Murat Aygün (born 13 December 1988) is a Turkish-Dutch kickboxer, currently competing in the heavyweight division of Glory.
As of February 2022, he is the #6 ranked heavyweight according to Combat Press.[1] Combat Press has ranked him in the heavyweight top ten since March 2019.[2]
Kickboxing career
Early career
Aygün made his professional debut against Raoumaru at Rise 100 – Blade 0 on July 12, 2014. He scored an early knockdown with a combination of a left hook and right straight, which elicited a standing down call from the referee. Aygün ended the fight, after the action resumed, with a right hook.[3]
Aygün was scheduled to face Nobu Hayashi at the inaugural BLADE event on December 29, 2014. He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.[4]
Aygün was scheduled to face Atha Kasapis at Champions Night on April 23, 2016. He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout, as the ringside doctor stopped the fight with 5 seconds left in the round. The two of them were scheduled to fight an immediate rematch for the ISKA Oriental Rules World Super Heavyweight title at K-1 Germany GP on May 21, 2016. He won the fight by decision.[5]
SUPERKOMBAT
Peter Aerts's Aygün was expected to make his SUPERKOMBAT promotional debut against Cătălin Moroșanu in the main event of Superkombat World Grand Prix in Mamaia on July 30, 2016. However, it was reported Moroșanu was pulled out from the event due to undisclosed reason and he was replaced by short-notice replacement Sebastian Cozmâncă. Aygün won the fight by decision, after an extension round was fought.[6][7]
Prince Ali was scheduled to fight Prince Ali for the HEAT Kick Heavyweight title at HEAT 38 on September 25, 2016. He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout.[8]
Aygün was scheduled to fight Tarik Khbabez for the MIX Fight Gala Heavyweight title at Mix Fight Gala 20 on December 3, 2016. He won his third career title fight by decision, after an extra round was fought.[9]
Dutch circuit
Aygün was scheduled to face the 2008 K-1 Grand Prix winner Errol Zimmerman for the WFL Heavyweight title at WFL – Champion vs. Champion on April 23, 2017. Although he was successful in the first round, Zimmerman managed to knock Aygün down with a left hook in the second round. Aygün recovered in between the rounds and won the fight by unanimous decision, winning the first and third rounds on the judges' scorecards.[10]
Aygün was scheduled to face Henriques Zowa in a non-title bout at WFL: Manhoef vs. Bonjasky, Final 16 on October 29, 2017. He won the fight by decision.[11]
Aygün participated in a one-night World Fighting League tournament, held on September 22, 2018. He was scheduled to face Fabio Kwasi in the quarterfinals. He won the fight by unanimous decision, and beat Sam Tevette in the same manner in the semifinals. Aygün won the tournament with a decision win against Nordine Mahieddine in the finals.[12] He earned a reported €100 000 for winning the tournament.[13]
Aygün was scheduled to face James McSweeney in the semifinals of the Mix Fight heavyweight tournament, held at Mix Fight 27 on December 7, 2019. McSweeney won the fight by a second-round technical knockout, after the ringside doctor stopped the bout due to a cut on Aygün's face.[14]
Aygün was scheduled to fight Levi Rigters for the Enfusion Super Heavyweight title at Enfusion 95 on February 29, 2020,[15] but the fight fell through due to a disagreement between Rigters and Enfusion co-promoter Ringfight Promotions.[16] Aygün was instead scheduled to fight Mohamed El Bouchaibi. El Bouchaibi by decision.[17]
Aygün was expected to Nikola Filipović in a heavyweight tournament reserve bout at Glory 85 on April 29, 2023.[28] He was moved up into the tournament proper, after Luis Tavares withdrew, and faced Enver Šljivar in the semifinals.[29] Although Aygün was able to overcome Šljivar by unanimous decision, he lost the final bout against Kevin Tariq Osaro by TKO.[30]
