Tarik Khbabez: Half‑Century of Punches & a Bouncing‑Back Saga
50 Fights, 50 Fist‑Fulls – 26 October Marks a Milestone
On the 26th of October, Tarik Khbabez will step into the cage for the 50th time in professional kickboxing. He’s set to face Ibrahim El Bouni during ONE: Pursuit of Greatness in Yangon, Myanmar. Reaching that half‑hundred is no small feat, especially when you’ve dodged a few life‑twisting detours along the way.
History of Hitches: The Body‑Breakup Chronicles
- 2012 – Back surgery that put him on a six‑month hiatus.
- 2013 – Knee surgery? Six months. Six months later, another nine‑month exile.
- Post‑surgery, a trickle of setbacks: a lingering knee misbehave that stalled the return for an extra three months.
During those quieter seasons, the “broke‑belt‑babe” beefed up his willpower. Tarik kept a grin in spite of the toll and leaned on the support of friends, family, and his own old fight reels for a rallying buzz.
Motivation Fuel: Old Teasers, New Dreams
“Even when the odds were stacked against me, I stayed upbeat,” he says. “I knew a safe landing was in the cards. The people close to me pumped in the love and the energy.” He adds that replaying his past bouts served as a powerhouse, inspiring him to push harder in recovery.
“When I was finally ready to lace up again, it felt like a spring in my chest. I was home, I was kicking, I was me.”
SuperKOMBAT Triumphs – A Quick Fire Sequence
- 2014 – Clinched the SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix.
- Follow‑up wins: Two SUPERKOMBAT Heavyweight World Titles – a golden run back on track.
1966? 2016 — The Russian Rumble That Got Ugly
“In 2016, I flew to Russia for a fight that turned into a nightmare,” Tarik recounts. He plopped into the ER at landing, where a quick decision on surgery turned out to mean a three‑day coma.
He jokingly notes, “Turns out a bacterial infection can turn that exciting travel plan into a survival story.” Even with two messy surgeries to the back and knees, uncertain vibes fluttered his destiny. “I had a nagging doubt: Would I ever step onto the ONE podium again?”
Five Months After a Flatbed Life – A Comeback That Wasn’t Just About Punches
When he awoke from the coma, the 50‑year‑old Moroccan rebounded onto the training floor just five months later. He claims the brush‑with‑death experience gave him a new perspective on life and a boost of toughness.
He shares: “Everyone battles, and those struggles forge you into the fighter you are. I learned the hard way that your body is king — treat it like royalty.”
The GOAT Lesson – Life’s Punchlines and Knock‑outs
Tarik’s journey isn’t just about the physical. He says, “Feel the burn, but listen. Your body tells you when it needs a break; heed it.” This mantra, formed in the crucible of injury, helps him remain resilient.
What’s Next? One Fight, One Goal
With the big ONE bout in Yangon on the horizon, Tarik’s intent is clear: Showcase his bounce‑back spirit! He’s ready to headline the new‑look, heavy‑weight kickboxing lineup and remind everyone that the fight never ends—sometimes it just ends, then begins again.
