Wei Rui

Chinese Sanshou kickboxer (born 1989) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wei Rui (simplified Chinese: 魏锐; traditional Chinese: 魏銳; pinyin: wèi ruì, born June 28, 1989) is a Chinese Sanda kickboxer who currently fights out of Da Dong Xiang fight club. On February 25, 2017, he won the K-1 World GP Lightweight Champions belt making him China's first K-1 World Champion.[1]

Quick Facts Born, Native name ...
Wei Rui
Born (1989-06-28) June 28, 1989 (age 35)
Luyi, Zhoukou, Henan, China
Native name魏锐
Other namesDemon Blade
Height1.76 m (5 ft 9+12 in)
Weight63.0 kg (138.9 lb; 9.92 st)
DivisionBantamweight
Featherweight
StyleSanda
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofZhengzhou, China
TeamDa Dong Xiang Fight Club (present)
Liaoyang Sports School
Luyi Shaolin Wenwu School
TrainerWei Zhaoquan (Luyi Shaolin Wenwu School)
Years active2010–present
Kickboxing record
Total74
Wins70
By knockout26
Losses4
By knockout1
Mixed martial arts record
Total1
Wins0
Losses1
By submission1
Other information
Notable studentsLiu Ce
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As of September 2022, he is ranked the #3 featherweight and #7 pound-for-pound fighter in the world by Combat Press.[2] He was the 2020 Combat Press "Male Fighter of the Year".[3] As of April 17, 2024, he is ranked #1 in the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing rankings.[4]

Background

Wei Rui was born on May 25, 1989, into a poor rural family as the youngest of eight siblings, with five sisters and two brothers in Luyi, Henan. The financial struggles of his family along with his disinterest in attending school led to him to pursue martial arts at the Luyi Shaolin Wenwu School. Here he trained and competed in Sanda for two years until he left the school to seek employment in order to support his family. With his martial arts background, Wei managed to get a job as a security guard when he moved to Beijing which he later quit after his dissatisfaction with the state of his career. This motivated him to travel to Liaoning and train at the Liaoyang Sports School to compete in Sanda once again. After winning a number of provincial championships he was invited back to the Luyi Shaolin Wenwu School in his home province to represent them in the 2010 and 2011 Shenzhen Sanda Boxing Association Championships winning both tournaments respectively. Wei's newfound success in Sanda led him to make the transition into competing internationally under kickboxing rules.[5]

Career

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Early career

Rui made his debut on September 13, 2013, against Charlie at Wu Lin Feng. He won the fight by knockout, after just three seconds. He would win his next three fights, before suffering his first professional loss to Lerdsila Chumpairtour, at Kunlun Fight 2, by unanimous decision.[6]

He rebounded by winning his next five fights, before challenging Kaiwanlek Tor Laksong for the S1 Muaythai Super Lightweight International title. Kaiwanlek won by unanimous decision.[7]

Wu Lin Feng

After this loss, Rui participated in the 2014 Wu Lin Feng tournament, to determine the 63 kg International champion.[8] He beat Denis Puric by a second-round knockout in the semifinals, and Anson Chin by unanimous decision in the finals. Rui extended his winning streak to seven fights with knockout victories over DuoLra, Abdel Aziz Ennahachi and Josh Cunanan, as well as through decision victories over Yodsing Po.To.Oo.Pan hok and Casanova Lubo. He would then enter the 2015 WLF 63 kg Qualification tournament.[9] Rui won the tournament with unanimous decision victories against Mahdi Mahmoudvand and Bohdan Kopkin in the semifinals and finals respectively.[10]

After qualifying for the main tournament, Rui was scheduled to fight Chris Wells at the WLF New Zealand vs China event.[11] Rui won the fight by unanimous decision. A month later, he was scheduled to fight Buray Bozaryilmaz,[12] whom he beat by decision.[13] Rui fought in Las Vegas for the first time during the WLF and WCK Muaythai crossover event, being scheduled to face Kronphet Phetrachapat. He beat Kronphet by split decision.[14]

On December 5, 2015, Rui fought in the WLF World 63 kg Tournament. In the tournament semifinals, Rui defeated Pakorn PKSaenchaimuaythaigym by unanimous decision. Advancing to the finals, Rui faced Deng Zeqi. He beat Zeqi by a fourth-round TKO.[15]

K-1 title reign

Rui continued his undefeated streak over the course of the next year, winning eleven straight fights, most notably winning a decision against the future Glory Featherweight Champion Petpanomrung Kiatmuu9.[16] Rui then participated in the K-1 Lightweight Grand Prix, being scheduled to face Daizo Sasaki in the quarterfinals. He knocked out Sasaki, and won a unanimous decision against Cristian Spetcu in the semifinals. Advancing to the finals, he fought Ren Hiramoto, beating him by split decision.[17]

Rui defended the title four months later, with a majority decision win against Gonnapar Weerasakreck.[18]

On September 23, 2017, Rui fought Thanonchai Thanakorngym in the Glory of Heroes 63 kg tournament semifinals. He beat Thanonchai by unanimous decision.[19]

During the Glory of Heroes: China VS Spain event, Rui was scheduled to fight Jesus Romero for the Superlightweight Strikers League World title.[20] He beat Romero by unanimous decision.[21]

During Glory of Heroes: Guangzhou, Rui scored a 60 second knockout of Phosa Nopphorn.[22]

At K-1: K'FESTA.1, Rui was scheduled to make his second title defense, against the former K-1 Lightweight champion Koya Urabe. Urabe won the fight by knockout mid-way through the second round. It was the first knockout loss of Rui's career.[23]

Return to Wu Lin Feng

On July 7, 2018, Rui fought a rematch with Deng Zeqi in the Glory of Heroes 63 kg Tournament finals. He once again beat Zeqi by stoppage, knocking him out in the second round.[24] Three weeks later, Rui notched another knockout victory, stopping Sasa Jovanovic mid-way through the second round.[25] At Glory of Heroes 34, he won a unanimous decision against Vadim Zadnipryanyi.

After five more victories under the GoH banner, Rui returned to Wu Lin Feng. He was scheduled to fight Wang Pengfei in his promotional return. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[26] In his next three fights, Rui won decisions against Liu Xiangming,[27] Zhao Chuanlin[28] and Jia Aoqi.[29]

On October 18, 2020, Rui fought Jin Ying for the Wu Lin Feng King's Super Cup Title.[30] He beat Ying by unanimous decision.[31]

Two months later, Rui was scheduled to fight Thodkhui MR.Manas,[32] whom he beat by a second-round head kick knockout.[33] Rui extended his undefeated streak to 15 fights with a unanimous decision victory over Zheng Junfeng. Rui was then scheduled to fight Liu Wei at Wu Lin Feng 516.[34] Rui won the fight by an extra round decision.[35]

Rui was booked to face DFS Lightweight Champion Adrian Maxim at Wu Lin Feng 2023: Chinese New Year on February 4, 2023.[36] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[37] Rui next faced Hisaki Higashimoto at Wu Lin Feng 536: China vs Japan on April 22, 2023.[38] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[39]

ONE Championship

On March 13, 2024, it was announced that Rui signed with ONE Championship.[40]

Rui faced Hiroki Akimoto on May 4, 2024, at ONE Fight Night 22.[41] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[42]

Rui faced Jonathan Haggerty for the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship on February 20, 2025, at ONE 171.[43] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[44]

Championships and awards

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Kickboxing

Ranking

  • N°3 Combat Press.com at Bantamweight, April, 2018[48]
  • N°5 Liver Kick.com at Featherweight, March 12, 2018[49]

Sanda

  • Shenzhen Sanda Boxing Association
    • 2011 Shenzhen Sanda Boxing Association International Tournament Champion[50]
    • 2010 Shenzhen Sanda Boxing Association International Tournament Champion[51]
  • Amateur Sanda
    • 2007 Liaoning Provincial Sanda Championship Gold -60 kg
    • 2008 National Youth Wushu Sanda Championship − 5th place

Accomplishments

  • Combatpress.com
    • 2017 Combat Press Kickboxing Awards: Breakout Fighter of the Year[52]
    • 2020 Combat Press Kickboxing Awards: Male Fighter of the Year[3]
  • eFight.jp
    • Fighter of the Month (February 2017)[53]

Fight record

More information Date, Result ...
Professional Kickboxing Record
70 Wins (26 (T)KO's), 4 Losses
Date Result OpponentEventLocation MethodRoundTime
2025-02-20LossUnited Kingdom Jonathan HaggertyONE 171Lusail, QatarDecision (Unanimous)53:00
For the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship.
2024-05-03WinJapan Hiroki AkimotoONE Fight Night 22Bangkok, ThailandDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2023-04-22WinJapan Hisaki HigashimotoWu Lin Feng 536: China vs JapanTangshan, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2023-02-04WinRomania Adrian MaximWu Lin Feng 2023: Chinese New YearTangshan, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2022-04-11WinCambodia Phal SophornWu Lin Feng 529: CambodiaAngkor, CambodiaDecision33:00
2022-01-01WinRussia Sergei LutchenkoWu Lin Feng 527Tangshan, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2021-10-30WinIran Moslem LashaniWu Lin Feng 2021: WLF on Haihua IslandDaizhou, ChinaTKO (Straight Left)12:02
2021-03-27WinChina Liu WeiWu Lin Feng 2021: World Contender League 1st StageChinaExt.R Decision43:00
2021-01-23WinChina Zheng JunfengWu Lin Feng 2021: Global Kung Fu FestivalMacao, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2020-12-22WinThailand Thodkhui MR.ManasWu Lin Feng 2020: Women's 52kg Championship TournamentZhengzhou, ChinaKO (Left Head Kick)2
2020-10-18WinChina Jin YingWu Lin Feng 2020: King's Super Cup FinalZhengzhou, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Wins the Wu Lin Feng -65kg Kings Super Cup.
2020-09-23WinChina Jia AoqiWu Lin Feng 2020: King's Super Cup 5th Group StageZhengzhou, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2020-09-05WinChina Zhao ChuanlinHuya Kung Fu Carnival 2Guangzhou, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2020-08-03WinChina Liu XiangmingWu Lin Feng 2020: King's Super Cup 4th Group StageZhengzhou, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2020-06-13WinChina Wang PengfeiWu Lin Feng 2020: King's Super Cup 2nd Group StageZhengzhou, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2020-01-04WinItaly Domenico LomurnoGlory Of Heroes 45Haikou, ChinaKO (Left Knee to the body)22:02
2019-12-28WinIran Ali FarahzadGlory Of Heroes 44ChinaKO (Flying Left Head Kick)22:08
2019-11-10WinRussia Vadim GumerovGlory Of Heroes 42Puyang, ChinaKO (Right Hook)12:40
2019-05-25WinNorway Simon SantanaGlory of Heroes 38: ShantouGuangdong, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2018-09-15WinUkraine Vadim ZadnipryanyiGlory of Heroes 34: TonglingAnhui, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2018-07-28WinAustria Sasa JovanovicGlory of Heroes 33: ShanghaiShanghai, ChinaKO (Right Hook Kick)22:12
2018-07-07WinChina Deng ZeqiGlory of Heroes 32: Huizhou - GOH 63 kg Championship Tournament, FinalsGuangdong, ChinaKO (Left Knee to the Body)21:58
Wins the GOH Junior Featherweight (-63kg) World title.
2018-03-21LossJapan Koya UrabeK-1 World GP 2018: K'FESTA.1Saitama, JapanKO (Straight Left)21:12
Lost the K-1 Lightweight (-62.5kg) Championship.
2018-01-13WinThailand Phosa NopphornGlory of Heroes: GuangzhouGuangzhou, ChinaKO (Right Hook)11:00
2017-11-11WinSpain Jesus RomeroGlory of Heroes: China VS Spain / Strikers League: MadridMadrid, SpainDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Wins the Superlightweight Strikers League World -63.5kg title.
2017-09-23WinThailand Thanonchai ThanakorngymGlory of Heroes: Luoyang - GOH 63 kg Championship Tournament, Semi-FinalsLuoyang, HenanDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2017-06-18WinThailand Kongnapa WeerasakreckK-1 World GP 2017 Super Middleweight Championship TournamentTokyo, JapanDecision (Majority)33:00
Defended the K-1 Lightweight (-62.5kg) Championship.
2017-04-28WinThailand Narongwut KaeongamRise of Heroes: ChengdeChengde, Hebei, ChinaTKO (Left Low Kick)2
2017-02-25WinJapan Ren HiramotoK-1 World GP 2017 Lightweight Championship Tournament, FinalTokyo, JapanDecision (Split)33:00
Wins the K-1 Lightweight Championship and the K-1 World GP -62.5kg World Tournament.
2017-02-25WinRomania Cristian SpetcuK-1 World GP 2017 Lightweight Championship Tournament, Semi FinalsTokyo, JapanDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2017-02-25WinJapan Daizo SasakiK-1 World GP 2017 Lightweight Championship Tournament, Quarter FinalsTokyo, JapanKO (Left Hook)21:04
2017-01-14WinThailand Petpanomrung Kiatmuu9Glory of Heroes 6Jiyuan, ChinaEx.R Decision (Unanimous)43:00
2016-10-29WinThailand Piyawong KalikuRise of Heroes 3Changji, Xinjiang, ChinaTKO (Left Hook/Referee Stoppage)21:24
2016-10-01WinThailand Kaiwanlek Tor LaksongGlory of Heroes 5Zhengzhou, ChinaTKO (Left Head Kick)3
2016-09-17WinBelarus Maksim PetkevichRise of Heroes 1Chaoyang, Liaoning, ChinaEx.R Decision (Unanimous)43:00
2016-08-06WinItaly Matteo TacciniGlory of Heroes 4Changzhi, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2016-07-02WinSpain Khyzer Hayat NawazGlory of Heroes 3Jiyuan, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2016-06-04WinJapan Kenta HayashiWu Lin Feng vs KrushZhengzhou, ChinaKO (Straight Left)3
2016-05-07WinChina Ban YungsongGlory of Heroes 2Shenzhen, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2016-04-02WinJapan Yukiya NakamuraGlory of Heroes 1Shenzhen, ChinaKO (Flying Knee)11:10
2016-03-05WinJapan Yusuke ShimadaWu Lin Feng 2016Zhengzhou, ChinaKO (Left Head Kick)1
2016-01-23WinThailand Pakorn PKSaenchaimuaythaigymWu Lin Feng 2016: World Kickboxing Championship in ShanghaiShanghai, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2015-12-05WinChina Deng ZeqiWLF World Championship 2015 -63 kg Tournament, FinalsZhengzhou, ChinaTKO (Punches)4
Wins the WLF World Championship Tournament -63 kg title.
2015-12-05WinThailand Pakorn PKSaenchaimuaythaigymWLF World Championship 2015 -63 kg Tournament, Semi FinalsZhengzhou, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2015-11-13WinThailand Kronphet PhetrachapatWu Lin Feng & WCK Muaythai: China vs USALas Vegas, USADecision (Split)33:00
2015-10-24WinNetherlands Buray BozaryilmazWu Lin Feng 2015Hong Kong, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2015-09-19WinNew Zealand Chris WellsWu Lin Feng 2015 – New Zealand vs ChinaAuckland, New ZealandDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2015-08-01WinUkraine Bohdan KopkinWLF World Championship 2015 -63 kg Tournament, Quarter FinalsZhengzhou, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Qualified for the 2015 WLF World Championship -63kg Tournament Final.
2015-08-01WinIran Mahdi MahmoudvandWLF World Championship 2015 -63 kg Tournament, First RoundZhengzhou, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2014-12-05WinThailand Yodsing Po.To.Oo.Pan hokWu Lin Feng 2014 – King’s Cup 2014Bangkok, ThailandDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2014-11-01WinUnited States Josh CunananWu Lin Feng & WCK Muaythai: China vs USALas Vegas, USATKO (Straight Left/Referee Stoppage)1
2014-10-04WinBrazil Julio LoboWu Lin Feng 2014Wenling, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2014-09-28WinNetherlands Abdel Aziz EnnahachiWu Lin Feng 2014 – Netherlands vs ChinaZaandam, NetherlandsTKO (Left Low Kick)2
2014-09-09WinLaos DuoLraWu Lin Feng 2014Huoerguosi, ChinaKO (Right Hook Kick)1
2014-08-30WinHong Kong Qian YizhongWu Lin Feng 2014 International Champion– 63 kg Tournament, FinalsHong Kong, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
Wins the Wu Lin Feng International -63 kg title.
2014-08-30WinCanada Denis PuricWu Lin Feng 2014 International Champion– 63 kg Tournament, Semi FinalsHong Kong, ChinaKO (Left Knee to the Body)2
2014-08-12LossThailand Kaiwanlek Tor LaksongWu Lin Feng & Thailand Queen’s Cup 2014Bangkok, ThailandDecision (Unanimous)33:00
For the S1 Muaythai Super Lightweight International title.
2014-07-26WinKazakhstan Nurgalliyev HanahartiWu Lin Feng 2014Astana, KazakhstanDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2014-06-14WinRepublic of Ireland David WoganWu Lin Feng 2014Dublin, IrelandTKO (Corner Stoppage)20:00
2014-05-23WinLaos LongchaiWu Lin Feng 2014Luoyang, ChinaKO (Right hook to the Body)
2014-05-10WinGermany Johann DedererWu Lin Feng 2014 - Day of Destruction 8Hamburg, GermanyTKO (Left Low Kicks)1
2014-03-07WinMyanmar TuckerWu Lin Feng 2014Hangzhou, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2014-02-16LossThailand Lerdsila ChumpairtourWu Lin Feng & Kunlun Fight 2 & MAX Muay Thai 6Zhengzhou, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2014-01-26WinUnited Kingdom FrancisWu Lin Feng 2014Beijing, ChinaTKO
2013-12-02WinGermany Walloon GaishWu Lin Feng 2013Bengbu, ChinaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
2013-10-12WinRussia EmmaWu Lin Feng 2013Zhengzhou, ChinaTKO (Left Spinning Back Fist)2
2013-09-13WinThailand CharlieWu Lin Feng 2013Wenzhou, ChinaKO10:03
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes
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Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
1 match 0 wins 1 loss
By knockout 0 0
By submission 0 1
By decision 0 0
More information Res., Record ...
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0–1 Adib Nazrishoev Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Glory of Heroes 35: Meishan October 12, 2018 1 3:41 Sichuan, China
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Mixed rules record

Professional record breakdown
1 match 0 wins 0 losses
By knockout 0 0
By submission 0 0
By decision 0 0
Draws 1
More information Res., Record ...
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Draw 0–0-1 New Zealand Jeffrey Kelly Draw Glory Of Heroes 37: New Zealand April 12, 2019 4 2:00 New Zealand Mixed rules bout starting with 2 rounds under boxing rules followed by 2 rounds under kickboxing rules.
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