Dmitry Valent

Valent had an extremely decorated amateur career before making his professional debut, although he continued to fight amateur fights alongside professional ones between 2007 and 2012. He was the 2006 IFMA world silver medalist, as well as the 2009 and 2010 world gold medalist. In kickboxing, he was the 2007 WAKO World gold medalist and the 2010 European gold medalist.[2][3][4]

Dmitry started training in Taekwondo at 13 years old before beginning Muay Thai aged 16. At the prestigious "Kick Fighter Gym" in his home town of Minsk he developed his blossoming skills by training alongside world champions such as Andrei Kulebin and Dmitry Shakuta.[5] He would be a very quick learner, winning a gold medal in the 67 kg junior category at the 2006 W.M.F. World Muaythai Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, aged 17.[6] Dmitry then went on to have a very good 2007, winning a gold medal at the W.A.K.O. World Championships 2007 and then followed it up with his first professional title - winning the World Kickboxing Network (W.K.N.) middleweight world title,[7] in Kostroma, Russia before rounding off the year in style by adding the professional W.A.K.O. world title[8] to his collection.

Dmitry kicked off 2008 by winning the W.K.N. European Grand Prix title,[9] a four-man tournament fought under Muay Thai rules in Geneva, Switzerland. He then followed in the footsteps of stable mate Kulebin by winning the W.M.C. I-1 title – this one the Grand Slam 72 kg version – in Hong Kong.[10] There was some disappointment at the end of the year, however, when Dmitry was knocked out of the Season 2 qualifier of "The Contender Asia" held in Russia by multiple world champion Artem Levin at the semi final stage. The fact that the Contender Asia Season 2 show would never come to light did soften the blow somewhat. Dmitry had success on the amateur circuit as well, winning gold at the I.M.F.A. European championships held in Zgorzelec, Poland.

The young Belarusian regained his W.M.C. I-1 title the following year, defeating South African Vuyisile Colossa by split decision in the final.[11] He followed up this victory by defeating 2007 W.K.A. world champion Shane Campbell for the second time to win the Muay Thai version of the middleweight W.K.N. title. He carried on his form on the professional circuit onto the amateur circuit, winning a second amateur world championships by claiming gold at the I.F.M.A. event in Bangkok, Thailand.

In 2010 Dmitry continued his winning ways remaining the W.K.N. organizations middleweight world champion in Thai-boxing by defeating the talented Yohan Lidon at the start of 2010 and beating the Dutch-based Moroccan Tarek Slimani to claim the W.I.P.U. "King of the Ring" world title.[12] He has suffered a few setbacks as well, losing to nemesis Artem Levin at the I.F.M.A. European Championships, and conceding a decision loss to legendary Aussie John Wayne Parr in an unsuccessful move down in weight to challenge for the W.K.N. super welterweight world title.[13] He also won more gold medals at amateur level, winning the 75 kg category at the W.A.K.O. European and I.F.M.A. world championships respectively.

He lost a decision to Karim Ghajji at Nuit des Champions in Marseilles on November 24, 2012.[14][15][16]

In a close fight, Valent lost to Simon Marcus by split decision at C3: King of Fighters in Chengdu, China on April 27, 2013.[17][18][19]

He fought at Diamond Fight: Friendship in Chelyabinsk, Russia on December 13, 2013, defeating Bektas Emirhanoglu by third-round TKO.[20] He went on to amass a 3-2 record, during which he won the IPCC light heavyweight world title with a decision win against Wehaj Kingboxing, but losing it to Simon Marcus during KLF 12. He then took part in the 2015 Kunlun Fight – 80 kg Tournament, defeating Arthit Hanchana in the semifinal, but losing to Artur Kyshenko in the final.[21]

Valent participated in the 2016 80 kg tournament as well, qualifying to it with an extra round decision against Cédric Tousch. In the tournament itself, he won a majority decision against Hicham El Gaoui in the semifinal, but once against lost in the final, dropping a split decision to Alexander Stetsurenko.[22]

Returning to the European circuit, Valent fought Yurii Zubchuk at the DSF Kickboxing Challenge 14. He lost a majority decision. He snapped the losing skid with a second round TKO of Serhii Snytiuk.[23]

Valent made his ONE Championship debut against the two-time Tatneft Cup Champion Sher Mamazulunov at Road to ONE 4: Fair Fight 13.[24] Mamazulunov won the fight by an extra round decision,[25] although the fight results were controversial. The Fair Fight promotion analyzed the fight with an “independent judge”, and agreed to make the rematch, to which Valent consented.[26]