Damian Janikowski
{{Short description|Polish wrestler and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Damian Janikowski
| native_name =
| other_names =
| image = Janikowski Damian.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Janikowski in 2012
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|06|27}}
| birth_place = Wrocław, Poland
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| residence =
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}
| weight = {{convert|186|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}
| weight_class = Middleweight
| reach = 70.9 in
| stance =
| style = Wrestling
| fighting_out_of = Warsaw, Poland
| team = WCA Fight Team
| rank =
| years_active = 2017–present
| mma_kowin = 5
| mma_subwin = 1
| mma_decwin = 4
| mma_koloss = 4
| mma_subloss = 1
| mma_decloss = 2
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| url =
| sherdog = 241899
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport | Men's Greco-Roman wrestling }}
{{MedalCountry | {{POL}} }}
{{MedalCompetition | Olympic Games }}
{{MedalBronze | 2012 London | 84 kg }}
{{MedalCompetition | World Championships }}
{{MedalSilver | 2011 Istanbul|84 kg}}
{{MedalCompetition|European Championships}}
{{MedalSilver | 2012 Belgrade | 84 kg }}
{{MedalBronze | 2014 Vantaa | 85 kg}}
}}
Damian Janikowski (born 27 June 1989) is a Polish mixed martial artist and former wrestler who won the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics in the Greco-Roman 84 kg category. He is currently ranked #2 in the KSW Middleweight rankings.{{Cite web |title=KSW - Martial Arts Confrontation - Official KSW Federation website |url=https://www.kswmma.com/rankings |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=www.kswmma.com}}
Wrestling career
At the 2011 World Championships, he won the silver medal in the 84 kg men's Greco-Roman division. He beat Pedro Garcia Perez, Alan Khugaev, Eerik Aps and Nazmi Avluca before losing to Alim Selimov in the final.{{Cite web |url=https://www.iat.uni-leipzig.de/datenbanken/dbfoeldeak/daten.php?spid=BC2F4881B47946F2981F7914B8D74BBD&kaempfe=1&wkid=D6A04C6C8BA049A498196C4F25296C8C&gkl=5&spid=BC2F4881B47946F2981F7914B8D74BBD |title=International Wrestling Database - 2011 World Championship |website=iat.uni-leipzig.de |access-date=19 April 2018}}
At the 2012 European Championships, he beat Zhan Belenyuk, Jim Petterson and Andrea Minguzzi, before losing to Hristo Marinov.{{Cite web |url=https://www.iat.uni-leipzig.de/datenbanken/dbfoeldeak/daten.php?spid=BC2F4881B47946F2981F7914B8D74BBD&kaempfe=1&wkid=675BB8499F254300B5D7478527E4AF4E&gkl=5&spid=BC2F4881B47946F2981F7914B8D74BBD |title=International Wrestling Database - 2012 European Championships |website=iat.uni-leipzig.de |access-date=19 April 2018}}
Janikowski represented his native Poland at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London where he won the bronze medal. He beat Nazmi Avluca in the first round, Amer Hrustanović in the next and Pablo Shorey in the quarter final before losing to Karam Gaber in the semifinal.{{Cite Sports-Reference |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ja/damian-janikowski-1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418084106/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ja/damian-janikowski-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 April 2020 |title=Damian Janikowski |access-date=19 April 2018}} Janikowski was entered in to the repechage, where he beat Mélonin Noumonvi to win his bronze medal. He is {{convert|180|cm|ftin}} tall and weighs {{convert|85|kg|lb|0}}.
At the 2014 European Championships, he beat Javid Hamzatov before losing to Rami Hietaniemi. Because Hietaniemi reached the semifinals, Janikowski was entered into the repechage. In the repechage, he beat Ahmet Yildirim, Jim Petterson and Robert Kobliashvili, before beating Jan Fischer to win his bronze medal.{{Cite web |url=https://www.iat.uni-leipzig.de/datenbanken/dbfoeldeak/daten.php?spid=BC2F4881B47946F2981F7914B8D74BBD&kaempfe=1&wkid=7C7C9C33D9594A00B249F0647D76725E&gkl=6&spid=BC2F4881B47946F2981F7914B8D74BBD |title=International Wrestling Database - 2014 European Championships |website=iat.uni-leipzig.de |access-date=19 April 2018}}
Mixed martial arts career
In 2017, Janikowski opted to try his hand at mixed martial arts and signed with the Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki organization. He made his debut at KSW 39 on 27 May 2017. He faced Julio Gallegos and won the fight via TKO due to knees and punches in the first round.{{fact|date=November 2024}}
Janikowski faced Szymon Kołecki at KSW 52 on 7 December 2019. He lost the fight via a second round knockout.{{cite web |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/12/7/21000584/ksw-52-results-champions-scott-askham-salahdine-parnasse-shine-in-gliwice |title=KSW 52 results: Champions Scott Askham, Salahdine Parnasse shine in Gliwice |website=mmafighting.com |first=Peter |last=Carroll |date=7 December 2019}}
Damian faced Andreas Gustafsson at KSW 55: Askham vs. Khalidov 2. He won the fight via split decision.{{cite web |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Mamed-Khalidov-Wipes-Out-Scott-Askham-to-Regain-Middleweight-Title-at-KSW-55-175588 |title=Mamed Khalidov Wipes Out Scott Askham to Regain Middleweight Title at KSW 55 |publisher=sherdog.com |first=Ben |last=Duffy |date=10 October 2020}}
Janikowski faced Jason Radcliffe at KSW 59 on 20 March 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Darko-Stosic-vs-Michal-Wlodarek-Four-Other-Bouts-Added-to-KSW-59-Lineup-177991 |title=Darko Stosic vs. Michal Wlodarek, Four Other Bouts Added to KSW 59 Lineup |work=Sherdog |first=Tristen |last=Critchfield |date=2 March 2021}} He won the bout via TKO in the second round.{{cite web |title=KSW 59: Fight Code Results |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/03/20/ksw-59-pudzianowski-vs-bombardier-results/ |website=Cageside Press |date=20 March 2021 |access-date=21 March 2021}}
Janikowski faced ex-UFC fighter Paweł Pawlak in his KSW debut on 4 September 2021 at KSW 63: Soldić vs. Kincl.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Damon |date=12 August 2021 |title=Olympic bronze medalist Damian Janikowski faces ex-UFC fighter Pawel Pawlak at KSW 63 |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/8/12/22621317/olympic-bronze-medalist-damian-janikowski-faces-ex-ufc-fighter-pawel-pawlak-at-ksw-63 |website=MMA Fighting |access-date=12 August 2021}} He lost the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |title=KSW 63: Paweł Pawlak pokonał Damiana Janikowskiego (WIDEO) - Polsat Sport |url=https://www.polsatsport.pl/wiadomosc/2021-09-04/ksw-63-pawel-pawlak-pokonal-damiana-janikowskiego-wideo/ |website=polsatsport.pl |date=4 September 2021 |language=pl |access-date=5 September 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904213917/https://www.polsatsport.pl/wiadomosc/2021-09-04/ksw-63-pawel-pawlak-pokonal-damiana-janikowskiego-wideo/ |archive-date=4 September 2021}}
Janikowski faced Tomasz Jakubiec on 19 March 2022 at KSW 68: Parnasse vs. Rutkowski. He won the bout in the first round, knocking Jakubiec unconscious.{{Cite web |title=Co za nokaut w KSW! Janikowski wrócił do wygrywania [WIDEO] |url=https://www.sport.pl/inne/7,102005,28241011,co-za-nokaut-w-ksw-janikowski-wrocil-do-wygrywania-wideo.html |website=Sport.pl |date=19 March 2022 |language=pl |access-date=20 March 2022}}
Janikowski faced Tom Breese on 10 September 2022 at KSW 74, controversially losing via guillotine choke in the second round, with the bout being stopped after the ref thought that Janikowski tapped when he said he didn't.{{Cite web |title=KSW 74: Kontrowersyjne przerwanie w walce Janikowski vs. Breese - myMMA.pl |url=https://mymma.pl/ksw-74-kontrowersyjne-przerwanie-w-walce-janikowski-vs-breese/ |website=mymma.pl |language=pl-PL |date=10 September 2022 |access-date=17 September 2022}}
Janikowski faced Cezary Kęsik on 15 July 2023, at KSW 84: De Fries vs. Bajor.{{Cite web |last=Sobczak |first=Bartosz |date=2023-06-15 |title=Damian Janikowski vs. Cezariusz Kęsik – bitka w kategorii średniej na KSW 84! |url=https://mymma.pl/damian-janikowski-vs-cezariusz-kesik-bitka-w-kategorii-sredniej-na-ksw-84/ |access-date=2023-06-22 |website=mymma.pl |language=pl-PL}} He won the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Philip De Fries Chokes Out Szymon Bajor, Scores Ninth Title Defense at KSW 84 |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Philip-De-Fries-Chokes-Out-Szymon-Bajor-Scores-Ninth-Title-Defense-at-KSW-84-190505 |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}
Janikowski faced Tomasz Romanowski on 16 December 2023 at KSW 89: Bartosiński vs. Parnasse, winning the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-16 |title=Krwawa łaźnia! Damian Janikowski przetrwał trudne chwile, zdominował i rozbił Tomasza Romanowskiego na KSW 89! |url=https://www.lowking.pl/krwawa-laznia-damian-janikowski-przetrwal-trudne-chwile-dominujac-potem-tomasza-romanowskiego-na-ksw-89/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=Lowking.pl |language=pl-PL}}
On 20 July 2024, in the main event of KSW 96: Pawlak vs. Janikowski 2, he had a rematch with Paweł Pawlak, with the KSW Middleweight Championship at stake.{{cite web|access-date=2024-07-20 |author=Krzysztof Kordys |date=2024-07-20 |language=pl |title=Popis umiejętności Pawła Pawlaka! Mistrz pokonał Damiana Janikowskiego i obronił pas wagi średniej! |url=https://www.mmarocks.pl/ksw/xtb-ksw-96-pawlak-vs-janikowski-wynik-walki?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0DEKPuO07EjfjlgsVcS219pGMMKJqM168liyOKrPNNODUp36twfK8sG_0_aem_WO1n9ry81uX-meCaEE4lhw |website=MMA Rocks}} He again lost to his rival by unanimous decision on the scorecards.{{cite web|access-date=2024-07-20 |author=Krzysztof Kordys |date=2024-07-20 |language=pl |title=Popis umiejętności Pawła Pawlaka! Mistrz pokonał Damiana Janikowskiego i obronił pas wagi średniej! |url=https://www.mmarocks.pl/ksw/xtb-ksw-96-pawlak-vs-janikowski-wynik-walki?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0DEKPuO07EjfjlgsVcS219pGMMKJqM168liyOKrPNNODUp36twfK8sG_0_aem_WO1n9ry81uX-meCaEE4lhw |website=MMA Rocks}}
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
| draws=
| nc=
| ko-wins=6
| ko-losses=5
| sub-wins=
| sub-losses=1
| dec-wins= 4
| dec-losses= 2
| dq-wins=
| dq-losses=
| other-wins=
| other-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–8
|Laïd Zerhouni
|KO (punches)
|{{dts|2025|May|10}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:54
|Lyon, France
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–7
|Piotr Kuberski
|TKO (punches)
|{{dts|2024|November|16}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|0:44
|Gliwice, Poland
|{{small|Fight of the Night.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–6
|Decision (unanimous)
|{{dts|2024|July|20}}
|align=center|5
|align=center|5:00
|Łódź, Poland
|{{small|For the KSW Middleweight Championship.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|10–5
|Tomasz Romanowski
|Decision (unanimous)
|{{dts|2023|December|16}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Gliwice, Poland
|{{small|Fight of the Night.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|9–5
|Cezary Kęsik
|Decision (unanimous)
|{{dts|2023|July|15}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Gdynia, Poland
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|8–5
|Mateusz Kubiszyn
|Decision (unanimous)
|HIGH League 5
|{{dts|2022|December|10}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|3:00
|Łódź, Poland
|{{small|Catchweight (198 lb) bout.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|7–5
|Submission (guillotine choke)
|{{dts|2022|September|10}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:53
|Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|7–4
|Tomasz Jakubiec
|KO (punch)
|{{dts|2022|March|19}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:42
|Radom, Poland
|{{small|Knockout of the Night. Fight of the Night.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|6–4
| Decision (unanimous)
| KSW 63
|{{dts|2021|September|4}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Warsaw, Poland
|{{small|Fight of the Night.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|6–3
|Jason Radcliffe
|TKO (punches)
|{{dts|2021|March|20}}
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 4:41
|Łódź, Poland
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|5–3
| Andreas Berg Gustafsson
| Decision (split)
| KSW 55
|{{dts|2020|October|10}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Łódź, Poland
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|4–3
| TKO (punches)
| KSW 52
|{{dts|2019|December|7}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|3:03
|Gliwice, Poland
| {{small|Catchweight (202 lb) bout.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4–2
|Tony Giles
| Submission (verbal)
| {{dts|2019|September}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:24
| London, England
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 3–2
| Aleksandar Ilić
| KO (head kick)
| {{dts|2019|March|23}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 0:23
| Łódź, Poland
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
| align=center|3–1
| TKO (punches)
|{{dts|2018|October|6}}
| align=center|1
| align=center|3:10
|London, England
|{{small|KSW Middleweight Tournament Semifinal.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center|3–0
| Yannick Bahati
| TKO (punches)
| KSW 43
| {{dts|2018|April|14}}
| align=center|1
| align=center|0:18
| Warsaw, Poland
|
|-
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center|2–0
| Antoni Chmielewski
| TKO (punches)
| KSW 41
| {{dts|2017|December|23}}
| align=center|2
| align=center|2:33
| Katowice, Poland
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center|1–0
| Julio Gallegos
| TKO (knee and punches)
| KSW 39
| {{dts|2017|May|27}}
| align=center|1
| align=center|1:26
| Warsaw, Poland
|{{small|Middleweight debut; Gallegos missed weight (187.1 lb).}}
{{end}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Sherdog}}
- {{IWD}}
- {{Olympedia}}
- {{Olympics.com|damian-janikowski}}
- {{PKOl profile|damian-janikowski|old_id=770,janikowski-damian}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Janikowski, Damian}}
Category:Polish male sport wrestlers
Category:Polish male mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Greco-Roman wrestling
Category:Martial artists from Wrocław
Category:Wrestlers at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Poland
Category:Olympic wrestlers for Poland
Category:Olympic medalists in wrestling
Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Category:European Games competitors for Poland
Category:Wrestlers at the 2015 European Games
Category:World Wrestling Championships medalists