Career
Daniels began competing in karate tournaments at early age. As a junior competitor in sport karate competitions, he would have very humble beginnings. It wasn't until heturned nineteen that he would go on to become a top rated fighter for both the National Black Belt League (NBL) and the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA). From the "Battle of Atlanta" to the "Rolex Challenge" to the "Irish Open", he has repeatedly won virtually every major sport karate competition in the world today. Among his titles are eight NBL world championships (through 2010), at least two NASKA world championships (2000 and 2004 were confirmed at naska.com ratings), a second place finish at the $50,000 World Pro Taekwondo Championship in Serbia in 2010, and 9 overall championships at the Irish Open (a WAKO event billed as the world's largest fighting event).
Daniels’ talents would not go unnoticed as Don Rodrigues coach and co-founder of the famed Team Paul Mitchell Karate would soon recruit him in 1999. Daniels would part ways with the Paul Mitchell Team in 2001, and for the next several years joined several other teams.
After having accomplished all that he could in sport karate, Daniels decided to delve into the world of full contact kickboxing. In 2006, he began fighting for Chuck Norris' World Combat League promotion, as a member of the Los Angeles Stars. Daniels fought in the 80 kgs/178 lbs and 88 kgs/195 lbs weight divisions, compiling an impressive 17–0–0 fight record with 9 knockouts. It should also be noted that Daniels had a highly-anticipated bout with fellow undefeated kickboxing star Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson. Daniels won the history-making bout by technical knockout due to an injury suffered by Thompson that left him unable to continue the bout. However, replays showed what caused Thompson's injury was an illegal attack and has therefore the bout has since been ruled a no contest and unrecognized on both kickboxers' records.
Daniels would then set his sights on the world of mixed martial arts. On June 27, 2008, he made his MMA debut against twelve fight veteran Jeremiah Metcalf at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson. In his one and only fight in MMA, Daniels was defeated by Metcalf by submission with a rear-naked choke in the second round.
In his first outing under full Oriental kickboxing rules, Daniels defeated two opponents in Dublin, Ireland on October 8, 2011 to win the four man 84 kgs/185 lbs tournament at the Pain and Glory event. After knocking out English Muay Thai stylist Andy Bakewell with a spinning heel kick in the semi-finals, he took a split decision over Irish kickboxer Mark Casserly in the final.
He then seemingly signed with the Glory promotion in 2013 and was set to fight at Glory 5: London on March 23, 2013 in London, England but was later removed from the card for undisclosed reasons.
Read more about this topic: Raymond Daniels (martial Artist)
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