Rob Kaman: Kickboxing, Robbery & Net Worth
Do you enjoy watching kickboxing? If you do, then you have probably known about Rob Kaman.
Rob Kaman is a kickboxing legend from the Netherlands. Kaman is also known as “The Dutchman.”
In addition, his deadly low kicks, which he used to set up his deadly offensive attacks, earned him the nickname “Mr. Low Kick.”
Finally, Kaman was also the world kickboxing champion in 1983.
So if you like to know more about this fantastic kickboxing legend, continue reading this article.
Quick Facts
Here are some fascinating quick facts about Rob Kaman:
| Name | Rob Kaman |
| Other Names | The Dutchman, Mr. Low Kick, and Hammerkick |
| Date of birth | June 5, 1960 |
| Age | 63 years old |
| Place of Birth | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Ethnicity | North-East European |
| Religion | Not Known |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Gender | Male |
| Father’s Name | Not Known |
| Mother’s Name | Not Known |
| Siblings | Six Siblings |
| Education | High School, Martial Arts |
| Height | 6 Feet 1 Inch |
| Weight | 82 Kg or 181 lbs |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Dark Brown |
| Shoe Size | Not Known |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Girlfriend | Not Known |
| Wife | Not Known |
| Children | Gaby Kaman |
| Occupation | Kickboxer and Actor |
| Career Debut | A 1978 French Event |
| Career Wins | 97 wins in kickboxing, one win in mixed martial arts |
| Fighting Out Of | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Division | Middleweight Light Heavyweight |
| Style | Kickboxing, Muay Thai |
| Trainer | Jan Plas |
| Team | Mejiro Gym |
| Years Active | 21 (1978-1999) |
| Net Worth | $1 Million – $5 Million |
| Social Media | Instagram, Facebook |
| Last Updated | April, 2024 |
Rob Kaman: Early Life, Family, and Education
Family
Dutch kickboxer Rob Kaman was born in Amsterdam on June 5, 1960.
Further, his mother was a housewife, and his father sold clothing in Amsterdam’s marketplaces.
However, the names of his parents are not available. Moreover, he had six siblings.
Along with that, there is no information about the names of his father’s six other siblings.
Early Life
Rob Kaman started as a determined young football player. Football was the “star” sport in the Netherlands in the 1970s.
Moreover, Johan Cruyff, the country’s most outstanding player, led a dream national team.
Then, from the age of ten to fifteen, Rob Kaman was a member of “Ajax Amsterdam,” one of the most well-known clubs in the country.
In addition, he gave up football at the age of 16 to pursue “Pentjak Silat,” an Indonesian martial technique that is highly successful in self-defense.
Then, Rob Kaman fell in love with Thai boxing after seeing a boxing concert in Amsterdam when he was seventeen.
After which, he joined the famed “Mejiro Gym,” founded by the late Master Jan Plas. Master Jan Plas was a Thai boxing pioneer in Holland.
The Mejiro Gym trained great personalities like Lucien Carbin, Andre Brilleman, Tommy Van Der Berg, Fred Royers, Peter Van Os, and Milo El Geubli.
After only a few months of training, Rob Kaman fought for the first time in France at the age of 18 in a tournament arranged by Roger Paschy at the Coubertin Stadium.
It was 1978, and his opponent was the legendary champion “Carillon.”
But, Rob Kaman lost the fight and started training even harder, making him the champion he is now.
Education
Not much information about Rob Kaman’s high school or college life is known.
However, it is known that he trained to become one of the greatest kickboxers alive at the Mejiro Gym.
Rob Kaman: Age, Height, and Weight
Born on June 5, 1960, Rob Kaman is now 63 years old, making him a Gemini man.
Further, Gemini men are known to be highly extroverted. They are always excited and down to try and do something new.
Kickboxing requires a lot of body strength. And, Rob Kaman proves the fact by his amazing athletic body and envious height and weight.
In addition, Rob is 6 feet and 1 inch or 1. 85 m tall. His tall height enables him to do his signature low kicks.
Furthermore, Kaman is 82 kg or 181 pounds. His height is especially advantageous to him when defeating his rivals.
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Rob Kaman: Career
The legendary kickboxer, Rob Kaman, began training in Muay Thai and kickboxing at Mejiro Gym when he was 19 years old, under the tutelage of Jan Plas.
Further, Kaman was inspired to become a kickboxer when he watched a fight of Lucien Carbin.
Early Career
Kaman entered the world of kickboxing in 1978 when he fought against legendary French kickboxer “Carillon.”
Kaman got triggered, trained even more complicated when he lost that match, and got several knockout victories.
After that, Rob’s most notable victory came against “Blinky Rodriguez,” the famed “Benny Urquidez’s” cousin.
Then, Rob Kaman flew to Thailand for the first time in the early 1980s. In addition, he primarily trained at the well-known “Sityodtong” camp near Pattaya.
Also, the stars of the time, “Samart Payakaroon” and “Kongtoranee Payakaroon,” were his first sparring partners.
After, Rob Kaman’s first bout in Thailand was in Bangkok versus “Dennoi,” a solid local champion. Fortunately, the Dutchman knocked out his opponent.
After that, Kaman was immediately summoned to battle against the fearsome “Lakchart” in Bangkok.
But, he was defeated on points, and his Thai experience helped him win more battles when he returned to Europe.
Finally, in 1985 in Amsterdam and 1987 in Japan, Kaman fought champion Lakchart and knocked him out both times.
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World Titles
Rob Kaman fought American “Johnny Moncayo,” the WKA World Middleweight Kickboxing Champion, on September 23, 1983, in Amsterdam.
Further, Johnny Moncayo was defeated by a technical knockout after a grueling bout.
Then, Rob Kaman became the first American to win a world championship in kickboxing.
In addition, Kaman defeated Thailand’s champion, Payap Premchai, in the Jaap Edenhal in Amsterdam on January 12, 1984, and was named the winner by points.
Besides, Kaman fought the Thai champion three years later, and this time he won by a knockout.
Then, in Geneva, Switzerland, he fought Swiss Jean-Marc Tonus to win the European Full Contact title in the same year.
Additionally, in Muay Thai, he won the European title by points over the famed champion at the moment, the French Christian Bahfir, in 1983.
Also, using Muay Thai rules, he defeated the Thai Samart Prasanmirt and the Thai Lakchart in Amsterdam in 1985 in Hong Kong.
Finally, in Kick Boxing, he knocked out American Larry McFadden and American Moncayo at home in Miami.
However, he lost on points to the excellent Thai technical “Krongsak” in Paris the same year.
Comeback
In 1987, Rob Kaman fought American Ernest Simmon in a comeback bout, which he won on points.
Then, against his compatriot Roger Hurd, he reclaimed a world title in kickboxing, the WKA title.
Despite fighting against Ernesto Hoost, he kept his WKA World Championship title. Also, Kaman defeated Thai Sittisak and Thai Payap in Muay Thai.
Hammerkick created a name for himself in Japan when he met Thai Lakchart for the third time. Fortunately, he knocked out the Thai in the first round.
He was promptly summoned to Japan with this spectacular success, where he had previously fought.
Then, Kaman competed against Kirkwood of England and Hansu Premchai and Don Nakaya of Japan.
The kickboxer also fought American Carmichael, Mexican Santiago Garza, Irishman Oregan, and Frenchman Dominique Siegler.
Mr. Low Kick beat them all, but he also became a celebrity in Japan.
Rob Kaman, a legendary boxer, was defeated by Jan Wessels, a promising young fighter, on April 9, 1989.
Later, in a match for the WKA Kickboxing World Championship title, Mr. Low Kick got his revenge against young Batavian by knocking him out.
Movies and Fights
The fighter made his film debut in 1989, playing with former Full Contact world champion Don Wilson in the film “Bloodfist.”
Then, he had a bunch of fights that year, including one against the dreadful Thai Changpuek Kiatsongrit. The Thais won on points in Paris.
Fortunately, Rob Kaman defeated Changpuek by KO in Amsterdam, Holland.
After a tense battle in Bangkok, the Thai came out on top in points. Finally, in Japan, Kaman defeated Changpuek via knockout.
He defended his Kick Boxing World Championship title against puncher Peter Smit in Japan on June 30, 1990.
Unfortunately, the fight was brutal, and in the tenth round, Peter Smit knocked out Kaman.
Then, Kaman was stripped of his title, speculating that he was finished.
But the Mr. Low Kick was far from finished, as he returned to Japan, where he defeated Japanese Nishi by knock out in the first round.
Rob Kaman challenged the new WKA world champion in the Dutch Luc Verheye at a spectacular event in Paris on June 29, 1991.
Unfortunately, Luc Verheye’s deadly fists knocked Kaman out twice right at the start of the fight.
But, with his out-of-the-ordinary intellect, he fought back and won the bout by knockout.
The Canadian Deceive
Rob Kaman was scheduled to face “Jean Yves Theriault,” a Canadian who had held the ISKA title since 1980.
But, he fought the American “Rick Roufus” on December 20, 1991, rather than the Canadian legend.
Unfortunately, the American stunned Kaman by defeating him. Rick Roufus won on points after twelve grand rounds.
He returned to Japan in January 1992 to defeat Nobuaki Kakuda of Japan by knocking out under the rules of Free Fight.
Packed to capacity in the Sports Marcel Cerdan de Levallois stadium, the Dutch “Viking” fought the Canadian “The Ice Man” on June 20, 1992.
Fortunately, Kaman was victorious via technical knockout.
As a result, he became Full Contact World Champion, displacing the Canadian who had held the title since November 15, 1980.
Top of the World
Rob Kaman was at the peak of his career at this period. Further, he was untouchable in the middleweight division.
In addition, he was the WKA Kick Boxing World Champion, ISKA Full Contact World Champion, and Muay Thai World Champion.
Rob Kaman fought a little less in 1993 since he co-starred with Jean-Claude Van Damme in the films “Maximum Risk” and “Double Team.”
Also, he had the appropriate profile for playing “evil guys” with his “face” and boxing build.
At an event in Paris, Mr. Low Kick was introduced to Jean Claude Van Damme by “Don Clovis,” his previous manager.
Mutual respect developed immediately between these two excellent athletes.
Keeping The Title
Rob Kaman defended his world title in Muay Thai in Holland against the legendary Dutch technician Rick Van Dan Vathorst on November 26, 1993.
The evening’s main event was a full-contact rematch between Rick Roufus and Rob in Paris Bercy on February 5, 1994, in a huge event again signed by Sami Kebchi.
The second round stopped the battle when “The Jet” knocked out Rob Kaman with a superb counter hook.
The kickboxer competed in Kick Boxing in the same year and defeated Jérôme Turcan of France, the famed European light heavyweight champion.
On November 12, 1994, in the city of Marseille, he won against his young colleague, the rugged Orlando Breinburg, by KO in the third round.
Thai Knockout Event
The inaugural European “100,000 dollars” light-heavyweight competition was held in Thai boxing on January 7, 1995, in Paris.
This knockout event was created by Kazuyoshi Ishii, the originator of the K1 World Grand Prix, a well-known Japanese promoter.
Rob Kaman faced American Lavelle Robinson in the quarterfinals.
Fortunately, the fight did not last long; the American was knocked out in the first round, his legs shattered by the Viking rings’ tremendous low-kicks.
Rob Kaman had a mind-blowing semi-final bout against Australian “Costas Pedritis,” a great Muay Thai warrior.
They fought three ferocious rounds that fascinated the audience. However, Rob Kaman was victorious solely based on points.
He overcame Frenchman Jérôme Turcan in the final, whom he had already defeated the year before.
Moreover, Kaman’s low kicks, particularly his clinch knees, destabilized Jérôme Turcan. As a result, Hammerkick was declared the first big tournament’s King.
In Paris, a rematch against Australian Costas Pedritis was held, and sadly, the Australian champion had defeated Rob Kaman in the $100,000 event.
However, because of a header by Costas Pedritis, the bout between the two champions was called a “no contest.”
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Retirement
After an illustrious career, the legendary Rob Kaman decided to hang up his gloves in 1996.
Rob Kaman and Costas Pedritis fought in Muay Thai style on June 24 in Australia. The Australians won in points this time at home.
Mr. Low Kick worked with Jean-Claude Van Dam again in the cinema, most notably in the 1998 film “The Legionnaire.”
On October 24, 1999, Rob Kaman celebrated his “jubilee” by defeating the young Russian champion “Alexy Ignashov.”
This match was won on points by Kaman.
Accomplishments
Rob Kaman has won 97 of his 112 fights, including 77 by KO, and holds nine world champion titles in Thai Boxing, Kick Boxing, and Full Contact.
Finally, Rob Kaman, the Kickboxing King, is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Rob Kaman: Robbery
Kaman was sentenced to 18 months in jail in 1982 for stealing a bank in Eindhoven on May 28, 1982.
Further, only 29 minutes after the robbery, police captured Kaman and a 22-year-old accomplice in Best.
The two robbers were armed and masked when they carried out the robbery, which netted 9000 Dutch guilders.
Rob Kaman: Net Worth
Rob Kaman’s estimated net worth ranges from $1 million to $5 million.
His monthly and annual income, however, is unknown. As a kickboxer and actor, he has amassed a sizable fortune.
Rob Kaman: Girlfriend, Wife, and Children
A private man, Rob Kaman does not disclose much about his personal life.
However, he was once married. Also, when he visited Thailand, he had a girlfriend.
In addition, he also has a daughter, whose name is Gaby Kaman.
But, not much information about any other girlfriend and wife is known.
Rob Kaman: Social Media Presence
Gemini man, Rob, is very active on social media. Further, he is active on Facebook and Instagram.
On top of that, Kaman also has a website named robkaman.com.
Instagram: Over 170 followers
Facebook: Over 95k followers
Rob Kaman: FAQ
Is Rob Kaman interested in organizing seminars on Thai Boxing and Kick Boxing?
According to Rob Kaman’s interview with Siam Fight Mag, he would love to organize Thai Boxing and Kick Boxing seminars.
