1. Overview
Errol Zimmerman, born on April 20, 1986, is a prominent Curaçaoan-Dutch kickboxer who has left a significant mark on the sport, representing the Hemmers Gym in Breda, Netherlands. Known for his powerful and often devastating fighting style, Zimmerman is a former K-1 World Grand Prix in Amsterdam champion and SuperKombat Fight Club tournaments champion. He has also been a challenger for both the Glory Heavyweight Championship and the K-1 Super Heavyweight Championship. In 2011, the World Independent Promoters Union (WIPU) recognized his exceptional contributions by naming him Kickboxer of the Year. Zimmerman has competed across major promotions including K-1, It's Showtime, SuperKombat, and GLORY, and is currently signed to ONE Championship. His career is distinguished by his impressive knockout power, often earning him the nickname 'The Bonecrusher', and his exciting performances that have captivated audiences and fellow fighters alike, contributing to the sport's landscape.
2. Early Life and Background
Errol Zimmerman's formative years were shaped by his origins and early immersion in kickboxing.
2.1. Birth and Childhood
Errol Zimmerman was born on April 20, 1986, in Breda, Netherlands. He was raised in Breda and hails from parents of both Curaçaoan and Surinamese descent.
2.2. Early Training and Kickboxing Introduction
Zimmerman began his training in kickboxing at the young age of 12. He made his competitive debut in 2001 when he was 15 years old. In the initial stages of his career, he competed in the under-187 lb (85 kg) division before steadily moving up through the weight classes, eventually establishing himself in the heavyweight division.
3. Kickboxing Career
Errol Zimmerman's kickboxing career spans over two decades, marked by his impactful presence in numerous major promotions and tournaments, demonstrating a blend of aggressive power and a resilient spirit that saw him rise through the ranks and face some of the sport's most formidable opponents.
3.1. Early Career (2001-2007)
Zimmerman's early career saw him develop his skills and establish himself in the Dutch kickboxing scene. On March 19, 2005, he secured the Dutch Muay Thai title at 190 lb (86 kg) by knocking out Bas van den Muijsenberg in Tilburg. Shortly after, on April 2, 2005, he participated in the K-1 Canarias 2005 eight-man tournament in Tenerife, Spain. He advanced to the final by knocking out local fighter Mario Ostos in the quarter-finals and Cameroon's Eric Kouman in the semi-finals, but was ultimately defeated by Henriques Zowa via unanimous decision in the final.
He rebounded from this loss by defeating Mutlu Karbulut at It's Showtime 2005 Amsterdam on June 12, 2005. Later that year, on October 2, 2005, he successfully avenged his previous loss to Henriques Zowa at Gentlemen Fight Night 2, winning by unanimous decision after five rounds. He concluded 2005 with a second-round knockout victory over Omar Bellahmar on December 17 in Maastricht, Netherlands.
The year 2006 started with a knockout loss to Naoufal Benazzouz on March 5. Despite this setback, he was invited to the K-1 Scandinavia Grand Prix 2006 in Stockholm, Sweden, on May 22. He defeated Jonathan Gromark by technical knockout in an extra round in the quarter-finals but was eliminated in the semi-finals by Magomed Magomedov via unanimous decision. Following a first-round technical knockout win over Michiel Gerlach on June 3, Zimmerman returned to the Canary Islands for the K-1 Canarias 2006 on June 16, where he was defeated by Gregory Tony on points in the first stage. Towards the end of the year, he secured two more wins, including a first-round knockout of Johan Mparpagiannis on November 27 in Stockholm and a TKO victory over Naoufal Benazzouz in Roosendaal, Netherlands, on December 9, avenging his earlier loss. This win, against a fighter recognized by Ernesto Hoost as a rising star, significantly raised Zimmerman's profile.
In 2007, Zimmerman continued his ascent, starting the year by knocking out Jerry Hofman in Amersfoort, Netherlands, on January 21. He then achieved two significant victories over K-1 veterans Brecht Wallis and Petar Majstorović. He defeated Wallis in the Netherlands on April 7. Making his K-1 debut at the K-1 Fighting Network Romania 2007 on May 4, he beat Majstorović via an extra-round majority decision in the quarter-finals. However, he lost a majority decision in a rematch against Wallis in the semi-finals. On June 2, he knocked out Gurkan Demirmenci in the first round in Tilburg, Netherlands. Zimmerman concluded 2007 by defeating veteran fighter Rodney Faverus by decision in Arnhem, Netherlands, on October 14, and by TKOing Kenan Akbulut on November 17.
3.2. Rise to Prominence (2008-2011)
The period from 2008 to 2011 marked Errol Zimmerman's significant rise in the kickboxing world, securing major titles and recognition. On January 21, 2008, he knocked out Orlando Breijdenburg in the first round at Ultimate Glory 7 in Amersfoort, Netherlands. On February 9, he competed in the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Budapest Europe Grand Prix, facing Damir Tovarovic of Croatia, whom he knocked out in the second round with a high kick.
On April 26, 2008, Zimmerman took part in the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Amsterdam. He defeated Attila Karacs via TKO due to a cut on Karacs's shin in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, despite being dropped by Björn Bregy in the first round, Zimmerman rallied to knock out the Swiss fighter with a flurry of punches at the end of the third round. He advanced to the final against Zabit Samedov, where he won a majority decision after three hard-fought rounds, becoming the K-1 European Champion and qualifying for the 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix.
At the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Seoul Final 16 on September 27, he defeated Brazilian karateka Glaube Feitosa by unanimous decision, scoring two knockdowns against him. He then qualified for the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 Final in Yokohama, Japan, on December 6. In the quarter-finals, he secured a majority decision victory over another Brazilian karate fighter, Ewerton Teixeira, after scoring a knockdown. He then faced Badr Hari in the semi-finals, engaging in a fierce exchange of knockdowns before Hari knocked him out with a right straight in the third round.
The year 2009 was comparatively less successful for Zimmerman, with three losses out of five matches. On March 28, he faced Dutch legend Peter Aerts at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 in Yokohama, losing via unanimous decision in an extra round. On May 16, he lost to Mourad Bouzidi at It's Showtime 2009 Amsterdam after the referee stopped the bout due to a cut on Zimmerman's knee. Despite these setbacks, his reputation as a top heavyweight earned him an invitation to the 2009 K-1 World Grand Prix. On September 26, in Seoul, South Korea, he rematched Glaube Feitosa at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final 16, winning by majority decision and qualifying for the final eight. Between the final sixteen and final eight, he defeated Wendell Roche by unanimous decision in an extra round at Ultimate Glory 11: A Decade of Fights in Amsterdam on October 17. At the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final on December 5 in Yokohama, Japan, he was defeated by three-time K-1 World Grand Prix champion Remy Bonjasky by unanimous decision in the quarter-finals.
On April 3, 2010, Zimmerman challenged his Golden Glory teammate Semmy Schilt for the K-1 Super Heavyweight Championship at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Yokohama. Although Zimmerman managed to land some significant strikes, Schilt dominated the match, winning by unanimous decision to retain his title. He returned to winning form on May 21, defeating Romanian fan favorite Cătălin Moroşanu in just 24 seconds at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Bucharest. However, his third appearance at the K-1 World Grand Prix on October 2 saw him face Daniel Ghiță at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Seoul Final 16, where he was knocked out less than 20 seconds into the second round. On December 11, in a superfight at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final in Tokyo, Japan, he lost a unanimous decision to Ewerton Teixeira, ending his year with a 1-3 record. He appeared out of shape during this fight, leading to a rapid drop in his ranking among top heavyweights.
Zimmerman had a strong resurgence in 2011, remaining undefeated with a 6-0 record. On March 19, he overwhelmingly defeated Zinedine Hameur-Lain in just over 30 seconds at the United Glory 13: 2010-2011 World Series Semifinals in Charleroi, Belgium, breaking Hameur-Lain's left arm in the process. On May 28, at United Glory 14: 2010-2011 World Series Finals in Moscow, Russia, he avenged his 2009 loss to Mourad Bouzidi by winning a unanimous decision. He continued his dominant streak by knocking out Nikolaj Falin within 15 seconds of the first round in Merseburg, Germany, on August 28. On November 17, he participated in a one-night, eight-man tournament at the SuperKombat: Fight Club event in Oradea, Romania. He won the tournament decisively, finishing all three of his opponents: he knocked out Sebastian van Thielen in the quarter-finals, stopped German veteran Stefan Leko in the semi-finals, and knocked out Roman Kleibl with a high kick just seconds into the second round of the final. For his impressive performances, WIPU voted him the Kickboxer of the Year in 2011.
3.3. Glory and Later Career (2012-Present)
Errol Zimmerman's career from 2012 onwards saw him transition to GLORY, engage in significant rematches, and navigate through challenges including injuries. He began 2012 impressively by knocking out Rico Verhoeven in less than a minute of the first round with a four-punch combination at It's Showtime 2012 in Leeuwarden on January 28. He continued his winning ways by demolishing Jérôme Le Banner in the first round at United Glory 15 on March 23 in Moscow, Russia.
However, his winning streak ended when he lost a rematch to Semmy Schilt at Glory 1: Stockholm on May 26. Despite rocking Schilt multiple times, Zimmerman's lack of mobility and head movement made him an easy target, leading to his corner stopping the fight in the third round. He then competed in the 2012 Glory Heavyweight Grand Slam at Glory 4: Tokyo on December 31, 2012, in Saitama, Japan, where he surprisingly lost to the underdog Jamal Ben Saddik in the opening stage, suffering two knockdowns and losing a unanimous decision after two two-minute rounds.
On June 22, 2013, he rematched Rico Verhoeven at Glory 9: New York in New York City. Despite Verhoeven being deducted a point for rabbit punching, Zimmerman was outworked and outstruck, losing by unanimous decision. On October 12, 2013, he secured a TKO victory over Hesdy Gerges in the third round of the tournament reserve match at Glory 11: Chicago in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States. Later that year, on December 21, 2013, he was knocked out by Daniel Ghiță for the second time at Glory 13: Tokyo in Japan, succumbing to a left hook just 35 seconds into the first round.
In 2014, Zimmerman achieved a significant victory at Glory 16: Denver on May 3, 2014, in Broomfield, Colorado, US. He won the Heavyweight Contendership Tournament by stopping Ben Edwards in the first round with two knockdowns in the semi-finals, and then delivered an almost identical performance against Anderson "Braddock" Silva in the final, knocking him down three times to win via another first-round TKO. In a post-fight press conference, Zimmerman revealed that he would have retired if he had lost the tournament.
The trilogy of fights against Rico Verhoeven concluded on February 6, 2015, at Glory 19: Virginia in Hampton, Virginia, United States. The anticipated bout ended anti-climactically when Zimmerman sustained a knee injury in the second round, leading to a TKO loss and allowing Verhoeven to retain his Heavyweight title. Ten months later, at Glory 26: Amsterdam, Zimmerman fought Thomas Vanneste, losing by split decision.
After his departure from Glory, Zimmerman fought Viktor Bogutzki during Mix Fight Gala 20 on December 3, 2016, winning by a second-round knockout. In 2017, he challenged Murat Aygun for the WFL Heavyweight title but lost by decision. A month later, he entered the A1 WCC Heavyweight Qualification Tournament, defeating Rinus Douma by decision in the semi-finals but losing to Adnan Redžović by knockout in the finals. He then lost a rematch to Zabit Samedov by unanimous decision. Zimmerman broke his losing streak with a first-round knockout of Luca Panto.
In 2018, Zimmerman had two fights, losing a unanimous decision to Patrick Schmid in the A1WCC Champions League Heavyweight Tournament and being knocked out by Nidal Bchiri during Enfusion 70. Following a two-year layoff, Zimmerman returned to competition on December 4, 2020, facing Rade Opačić at ONE Championship: Big Bang 2 in Singapore. He lost the fight by knockout in the second round after being unable to beat the ten-count following a spinning heel kick.
More recently, Zimmerman has seen a resurgence. On December 9, 2022, he secured a first-round knockout victory over Tomáš Hron with a low kick at Mega Fight Arena in Istanbul, Turkey. On June 13, 2024, he won by first-round knockout against Michail Karamousketas due to low kicks at K-1 Fighting Network Romania 2024 in Galați, Romania. On October 5, 2024, at K-1 World GP 2024 in Osaka, he defeated Shota Yamaguchi by third-round knockout with a right hook. He then qualified for the K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 Final, held in Tokyo, Japan, on December 14, 2024. In the quarter-finals, he defeated K-Jee by knockout with a left hook in the second round. In the semi-finals of the same tournament, he lost to Ariel Machado via second-round TKO due to low kicks.
4. Mixed Martial Arts Career
Errol Zimmerman has also engaged in mixed martial arts (MMA) bouts, showcasing his versatility beyond kickboxing. He made his Mixed martial arts debut at the annual New Year's Eve martial arts event, Dynamite!! 2008, on December 31, 2008, in Saitama, Japan. He faced Ikuhisa Minowa, a Japanese catch wrestler known for fighting much larger opponents and his submission expertise. Zimmerman lost the Openweight bout in the first round by submission via a toe hold, a rare move in MMA. Following the fight, Zimmerman expressed a desire to continue in MMA, noting he had only one week to train for the bout and wished for more preparation time in the future.
Nearly fifteen years after his debut, Zimmerman returned to the sport on April 22, 2023, for his second professional MMA fight. He competed against Tomasz Sarara at KSW 81: Bartosiński vs. Szczepaniak in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Poland. In this heavyweight debut, Zimmerman secured a victory by second-round technical knockout due to punches, demonstrating his striking power in a different combat discipline.
5. Professional Fight Records
Errol Zimmerman's professional kickboxing and mixed martial arts records are detailed below.
5.1. Kickboxing Record
Errol Zimmerman holds a kickboxing record of 86 wins (50 by (T)KO, 36 by decision), 29 losses, and 1 no contest.
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-12-14 | Loss | Ariel Machado | K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 Final, Semifinals | Tokyo, Japan | TKO (2 Knockdowns/low kicks) | 2 | 2:33 | |
| 2024-12-14 | Win | K-Jee | K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 Final, Quarterfinals | Tokyo, Japan | KO (Left hook) | 2 | 0:58 | |
| 2024-10-05 | Win | Shota Yamaguchi | K-1 World GP 2024 in Osaka | Osaka, Japan | KO (Right hook) | 3 | 1:14 | Qualified for K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 Final. |
| 2024-06-13 | Win | Michail Karamousketas | K-1 Fighting Network Romania 2024 | Galați, Romania | KO (Low kicks) | 1 | 1:43 | |
| 2022-12-09 | Win | Tomáš Hron | Mega Fight Arena | Istanbul, Turkey | KO (Low kick) | 1 | 1:05 | |
| 2022-06-18 | Win | Marcin Rózalski | KSW 71 | Toruń, Poland | TKO (Punches) | 2 | 1:26 | |
| 2020-12-04 | Loss | Rade Opačić | ONE Championship: Big Bang 2 | Singapore | KO (Spinning heel kick) | 2 | 1:35 | |
| 2018-09-15 | Loss | Nidal Bchiri | Enfusion Live 70 | Belgium | KO (right hook) | 3 | N/A | |
| 2018-05-05 | Loss | Patrick Schmid | A1WCC Champions League Heavyweight Tournament - Quarter finals | Belgium | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-09-23 | Win | Luca Panto | A1 World Combat Cup | Belgium | KO (left hook) | 1 | N/A | |
| 2017-08-23 | Loss | Zabit Samedov | Akhmat Fight Show | Grozny, Russia | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-05-13 | Loss | Adnan Redžović | A1 World Combat Cup, Final | Eindhoven, Netherlands | KO (Right hook) | 2 | For the A1 WCC Heavyweight Qualification Tournament Title. | |
| 2017-05-13 | Win | Rinus Douma | A1 World Combat Cup, Semi Finals | Eindhoven, Netherlands | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-04-23 | Loss | Murat Aygun | WFL - Champion vs. Champion | Almere, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | For the WFL Heavyweight Championship. |
| 2016-12-03 | Win | Viktor Bogutzki | Mix Fight Gala 20 | Frankfurt, Germany | KO | 2 | N/A | |
| 2015-12-04 | Loss | Thomas Vanneste | Glory 26: Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (split) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2015-02-06 | Loss | Rico Verhoeven | Glory 19: Virginia | Hampton, Virginia, United States | TKO (knee injury) | 2 | 2:17 | For the Glory Heavyweight Championship. |
| 2014-05-03 | Win | Anderson "Braddock" Silva | Glory 16: Denver - Heavyweight Contender Tournament, Final | Broomfield, Colorado, US | TKO (right hook) | 1 | 2:30 | Wins the Glory Heavyweight Contender Tournament. |
| 2014-05-03 | Win | Ben Edwards | Glory 16: Denver - Heavyweight Contender Tournament, Semi Finals | Broomfield, Colorado, US | TKO (right hook) | 1 | 2:50 | |
| 2013-12-21 | Loss | Daniel Ghiță | Glory 13: Tokyo | Tokyo, Japan | KO (left hook) | 1 | 0:35 | |
| 2013-10-12 | Win | Hesdy Gerges | Glory 11: Chicago - Heavyweight World Championship Tournament, Reserve Fight | Hoffman Estates, Illinois, US | TKO (right hook) | 3 | 0:38 | |
| 2013-06-22 | Loss | Rico Verhoeven | Glory 9: New York | New York City, US | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2012-12-31 | Loss | Jamal Ben Saddik | Glory 4: Tokyo - Heavyweight Grand Slam Tournament, First Round | Saitama, Japan | Decision (unanimous) | 2 | 2:00 | |
| 2012-05-26 | Loss | Semmy Schilt | Glory 1: Stockholm | Stockholm, Sweden | TKO (corner stoppage) | 3 | 2:00 | For the Glory Heavyweight Championship. |
| 2012-03-23 | Win | Jérôme Le Banner | United Glory 15 | Moscow, Russia | TKO (referee stoppage) | 1 | 2:21 | |
| 2012-01-28 | Win | Rico Verhoeven | It's Showtime 2012 in Leeuwarden | Leeuwarden, Netherlands | KO (left uppercut) | 1 | 0:59 | |
| 2011-11-17 | Win | Roman Kleibl | SuperKombat Fight Club, Final | Oradea, Romania | KO (right high kick) | 2 | 0:08 | Won the SuperKombat Fight Club tournament title. |
| 2011-11-17 | Win | Stefan Leko | SuperKombat Fight Club, Semi Finals | Oradea, Romania | TKO (referee stoppage) | 1 | 0:58 | |
| 2011-11-17 | Win | Sebastian van Thielen | SuperKombat Fight Club, Quarter Finals | Oradea, Romania | KO (right hook) | 1 | 1:30 | |
| 2011-08-28 | Win | Nikolaj Falin | 4. Merseburger Fight Night | Merseburg, Germany | KO (left hook) | 1 | 0:15 | |
| 2011-05-28 | Win | Mourad Bouzidi | United Glory 14: 2010-2011 World Series Finals | Moscow, Russia | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2011-03-19 | Win | Zinedine Hameur-Lain | United Glory 13: 2010-2011 World Series Semifinals | Charleroi, Belgium | TKO (referee stoppage) | 1 | 0:33 | |
| 2010-12-11 | Loss | Ewerton Teixeira | K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2010-10-02 | Loss | Daniel Ghiță | K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Seoul Final 16 | Seoul, South Korea | KO (straight right) | 2 | 0:18 | |
| 2010-05-21 | Win | Cătălin Moroşanu | K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Bucharest | Bucharest, Romania | TKO (referee stoppage) | 1 | 0:24 | |
| 2010-04-03 | Loss | Semmy Schilt | K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Yokohama | Yokohama, Japan | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | For K-1 Super Heavyweight Championship. |
| 2009-12-05 | Loss | Remy Bonjasky | K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final, Quarter Finals | Yokohama, Japan | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2009-10-17 | Win | Wendell Roche | Ultimate Glory 11: A Decade of Fights | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Extra round decision (unanimous) | 4 | 3:00 | |
| 2009-09-26 | Win | Glaube Feitosa | K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final 16 | Seoul, South Korea | Decision (majority) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2009-05-16 | Loss | Mourad Bouzidi | It's Showtime 2009 Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | TKO (cut knee) | 1 | N/A | |
| 2009-03-28 | Loss | Peter Aerts | K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 in Yokohama | Yokohama, Japan | Extra round decision (unanimous) | 4 | 3:00 | |
| 2008-12-06 | Loss | Badr Hari | K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 Final, Semi Finals | Yokohama, Japan | KO (straight punch) | 3 | 2:15 | |
| 2008-12-06 | Win | Ewerton Teixeira | K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 Final, Quarter Finals | Yokohama, Japan | Decision (majority) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2008-09-27 | Win | Glaube Feitosa | K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Seoul Final 16 | Seoul, South Korea | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2008-04-26 | Win | Zabit Samedov | K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Amsterdam, Final | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (majority) | 3 | 3:00 | Won K-1 World GP 2008 in Amsterdam tournament title. |
| 2008-04-26 | Win | Bjorn Bregy | K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Amsterdam, Semi Finals | Amsterdam, Netherlands | KO (punches) | 3 | 2:59 | |
| 2008-04-26 | Win | Attila Karacs | K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Amsterdam, Quarter Finals | Amsterdam, Netherlands | TKO (leg injury) | 1 | 2:10 | |
| 2008-03-15 | Win | Rene Rooze | It's Showtime 75MAX Trophy 2008 | 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands | TKO (cut shin) | 2 | N/A | |
| 2008-02-09 | Win | Damir Tovarovic | K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Budapest | Budapest, Hungary | KO (right high kick) | 2 | 2:32 | |
| 2008-01-21 | Win | Orlando Breijdenburg | Ultimate Glory 7 | Amersfoort, Netherlands | KO (right hook) | 1 | 2:36 | |
| 2007-11-17 | Win | Kenan Akbulut | Ultimate Glory 6 | Ede, Netherlands | TKO | N/A | N/A | |
| 2007-10-14 | Win | Rodney Faverus | The Battle of Arnhem 6 | Arnhem, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2007-06-02 | Win | Gurkan Demirmenci | Gentlemen Promotions | Tilburg, Netherlands | KO | 1 | N/A | |
| 2007-05-04 | Loss | Brecht Wallis | K-1 Fighting Network Romania 2007, Semi Finals | Bucharest, Romania | Decision (majority) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2007-05-04 | Win | Petar Majstorović | K-1 Fighting Network Romania 2007, Quarter Finals | Bucharest, Romania | Extra round decision (majority) | 4 | 3:00 | |
| 2007-04-07 | Win | Brecht Wallis | Balans Fight Night | Netherlands | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2007-01-21 | Win | Jerry Hofman | Ultimate Glory 2 | Amersfoort, Netherlands | KO | 1 | N/A | |
| 2006-12-09 | Win | Naoufal Benazzouz | Judgement Day | Roosendaal, Netherlands | TKO (punches) | 3 | N/A | |
| 2006-11-27 | Win | Johan Mparpagiannis | K-1 World MAX North European Qualification 2007 | Stockholm, Sweden | KO | 1 | 2:02 | |
| 2006-06-16 | Loss | Gregory Tony | K-1 Canarias 2006, Quarter Finals | Tenerife, Spain | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2006-06-03 | Win | Michiel Gerlach | Gentlemen Fight Night 3 | Tilburg, Netherlands | TKO | 1 | N/A | |
| 2006-05-22 | Loss | Magomed Magomedov | K-1 Scandinavia Grand Prix 2006, Semi Finals | Stockholm, Sweden | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2006-05-22 | Win | Jonathan Gromark | K-1 Scandinavia Grand Prix 2006, Quarter Finals | Stockholm, Sweden | TKO | 4 | N/A | |
| 2006-03-05 | Loss | Naoufal Benazzouz | Future Battle | Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands | KO (right hook) | N/A | N/A | |
| 2005-12-17 | Win | Omar Bellahmar | 2 Hot 2 Handle | Maastricht, Netherlands | KO | 2 | N/A | |
| 2005-10-02 | Win | Henriques Zowa | Gentlemen Fight Night 2 | Tilburg, Netherlands | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2005-06-12 | Win | Mutlu Karbulut | It's Showtime 2005 Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | KO | 2 | N/A | |
| 2005-04-02 | Loss | Henriques Zowa | K-1 Canarias 2005, Final | Tenerife, Spain | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | For K-1 Canarias 2005 tournament title. |
| 2005-04-02 | Win | Eric Kouman | K-1 Canarias 2005, Semi Finals | Tenerife, Spain | KO | 1 | N/A | |
| 2005-04-02 | Win | Mario Ostos | K-1 Canarias 2005, Quarter Finals | Tenerife, Spain | KO | 1 | N/A | |
| 2005-03-19 | Win | Bas van den Muijsenberg | Gentlemen Promotion | Tilburg, Netherlands | KO | N/A | N/A | Won MTBN Dutch Muay Thai -86kg Championship. |
| 2004-11-26 | Win | Tomáš Hron | Kings of the Ring: Prestige Fights | Brno, Czech Republic | Decision (split) | 5 | 2:00 | |
| 2004-07-11 | Win | Jeroen de Groot | Cage Carnage | Liverpool, England | TKO | N/A | N/A | |
| 2004-07-02 | Loss | Tomáš Hron | Kings of the Ring: World GP 85 kg, Semi Finals | Brno, Czech Republic | Decision (majority) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2004-07-02 | Win | Antonio Medelin | Kings of the Ring: World GP 85 kg, Quarter Finals | Brno, Czech Republic | KO (knee) | 2 | 1:20 | |
| 2004-06-23 | NC | El Mourabit | Kickboxing Gala in Mons | Mons, Belgium | NC (broken arm) | 1 | N/A | |
| 2003-04-26 | Win | Ali Chavoruh | Thaiboxing @ Sportcenter Inslag | Breda, Netherlands | KO | 2 | N/A | |
| 2002-11-16 | Loss | Frederico Chakuriki Gym | Kickboksgala, Sportcentrum "de Inslag" | Breda, Netherlands | KO (left hook) | 1 | N/A | |
| 2002-05-25 | Loss | Henko Kent | No Limits Tonight | Dommelen, Netherlands | KO | N/A | N/A | |
| 2002-04-27 | Loss | Marlon Martis | Fight gala in Kunstijsbaan | Eindhoven, Netherlands | KO | 4 | N/A | |
| 2002-04-06 | Win | Alireza Moetaghari | Muay Thai & Mix Fight Gala | Rhoon, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 2:00 | |
| 2001-11-03 | Win | Khaled Ben Ali Gym | Breidushal | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 2:00 |
5.2. Mixed Martial Arts Record
Errol Zimmerman holds a mixed martial arts record of 1 win (1 by KO) and 1 loss (1 by submission).
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1-1 | Tomasz Sarara | TKO (punches) | KSW 81: Bartosiński vs. Szczepaniak | April 22, 2023 | 2 | 3:53 | Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Poland | Heavyweight debut. | |
| Loss | 0-1 | Ikuhisa Minowa | Submission (toe hold) | Dynamite | 2008 | December 31, 2008 | 1 | 1:01 | Saitama, Japan | Openweight bout. |
6. Personal Life
Beyond his combat sports career, Errol Zimmerman's personal life includes his family background and the origins of his distinctive public image.
6.1. Background and Family
Errol Zimmerman was born and raised in Breda, the Netherlands. His familial roots connect him to both Curaçaoan and Surinamese heritage. Zimmerman is a father to two daughters and a son. His son was notably named after his former trainer, the legendary Dutch Muay Thai fighter Ramon Dekkers, reflecting the deep respect and influence Dekkers had on his career. Errol also has a brother, Benji Zimmerman, who is also a kickboxer.
6.2. Public Image and Nicknames
Errol Zimmerman is widely recognized by his formidable nickname, 'The Bonecrusher'. This moniker stems from incidents where his powerful strikes led to his opponents sustaining broken bones, such as a broken arm or skull fractures. This intense fighting style is also reflected in his ring attire, often featuring skull motifs or "bone suits" during his entrances, along with bone-shaped designs on his fight trunks and ankle guards.
Another well-known nickname, particularly in Japan, is 'エロジマンErojimanJapanese'. This nickname originated in 2008 when Japanese television personality Maki Nishiyama playfully shortened his name during an SRS broadcast. Both K-1 and Fuji TV actively promoted the nickname, and Zimmerman himself embraced it, positively interpreting it as a compliment to his "sexiness." His public image is also characterized by his strong camaraderie with fellow fighters, notably his Golden Glory teammate Gökhan Saki, with whom he often seconds each other's fights.
7. Titles and Achievements
Errol Zimmerman has accumulated numerous titles and accolades throughout his distinguished kickboxing career.
- A1 World Combat Cup
- 2017 A1 WCC Heavyweight Qualification Tournament Runner Up
- Glory
- 2014 Glory Heavyweight Contender Tournament Winner
- Muay Thai Bond Nederland
- MTBN Dutch Muay Thai -190 lb (86 kg) Championship (2005)
- K-1
- 2005 K-1 Canarias runner-up
- 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix in Amsterdam Champion (Europe GP Winner)
- 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix Final 3rd place
- SuperKombat Fighting Championship
- SuperKombat Fight Club Tournament Champion (2011)
- 2011 SuperKombat Knockout of the Year (vs. Roman Kleibl)
- World Independent Promoters Union (WIPU)
- 2011 Kickboxer of the Year
- Kickboxing Romania Awards
- 2024 Foreign Fighter of the Year
8. Legacy
Errol Zimmerman's legacy in kickboxing is defined by his explosive fighting style, his resilience, and his significant impact on the sport's global landscape, particularly during the K-1 and GLORY eras. His powerful and aggressive approach, which often resulted in devastating knockouts, captivated audiences worldwide and earned him the moniker 'The Bonecrusher'. This raw power made him a fan favorite and a formidable challenge for any opponent, consistently delivering exciting and memorable fights.
Zimmerman was identified early in his career by K-1 producers as a rising star, embodying the "next generation" of heavyweight kickboxers. His ability to overcome setbacks, such as his losses to top-tier fighters like Semmy Schilt and Badr Hari, and then bounce back with impressive victories, underscores his enduring determination. Despite periods of inconsistency, his knockout power and willingness to engage in thrilling exchanges ensured he remained a compelling figure in the sport. His presence in major promotions like K-1 and GLORY, coupled with his distinctive public persona, helped popularize the sport and draw attention to heavyweight kickboxing. Zimmerman's career stands as a testament to the electrifying nature of the sport, leaving a lasting impression on fans and contributing to the competitive standards of heavyweight kickboxing.