Ben Spijkers

Ben Spijkers

Personal information
Born	10 March 1961
Medal record Men's Judo Representing the Netherlands Olympic Games 1988 Seoul Middleweight World Championships 1989 Belgrade Middleweight

Bernhard ("Ben") Hendrikus Martinus Spijkers (born 10 March 1961 in Nijmegen, Gelderland) is a retired judoka from the Netherlands, who represented his native country at three consecutive Summer Olympics (1984, 1988 and 1992). He won the bronze medal in the men's middleweight division (– 86 kg) in Seoul, South Korea (1988), alongside Akinobu Osako from Japan.

In 1995, Spijkers tried his hand at mixed martial arts competition by competing in the World Combat Championship and Shooto events.

Mixed martial arts career

Spijkers had his MMA debut at World Combat Championships (WCC), facing Brazilian jiu-jitsu styilist Renzo Gracie at the first round. Started the match, the full judogi-clad Spijkers got a double leg takedown, but Gracie swept him back to standing and executed his own takedown. Ben tried to counter on the ground with a gi choke, but Renzo took his back and delivered some elbow strikes to the base of the skull before submitting him. Upon the ending of the battle Gracie stepped on the back of Spijkers's head, though later apologized for his unsporting actions. On his return flight to the Netherlands afterwards, Ben was arrested after a dispute with an airline stewardess regarding his carry on baggage. He was released on bail and flew back to Europe a few days later.

Ben's second, and last, MMA fight would be in Japanese promotion Shooto against the veteran Erik Paulson. Cornered by Gerard Gordeau and sporting an improved game, Ben rushed Paulson through the fight with multiple takedown attempts, along with brawling style punches and some hip tosses which connected. However, Erik showd a proficient defense and superior striking, and the fight went outside the ring when the two fell between the ropes and later when Paulson threw Spijkers outside. Ending came at the fifth round when Paulson avoided another takedown attempt and locked a guillotine choke, making Spijkers tap.

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
2 matches	0 wins	2 losses
By knockout	0	0
By submission	0	2
By decision	0	0

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	0-2	Renzo Gracie	Submission (gi choke)	WCC 1 - First Strike	October 17, 1995	1	2:38	Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Loss	0-1	Erik Paulson	Submission (guillotine choke)	Shooto - Complete Vale Tudo Access	July 29, 1995	5	0:38	Omiya, Saitama, Japan

References

• (Dutch) Dutch Olympic Committee

External links

• Videos of Ben Spijkers on judovision.org