Jami Thompson
Former Savateur, Karateka, Kickboxer, and mixed martial artist Gerard Gordeau have held the title of Dutch Champion Karate for 8 years running and is the 1991 World Champion Savate.
Early Life, Family & Education
Former MMA fighter, Gerard Gordeau was born on March 30th, 1955 in Den Haag, Netherlands. Sadly, the information about his parents is not disclosed.
Gordeau, the second of six brothers, had to leave school in order to support his family after his father passed away when he was 11 years old. Gordeau took up karate under the tutelage of an Indonesian friend he used to eat with.
He initially disregarded it as a hobby, but after competing against and losing to a lowly Japanese partner, he changed his mind. After a year of training in different dojos, he sparred with him once more, and Gordeau won this time.
Because of his skills, he had a job as a bouncer for eight years. Years later, he would acknowledge that due to the high crime rates in the Dutch slums, he had a continual fear of dying.
Education
There is no information available on Gerard’s academic background. But as we all know, he was reared in the Netherlands.
Therefore, we might assume that he attended Dutch-based universities for his study.
Age, Height & Body Measurements
Gerard has an athletic build, stands 6’3″ (1.91 m) tall, and weighs 95 kg (210 lbs).
Harper, who will be 53 years old in 2020, has brown hair and grey eyes as well.
Gerard Gordeau | Career and Profession
After turning professional, Gordeau joined the Kyokushin dojo and competed in the World Open Karate Championships.
He then trained in amateur wrestling and boxing, following the advice of Kyokushin founder Mas Oyama, in an effort to broaden the scope of his approach.
He also studied kickboxing, savate, and judo. Gordeau was the Dutch Karate Champion from 1978 to 1985, the European Savate Champion from 1988 to 1991, and the World Savate Champion in 1992 before making his MMA debut. His overall record in matches was 27-4.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In 1993, Gordeau was selected to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first-ever event, UFC 1.
The organizers of the event in Holland wanted many great fighters, including kickboxing champion Ernesto Hoost, but Gordeau was the only one available and eager to compete.
He was also solely listed as a savate artist because the year before, he had won the world savate championship. The first-round opponent was changed from Royce Gracie to Gordeau after the tournament’s organizers heard that Gordeau had competed in Japan.
Gordeau’s victory over Tuli in his debut match—the first aired fight in UFC history—took place in less than 26 seconds.
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The fight left Gordeau sore since the kick knocked out three of Tuli’s teeth, two of which were trapped in Gordeau’s foot. Gordeau won and continued to the next round.
In addition, the commentators claimed that the third tooth landed on the crowd, despite other accounts claiming that it dropped beneath their table.
When doctors arrived, they tapped Gordeau’s foot instead of treating his open wound because they thought doing so might spread infection.
He approached the next fight with a fist that was obviously swollen, much as how Gordeau’s punch had shattered his hand.
Controversy
Unrelated to this subject, Gordeau’s debut caused considerable controversy when he appeared to salute in the Roman manner before the game, sparking rumors that he was a neo-Nazi. However, it was made clear that what he was actually doing was the traditional savate salute.
Gordeau’s ancestry as a Jew originated with his father, a Jew from France. His grandfather was likewise killed in the Amersfoort prison for participating in the Dutch resistance.
In the next fight, he faced up against kickboxing champion Kevin Rosier, who was around 100 pounds heavier and had slightly better health than Gordeau.
Gordeau repeatedly kicked Rosier in the leg and jabbed him while keeping his distance, yet even so, he comfortably won the fight.
Illegal Attacks
The Dutchman finally faced Royce Gracie, a master of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, in the title bout.
Gordeau alleges that Royce overpowered him by taking advantage of the fact that the UFC medical team had informed them of his injuries.
Additionally, Gordeau is charged with deliberately biting Gracie’s ear as he was riding on her pony. However, Gracie was still able to rear-naked choke Gordeau to end the fight and the contest despite landing multiple palm strikes and headbutts.
The Brazilian also kept the choke on for a long time after Gerard gave up in response to the misconduct.
UFC 2
In 1994, Gordeau declined an invitation to compete in UFC 2 due to disagreements about the payment for his previous match.
Hereard also arranged for Freek Hamaker and Remco Pardoel to fill in for him, with him playing the corner.
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New Japan Pro Wrestling
Additionally, on January 4, 1995, at the Tokyo Dome at Battle 7, he participated in New Japan Pro Wrestling’s four-person Final Countdown BVD Tournament. He was defeated by eventual victor Antonio Inoki in his lone encounter.
Gordeau continued to work with Inoki as a wrestler and trainer for the Universal Fighting-Arts Organization, often pinning Naoya Ogawa.
He participated in the infamous 1.4 Incident, which happened on January 4, 1999, at the Tokyo Dome, during a pro wrestling match between Shinya Hashimoto and Naoya Ogawa, a member of the UFO.
Pro Wrestling Zero-One
In 2001 and 2002, Gordeau participated in a number of Pro Wrestling Zero1 events, competing in singles matches against Shinya Hashimoto, Masato Tanaka, Samoa Joe, and Steve Corino.
Additionally, he triumphed over Munenori Sawa and Akebono in 2010 at Zero1’s Yasukuni Shrine Festival by teaming up with his old student Ryoji Sai.
Awards and Accomplishments
- Eight-time Dutch Champion Kyokushin Karate
- Competed at the World Championships Kyokushin Karate-1979, 1983, 1987
- Savate World Heavyweight Champion- 1991
- Three-time Savate European Heavyweight Champion
- UFC 1 Tournament Runner-Up- 1993
Gerard Gordeau | Net Worth and Salary
Gerard has remained silent about his earnings during the course of his career. However, while taking a look at the average salary for several wrestlers, his estimated net worth is about $1 million.
Gerard Gordeau | Post-Retirement
In 2000, Gordeau cornered Marloes Coenen while serving as a consultant for the ReMix women’s MMA tournament.
In addition, Gordeau and his brothers Al and Nico are the owners of the Dojo Kamakura in The Hague. He also served as a tutor for the Romanian, Anil Dubar, and Dutchman Mourad Bouzidi, all of whom competed in K-1.
Similar to Robert Pepels of the Ashigaru Honbu Dojo Netherlands and Cem Senol of the Dojo Osaka Netherlands, famous students include the founder of the Ashigaru Ryu style.
Gordeau also teaches at camps and seminars all over the world and co-owns an international karate company with Pepels.
Gerard Gordeau | Wife and Children
Gerard has a reputation for maintaining privacy in his personal life. The only information that is known about him is related to his professional life and career.
Furthermore, there are no references to Gerard’s previous or current relationships in the media.
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Social Media Presence
There isn’t a social media profile for Gerard. But his online rumors are still being discussed by fans.
FAQS
How tall is Gerard Gordeau?
Gerard has an athletic build and stands 6’3″ (1.91 m) tall.
Does Gerard Gordeau have any social media accounts?
Gerard doesn’t have a social media account
Who did Gerard gordeau blind?
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Gerard Gordeau |
| Birth Date | March 30th, 1955 |
| Birth Place | Den Haag, Netherlands |
| Age | 65 years (in 2020) |
| Nick Name | “The Undertaker from Hell” |
| Religion | Not Available |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Education | Not Available |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Father’s Name | Not Disclosed |
| Mother’s Name | Not Disclosed |
| Siblings | Five |
| Height | 6’5” (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 98kg (216 lb) |
| Build | Athletic |
| Shoe Size | Not Available |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Grey |
| Style | Savate |
| Team | Dojo Kamakura |
| Marital Status | Not Disclosed |
| Spouse | Not Disclosed |
| Net Worth | $1 million |
| Rank | 9th dan Kyokushin Karate (International Budokai)4th dan Kyokushin Karate (NKA)
7th dan Sei Budo Kai 2nd dan Full-Contact Karate (USA) 3rd Silver glove in Savate (Boxe Francaise) 4th dan Oyama Karate |
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