{{Short description|Croatian kickboxer}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Emil Zoraj | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = Emil Zoraj | other_names = Bulldog | nationality = {{flagicon|Croatia}} Croatian | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|07|27|mf=y}} | birth_place = SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia | fighting_out_of = | death_date = | death_place = | height = {{height|m=1.78}} | weight_kg = 79 | weight_class = Light heavyweight | style = Muay Thai | stance = | team = Mejiro Gym (2001-2006) <br> Spartan Gym (2006-) | trainer = Andre Mannaart (2001-2006) <br> Aleksandar Pupac (2006-) | years_active = 1993- | kickbox_win = 38 | kickbox_kowin = 20 | kickbox_loss = 8 | kickbox_koloss = | kickbox_draw = | kickbox_nc = | mma_win = | mma_kowin = | mma_loss = | mma_koloss = | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | am_win = | am_kowin = | am_loss = | am_koloss = | am_draw = | am_nc = | other = | occupation = | spouse = | relatives = | students = | university = | url = | boxrec = | sherdog = | updated = }}

'''Emil Zoraj''' (born 27 July 1978) is a Croatian Light heavyweight kickboxer fighting out of Zagreb, Croatia. In his career he was double WKA thaiboxing world champion, It's Showtime 75MAX trophy Tilburg tournament champion, WBC Muaythai intercontinental champion and OPBU Euro-African muaythai champion.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.finalfight.hr/profil/emil-zoraj-en |title=Final Fight Profile |access-date=2013-10-09 |archive-date=2015-06-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610201630/http://www.finalfight.hr/profil/emil-zoraj-en |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Career== He started training in 1993 only kickboxing, but also tried Savate and Full Contact. He started Muay Thai when he came to train with Branko Cikatić, and did it until then. He achieved good results in amateur competition, European gold and silver medalist with two bronze medals on World championships. He scored few knockout wins, with Marko Žaja, in Italy.<ref name=interview>{{cite web |url=http://www.fightsite.hr/intervjui/emil-zoraj-zelim-mma-borbu |title=Emil Zoraj: Želim MMA borbu |publisher=fightsite.hr |date= |accessdate= |archive-date=2013-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512191622/http://fightsite.hr/intervjui/emil-zoraj-zelim-mma-borbu |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2001 he went in Netherlands to train with Andre Mannaart in Mejiro Gym. He made good progress, and participated in a gala tournament, scoring win over Sahin "Kaas" Yakut and losing in the final. He left Mejiro Gym after the rise of Remy Bonjasky, as he attracted all gym's attention.<ref name=interview />

Emil Zoraj first attracted worldwide attention making It's Showtime debut, winning It's Showtime 75 MAX Trophy Tilburg Pool B on December 12, 2005 in Tilburg, Netherlands. He defeated two Dutch fighters, Rayen Simson in semi finals and Sem Braan in final and qualified for It's Showtime 75MAX Trophy Final 2006 tournament.<ref name=interview />

On October 12, 2005 at ''Steko's Fight Night 17'' he became World Kickboxing Association Thaiboxing world champion -83&nbsp;kg defeating Jiri Bursa, next year also on ''Steko's Fight Night'' he won his third title and became World Kickboxing Association Thaiboxing world champion -76&nbsp;kg defeating Adam Chajkin.<ref>[http://www.stekos-fight-night.de/2008/02/ Steko's Fight Night - WKA-Weltmeisterschaft]</ref>

On September 23, 2006 he participated in an It's Showtime 75MAX Trophy Final 2006 tournament in Rotterdam, losing in quarter finals to Joerie Mes.

He won his fourth and fifth title on April 20, 2008 in Vienna, Austria defeating Otta Merling and becoming WBC Muaythai International Super Middleweight and OPBU Euro-African Muaythai Champion. Zoraj took the initiative since first round, earning a knockdown in second round with right cross and leaving a visible mark on Merling's head with an elbow in third.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wbcmuaythai.com/previous_news_select.php?id=77 |title=Emil proof his best over Otta Merling. |access-date=2013-10-09 |archive-date=2014-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201205048/http://www.wbcmuaythai.com/previous_news_select.php?id=77 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.profightstore.hr/interview/intervju-emil-zoraj-novi-wbc-muaythai-sampion-u-supersrednjoj-kategoriji/54.aspx Intervju: Emil Zoraj – novi WBC muaythai šampion u supersrednjoj kategoriji]{{in lang|hr}}</ref>

He won bronze medal at IFMA 2009 World Muaythai Championships -75&nbsp;kg category in December, 2009 defeating Remy Vectol in 1/8 finals and beating one of the best Muaythai fighters, Artem Levin bringing him one of very few career loses. He lost to tournament champion, Dmitry Valent by points, surviving nose injury in first round. He later suffered two amateur loses to Artem Levin.<ref>[http://www.profightstore.hr/novosti/peking-ikicu-srebro-u-ju-jitsi-/5956.aspx Peking: Ikiću srebro u Ju-Jitsi!]{{in lang|hr}}</ref><ref>[http://www.profightstore.hr/novosti/emil-zoraj-broncani-sa-sp-u-tajlandu/4377.aspx Emil Zoraj brončani sa SP u Tajlandu]{{in lang|hr}}</ref><ref>[http://www.profightstore.hr/novosti/zoraj-u-polufinalu-svjetskog-prvenstva/4359.aspx Zoraj u polufinalu Svjetskog prvenstva]{{in lang|hr}}</ref><ref>[http://www.profightstore.hr/novosti/zoraj-nokautirao-francuza-mikulic-ispala/4343.aspx Zoraj nokautirao Francuza, Mikulić ispala]{{in lang|hr}}</ref>

Since winning WBC Muaythai and OPBU titles, Zoraj scored valuable victory against Myauthai legend Kaoklai Kaennorsing in Brno, Czech Republic and fought mostly in his homeland Croatia until 2010 when he decided to withdraw from the competition.<ref name=interview /><ref>[http://www.profightstore.hr/novosti/zoraj-pobijedio-kaoklaia-stanic-odradio-mec-veceri/4070.aspx Zoraj pobijedio Kaoklaia, Stanić odradio meč večeri]{{in lang|hr}}</ref>

He returned to the fighting on March 15, 2013 in Zagreb, Croatia at K-1 World Grand Prix FINAL in Zagreb, where he was expected to fight Miran Fabjan then Giannis Sofokleus, but both were replaced and he fought Edmond Paltatzis. Zoraj's comeback was tough as he survived two knockdowns in first round, but achieved victory at the end of second round with a knee to the body of Paltatzis.<ref>[http://www.profightstore.hr/novosti/mirko-filipovic-nadmudrio-mladice-i-osvojio-k-1-world-grand-prix-/12689.aspx Mirko Filipović nadmudrio mladiće i osvojio K-1 World Grand Prix!]{{in lang|hr}}</ref>

Later in the year he achieved victories at Final Fight Championship 4 over young Croatian prospect Zlatko Bajić and in Vienna on September 21, 2013 over Shkodran Veseli.<ref>[http://www.profightstore.hr/novosti/ffc-4-perak-soccer-kickovima-svladao-jonija-terror-izmlatio-psihopatu-/13275.aspx FFC 4: Perak soccer kickovima svladao Jonija, "Terror" izmlatio "Psihopatu"]{{in lang|hr}}</ref><ref>[http://www.profightstore.hr/novosti/zoraj-uoci-meca-kako-radi-moj-protivnik-pa-solidno-ali-ne-kao-emil-zoraj-/14457.aspx Zoraj uoči meča : "Kako radi moj protivnik? Pa solidno, ali ne kao Emil Zoraj!"]{{in lang|hr}}</ref><ref>[http://www.profightstore.hr/novosti/emil-zoraj-porazio-veselog-na-bodove-shkodran-se-nada-nastupu-u-hrvatskoj/14484.aspx Emil Zoraj porazio Veselog na bodove, Shkodran se nada nastupu u Hrvatskoj]{{in lang|hr}}</ref>

==Titles== *2008 WBC Muaythai International Super Middleweight (-76&nbsp;kg/168&nbsp;lb) Champion *2008 OPBU Euro-African Muaythai Champion -76&nbsp;kg *2006 WKA Thaiboxing world champion -76&nbsp;kg *2005 WKA Thaiboxing world champion -83&nbsp;kg *2005 It's Showtime 75MAX Trophy Tilburg Pool B Champion *MTA European Champion * 3 x IMTA European Thaiboxing Champion

==Fight record== {|class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:88%; width:100%; text-align:center;" ! colspan=8 style="background:#fff" | Professional kickboxing record |- ! Date || Result || Opponent || Event || Location || Method || Round || Time |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2014-06-15 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|SRB}} Viktor Šubić || Muay Thai Gala<ref>[http://www.profightstore.hr/novosti/muay-thai-gala-emil-zoraj-porazio-viktora-subica-odlukom-sudaca/17224.aspx Muay Thai Gala : Emil Zoraj porazio Viktora Šubića odlukom sudaca]{{in lang|hr}}</ref> || Zagreb, Croatia || Decision (unanimous) || 3 ||3:00 |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2013-09-21 || Win||align=left|{{flagicon|ALB}} Shkodran Veseli || Fight Night || Vienna, Austria || Decision (split) || 3 ||3:00 |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2013-05-10 || Win||align=left|{{flagicon|CRO}} Zlatko Bajić || FFC04: Perak vs. Joni || Zadar, Croatia || Decision (unanimous) || 3 ||3:00 |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2013-03-15 ||Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|GRE}} Edmond Paltatzis || K-1 World Grand Prix FINAL in Zagreb, Super Fight || Zagreb, Croatia || KO (knee) || 2 || 3:00 |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2010-04-10 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|SVK}} Miro Skriban || Return of the Gladiators || Dubrovnik, Croatia || KO (liver kick) || 1 || |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2010-02-07 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|SRB}} Nikola Petrović || Bilić-Erić security FIGHT NIGHT IV || Zagreb, Croatia || Decision (unanimous) || 3 ||3:00 |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2009-12-23 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|BIH}} Stanisvav Šahić || Noć Boksa <ref>[http://www.ezadar.hr/clanak/noc-boksa-pet-borbi-pet-nokauta “Noć boksa”: pet borbi, pet nokauta]{{in lang|hr}}</ref> || Zadar, Croatia || KO (knee) || || |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2009-10-16 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|THA}} Kaoklai Kaennorsing || Return of the Gladiators || Brno, Czech Republic || Decision (Unanimous) || 3 || 3:00 |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2009 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|TUR}} Senol Kiziltas || <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU33lfam15w Emil Zoraj Vs Senol Kiziltas]</ref> || || TKO || 1 || |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2008-05-24 || Loss||align=left|{{flagicon|MAR}} Najim Ettouhlali || Gentleman Promotions Fightnight || Tilburg, Netherlands || TKO || || |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2008-05-20 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|TUR}} Aydin Tuncay || Trg u Plamenu || Zagreb, Croatia || TKO (left high kick) || 2 || |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2008-04-20 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|SVK}} Otta Merling || Fight Night - Mortel Kombat || Vienna, Austria || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|Wins the WBC Muaythai International Super Middleweight (-76kg/168lb) Championship, and OPBU Euro-African Muaythai Championship.}} |- |- bgcolor= "#FFBBBB" | 2007-10-27 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|SUR}} Tyrone Spong || One Night in Bangkok || Antwerp, Belgium || TKO (doctor stoppage) || 4 || 1:02 |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2006-09-23 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|NED}} Joerie Mes || It's Showtime 75MAX Trophy Final 2006, Quarter Finals || Rotterdam, Netherlands || Decision || 3 || 3:00 |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2006-05-02 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|CZE}} Adam Chajkin || Steko's Fight Night 19 || || KO || 3 || |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|Wins WKA Thaiboxing world title -76kg.}} |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2006-03-18 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|POL}} Kamil Gregorczyk || Steko's Fight Night 18 || || KO || 1 || |- |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2005-10-22 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|BLR}} Dmitry Shakuta || SuperLeague Heavy Knockout 2005 || Vienna, Austria || Decision || 3 || 3:00 |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2005-10-12 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|CZE}} Jiri Bursa || Steko's Fight Night 17 || || || 4 || |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|Wins WKA Thaiboxing world title -83kg.}} |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2005-10-02 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|NED}} Sem Braan || It's Showtime 75MAX Trophy Tilburg, Final || Tilburg, Netherlands || Decision || 3 || 3:00 |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 | {{small|Wins It's Showtime 75MAX Trophy Tilburg Pool B Final -75&nbsp;kg. Qualifies for It's Showtime 75MAX Trophy Final 2006.}} |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2005-10-02 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|SUR}} Rayen Simson || It's Showtime 75 MAX Trophy Tilburg Pool B Semi Finals || Tilburg, Netherlands || Decision (Unanimous) || 3 || 3:00 |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2004-03-06 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|FRA}} Moussa Sissoko || Kings of the Ring || Priština, Serbia and Montenegro || TKO (ref. stoppage) || 3 || |- ! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|For KOTR Muay Thai Championship 80kg.<ref>[http://www.proring.it/dettaglioArchivio.asp?evt_id=61 KING OF THE RING WORLD TITLE (Kosovo)]</ref>}} |- |} {|class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:88%; width:100%; text-align:center;" ! colspan=8 style="background:#fff" | Amateur muaythai record |- ! Date || Result || Opponent || Event || Location || Method || Round || Time |- |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2013-07-25 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|POR}} || IFMA 2013 European Muaythai Championships 1/8 final(75&nbsp;kg) || Lisbon, Portugal || Decision || 4 || 2:00 |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2010-08-29 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|RUS}} Artem Levin || 2010 World Combat Games -75 kg Muay Thai, Quarter finals || Beijing, China || Decision (5:0) || 4 || 2:00 |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2010-05-26 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|RUS}} Artem Levin || IFMA 2010 European Muaythai Championships 1/8 final(75&nbsp;kg) || Velletri, Italy || Decision (5:0) || 4 || 2:00 |- bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2009-12-03 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|BLR}} Dmitry Valent || IFMA 2009 World Muaythai Championships 1/2 finals (75&nbsp;kg) || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 4 || 2:00 |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2009-12-01 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|RUS}} Artem Levin || IFMA 2009 World Muaythai Championships 1/4 finals (75&nbsp;kg) || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 4 || 2:00 |- |- bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 2009-11-11 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|FRA}} Remy Vectol || IFMA 2009 World Muaythai Championships 1/8 finals (75&nbsp;kg) || Bangkok, Thailand || KO (Right high kick) || 2 || |- | colspan=9 style="background:#fff" | '''''Legend''''': {{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win |border=1px solid #CCFFCC}} {{legend2|#FFBBBB|Loss |border=1px solid #FFBBBB}} {{legend2|#c5d2ea|Draw/No contest |border=1px solid #c5d2ea}} {{legend2|White|Notes |border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} |}

==See also==

*List of male kickboxers

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zoraj, Emil}} Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:Croatian male kickboxers Category:Croatian male Muay Thai practitioners Category:Boxers from Zagreb Category:Place of birth missing (living people)