> Mike's Gym

Mike’s Gym is a kickboxing and combat sports gym in Oostzaan, Netherlands, founded in 2003 by Michael Percy Passenier — known as “Big Mike.” Passenier began teaching martial arts in 2002 and opened Mike’s Gym a year later, quickly establishing it as one of the leading striking gyms in Europe. The gym suffered a severe setback on November 26, 2009, when a fire in an adjacent building destroyed the facility; Passenier rebuilt and reopened it on March 29, 2010. The gym became known for a knockout-focused training philosophy — Passenier’s fighters are noted for their willingness to finish bouts rather than work toward point decisions. Notable fighters who have trained at Mike’s Gym include Badr Hari, Melvin Manhoef, Murthel Groenhart, and Sahak Parparyan, with Alistair Overeem and Gökhan Saki also training there at various stages of their careers.