View source for Denis Kang

{{short description|Canadian mixed martial arts fighter}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name            = Denis Kang
| other_names     = 
| image           = Denis Kang UFC 105.jpg
| image_size      =
| alt             =
| caption         =  Kang (pictured right) at weigh-ins in November 2009
| birth_name      =
| birth_date      = {{Birth date and age|1977|9|17|mf=y}}
| birth_place     = [[Saint-Pierre, Saint Pierre and Miquelon|Saint-Pierre]], [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]]
| style  = 
| death_place     =
| death_cause     =
| residence       =
| nationality     = [[Canadians|Canadian]]
| height          = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}
| weight          = {{convert|185|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}
| weight_class    = [[Heavyweight (MMA)|Heavyweight]]<br>[[Light Heavyweight (MMA)|Light Heavyweight]]<br>[[Middleweight (MMA)|Middleweight]]
| reach           = {{convert|77.0|in|cm|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fightmagazine.com/fighters/denis-kang-601.htm |title=Denis Kang - middleweight - Mixed Martial Arts Fighter - FIGHT! Magazine |access-date=2011-04-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004163150/http://www.fightmagazine.com/fighters/denis-kang-601.htm |archive-date=2011-10-04 }}</ref>
| stance          =
| fighting_out_of = [[North Vancouver (city)|North Vancouver, British Columbia]], Canada<br>[[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
| team            = [[American Top Team]] <br/> [[Tristar Gym|Zahabi MMA]] <br/> [[Tristar Gym]]
| rank            = ''5th deg. [[BJJ]] black belt'' under [[Marcus Soares]]
| years_active    = 1998–2013
| kickbox_win     = 0
| kickbox_kowin   =
| kickbox_loss    = 1
| kickbox_koloss  = 1
| kickbox_draw    = 0
| mma_kowin       = 15
| mma_subwin      = 14
| mma_decwin      = 6
| mma_koloss      = 6
| mma_subloss     = 8
| mma_decloss     = 2
| mma_draw        = 2
| mma_nc          = 2
| url             = [https://web.archive.org/web/20051206005344/http://www.deniskang.com/ www.deniskang.com]
| sherdog         = 935
| footnotes       =
| updated         =
|medaltemplates = 
{{MedalCountry|{{CAN}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Submission Wrestling]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship#ADCC North American Championship|ADCC North American Championships]]}} 
{{MedalGold | 2002 [[Los Angeles]] | -88kg}}
}}

{{Infobox Korean name
| hangul = 데니스 강
| hanja  = denis 姜
| rr     = Denis Gang
| mr     = Tenisŭ Kang
}}

'''Denis Kang''' ({{Korean|강대수}}, born September 17, 1977) is a retired [[Canadians|Canadian]] professional [[mixed martial arts|mixed martial artist]] who most recently competed in the [[Middleweight (MMA)|Middleweight]] division. A professional competitor since 1998, Kang has formerly competed for the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]], [[PRIDE Fighting Championships|PRIDE]], [[Dream (mixed martial arts)|DREAM]], [[Impact FC]], [[M-1 Global]], [[K-1 Hero's|K-1 HERO'S]], [[ROAD Fighting Championship|ROAD FC]], and [[Pancrase]]. In his prime he was ranked one of the top fighters in the world and scored notable wins over [[Pat Healy (fighter)|Pat Healy]], [[Marvin Eastman]],  [[Akihiro Gono]] and [[Murilo Rua]].

== Background ==
Kang was born in the French [[overseas collectivity]] of [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]] to a Korean father and French mother.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2008-05-29 |title=Biography |url=http://www.deniskang.com/bio.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613194514/http://www.deniskang.com/bio.html |archive-date=2008-06-13 |website=Denis Kang's Official Website}}</ref>  He and his family relocated to the [[Canary Islands]] and finally [[North Vancouver (city)|North Vancouver]], British Columbia, Canada, in 1988 when he was 11 years old. During this period Kang trained multiple martial arts styles. such as [[Wrestling]], [[Judo]], [[Taekwondo]], and [[Kyokushin Karate]]. After some years from their arrival to Vancouver, he started taking [[Hapkido]] lessons by encouragement of his parents. Kang transitioned into [[Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu]] and [[Kickboxing]] in high school because he wanted to improve in his ground game more than practice self-defense.

== Mixed martial arts career ==

=== Early career ===
Kang's MMA career began in 1998 at the Ultimate Warrior Challenge in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Kang was successful in his debut fight, winning by [[submission (combat sport)|submission]] (rear naked choke) over Eric Harcrow. Kang would go on to win his next 2 fights before going 2–5 over his next 8 with one no contest against [[Dennis Hallman]]. He would go 7–7 with one no contest in his first 15 fights, with a few convincing defeats.

After winning five of his next six fights, Kang signed a contract with Spirit MC, a South Korea [[Mixed martial arts|MMA]] organization. Denis went 5–0 while fighting in Korea and was crowned the Spirit MC Heavyweight Champion.  Following this, Denis relocated to [[Florida]] and joined [[American Top Team]].

It was at this time that Kang caught the attention of the [[PRIDE Fighting Championships]]. Kang signed a contract with PRIDE and made his debut at ''[[PRIDE Bushido 6]]'', where he defeated Japanese opponent Takahiro Oba via [[armbar]] at 4:24 of round one. Under the Korean banner, Denis went on to win his next two fights in PRIDE, with a victory coming over Englishman Mark Weir at ''[[PRIDE Bushido 10]]''. In between fights for Pride, Denis fought American Albert Basconcelles and knocked him out within 12 seconds of the opening bell.  At ''[[PRIDE Bushido 11|Bushido 11]]'', Kang continued his winning streak by knocking out [[Chute Boxe]] member [[Murilo Rua|Murilo "Ninja" Rua]] in 15 seconds in the first round of the PRIDE Bushido [[welterweight (MMA)|Welterweight]] (183&nbsp;lb) Grand Prix.  At [[PRIDE Bushido 12|Bushido 12]], Denis submitted [[Armenian people|Armenian]] [[Amar Suloev]] via [[rear naked choke]] to advance to the semi-final round of the Welterweight Grand Prix. With this win, Kang was then 18–0–1 in his last 19 contests. However, after advancing through the semi-final round of the Bushido tournament and beating [[Akihiro Gono]] on November 5, 2006, he was defeated by [[Kazuo Misaki]] in the final at [[PRIDE Bushido 13|Bushido 13]]. Kang had torn his right biceps muscle earlier that night in his win over Gono.<ref name="nok2">{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.nokaut.com/?id=12&solo_news=583&lang=e&cur=eur
 |title       = Din Thomas - Talks PRIDE and the Future
 |last        = Bolduc
 |first       = Justin
 |date        = November 28, 2006
 |website     = Nokaut.com
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222654/http://www.nokaut.com/?id=12&solo_news=583&lang=e&cur=eur
 |archive-date = September 27, 2007
}}</ref>

Kang had only one match in 2007 after breaking his hand (an injury that will reappear over and over again) in a match against Jungkyu Choi for the Spirit MC Heavyweight Championship on March 11. Kang won via unanimous decision but was unable to compete for several months.{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}}

After the contract termination of [[Pride Fighting Championships|PRIDE]], Kang moved to [[K-1 Hero's]] maintaining the championship of Spirit MC. Kang made his [[Hero's|K-1 Hero's]] debut on October 28, 2007, in "K-1 Hero's in Seoul". His opponent was [[Yoshihiro Akiyama]] who was returning to [[Mixed martial arts|MMA]] after a 10-month suspension. Kang lost via TKO.

Kang next fight was on April 29, 2008, in the opening round of the [[Dream 2|Dream 2: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 First Round]], losing to [[Gegard Mousasi]] via [[triangle choke]].

On August 30, 2008, Kang defended his Spirit MC Heavyweight Championship by defeating Kim Jae Young by TKO due to strikes at 1:31 of the first round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sherdog.com/news/articles/kang-stomps-kim-again-14239|title=Kang Stomps Kim, Again|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=15 May 2017}}</ref>

Kang defeated UFC veteran [[Marvin Eastman]] by TKO on October 25, 2008, at "Raw Combat: Redemption" in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  The fight lasted 48 seconds.

=== Ultimate Fighting Championship ===
Kang made his UFC debut on January 17, 2009, against [[Alan Belcher]] despite suffering from ankle injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kr.news.yahoo.com/service/news/shellview.htm?articleid=2009021716405230694&linkid=343&newssetid=1867|title=Yahoo!|website=kr.news.yahoo.com|access-date=15 May 2017}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Although Kang controlled the fight, he lost by [[guillotine choke]] at the end of round two after a takedown attempt.

Kang redeemed  himself with a victory over Xavier Foupa-Pokam at [[UFC 97]] by unanimous decision.

Kang faced [[Michael Bisping]] on November 14, 2009, at [[UFC 105]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://insidefights.com/2009/08/21/report-michael-bisping-vs-denis-kang-to-headline-ufc-105/ |title=Report: Michael Bisping vs. Denis Kang at UFC 105 |publisher=Inside Fights |date=2009-08-16 |access-date=2009-08-21 |archive-date=2009-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825062651/http://insidefights.com/2009/08/21/report-michael-bisping-vs-denis-kang-to-headline-ufc-105/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In an interview about his fight with Bisping, Kang revealed he wanted a title fight with Anderson Silva.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifight365.com/2009/11/ufc-exclusive-denis-kang-talks-bisping-pride-and-anderson-silva/ |publisher=iFight365.com |title=Denis Kang talks Bisping, PRIDE and Anderson Silva |access-date=2009-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115080855/http://www.ifight365.com/2009/11/ufc-exclusive-denis-kang-talks-bisping-pride-and-anderson-silva/ |archive-date=2009-11-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bisping TKO'd Kang in the 2nd round.<ref name="mmaweekly.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=9998&zoneid=13 |title=- BISPING FINISHES KANG AT UFC 105- MMA WEEKLY - Mixed Martial Arts & UFC News, Photos, Rankings & more |access-date=2009-11-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091119125950/http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=9998&zoneid=13 |archive-date=2009-11-19 }}</ref> Even though Bisping was the crowd favorite in his home town [[Manchester]] and Kang was being booed on, Kang dropped Bisping with a right hand in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/16843/ufc-105-play-by-play-and-live-results.mma |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-11-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115123735/http://mmajunkie.com/news/16843/ufc-105-play-by-play-and-live-results.mma |archive-date=2009-11-15 }}</ref> Kang followed Bisping to the floor and attempted submissions, but Bisping defended well and neutralised Kang's attacks despite Kang briefly having full mount.<ref name="mmaweekly.com"/> In the 2nd round Bisping secured a single-leg takedown and the momentum of the fight shifted : he unleashed a vicious ground and pound attack on the Canadian, which Kang failed to recover from.<ref>[http://www.canada.com/Couture+earns+unanimous+decision+over+Vera/2225768/story.html] {{dead link|date=May 2017}}</ref> The fight was awarded Fight of the Night honours, giving both Kang and Bisping a $40,000 bonus check.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/16854/ufc-105-fighter-bonuses-40000-awards-issued-to-quartet-of-fighters.mma |title=UFC 105 fighter bonuses: Bisping, Kang, Siver and Etim each earn $40K &#124; MMAjunkie.com |access-date=2010-07-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205071147/http://mmajunkie.com/news/16854/ufc-105-fighter-bonuses-40000-awards-issued-to-quartet-of-fighters.mma |archive-date=2010-02-05 }}</ref>

Kang was cut from the UFC on Dec. 9 2009, along with [[Brock Larson]], [[Rolando Delgado]] and [[Jason Dent]].  Kang announced that he had signed with W1 MMA, and that he would fight for their vacant middleweight title on December 18, 2010, in Montreal, Quebec.

=== Post-UFC ===
Denis defeated Dae Won Kim at W-1: Judgment day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmehfighter.com/2010/06/19/w1-judgement-day-quick-results-and-updates/|title=W1-Judgement Day quick Results and updates|website=mmehfighter.com|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623122747/http://mmehfighter.com/2010/06/19/w1-judgement-day-quick-results-and-updates/|archive-date=2010-06-23}}</ref> Kang faced off against former [[List of WEC champions#Middleweight Championship|WEC Middleweight Champion]] [[Paulo Filho]] on July 18, 2010, at an [[Impact Fighting Championships]] event.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://portaldovaletudo.uol.com.br/english/?channel=2&id=129 |title=Paulo Filho faces Denis Kang at Impact FC |publisher=Portaldovaletudo.uol.com.br |access-date=2010-05-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706155306/http://portaldovaletudo.uol.com.br/english/?channel=2&id=129 |archive-date=2011-07-06 }}</ref> The fight was declared a split draw.

Denis joined the Korean MMA promotion [[ROAD Fighting Championship|ROAD FC]] by signing a multi-fight non-exclusive deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/02/17/denis-kang-signs-with-koreas-road-fc|title=Denis Kang Signs With Korea's Road FC|date=17 February 2011|website=MMA Fighting|access-date=15 May 2017}}</ref>

Denis lost to Melvin Manhoef by KO due to a knee to the body early in the first round of their DREAM 18 New Year's Eve fight at the end of 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://topmmanews.com/2012/12/31/dream-18glory-4-special-nye-2012-quick-results/ |title=DREAM 18/Glory 4: Special NYE 2012 – Quick Results – Bibiano Chokes Out Maeda, Kang KO'd By Manhoef |publisher=TopMMANews.com |access-date=2012-12-31}}</ref>

==Professional grappling career==
Kang competed in the first ADCC North American trial in 2002, winning gold in the under 88kg division.<ref>{{cite web |last1=de Souza |first1=Diogo |title=Throwback: The First Ever ADCC Trial Takes Place In 2002 |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/throwback-the-first-ever-adcc-trial-takes-place-in-2002/ |website=Jitsmagazine |date=2 August 2023 |access-date=2 August 2023}}</ref> This earned him an invite to ADCC 2003, where he lost on points to [[Reese Andy]] in the opening round.

==Personal life==
Kang's youngest brother, [[Julien Kang|Julien]], is an actor and model in South Korea.

== Championships and accomplishments ==

=== Mixed martial arts ===
*'''[[PRIDE Fighting Championships]]'''
**[[PRIDE Bushido 13|2006 PRIDE Welterweight Grand Prix Runner-Up]]
*'''Spirit MC'''
**Spirit MC Heavyweight (+80&nbsp;kg) Championship (One time; Last)
**Spirit MC Grand Prix 2004 Championship
*'''[[Ultimate Fighting Championship]]'''
**[[Bonus Awards|Fight of the Night]] (One time)
*''' [[ROAD Fighting Championship|ROAD FC]]'''
**Fight of the Night (One time)

== Mixed martial arts record ==
{{MMArecordbox
| draws        = 2
| nc           = 2
| ko-wins      = 15
| ko-losses    = 6
| sub-wins     = 14
| sub-losses   = 8
| dec-wins     = 6
| dec-losses   = 2
| dq-wins      =
| dq-losses    =
| other-wins   =
| other-losses =
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| {{nowrap|35–16–2 (2)}}
| [[Melvin Manhoef]]
| TKO (knee to the body)
| [[Dream 18|DREAM 18]]
| {{dts|2012|December|31}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:50
| [[Tokyo]], Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 35–15–2 (2)
| Hae Suk Son
| KO (punches)
| [[List of Road FC events|Road FC 8: Bitter Rivals]]
| {{dts|2012|June|16}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:57
| [[Wonju]], South Korea
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 34–15–2 (2)
| [[Shungo Oyama]]
| TKO (knees)
| [[List of Road FC events|Road FC 5: Night of Champions]]
| {{dts|2011|December|3}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:30
| [[Seoul]], South Korea
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 34–14–2 (2)
| Seung Bae Whi
| TKO (knees)
| [[List of Road FC events|Road FC 3: Explosion]]
| {{dts|2011|July|24}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 3:58
| [[Seoul]], South Korea
|<small>Catchweight (190 lbs) bout.</small>
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 34–13–2 (2)
| [[Jesse Taylor]]
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Battlefield Fight League 8: Island Beatdown
| {{dts|2011|May|28}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:57
| [[Nanaimo, British Columbia]], Canada
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 34–12–2 (2)
| Eun Soo Lee
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[List of Road FC events|Road FC 2: Alive]]
| {{dts|2011|April|16}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Seoul, South Korea]]
| {{small|[[Light Heavyweight (MMA)|Light Heavyweight]] bout.}}
|-
| {{draw}}Draw
| align=center| 33–12–2 (2)
| [[Paulo Filho]]
| Draw (split)
| [[Impact FC 2]]
| {{dts|2010|July|18}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Sydney]], Australia
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 33–12–1 (2)
| Dae Won Kim
| Submission (arm-triangle choke)
| W-1: Judgment day
| {{dts|2010|June|19}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:49
| [[Laval, Quebec]], Canada
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 32–12–1 (2)
| [[Michael Bisping]]
| TKO (knees to the body & punches)
| [[UFC 105]]
| {{dts|2009|November|14}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 4:24
| [[Manchester]], England
| {{small|Fight of the Night.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 32–11–1 (2)
| Xavier Foupa-Pokam
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[UFC 97]]
| {{dts|2009|April|18}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Montreal]], Quebec, Canada
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 31–11–1 (2)
| [[Alan Belcher]]
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| [[UFC 93]]
| {{dts|2009|January|17}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 4:36
| [[Dublin]], Ireland
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 31–10–1 (2)
| [[Marvin Eastman]]
| KO (punches)
| Raw Combat: Redemption
| {{dts|2008|October|25}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:48
| [[Calgary, Alberta]], Canada
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 30–10–1 (2)
| Jae Young Kim
| KO (punches and stomp)
| Spirit MC
| {{dts|2008|August|30}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:13
| [[Seoul]], South Korea
| {{small|Defended the Spirit MC Heavyweight (+80&nbsp;kg) Championship.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 29–10–1 (2)
| [[Gegard Mousasi]]
| Submission (triangle choke)
| [[Dream 2|Dream 2: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 First Round]]
| {{dts|2008|April|29}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:10
| [[Saitama, Saitama|Saitama]], Japan
| {{small|DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix Opening Round.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 29–9–1 (2)
| [[Yoshihiro Akiyama]]
| KO (punches)
| Hero's 2007 in Korea
| {{dts|2007|October|27}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:45
| [[Seoul]], South Korea
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 29–8–1 (2)
| Jung Gyu Choi
| Decision (majority)
| Spirit MC
| {{dts|2007|March|11}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Seoul]], South Korea
| {{small|[[Heavyweight (MMA)|Heavyweight]] bout; defended the Spirit MC Heavyweight (+80&nbsp;kg) Championship.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 28–8–1 (2)
| [[Kazuo Misaki]]
| Decision (split)
| [[Pride Bushido 13|PRIDE Bushido 13]]
| {{dts|2006|November|05}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Yokohama]], Japan
| {{small|PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Final.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 28–7–1 (2)
| [[Akihiro Gono]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[Pride Bushido 13|PRIDE Bushido 13]]
| {{dts|2006|November|05}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Yokohama]], Japan
| {{small|PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Semifinal.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 27–7–1 (2)
| [[Amar Suloev]]
| Submission (one-arm strangle)
| [[Pride Bushido 12|PRIDE Bushido 12]]
| {{dts|2006|August|26}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:10
| [[Nagoya]], Japan
| {{small|PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 26–7–1 (2)
| [[Murilo Rua]]
| KO (punches)
| [[Pride Bushido Survival 2006|PRIDE Bushido 11]]
| {{dts|2006|June|04}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:15
| [[Saitama, Saitama|Saitama]], Japan
| {{small|PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Opening Round.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 25–7–1 (2)
| Albert Basconcelles
| TKO (punches)
| Spirit MC
| {{dts|2006|April|22}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:12
| [[Seoul]], South Korea
|<small>[[Heavyweight (MMA)|Heavyweight]] bout.</small>
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 24–7–1 (2)
| [[Mark Weir]]
| TKO (submission to knees)
| [[Pride Bushido 10|PRIDE Bushido 10]]
| {{dts|2006|April|02}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:55
| [[Tokyo]], Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 23–7–1 (2)
| Ron Fields
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Absolute Fighting Championships 14
| {{dts|2005|December|10}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:46
| [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]], United States
|
|-
| {{nocontest}}NC
| align=center| 22–7–1 (2)
| Robert Villegas
| No Contest
| Spirit MC
| {{dts|2005|October|29}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:00
| [[Seoul]], South Korea
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 22–7–1 (1)
| [[Andrei Semenov (fighter)|Andrei Semenov]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[PRIDE Bushido 8]]
| {{dts|2005|July|17}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Nagoya]], Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 21–7–1 (1)
| Takahiro Oba
| Submission (armbar)
| [[PRIDE Bushido 6]]
| {{dts|2005|April|03}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:24
| [[Yokohama]], Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 20–7–1 (1)
| Alexei Vezelozorov
| Submission (choke)
| [[2004 in M-1 Global#M-1 MFC: Heavyweight GP|M-1 MFC: Heavyweight GP]]
| {{dts|2004|December|04}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:17
| [[Moscow]], Russia
|<small>Return to [[Middleweight (MMA)|Middleweight]].</small>
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 19–7–1 (1)
| Jin Ho Yang
| TKO (punches)
| Spirit MC
| {{dts|2004|September|11}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:49
| [[Seoul]], South Korea
| {{small|Spirit MC Grand Prix 2004 Final; Won the Spirit MC Heavyweight (+80&nbsp;kg) Championship.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 18–7–1 (1)
| Jae Young Kim
| Submission (arm-triangle choke)
| Spirit MC
| {{dts|2004|September|11}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:38
| [[Seoul]], South Korea
| {{small|Spirit MC Grand Prix 2004 Semifinal.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 17–7–1 (1)
| Junpei Hamada
| Submission (armbar)
| Spirit MC
| {{dts|2004|September|11}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:35
| [[Seoul]], South Korea
| {{small|Spirit MC Grand Prix 2004 Quarterfinal.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 16–7–1 (1)
| Kobus Huisamen
| TKO (punches)
| Spirit MC
| {{dts|2004|June|12}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:06
| [[Seoul]], South Korea
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 15–7–1 (1)
| Hyun Chul Cho
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Spirit MC
| {{dts|2004|April|10}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:06
| [[Seoul]], South Korea
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 14–7–1 (1)
| Hyung Jun Kim
| TKO (punches)
| Spirit MC
| {{dts|2004|February|07}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:13
| [[Seoul]], South Korea
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 13–7–1 (1)
| Jae Young Kim
| TKO (punches)
| Spirit MC
| {{dts|2004|February|07}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:38
| [[Seoul]], South Korea
|<small>Return to [[Heavyweight (MMA)|Heavyweight]].</small>
|-
| {{draw}}Draw
| align=center| 12–7–1 (1)
| [[Andrei Semenov (fighter)|Andrei Semenov]]
| Draw
| [[2003 in M-1 Global#M-1 MFC - Russia vs. The World 7|M-1 MFC: Russia vs. The World 7]]
| {{dts|2003|December|05}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 10:00
| [[St. Petersburg]], Russia
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 12–7 (1)
| Stephan Potvin
| TKO (punches)
| TKO Major League MMA
| {{dts|2003|September|06}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 2:22
| [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 11–7 (1)
| Kaipo Kalama
| Decision (majority)
| SB 30: Collision Course
| {{dts|2003|June|13}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 3:00
| [[Honolulu, Hawaii]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 10–7 (1)
| Brendan Seguin
| Submission (armbar)
| SB 30: Collision Course
| {{dts|2003|June|13}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:24
| [[Honolulu, Hawaii]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 9–7 (1)
| Keith Rockel
| KO (punch)
| USMMA 3: Ring of Fury
| {{dts|2003|May|03}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 2:59
| [[Boston, Massachusetts]], United States
|<small>Catchweight (195 lbs) bout.</small>
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 8–7 (1)
| Chris Peak
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| World Freestyle Fighting 4
| {{dts|2003|April|04}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:57
| [[Kelowna, British Columbia]], Canada
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 7–7 (1)
| [[Jason Miller (fighter)|Jason Miller]]
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Extreme Challenge 50
| {{dts|2003|February|23}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 1:41
| [[Salt Lake City, Utah]], United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 7–6 (1)
| [[Joe Doerksen]]
| Submission (triangle choke)
| UCC 11: The Next Level
| {{dts|2002|October|11}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:49
| [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 7–5 (1)
| [[Pat Healy (fighter)|Pat Healy]]
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Rumble in the Ring 7
| {{dts|2002|July|20}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:42
| [[Auburn, Washington]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 6–5 (1)
| Shane Biever
| Submission (armlock)
| World Freestyle Fighting 2
| {{dts|2002|July|20}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:03
| [[Kelowna, British Columbia]], Canada
|
|-
| {{nocontest}}NC
| align=center| 5–5 (1)
| [[Dennis Hallman]]
| No Contest
| World Freestyle Fighting 1
| {{dts|2002|April|13}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 3:15
| [[Kelowna, British Columbia]], Canada
| {{small|Hallman accidentally headbutted Kang and opened a cut above the eye.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 5–5
| Marty Armendarez
| TKO (punches)
| IFC WC 15: Warriors Challenge 15
| {{dts|2001|August|31}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 3:45
| [[Oroville, California]], United States
|<small>Return to [[Middleweight (MMA)|Middleweight]].</small>
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 5–4
| Osami Shibuya
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| [[2001 in Pancrase#Pancrase: Proof 3|Pancrase: Proof 3]]
| {{dts|2001|May|13}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:52
| [[Tokyo]], Japan
|<small>[[Heavyweight (MMA)|Heavyweight]] debut.</small>
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 5–3
| [[Keiichiro Yamamiya]]
| Decision (majority)
| [[2000 in Pancrase#Pancrase: Trans 7|Pancrase: Trans 7]]
| {{dts|2000|December|04}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 3:00
| [[Tokyo]], Japan
|<small>[[Light Heavyweight (MMA)|Light Heavyweight]] debut.</small>
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5–2
| [[Minoru Suzuki]]
| TKO (back injury)
| [[2000 in Pancrase#Pancrase: 2000 Anniversary Show|Pancrase: 2000 Anniversary Show]]
| {{dts|2000|September|24}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:43
| [[Yokohama]], Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4–2
| Lonnie Canida
| TKO (punches)
| Western Canada's Toughest
| {{dts|2000|March|18}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:06
| [[Kelowna, British Columbia]], Canada
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 3–2
| Joe Slick
| Submission (arm-triangle choke)
| Extreme Challenge 24
| {{dts|1999|May|15}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 5:53
| [[Salt Lake City, Utah]], United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 3–1
| Jacen Flynn
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| rowspan=2|Bas Rutten Invitational 2
| rowspan=2|{{dts|1999|April|24}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:07
| rowspan=2|[[Littleton, Colorado]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–0
| Tom Bolger
| Submission (triangle choke)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:55
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2–0
| Fadi Habib
| TKO (punches)
| Ultimate Warrior Challenge 2
| {{dts|1998|November|01}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:53
| [[Vancouver, British Columbia]], Canada
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–0
| Eric Harcrow
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Ultimate Warrior Challenge
| {{dts|1998|August|02}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:15
| [[Vancouver, British Columbia]], Canada
| 
{{end}}

== Kickboxing record ==
{|class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:88%; width:100%;"
|-
! colspan=9 style="background:#fff" |Kickboxing record
|-
| colspan=9 style="background:#fff; text-align:center;" |'''0 wins, 1 loss'''
|-
! Result
! Opponent
! Method
! Event
! Date
! Round
! Time
! Location
! Notes
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|{{flagicon|THA}} [[Kaoklai Kaennorsing]]
|KO (Right Hook)
|[[K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Seoul]]
|{{dts|2004|July|7}}
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|1:48
|[[Seoul, South Korea]]
|
|}
{{refbegin}}'''''Legend''''': {{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win |border=1px solid #CCFFCC}} {{legend2|#FFBBBB|Loss |border=1px solid #FFBBBB}} {{legend2|#c5d2ea|Draw/No contest |border=1px solid #c5d2ea}}{{refend}}

== Submission grappling record ==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; font-size:88%"
|-
!Result
!Opponent
!Method
!Event
!Date
!Round
!Time
!Notes
|-
|{{no2}}Loss||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Reese Andy]] || Points || 2003 ADCC <ref>{{cite web |url=https://adcombat.com/adcc-events/adcc-2003-results/ |title=ADCC 2003}}</ref> (Under 87.9&nbsp;kg)||  || || ||
|}

== See also ==
*[[List of male mixed martial artists]]
*[[List of Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners]]
*[[List of Canadian UFC fighters]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051206005344/http://www.deniskang.com/ Official website]
* {{Sherdog}}
* {{UFC|denis-kang}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kang, Denis}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Canadian male kickboxers]]
[[Category:Canadian male mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:French male kickboxers]]
[[Category:French male mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Canadian sportspeople of Korean descent]]
[[Category:Canadian people of French descent]]
[[Category:French people of Korean descent]]
[[Category:Canadian practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]
[[Category:Canadian submission wrestlers]]
[[Category:Franco-Columbian people]]
[[Category:Middleweight mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Light heavyweight mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Heavyweight kickboxers]]
[[Category:Heavyweight mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing taekwondo]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing hapkido]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing karate]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from North Vancouver]]
[[Category:Saint Pierre and Miquelon sportsmen]]
[[Category:French emigrants to Canada]]
[[Category:Martial artists from British Columbia]]
[[Category:People awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]
[[Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters]]
[[Category:Hapkido practitioners]]