Mikhail Viktorovich Chalykh — (; ; born November 20, 1983) is a retired Russian kickboxer. He is a Merited Master of Sports in kickboxing as well as a World Champion (2006), a European Champion (2004) and a three-time Russian National Champion in kickboxing (2004, 2005 and 2007). Early life Mikhail Chalykh was born in Volgograd. At 16 years old, his childhood friend and future promoter, Maxim Voronov, introduced Chalykh to kickboxing at the gym of Viktor Petrovich Tuliev. Career Professional Chalykh started his professional career in 2004 and up until his first retirement in late 2007, he had only lost once in a close decision against Kickboxing legend, Dmitry Shakuta. Over his short professional career, he won the National WBKF (World BARS Kickboxing Federation) title three times. Additionally, in December, 2004, Chalykh knocked out two-time French National Champion in Kickboxing and Savate, Sylvio Danois for the WBKF European title. His most notable career wins came against WAKO World Full-Contact Champion Denis Grachev, Kickboxing and Muay Thai legend, Artem Levin, and Kickboxing legend, Artur Kyshenko. WBKF World Championship In 2006, the WBKF organized a one-night 4-man tournament consisting of the best -76 kg fighters under their banner to fight for the WBKF World Championship. In the first round, Russian kickboxing great, WBKF Eurasian Champion, Vladimir Tyuin beat WAKO World Champion and WBKF Eurasian Champion, Kyrgyz, Katanbek Sydygaliev by unanimous decision. On the other side of the bracket, Chalykh beat two-time Ukrainian National Muay Thai Champion and 2006 I.F.M.A. World Championship gold medalist, Artur Kyshenko by split decision. In the Final of the tournament, despite losing the first round, Chalykh came back from behind in the last round to win, again, by split decision. He had won his first, and only professional World title of his career. Amateur As an amateur, Chalykh was a two-time World Champion (2002, 2005), a European Champion (2004) and four-time Russian National Champion (2002, 2006, 2007, 2011). His most notable tournament was in the 2005 World Championships where he beat L'houcine Ouzgni and Yuri Karbechou, whom he would lose to in the Final of the next European Tournament (2006), for the gold medal. Retirement At the end of the year of 2007, after beating Draženko Ninić, Chalykh retired at 24 years old, with a record of 18–1, reportedly due to knee injuries. Comebacks 2011 WAKO Russian National Tournament After four years away from the ring, Chalykh came