Kęstutis Smirnovas
Kestutis Smirnovas is a Lithuanian MMA fighter and Judoka who fought in Pride Fighting Championships, RINGS, Shooto and HERO'S. He is also a politician and a public figure.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Smirnovas started his career in 2000. He fought mainly for Rings Lithuania and Shooto Lithuania, obtaining a record of sixteen victories and five losses until the first half of 2005.K-1 and K-1 Hero's
Smirnovas faced Tadeush Cholodinskij on March 10, 2006, at K-1: East Europe Max GP for the K-1 East Europe Max heavyweight title. He won via split decision after three, five-minutes rounds.Smirnovas faced Pride FC veteran Kazushi Sakuraba on August 5, 2006, at K-1 Hero's 6 in the quarterfinal of Hero's 2006 light heavyweight grand prix. Despite dominating the beginning of the contest, almost knocking Sakuraba out with a long sequence of ground-and-pound, Smirnovas lost via submission due to an armbar still in the first round.
Smirnovas replaced Sakuraba in the semifinal as he was unable to compete due to medical conditions. He faced Yoshihiro Akiyama on October 9, 2006, at K-1 Hero's 7, losing via TKO in the first round.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- K-1
- *K-1 East Europe Max heavyweight title
Mixed martial arts record
Politics and activism
Social activities: President of Šakiai judo sports club "Audra", member of the board of the Šakiai branch of LVTGO "Save the Children", member of the board of the Šakiai youth union "Apskritas stalas"Since 2007 he is council member of Šakių district municipality.
In 2016 he was elected to the Seimas, defeating Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius in the Vilkaviškis electoral district.