groenhart went on to win the K-1 World MAX 2012 World Championship Tournament Final in Athens, Greece on December 15, 2012, stopping Yasuhiro Kido and Mike Zambidis before knocking out his stable-mate Artur Kyshenko in the final.[10][11][12]

Groenhart faced Robin van Roosmalen at Glory 7: Milan in Milan, Italy on April 20, 2013, losing a unanimous decision after getting dropped in round one.[13][14][15][16]

Groenhart lost to Davit Kiria via unanimous decision at Glory 10: Los Angeles - Middleweight World Championship Tournament in Ontario, California, United States on September 28, 2013.[17][18][19] He joined the Blackzilians camp in preparation for the fight.[20][21]

Groenhart was expected to fight Shemsi Beqiri on the Glory 14: Zagreb undercard in Zagreb, Croatia on March 8, 2014[22] but Beqiri withdrew due to an injury was replaced by Teo Mikelić.[23] Mikelić dropped him with a right cross early in round one but Groenhart climbed off the canvas and went to work, opening a cut on the Croatian that prompted a doctor's stoppage after the first round.[24][25][26][27]

Replacing his stablemate Artur Kyshenko who conceded that he would be unable to make the contracted weight of -71 kg/156 lb,[28] Groenhart stepped in to face Dzhabar Askerov at Legend 3: Pour Homme in Milan, Italy on April 5, 2014.[29] He was fortunate not to be counted by referee Atsushi Onari in the early goings after succumbing to knockdown courtesy of a left hook by Askerov, but he soon made quick work of the Russian, dropping him with a right hook before putting him away with a left hook inside the opening round.[30][31][32]

He had another fight outside of Glory, when he fought in the Kunlun Fight four man tournament. In the quarter-finals he faced Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong.[33] He lost the fight in the third round by a head kick KO.[34]

He returned to Glory during Glory 23, being scheduled to fight Chad Sugden.[35] Murthel lost the fight by a split decision.[36]

Despite the loss, he took part in the Welterweight Contender Tournament. He beat Nicola Gallo by TKO in the second round, as the fight was called by the ringside doctor due to a cut. In the finals he won a unanimous decision against Karim Ghajji.[37][38]

Winning the tournament earned a title shot against Nieky Holzken.[39] He lost the fight by a split decision.[40] He afterwards fought Cédric Doumbé, but lost the fight by a unanimous decision.

Briefly leaving Glory, Groenhart took part in the 2015 WFL 76 kg tournament. In the semi-finals he won a unanimous decision against Marco Pique. In the final he fought and beat Sem Braan by a third-round KO.[41][42]

He fought Artur Kyshenko during Kunlun Fight 43. The fight went into an extra fourth round, where Kyshenko won a decision.[43]

He returned to Glory to take part in the Welterweight Contender Tournament. He beat Karim Benmansour in the semifinals by a second-round TKO, after knocking Karim down three times. In the finals, he beat Yoann Kongolo by unanimous decision.[44][45]

He fought Jonatan Oliveira during Kunlun Fight 50. Groenhart won the fight by a second-round TKO following three knockdowns.[46]

After winning the contender tournament, he fought Nieky Holzken for the third time in his career. Holzken convincingly won the fight by a unanimous decision.[47][48]

After his failed title bid, he won his next three fights. He first fought Thongchai Sitsongpeenong during Glory 38[49] and won by a third-round TKO, Alan Scheinson during Glory 41,[50] winning by split decision, and Harut Grigorian during Glory 42, winning by KO. The fight with Grigorian ended in controversy, as Grigorian's fans jumped into the ring after his loss and started a melee with Groenhart and his corner.[51]

Groenhart fought Cedric Doumbe in a rematch during Glory 44, for the Glory Welterweight title.[52] Groenhart won the fight by a split decision.[53]

Murthel was scheduled to make his first title defense against Harut Grigorian during Glory 50.[54] Grigorian won the fight in the first round, by TKO.[55]

Groenhart rebounded from his title loss with a second-round TKO finish of Mohammed Jaraya,[56] but dropped a split decision in his next fight to Alim Nabiev.[57]

Groenhart was scheduled to fight Cedric Doumbe for the Glory Welterweight title, held at the time by Doumbe.[58] Doumbe suffered an elbow injury before the fight, and was replaced by Troy Jones, with Groenhart and Jones fighting for the interim title.[59][60] Groenhart beat Jones by KO in the second round.[61]

Groenhart and Doumbe were scheduled to unify the titles at Glory 76.[62] The fight was rescheduled for November 7, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic cancelling the first event.[63] The fight with Doumbe was indefinitely postponed, as main event fighter Badr Hari contracted COVID-19[64] and due to a partial lockdown imposed by the Dutch government.[65] The fight was rescheduled for December 19.[66] Groenhart was forced to withdraw from the fight, due to an injury.[67]

Groenhart's fight with Cédric Doumbé was rescheduled for Glory 77.[68] He lost the fight by a second-round knockout.[69]

Groenhart challenged Endy Semeleer for the Glory Welterweight Championship at Glory 85 on April 29, 2023.[70] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[71]

Groenhart faced Cihad Akipa at Glory 87 on August 19, 2023.[72] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[73]