Duke Roufus
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
36-8-1 with 26 wins by KO/TKO

Duke Roufus started training in martial arts at an early age. He trained in sever martial art styles that included Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

His professional kickboxing career saw him collect a number of titles. During the 1990s he won the WKA North American Super Heavyweight title, WAKO Super Heavyweight World title, WKBA Super Heavyweight World title, the KICK Super Heavyweight World title and the IKF International Kickboxing Federation Pro Muay Thai Rules World Super Heavyweight Title on December 4, 1998 in Milwaukee Wisconsin, over Hiriwa TeRangi of New Zealand by unanimous decision 50-43 on all three judges' cards.

On March 19, 1999, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in his only defense of the title, Roufus quickly defeated Australia's WKA World Champion Grant Barker with a combination of strikes which included a leg kick, 2 knees to Barker's head and finished with a high head kick, Roufus only took 39 seconds to knockout the Australian in the opening round of the scheduled 5 round Muay Thai bout.

Roufus voluntarily vacated his Super Heavyweight Title to move down to the Heavyweight Muay Thai Division and soon after, retired. However, at the end of October, 2000, he announced he would come out of retirement to fight in the K-1 USA tournament. He lost his second round bout in the May, 2001 K-1 USA tournament and his opening round bout in the August, 2001 K-1 USA tournament.

On December 11, 2002, he claimed to make his retirement official in what was to be his final kickboxing bout. However he come out of retirement to fight in the ring again to record wins against Sinisa "Thunderman" Andrijasevic on June 3, 2005 and Eduardo Maiorino on May 25, 2007 and despite an impressive showing, this bout did turn out to actually be his retirement fight.

Following his retirement, he has become a well-known trainer, working with many UFC MMA fighters including former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis, Alan Belcher, Pat Barry, Erik Koch, Ben Rothwell, Matt Mitrione, former U.S. Olympian and former Bellator World Champion Ben Askren and former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley.

Other former students include head coach of Church Street Boxing gym in NYC Jason Strout, former UFC Lightweight Champion Jens Pulver, The Ultimate Fighter Season One star Stephan Bonnar and WWE superstar CM Punk.

Duke's business partner Scott Joffe and Anthony Pettis operate Roufusport Martial Arts Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Duke has also served as color commentator for K-1 on ESPN2 and has appeared on TSN in Canada, Walker Texas Ranger and Fox's Best Damn Sport's Show Period. In January 2003, he was named one of Milwaukee Magazine's "50 People You Should Know."

Duke still lives in his hometown of Milwaukee Wisconsin with his wife Tami and their daughter.

• DUKE ROUFUS CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
  
  
  • Started Martial Arts training age 4.
    
    
  • 4th degree black belt in Roufusport Kickboxing.
    
    
  • 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo.
    
    
  • Purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
    
    
  • Kickboxing under Pat Roufus, former PKA referee & head of Fight sanctions, founder of Roufus Kickboxing.
    
    
  • 1991 WAKO Bronze Medal Continuous Contact-London, England member of WAKO US Team.
    
    
  • Muay Thai training experience at Sityodtong Camp, Fairtex MuayThai Camp, Master Toddy MuayThai Camp and Phetnoi MuayThai Camp trainers.
    
    
  • Amateur Boxing under Israel Acosta - US Olympic coach.
    
    
  • Pro Boxing under Stan Johnson, trainer of former WBC Middleweight Champion Gerald "G-Man" McClellen & former WBC Continental Americas Cruiserweight Champion Rick 'The Jet" Roufus.
    
    
  • KICKBOXING & MUAY THAI CHAMPION
    • WKA Super Heavyweight North American Champion.
    • 1995: WAKO Super Heavyweight World Champion.
    • 1996: WKBA Super Heavyweight World Champion.
    • 1997: KICK Super Heavyweight World Champion
    • 1998: IKF MuayThai Rules Super Heavyweight World Champion.
      
      
  • Roufus won his IKF Pro Muay Thai World Title on December 4th, 1998 in Milwaukee Wisconsin, USA over Hiriwa TeRangi of New Zealand unanimous decision 50-43 on all 3 judges cards.
    
    
  • On March 19th, 1999 in Milwaukee Wisconsin, USA in his only defense of the title, Roufus quieted all the critics by starting hard and fast and then landed the "A Bomb" on Australia's WKA World Champion Grant "The Bomber" Barker. In a combination which included a leg kick, 2 knees to Barker's head and finished with a high head kick. Roufus only took 39 seconds to Knockout the Australian in the opening round of the scheduled 5 round Muay Thai bout.
    
    
  • Roufus Voluntarily vacated his Super Heavyweight Title to move DOWN to the Heavyweight Muay Thai Division. He later retired.
    
    
  • However, at the end of October, 2000, Roufus announced he would come out of retirement to fight in the K-1 USA.
    He lost his second round bout in the May, 2001 K-1 USA and his opening round bout in the August K-1 USA.
    
    
  • On December 11th, 2002 Roufus claimed to have made his retirement official due to his busy schedule with promoting his own events and other work.
    
    
  • Surprise Again...
    On June 3rd, 2005 Roufus came back to the ring to fight one more time defeating Sinisa "Thunderman" Andrijasevic of Split, Croatia by unanimous decision, 48-47, 50-45 and 49-46.
    
    
  • After this bout he has said he is truly retired... But WAIT...
    
    
  • On May 5th, 2007 Roufus stepped back into the ring again, fought and defeated Brazil's Eduardo Maiorino by TKO (Leg Kicks) at :56 seconds of round 2.
    This bout did prove to be his final retirement fight.
    His final fight record was 36-8-1/26 and in pro boxing he was 2-0/1.
    Bout Video Vs Eduardo Maiorino
    
    
  • Following his retirement, Duke became one of the most recognizable MMA and striking coaches in North America, and is considered to be one of the top trainers of Muay Thai kickboxing outside of Thailand. Roufus also runs the Roufusport Fight Club team, which includes UFC stars Anthony "Showtime" Pettis (the last ever WEC World Lightweight Champion), Alan "The Talent" Belcher, Erik "New Breed" Koch, Chico "King" Camus, and Germany's Pascal "Panzer" Krauss, in addition to Olympic wrestler and Bellator Fighting Championship Welterweight World Champion Ben "Funky" Askren. Former students include former UFC Lightweight Champion Jens Pulver, The Ultimate Fighter season one star Stephan Bonnar, and UFC veterans Pat Barry, Matt Mitrione and Jesse Lennox.
    
    
  • Duke's and business partners Scott Joffe and Anthony Pettis operate Roufusport Martial Arts Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
    
    
  • Duke and Joffe also produce North American Fighting Championship live combat sports events in the U.S. and Canada.
    
    
  • Duke has also served as color commentator for K-1 on ESPN2 and has appeared on TSN in Canada, Walker Texas Ranger and Fox's Best Damn Sport's Show Period.
    
    
  • In January 2003, he was named one of Milwaukee Magazine's "50 People You Should Know."
    
    
  • Trainer of 17 IKF National Amateur Champions 1999-2001.
    
    
  • Coach of the Most Champions at IKF 2001 National Tournament.
    
    
  • Coach of 2001 Wisconsin Golden Gloves Light Heavyweight Champion.
    
    
  • Coach of 2001 Chicago Golden Gloves Women's Middleweight Champion.
    
    
  • Consultant for K-1 North America.
    
    
  • Featured in Instructional video series by World Martial Arts - "Duke Roufus MuayThai Kickboxing."
    
    
  • Fought & coached world-wide: Japan, Australia, France, Thailand, Italy, Belgium, Belarus, Canada, England, Brazil, Puerto Rico, & Germany, The Bellagio Casino and The Mirage Casino, Las Vegas, NV, Caesars Palace, Lake Tahoe, NV, Foxwoods Casino, Ledyard, CT.
    
    
  • 1998 IKF Trainer of the Year
    
    
  • 1999 IKF Trainer of the Year
    
    
  • 1998 IKF Promoter of the Year
    
    
  • 1999 IKF Promoter of the Year
    
    
  • 2000 IKF Promoter of the Year.
    
    
  • 2001: Acted on the show "Walker Texas Ranger" with Chuck Norris in an episode aptly named "Legends".
    
    
  • May 2002: Appeared on FoxSports "Best Damn Sports Show".
    
    
  • Served as a color commentator for K-1 Kickboxing on ESPN2 and for KOTC on TSN in Canada.
    
    
  • Trained Dustin Diamond, also known as "Screech" on the 1990's show "Saved by the Bell" for FOX's Celebrity Boxing. Diamond won the match by knock out, by the way.
    
    
  • For more info CLICK HERE.
    

DUKE ROUFUS YOUTUBE CHANNEL

• DUKE ROUFUS FIGHTS ON YOUTUBE
  
  
  • Duke Roufus vs Michael McDonald
    
    
  • Duke Roufus vs Pat Smith
    
    
  • Duke Roufus vs Eduardo Maiorino
    
    
  • Duke Roufus vs Andy Hug
    
    
• OTHER DUKE ROUFUS CLIPS ON YOUTUBE
  
  
  • Duke Roufus on "The Best Damn Sports Show Period"
    
    
  • Interview with Duke Roufus at Road To Glory Tournament
    
    
  • Roufusport Kickboxing Commercial
    
    
  • Roufusport BJJ Commercial
    
    
  • Roufusport Mixed Martial Arts Academy's new Milwaukee Headquarters
    
    
  • Duke Roufus Introduces Duke Roufus Striking University
    
    
  • Gorilla Music Video (Roufusport Anthem)
    
    

• MEMORABLE DUKE ROUFUS VICTORIES
  KICKBOXING & MUAY THAI CAREER: 19882007
  
  
  • June 3, 1993, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: Defeated Zinnie Reynolds of USA.
    • Won the WKA North American Title.
      
      
  • September 18, 1994, Yokohama, Japan: Defeated Takeshi Tanaka of Japan by KO by right hand punch at the K-1 Revenge event.
    
    
  • March 25, 1995, Ledyard, Connecticut, USA: Defeated Stan Longinidis of Australia by KO by overhand right hand punch at the World Cup of Martial Arts.
    • Won the WKA, ISKA and WAKO World Super Heavyweight titles.
      
      
  • June 25, 1997, Ledyard, Connecticut, USA: Defeated Patrick Smith of USA by TKO with leg kicks.
    • *Defended his KICK Super Heavyweight World title.
      • (*) Unknown when and where Duke first won this title.
        
        
  • December 4, 1998, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: Defeated Hiriwa TeRangi of New Zealand by unanimous Decision, 50-43 on all three judges' cards.
    • Won the IKF Muay Thai Rules Super Heavyweight World title.
      
      
  • March 19, 1999 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: Defeated Grant Barker of Australia by head kick KO at :39 seconds of round 1. It was Duke's only defense of his IKF title. It was done by an impressive combination of strikes which included a leg kick, 2 knees to Barker's head and finished with a high head kick.
    • Defended his IKF Muay Thai Rules Super Heavyweight World title.
      
      
  • October 23, 1999, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: Defeated Dewey Cooper of USA by unanimous decision, 50-44, 50-45 and 50-44.
    
    
  • May 5, 2001, Las Vegas, Nevada, K-1 World Grand Prix 2001: Defeated Tomasz Kucharzewski of Poland by TKO.
    • Duke lost his second tournament bout of the night to Michael McDonald of Canada by unanimous Decision.
      
      
  • September 29, 2001, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: Defeated Pedro Fernandez of Mexico TKO (Corner Stoppage - at the end of the 3-4 break Fernandez was unable to continue).
    
    
  • June 3, 2005, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: Defeated Sinisa Andrijasevic of Croatia by unanimous decision.
    
    
  • May 25, 2007, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: Defeated Eduardo Maiorino of Brazil by TKO (Leg Kicks).
    
    
  • RETIREMENT BOUT
    March 29, 2008, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: Defeated Lawson Baker of USA by unanimous decision at the Gladiators Fighting's 50th -"Knockout Kings".