# Rayen Simson

Rayen "Red Bean" Simson (born May 22, 1972) is a Surinamese-Dutch former super middleweight Muay Thai kickboxer. He won 7 world titles in 3 different organizations and was ranked number 2 at the Lumpinee Stadium - a notoriously difficult achievement for a farang fighter. He has also won a European title, 2 Dutch titles and has won tournaments in Shoot Boxing and K-1 MAX. During his career he has amassed over 100 wins and he holds notable victories over fighters such as Ramon Dekkers, Ashwin Balrak and Faldir Chahbari. He had his last fight in 2010.

## Biography and career

Rayen Simson entered his first major tournament in 1995 where he competed in the inaugural Shoot Boxing World Tournament 1995 in Osaka, Japan, along with eight other fighters from across the world. The young Simson was unable to make much of an impact at the event, losing in the quarter-final stage after a tough five round battle with Thai Bovi Chorwaikan. He returned to Europe where he won the W.P.K.L. European title and went on an impressive winning streak, culminating in a victory over the legendary Ramon Dekkers in a memorable match in Roosendaal in 1997. Simson recovered from two knockdowns (one the famous double knockdown) to defeat Dekkers by technical knockout at the end of the second round.
His confidence high Simon headed back to Japan to participate in the Shoot Boxing World Tournament 1997, which he had qualified for by beating the ’95 finalist Roni Lewis the previous year. Simson defeated ’95 champion Hiromu Yoshitaka in the semi-finals before defeating Mohamed Ouali in the final by unanimous decision to claim his first major title. Over the next few years he would win a number of fights before defeating Najim Ettouhlali in 1997 for the W.P.K.L European title and Hassan Ettaki in 1998 for the W.P.K.L. World title. In 1999 Simson faced multiple Muay Thai world champion and living legend Ivan Hippolyte in the first of their two fights, inflicting a rare defeat on Hippolyte after five gruelling rounds. The two fighters would meet again the next year in a rematch in what would be Hippolyte's last ever match. This time Simson was unable to defeat Hippolyte, being knocked down in the third before withdrawing from the fight in the fourth due to a leg injury.
Simson would go back to winning ways at the start of the millennium, between 2000 and 2002 he won the Dutch national Muay Thai title, the I.K.B.O World title and the 72.6 kg version of his W.P.K.L World title against Ashwin Balrak. Towards the end of 2002 he faced Joerie Mes in Haarlem, Netherlands. Simson lost by technical knockout after being outworked by the relentless Mes over four rounds. This match would spark the beginning of a fierce rivalry between the two men – they would fight two more times, with Mes being something of a nemesis to Simson, winning all three times. In 2003 he would win the World Kickboxing Network (W.K.N.) World title in his native Suriname before making his K-1 debut at the K-1 Holland Grand Prix 2003, losing by decision to Perry Ubeda. He would meet Ubeda several years later in 2005 in a losing bid for the World Full Contact Association (W.F.C.A.) 72.5 kg title.
In 2006 Simson would return to K-1 at the K-1 MAX Netherlands 2006 eight man tournament where the prize for winning was a reserve fight at the forthcoming K-1 MAX World Final. Simson booked his flight to Tokyo by defeating Faldir Chahbari in the final by extra round decision. He faced Artur Kyshenko at the K-1 World MAX 2006 Final but lost by third round majority decision, although the result would not mean overmuch as no injuries occurred during the final. At the end of the year and after a nine-year absence, Simson was invited back to the S-Cup to take part in another reserve fight at the Shoot Boxing World Tournament 2006. The ’97 S-Cup winner won his bout against Koichi Kikuchi but would not have the chance to proceed as there were no injuries. This event would be his last major international tournament.
Between 2006 and 2009 Simson would enter several small tournaments in Europe, winning the TaoThai "Cosa Nostra" Kombat League in Italy. By this point, despite the odd victory, age was taking its toll and his career was winding to a close. In 2009 he faced Eugene Ekkelboom in Montego Bay, Jamaica for Eugune’s W.M.C. Super Middleweight World title in what would be Simson's last title fight. Simson lost the bout by technical knockout, suffering an arm injury at the start of the fourth. In 2010 he had his final match at It's Showtime 2010 Amsterdam against Şahin Yakut, who was a replacement for his initial opponent Khalid Bourdif, who Simson had handpicked for his retirement match. Simson was unable to finish his career with a win, battling valiantly but ultimately losing by unanimous decision.

## Titles

* 2007 Kombat League Champion
* 2006 K-1 MAX Netherlands 2006 The Road to Tokyo Champion
* 2005 Rings Fight Gala Muaythai tournament champion -72.5 kg
* 2003 W.K.N. World Champion -76.2 kg
* 2002 W.P.K.L. World Champion -76.2 kg
* 2001 I.K.B.O. World Champion
* 2000 M.T.B.N. Dutch Champion
* 1998 W.P.K.L. World Champion -72 kg
* 1997 W.P.K.L. European Champion -72 kg
* 1997 Shoot Boxing World Tournament 1997 Champion
* 1995 W.P.K.L. European Champion
* Ranked Number 2 at Lumpinee Stadium

## Kickboxing record

Kickboxing Record :
| 102 Wins (34 (T)KOs), 19 Losses, 1 Draw, 1 No Contest ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time |
| 2010-05-29 | Loss | Şahin Yakut | It's Showtime 2010 Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (5-0) | 3 | 3:00 |
| 2009-06-26 | Loss | Eugene Ekkelboom | Champions of Champions 2 | Montego Bay, Jamaica | TKO (Arm Injury) | 4 | 0:14 |
| Fight was for Ekkelboom's W.M.C. Super Middleweight World title. ||||||||
| 2008-11-30 | Win | Lamsongkram Chuwattana | Slamm 5 "Nederland vs Thailand" | Almere, Netherlands | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | 2 | |
| 2007-08-31 | Loss | José Reis | Steko's Fight Night 25, Semi-finals | Karlsruhe, Germany | Decision | 3 | 3:00 |
| 2008-03-15 | Loss | Dmitry Shakuta | It's Showtime 75MAX Trophy 2008, Quarter-finals | 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands | Decision | 3 | 3:00 |
| 2007-04-27 | Win | Eddy Saban | TaoThai "Cosa Nostra" Kombat League, Final | Taormina, Italy | TKO (Referee Stoppage, Knee) | 1 | |
| Wins Kombat League 4-Man tournament -72.5kg. ||||||||
| 2007-04-27 | Win | Matteo Sciacca | TaoThai "Cosa Nostra" Kombat League, Semi-finals | Taormina, Italy | TKO (Referee Stoppage, Knee) | 2 | |
| 2007-03-24 | Win | Mesut Acikyol | It's Showtime Trophy 2007 | Lommel, Belgium | Decision | 3 | 3:00 |
| Qualifies for It's Showtime 75MAX Trophy 2008. ||||||||
| 2007-03-10 | Loss | Roberto Cocco | Steko's Fight Night 23, Final | Munich, Germany | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 |
| Fight was for Kings of Kickboxing 2007 Munich preliminary tournament title -75kg. Fails to qualify for Kings of Kickboxing Final to be held later that year. ||||||||
| 2007-03-10 | Win | István Tóth | Steko's Fight Night 23, Semi-finals | Munich, Germany | | | |
| 2007-04-27 | Win | Samir Dourid | Night of Pride | Paramaribo, Suriname | KO | 3 | |
| Retains W.K.N. Muay Thai World title -76.2 kg. ||||||||
| 2006-12-09 | Loss | Faldir Chahbari | | Roosendaal, Netherlands | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | 3 | |
| 2006-11-03 | Win | Koichi Kikuchi | S-Cup 2006, Reserve Fight | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Majority) | 3 | 3:00 |
| 2006-06-30 | Loss | Artur Kyshenko | K-1 World MAX 2006 Final, Reserve Fight | Yokohama, Japan | Decision (Majority) | 3 | 3:00 |
| 2006-03-26 | Win | Faldir Chahbari | K-1 MAX Netherlands 2006, Final | Utrecht, Netherlands | Ext.R Decision | 4 | 3:00 |
| Wins K-1 MAX Netherlands 2006 and qualifies for a Reserve Fight at the K-1 World MAX 2006 Final. ||||||||
| 2006-03-26 | Win | Ray Staring | K-1 MAX Netherlands 2006, Semi-finals | Utrecht, Netherlands | Decision | 3 | 3:00 |
| 2006-03-26 | Win | Junior Gonsalves | K-1 MAX Netherlands 2006, Quarter-finals | Utrecht, Netherlands | Decision | 3 | 3:00 |
| 2005-12-11 | Win | Imro Main | Rings Fight Gala, Final | Utrecht, Netherlands | Decision | 3 | 3:00 |
| Wins Rings Fight Gala Muaythai tournament -72.5 kg. ||||||||
| 2005-12-11 | Win | Junior Gonsalves | Rings Fight Gala, Semi-final | Utrecht, Netherlands | Decision | 3 | 3:00 |
| 2005-11-13 | Loss | Perry Ubeda | Time for Action | Nijmegen, Netherlands | Decision | 12 | 2:00 |
| Fight was for vacant W.F.C.A. Full Contact World title -72.5 kg. ||||||||
| 2005-10-29 | Draw | Toshio Matsumoto | No Kick, No Life | Tokyo, Japan | Decision Draw | 5 | 3:00 |
| 2005-10-02 | Loss | Emil Zoraj | It's Showtime 75 MAX Trophy Tilburg Pool B Semi-finals | Tilburg, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 |
| 2005-06-12 | Loss | Joerie Mes | It's Showtime 2005 Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 |
| 2005-04-03 | Win | Amir Zeyada | Rings Muay Thai Gala | Netherlands | TKO (Corner stoppage/towel) | 5 | |
| 2005-02-19 | Win | Takaaki Nakamura | Rising Sun - Muay Thai Gala | Beilen, Netherlands | Disqualification | 4 | |
| 2004-11-14 | Win | Pajonsuk | Muay Thai/Mixed Fight Gala, Sporthal Stedenwijk | Almere, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| 2004-05-20 | Win | Leonard Sitpholek | It's Showtime 2004 Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| 2003-11-30 | Loss | Vincent Vielvoye | Killer Dome IV @ Bijlmer Sportcentrum | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 |
| 2003-11-19 | Win | Denis Sharoykin | Battle of Zaandam | Zaandam, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| 2003-06-08 | Win | Najim Ettouhlali | It's Showtime 2003 Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| 2003-04-06 | Loss | Perry Ubeda | K-1 Holland Grand Prix 2003 | Zoetermeer, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 |
| 2003-03-16 | Loss | Joerie Mes | Victory or Hell | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 |
| 2003 | Win | Laurent Periquet | | Paramaribo, Suriname | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| Wins W.K.N. Muay Thai World title -76.2 kg. ||||||||
| 2002-11-29 | NC | Ashwin Balrak | W.P.K.L. Muay Thai Champions League VIII | Rotterdam, Netherlands | No Contest (Shoulder Injury) | 1 | |
| Fight was for Simson's W.P.K.L. Muay Thai World title -76.2 kg. ||||||||
| 2002-09-29 | Loss | Joerie Mes | It's Showtime – As Usual / Battle Time | Haarlem, Netherlands | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | 4 | |
| 2002-03-18 | Win | Ashwin Balrak | 2Hot2Handle "Simply the Best" 4 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 |
| Wins vacant W.P.K.L Muay Thai World title -76.2 kg. ||||||||
| 2001-05-06 | Win | Riad Rekhis | Victory or Hell | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| 2001-03-18 | Win | Sergei Karpin | 2H2H - Simply The Best | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| 2000-10-22 | Loss | Ivan Hippolyte | It's Showtime - Exclusive | Netherlands | TKO (Leg Injury) | 4 | 1:00 |
| 2000-09-03 | Win | Kamal El Amrani | Battle of Arnhem II | Arnhem, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| Wins I.K.B.O. World title. ||||||||
| 2000-05-20 | Win | Peter Kley | Thaiboxing - Thrill of the Year | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 |
| Wins M.T.B.N. Dutch title. ||||||||
| 1999-12-05 | Loss | Yoddecha Sityodthong | King's Birthday | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| 1999-10-24 | Win | Ivan Hippolyte | It's Showtime - It's Showtime | Haarlem, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| 1999-05-08 | Win | Vihoknoi Chor. Malithong | | Bangkok, Thailand | KO | 3 | |
| ? | Win | Orono Por Muang Ubon | | Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| 1998-12-03 | Win | Hassan Ettaki | Night of the Superstars | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| Wins Ettaki's W.P.K.L Muay Thai World title -72 kg. ||||||||
| 1998-11-14 | Loss | Jomhod Kiatadisak | W.P.K.L. Muay Thai Champions League III, Semi-finals | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision | 3 | 3:00 |
| 1998-05-23 | Win | Stjepan Veselic | W.P.K.L. Muay Thai Champions League II, Quarter-finals | Roosendaal, Netherlands | KO | 1 | |
| Qualifies for W.P.K.L. Muay Thai Champions League III, Semi-finals. ||||||||
| 1998-05-23 | Win | Kamal El Amrani | W.P.K.L. Muay Thai Champions League II, 1st round | Roosendaal, Netherlands | Decision | 3 | 3:00 |
| 1998 | Win | Payaklek Yutakit | | Milan, Italy | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| 1997-12-13 | Win | Najim Ettouhlali | Thaiboxing Den Bosch | Den Bosch, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| Wins W.P.K.L Muay Thai European title -72 kg. ||||||||
| 1997-11-10 | Win | Nong Moon | The Night of the New Generation | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| 1997-06-01 | Loss | Hassan Ettaki | Thaiboxing: Battle of Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | TKO | | |
| 1997-05-09 | Win | Mohamed Ouali | S-Cup 1997, Final | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 |
| Wins Shoot Boxing World Tournament 1997. ||||||||
| 1997-05-09 | Win | Hiromu Yoshitaka | S-Cup 1997, Semi-finals | Tokyo, Japan | | | |
| 1997-04-20 | Win | Dejpitak Sityodtong | The Night of No Mercy | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| 1997-03-23 | Win | Ramon Dekkers | Muay Thai Gala: The Night of War | Roosendaal, Netherlands | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | 2 | 3:00 |
| 1996-10-07 | Win | Jon Vargas | Thaiboxing Imperium II | Rotterdam, Netherlands | KO | 1 | |
| 1996-07-14 | Win | Roni Lewis | S-Cup 1996 | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 |
| Qualifies for S-Cup 1997. ||||||||
| 1995 | Win | Chris Allen | | Netherlands | | | |
| Wins W.P.K.L Muay Thai European title. ||||||||
| 1995-01-31 | Loss | Bovi Chorwaikan | S-Cup 1995, Quarter-finals | Osaka, Japan | 2nd Ext.R Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 |
| 1993-11-26 | Win | Alwen Lobles | Thaiboxing gala, Houtrusthallen | The Hague, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 |
| 1993-07-08 | Win | Kiyotaka Kato | THE WARS’93 | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Split) | 5 | 3:00 |
| 1993-01-29 | Win | Lodewijk Vercounteren | The Best of Best | Best, Netherlands | KO | 2 | |
| Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes ||||||||