{{short description|Martial arts trainer}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Mike Passenier | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = Michael Percy Passenier | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|4|9}} | birth_place = Amsterdam, Netherlands | other_names = Big Mike | residence = | height = | weight_lb = | weight_class = | reach_in = | stance = | style = | fighting_out_of = | team = Mike's Gym | rank = | wrestling = | years_active = 2002–present | occupation = Kickboxing trainer | university = | spouse = | children = | relatives = | students = | club = | school = | url = | boxrec = | sherdog = | footnotes = | update = }} '''Michael Percy Passenier''' (born 9 April 1969) is a Dutch kickboxing trainer who owns Mike's Gym in Oostzaan. He is also known by the nickname "Big Mike".
== Biography == Passenier was born in Amsterdam to a Dutch mother and a Surinamese father. He was raised in the neighborhood Betondorp by his mother and stepfather.<ref>Wilson Boldewijn, ''Big Mike: hoe Mike Passenier de bekendste kickbokstrainer ter wereld werd''. Just Publishers (2019). {{ISBN|9789089756831}}</ref> Passenier played football in his youth. At the age of 15, he attended a kickboxing event for the first time, and became impressed by the visitors and the atmosphere. While working in a bar, he met kickboxing world champion Gilbert Ballantine. Passenier sparred with Ballantine, who appreciated Passenier's skills and invited him to work as an assistant coach. Passenier never entered the professional ring himself.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/nl/article/hoe-mike-passenier-het-schopte-van-kroegbaas-tot-trainer-van-badr-hari/|title=Hoe Mike Passenier het schopte van kroegbaas tot trainer van Badr Hari|author=Sam van Raalte, David Meulenbeld|date=2017-05-09|publisher=Vice Sports|lang=nl|access-date=2019-02-19}}</ref>
===Mike's Gym=== Passenier began teaching martial arts in 2002. A year later, he opened his own gym, named Mike's Gym.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports.ru/tribuna/blogs/kickboxtalking/1642757.html|title=Десять лучших голландских клубов, которые вам следует посетить в 2018 году|date=4 April 2018 |publisher=Sports.ru|lang=ru|accessdate=2019-02-19}}</ref> Passenier became more known in the world of kickboxing when he trained Joerie Mes, who was considered one of the best combination specialists in kickboxing. The silhouette of Mes was made part of the Mike's Gym logo.<ref name=":0" />
Mike's Gym became one of the biggest martial arts gyms in the Netherlands.<ref name=":1" /> Passenier's pupils are distinguished by their willingness to win by knockout during a bout. They do not use points-oriented tactics.<ref name=":0" /> Passenier trained many world champions, including Melvin Manhoef, Badr Hari, Murthel Groenhart and Sahak Parparyan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://superkarate.ru/news/k-1/5098-mike-passenier-interview.html|title=Майк Пассенье о тренировках с Оверимом и невозможности дружбы между бойцами|publisher=Superkarate.ru|lang=ru|accessdate=2019-02-18}}</ref> At certain stages of their careers, he coached top contenders such as Gökhan Saki, Artur Kyshenko, Alistair Overeem, Freddy Kemayo, Björn Bregy, Sergey Adamchuk and Sergei Lashchenko.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kayovid.com/fight-news/interview-with-glory-fighter-freddy-kemayo-from-mikes-gym/|title=Interview with GLORY fighter Freddy Kemayo from Mike's Gym|author=Jason45|date=2018-01-19|publisher=Kayovid.com|lang=en|accessdate=2019-02-18|archive-date=2019-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218203533/http://www.kayovid.com/fight-news/interview-with-glory-fighter-freddy-kemayo-from-mikes-gym/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On November 26, 2009, a fire broke out in the building next to Mike's Gym, which burned down the gym.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.at5.nl/artikelen/27758/brand-bij-citybox-in-amsterdam-noord|title = Brand bij City Box in Amsterdam Noord|publisher=AT5.nl|date=2009-11-26|lang=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dreamofficial.com/free/news/detail.php?id=1262007779|title=DREAM | 【緊急告知】『FieLDS Dynamite!!』にてマイクスジム再建のための募金活動を行います。}}</ref> The gym was reopened on March 29, 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.at5.nl/nieuws/37924/passenier-opent-nieuwe-gym-na-brand|title =Passenier opent nieuwe gym na brand|publisher=AT5.nl|date=2010-03-29|lang=nl}}</ref>
==Notable fighters trained== {{div col|colwidth=20em}} * Joerie Mes * Melvin Manhoef * Badr Hari * Murthel Groenhart * Gökhan Saki * Artur Kyshenko * Paul Daley * Sahak Parparyan * Björn Bregy * Daniel Sam * Alistair Overeem * Giga Chikadze * Sergey Adamchuk * Sergei Lashchenko * Freddy Kemayo * Cosmo Alexandre * Yousri Belgaroui * Donegi Abena * Antonio Plazibat * Stoyan Koprivlenski * Jamal Ben Saddik * Tariq Osaro * Chico Kwasi * Anissa Haddaoui * Mellony Geugjes {{div col end}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.mikesgym.com/ Mike's Gym Official Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803183113/http://mikesgym.com/ |date=2020-08-03 }} *[https://www.mikepassenier.com/ Official Website]{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Passenier, Mike}} Category:1969 births Category:Kickboxing trainers Category:Living people Category:Martial arts school founders Category:Mixed martial arts trainers Category:Dutch people of Surinamese descent Category:Sportspeople of Surinamese descent Category:Martial artists from Amsterdam