Raymond Daniels (martial artist)

Raymond Lee Daniels (born April 29, 1980) is an American Kenpoist, Karateka, Tae Kwon Do practitioner, kickboxer and mixed martial artist known for his flashy and aggressive style of fighting.[1] He currently competes for Bellator MMA and Bellator Kickboxing, where he is the current Bellator Kickboxing Welterweight Champion.

Raymond Daniels
BornRaymond Lee Daniels
(1980-04-29) April 29, 1980
Sun Valley, California, United States
Other namesThe Real Deal
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight171 lb (78 kg; 12.2 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Reach74 in (190 cm)
StyleKarate, Taekwondo, Kickboxing
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofLong Beach, California, United States
TeamLos Angeles Stars
Team Paul Mitchell Karate
World Champion Karate
Classic Fight Team
TrainerTyler Wombles
RankSixth degree black belt in American Kenpo
Sixth degree black belt in Shotokan
Fifth degree Kukkiwon black belt in Tae Kwon Do
Years active2006–present
Kickboxing record
Total38
Wins35
By knockout22
Losses3
By knockout3
Mixed martial arts record
Total4
Wins2
By knockout2
Losses1
By submission1
No contests1
Other information
Websitewww.raymonddaniels.com
Medal record
Men's Kickboxing
Representing the
 United States
W.A.K.O. World Championships
2015 DublinSemi-Contact −89 kg
W.A.K.O. Irish Open
2011 DublinSemi-Contact −84 kg
2009 DublinSemi-Contact −84 kg
2008 DublinSemi-Contact −84 kg
last updated on: March 21, 2016

As of June 1, 2019, he is ranked the #8 ranked welterweight kickboxer in the world by Combat Press.[2]

Background

Daniels was born in Sun Valley, California and raised in Palmdale, California. His grandfather Frankie Daniels was a professional boxer as well as a Korean War veteran and Purple Heart recipient.[3] He began training in American Kenpo karate in 1985 under the tutelage of his father Frank Daniels and earned his black belt in 1992.[4]

While still in high school, Daniels became a single father. Seeking a better life for him and his son, Daniels realized his boyhood dream of becoming a police officer with the Long Beach Police Department at the age of 21.[5] After more than 7 years of service, Daniels retired to concentrate on his martial arts career.[6]

Career

Daniels had humble beginnings as a junior competitor in sport karate competitions.[1] By the age of 19, he would go on to become a top ranked fighter for both the National Black Belt League (NBL) and the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA). Among his titles are eight NBL World Championships,[7] at least two NASKA world championships, a second-place finish at the $50,000 World Pro Taekwondo Championship in Croatia in 2010,[8] and nine overall championships at the W.A.K.O Irish Open.[9][10][11]

Don Rodrigues, coach and co-founder of the famed Team Paul Mitchell Karate, recruited Daniels in 1999. Daniels left the Paul Mitchell Team in 2001, joining other teams in successive years.[1]

In 2006, Daniels began fighting for Chuck Norris' World Combat League as captain of the Los Angeles Stars.[12] Daniels fought in the 80 kg/178 lbs and 88 kg/195 lbs weight divisions, compiling a 17–0–0 (9 KO) fight record.[13] Daniels had a highly anticipated bout with fellow undefeated kickboxing star Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson. Daniels initially won the bout by technical knockout due to a knee injury suffered by Thompson.[14]

Daniels defeated Peyton Russell via third-round TKO (three knockdown rule) at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Las Vegas on August 11, 2007.[15]

Daniels defeated Michael Page at the W.A.K.O. Irish Open 2008, winning gold in the 84 kg semi-contact division.[16]

Daniels would then set his sights on the world of mixed martial arts and was touted by Strikeforce as "the next Cung Le".[17] On June 27, 2008, he made his MMA debut against twelve fight veteran Jeremiah Metcalf[18] at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson. Daniels was defeated by submission via rear-naked choke in the second round.[19]

Daniels defended his gold, in the 84 kg semi-contact division, in a rematch against Michael Page at the W.A.K.O. Irish Open 2009.[20]

Daniels defeated Michael Page in their trilogy bout at the W.A.K.O. Irish Open 2011, securing gold in the 84 kg semi-contact division.[21]

In his first outing under full Oriental kickboxing rules, Daniels defeated two opponents in Dublin, Ireland on October 8, 2011 to win the four man 84 kg/185 lbs tournament at the Pain and Glory event. After knocking out English Muay Thai fighter Andy Bakewell with a spinning heel kick in the semi-finals, he took a split decision over Irish kickboxer Mark Casserly in the final.[22]

He then signed with Glory in 2013 and was set to debut at Glory 5: London on March 23, 2013 in London, England[23] but was later removed from the card for undisclosed reasons.[24]

Daniels defeated Brian Foster with a first-round spinning heel kick at Glory 11: Chicago - Heavyweight World Championship Tournament in Hoffman Estates, Illinois on October 12, 2013.[25][26]

He replaced Marc de Bonte in the Glory 13: Tokyo - Welterweight World Championship Tournament in Tokyo, Japan on December 21, 2013 for undisclosed reasons[27] and suffered his first kickboxing loss at the hands of Joseph Valtellini in the semi-finals. He initially caused some problems for Valtellini with his unorthodox karate style but by round two the Canadian began to hurt Daniels with low kicks. Daniels was knocked out by a high kick in the third round.[28]

Daniels scored a spinning kick KO over François Ambang inside the opening round at Glory 16: Denver in Broomfield, Colorado, United States on May 3, 2014.[29] His performance was hailed by Glory as the "Knockout of the Century."[30]

On February 6, 2015, Daniels was part of a one-night, four-man welterweight tournament at Glory 19: Virginia. In the semifinals, he faced Jonatan Oliveira and won via TKO. Daniels knocked Oliveira down with a spinning heel kick to the head in the first round and scored another knock down with a spinning kick to the body early in the second round. A knee to the groin of Oliveira led to a short intermission, after which Daniels hit Oliveira with another spinning kick to the body, forcing the TKO at 2:15 of the second round. In the finals, he faced Nieky Holzken and was knocked down early in the first round by a punch to the body. Daniels was unable to deal well with Holzken's pressure, who cut off the ring and locked Daniels up in the corners whenever possible. The second round saw Daniels being knocked down twice more, before scoring a controversial down himself in the third with one of his spin kicks. Holzken then locked Daniels up in a corner once more and knocked him down with a right hook to the head, forcing the stoppage at 1:25 of the third round after four knock downs.[31]

He defeated Justin Baesman on May 8, 2015 in the co-main event at Glory 21: San Diego by KO (liver kick) after just 51 seconds inside the first round.[32]

After Joseph Valtellini vacated his title due to health issues, Raymond Daniels was set to face Nieky Holzken for the welterweight world championship at Glory 23: Las Vegas on August 7, 2015.[33] Daniels won the first two rounds on the judges scorecards due to a higher output of strikes. In the third round, Holzken managed to corner him and scored a combination which ended with a jump right knee that cut him above the eye prompting referee John McCarthy to stop the match.[34]

On November 28, 2015, Daniels won gold at the W.A.K.O. World Championships 2015 (Dublin) in the 89 kg semi-contact division.[35]

Bellator Kickboxing

He defeated Francesco Moricca at Bellator Kickboxing 1 on April 16, 2016 in Turin via TKO (liver kick) in the first round.[36][37]

He defeated Stefano Bruno at Bellator Kickboxing 2 on June 24, 2016 in St. Louis via TKO (liver kick) in the first round.[38]

He defeated Zsolt Benedek at Bellator Kickboxing 3 on September 17, 2016 in Budapest via unanimous decision.[39]

He defeated Csaba Gyorfi at Bellator Kickboxing 6 on April 14, 2017 in Budapest via TKO (liver kick).[40]

He defeated Karim Ghajji at Bellator Kickboxing 7 on September 23, 2017 in San Jose via TKO (doctor stoppage).[41]

He defeated Giannis Boukis at Bellator Kickboxing 8 on December 9, 2017 in Florence via unanimous decision (29-28, 30–27, 30-27).[42]

He defeated Djibril Ehouo at Bellator Kickboxing 9 on April 6, 2018 in Budapest via unanimous decision (50-44, 50–44, 50-43).[43]

He defeated Zakaria Laaouatni at Bellator Kickboxing 11 on December 1, 2018 in Genoa via majority decision (29-29, 29–28, 29-28).[44]

Mixed martial arts

More than a decade after his first MMA bout, Daniels returned to mixed martial arts and faced Wilker Barros at Bellator Birmingham on May 4, 2019.[45] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[46]

Daniels next faced Jason King at Bellator 238 on January 25, 2020.[47] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Daniels faced Peter Stanonik at Bellator 245 on September 11, 2020.[48] The bout ended in a No Contest after an unintentional groin kick from Daniels rendered Stanonik unable to continue.[49]

Personal life

Daniels is a father and currently lives in Orange, California. He is an instructor at World Champion Karate in Orange, California with his business partner Steven Horst. Daniels recently co-founded "ICE Martial Arts", a personal training and nutrition institute.[4] He refrains from recreational drug use.[1]

Daniels is married to fellow mixed martial arts fighter Colbey Northcutt, sister of Sage Northcutt, who is also a MMA fighter. Their marriage took place on August 24, 2019 in Temecula, California.[50]

Championships and awards

Points fighting (Kickboxing/Sport Karate)
  • North American Sport Karate Association
    • 2004 NASKA World Championship
    • 2002 NASKA World Championship
  • National Blackbelt League
    • 2010 NBL World Championship
    • 2009 NBL World Championship
    • 2008 NBL World Championship
    • 2007 NBL World Championship
    • 2006 NBL World Championship
    • 2005 NBL World Championship
    • 2004 NBL World Championship
    • 2003 NBL World Championship
  • World Association of Kickboxing Organizations
    • 2015 W.A.K.O. World Champion
    • 2014 Irish Open Grand Champion
    • 2012 Irish Open Grand Champion
    • 2011 Irish Open Grand Champion
    • 2010 Irish Open Grand Champion
    • 2009 Irish Open Grand Champion
    • 2008 Irish Open Grand Champion
    • 2007 Irish Open Grand Champion
    • 2006 Irish Open Grand Champion
    • 2005 Irish Open Grand Champion

Kickboxing (Full Contact)

Taekwondo
  • World Pro Taekwondo Championships
    • 2010 World Pro Taekwondo Championships Runner-up

Kickboxing record
Kickboxing record
35 Wins (22 KOs), 3 Losses
DateResultOpponentEventLocationMethodRoundTime
2018-12-01Win Zakaria LaaouatniBellator Kickboxing 11Genoa, ItalyDecision (majority)33:00
2018-04-06Win Djibril EhouoBellator Kickboxing 9Budapest, HungaryDecision (unanimous)53:00
Retained the Bellator Kickboxing Welterweight Championship.
2017-12-09Win Giannis BoukisBellator Kickboxing 8Florence, ItalyDecision (unanimous)33:00
2017-09-23Win Karim GhajjiBellator Kickboxing 7San Jose, California, USATKO (doctor stoppage)13:00
Wins the Bellator Kickboxing Welterweight Championship.
2017-04-14Win Csaba GyorfiBellator Kickboxing 6Budapest, HungaryTKO (Spinning back kick)30:36
2016-09-17Win Zsolt BenedekBellator Kickboxing 3Budapest, HungaryDecision (unanimous)33:00
2016-06-24Win Stefano BrunoBellator Kickboxing 2St. Louis, Missouri, USATKO (Liver kick)11:45
2016-04-16Win Francesco MoriccaBellator Kickboxing 1Torino, ItalyTKO (Liver kick)10:30
2015-08-07Loss Nieky HolzkenGlory 23: Las VegasLas Vegas, Nevada, USATKO (Cut, doctor stoppage)31:36
For the vacant Glory Welterweight Championship.
2015-05-08Win Justin BaesmanGlory 21: San DiegoSan Diego, California, USAKO (Liver kick)10:51
2015-02-06Loss Nieky HolzkenGlory 19: Virginia - Welterweight Contender Tournament, FinalHampton, Virginia, USATKO (4 Knockdowns)31:25
For the Glory Welterweight Contender Tournament.
2015-02-06Win Jonatan OliveiraGlory 19: Virginia - Welterweight Contender Tournament, Semi FinalsHampton, Virginia, USATKO (3 Knockdowns)22:15
2014-05-03Win François AmbangGlory 16: DenverBroomfield, Colorado, USAKO (Left spinning heel kick)11:47
2013-12-21Loss Joseph ValtelliniGlory 13: Tokyo - Welterweight World Championship Tournament, Semi FinalsTokyo, JapanKO (Right high kick)31:20
2013-10-12Win Brian FosterGlory 11: ChicagoHoffman Estates, Illinois, USATKO (Right spinning heel kick)12:24
2011-10-08Win Mark CasserlyPain and Glory, FinalDublin, IrelandDecision (Split)43:00
Won the Pain and Glory -84 kg/185 lb Tournament Championship.
2011-10-08Win Andy BakewellPain and Glory, Semi FinalsDublin, IrelandKO (Right spinning heel kick)1
2008-06-07Win Brandon BandaWorld Combat LeagueNew York, New York, USAKO (spinning heel kick)10:55
2008-06-07Win Jaime FletcherWorld Combat LeagueNew York, New York, USADecision (18-5)13:00
2008-05-03Win Scott ClarkWorld Combat LeagueOklahoma, USADecision (16-9)13:00
2008-05-03Win Chidi NjokuaniWorld Combat LeagueOklahoma, USADecision (18-6)13:00
2008-02-23Win El-Java Abdul-QadirWorld Combat LeagueDenver, Colorado, USAKO (left hook and right high kick)12:37
2008-02-23Win Chris DecaroWorld Combat LeagueDenver, Colorado, USAKO (spinning back kick)11:10
2008-01-18Win Blake LiretteWorld Combat LeagueDenver, Colorado, USAKO (right cross)12:24
2008-01-18Win Blake LiretteWorld Combat LeagueDenver, Colorado, USADecision (15-8)13:00
2007-12-14Win Damion CaldwellWorld Combat LeagueTexas, USAKO (spinning back kick)10:20
2007-12-14Win Antoine McRaeWorld Combat LeagueTexas, USAKO1
2007-10-19WinWorld Combat LeagueOklahoma, USADQ1
2007-10-19Win Ryan MadiganWorld Combat LeagueOklahoma, USADecision (18-6)13:00
2007-08-11Win Peyton RussellK-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Las VegasLas Vegas, Nevada, USATKO32:20
2007-01-20Win Damion CaldwellWorld Combat LeaguePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, USAKO (punches)11:57
2007-01-20Win Stephen ThompsonWorld Combat LeaguePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, USATKO (injury)1
2006-09-22Win Lawrence BakerWorld Combat LeagueTexas, USADecision (15-8)13:00
2006-09-22Win Lawrence BakerWorld Combat LeagueTexas, USADecision (15-8)13:00
2006-03-03Win Ronnie CopelandWorld Combat LeagueLas Vegas, Nevada, USAKO (spinning heel kick)10:46
2006-03-03Win Andreas SpångWorld Combat LeagueLas Vegas, Nevada, USADecision (15-7)13:00

Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
4 matches 2 wins 1 loss
By knockout 2 0
By submission 0 1
By decision 0 0
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
NC 2–1 (1) Peter Stanonik No Contest (accidental groin strike) Bellator 245 September 11, 2020 2 1:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States An unintentional groin kick from Daniels rendered Stanonik unable to continue.
Win 2–1 Jason King TKO (punches) Bellator 238 January 25, 2020 1 3:07 Inglewood, California, United States
Win 1–1 Wilker Barros KO (punch) Bellator: Birmingham May 4, 2019 1 4:36 Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Loss 0–1 Jeremiah Metcalf Submission (rear-naked choke) Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson June 27, 2008 2 0:59 San Jose, California, United States Middleweight bout.

See also

References
  1. karatetournaments.com, "Competitor Profile on Raymond Daniels". Archived from the original on March 23, 2007. Retrieved April 11, 2010.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  2. "Combat Press Kickboxing Rankings: June 2019". combatpress.com.
  3. "Bellator Kickboxing: IN FOCUS | Raymond Daniels". youtube.com. September 28, 2017.
  4. icemartialarts.com, "raymond daniels". Archived from the original on February 28, 2011. Retrieved April 11, 2010.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  5. "Ex-Long Beach cop turned martial artist Raymond Daniels fights for title in GLORY kickboxing". ocregister.com. August 5, 2015.
  6. "GLORY 23: Raymond Daniels: The nicest guy you never want to meet in the ring". bloodyelbow.com. August 7, 2015.
  7. "NBL World Champions" (PDF). retrieved June 28, 2012.
  8. "World Pro Taekwondo Championship". retrieved June 28, 2012.
  9. "2012 Irish Open". retrieved June 28, 2012.
  10. "World's Largest Fighting Event". Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. retrieved June 28, 2012.
  11. "WAKO review of Irish Open". retrieved June 28, 2012.
  12. "Interview: Undefeated kickboxer Raymond Daniels". mmafighting.com. June 26, 2008.
  13. World Combat League >> LA Stars >> Raymond Daniels. retrieved April 10, 2010.
  14. "Bellator 152: Raymond Daniels on Karate, Bouts vs. Wonderboy, Page & More". youtube.com. April 4, 2016.
  15. "K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Las Vegas Report". onthemat.com. August 13, 2007. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014.
  16. "The Irish Open Story". wakoweb.com. May 29, 2008.
  17. ""The next Cung Le" Raymond Daniels debuts Friday with Strikeforce". mmajunkie.com. June 23, 2008.
  18. Karate Master Raymond Daniels Making MMA Debut. retrieved April 10, 2010.
  19. "Strikeforce - Melendez vs. Thomson Play-By-Play". onthemat.com. June 27, 2008.
  20. "Irish Open Story 2009". wakoweb.com. May 7, 2009.
  21. "Michael Page and the Legitimacy of Point Fighting". fightland.vice.com. July 21, 2016.
  22. "KO of the Day: Raymond Daniels Spinning Wheel Kicks Some Poor Dude's Head Into the Fourth Row". cagepotato.com. October 11, 2011.
  23. "GLORY 5 London Fight Card". liverkick.com. January 11, 2013.
  24. "GLORY 5 London Finalized Fight Card, This Saturday March 23". liverkick.com. March 19, 2013.
  25. "GLORY 11 Full Event Card Announced". liverkick.com. October 3, 2013.
  26. "GLORY 11 Chicago Live Results and Discussion". liverkick.com. October 12, 2013.
  27. "The GLORY 13 Card is Super Stacked So Far". liverkick.com. November 1, 2013.
  28. "GLORY SuperFight Series Tokyo and GLORY 13 Spoilers". liverkick.com. December 21, 2013.
  29. "UFC VETERAN PAT BARRY SUFFERS FIRST-ROUND KNOCKOUT LOSS TO ZACK MWEKASSA AT GLORY 16". sherdog.com. May 3, 2014.
  30. "GLORY: Knockout of the Century (Raymond Daniels)". youtube.com. December 18, 2014.
  31. "Glory 19 results: Verhoeven retains, Holzken and Schilling dominate". bloodyelbow.com. February 7, 2015.
  32. "GLORY 21 RESULTS: LIVE KICKBOXING PLAY-BY-PLAY & UPDATES". sherdog.com. May 8, 2015.
  33. "'Bazooka' Joe Valtellini vacates GLORY World Welterweight Championship". bloodyelbow.com. June 4, 2015.
  34. "GLORY 23 'LAS VEGAS' PLAY-BY-PLAY & RESULTS". sherdog.com. August 7, 2015.
  35. "SIX IRISH GOLDS AT WAKO WORLD KICKBOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS". irishsportsnet.wordpress.com. December 4, 2015.
  36. "Bellator Kickboxing 1 Torino: Daniels and Kielholtz receive opponents". kickboxingplanet.com. March 20, 2016.
  37. "Bellator Roundup: Bendo loses in debut, UFC vets booked for upcoming cards". bloodyelbow.com. April 23, 2016.
  38. "BELLATOR 157 'DYNAMITE 2' RESULTS: PLAY-BY-PLAY & ROUND-BY-ROUND SCORING". sherdog.com. June 24, 2016.
  39. "Bellator Kickboxing Budapest Results: Laszák Scores Title Fight Upset, Daniels Earns Decision". combatpress.com. September 17, 2016.
  40. "Bellator Kickboxing 6 live results and discussion". bloodyelbow.com. April 14, 2017.
  41. "'Bellator Kickboxing 7: Ross vs. Lomurno' results: 2 new champions crowned". mmajunkie.com. September 23, 2017.
  42. "Bellator Kickboxing 8 Results: Daniels Edges Boukis, Schilling Tops Verlinden". combatpress.com. December 9, 2017.
  43. "Bellator Kickboxing 9 Results: Daniels Tops Ehouo, Retains Welterweight Title". combatpress.com. April 6, 2018.
  44. "Bellator Kickboxing 11 Live Results". fightsports.tv. December 1, 2018.
  45. "Humbled by his first MMA fight, Raymond Daniels is older and wiser ahead of Bellator Birmingham". mmamania.com. May 2, 2019.
  46. "LIVE! Bellator Birmingham results, streaming play-by-play updates for 'Primus vs Wilde'". mmamania.com. May 4, 2019.
  47. Guilherme Cruz (January 6, 2020). "Raymond Daniels will return at Bellator 238". mmafighting.com.
  48. "Bellator 245 fills out, including Ed Ruth, Rafael Carvalho, Tyrell Fortune". mmajunkie.com. August 21, 2020.
  49. Doyle, Dave (September 11, 2020). "Bellator 245 video: Raymond Daniels vs. Peter Stanonik ends with two horrific groin strikes". MMA Junkie. USA Today. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  50. "Colbey Northcutt and Raymond Daniels's Wedding Website". Retrieved May 8, 2019.
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