Sina Karimian

Sina Karimian is an Iranian kickboxer. He currently competes in GLORY. He is the former K-1 Cruiserweight Champion.

Kickboxing career

Karimian participated in the 2018 K-1 WORLD GP Cruiserweight Tournament. He beat OD.KEN in the quarter-finals with a fourth-round TKO. In the semi-finals he defeated K-Jee with a unanimous decision. He won a majority decision against Boubaker El Bakouri with a majority decision to become the inaugural K-1 Cruiserweight champion.
He made his first title defence against Hisaki Kato during K-1 World GP 2019: K’FESTA 2. Karimian won a unanimous decision.
He made his second title defence in a rematch against Ryo Aitaka. Karimian won a unanimous decision.
Karimian fought K-Jee on 3 November 2020 during K-1 WGP Japan. He lost the fight by a first-round knockout.
Sina was scheduled to fight Seiya Tanigawa at K'Festa 4, but the event was later postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was instead scheduled to fight K-Jee at K'Festa 4 Day 2 for the K-1 WORLD GP Cruiserweight title. Sina won the fight by a second-round knockout, after being knocked down twice in the first round.
Karimian was scheduled to face the former K-1 heavyweight champion Kyotaro Fujimoto at K-1 World GP 2021: Yokohamatsuri on 20 September 2021. He won the fight by split decision, after an extra round was fought.
Karimian faced Rikiya Yamashita at THE MATCH 2022 on 19 June 2022. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Karimian faced Kosuke Jitsukata at K-1 World GP 2022 Yokohamatsuri on September 11, 2022. He won the fight by a first-round knockout.
Karimian took part in the Glory 99 “Heavyweight Last Man Standing Tournament” where 32 heavyweight fighters competed on April 5, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He faced off against Tomáš Možný in the opening round, losing via unanimous decision.

Mixed Martial Arts career

Karimian made his Mixed Martial Arts debut at RIZIN Landmark 11 in Sapporo in June of 2025, facing off against GRACHAN Heavyweight Champion, Hidetaka Arato. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Sina will return to MMA at K-1 World MAX 2025 - 70kg World Tournament Opening Round, facing Blake Troop in a Heavyweight bout. This will mark the return of K-1's MMA brand, HEROs. This will be the first time it has been utilized since December of 2007.

Boxing career

Karimian would face former K-1 Super Lightweight kickboxing champion Ruyika Anpo in a 6-round scored exhibition boxing match at RIZIN 49. Karimian weighed in at 216 pounds, while Anpo weighed in at 178 pounds. Despite the 38 pound weight advantage, Karimian was thoroughly outboxed by Anpo. Karimian would accidentally hit the referee multiple times during a scuffle with Anpo, but the bout continued after a brief pause. Karimian would lose the bout via unanimous decision, failing to win a single round.
Karimian would face former HEAT and ISKA Lightweight Kickboxing champion Kouzi in a 3-round exhibition boxing match at RIZIN: Otoko Matsuri. The bout was booked as a "punishment fight" after Kouzi was involved in a hit-and-run the previous December. He took the fight with Karimian as penance for his actions. After 3 rounds, the fight was declared a draw, due to it being an exhibition.

Titles and accomplishments

Professional

K-1
* 2018 K-1 World GP −90 kg Championship Tournament Winner
* 2021 K-1 World GP −90 kg Championship
** Two successful defenses
World Kickboxing Network
* 2017 WKN Oriental rules Super Cruiserweight International Champion

Amateur

WKU Amateur World Heavyweight Champion
IKN Amateur World Heavyweight Champion
WKF Amateur World Heavyweight Champion
2017 IFMA Amateur Muaythai World Championship 3rd place.

Kickboxing record

Exhibition boxing record

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
2		0–1	Kouzi		3	May 4, 2025	Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan	Non-scored bout. Rizin Special standing bout rules
1	Loss	0–1	Rukiya Anpo	UD	6	Dec 31, 2024	Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan	Rizin Special standing bout rules.