Mike Passenier

Michael Percy Passenier (born 9 April 1969) is a Dutch kickboxing trainer who owns Mike's Gym in Oostzaan. He is also known by the nickname "Big Mike".

Passenier was born in Amsterdam to a Dutch mother and a Surinamese father. He was raised in the neighborhood Betondorp by his mother and stepfather.^[1] Passenier played football in his youth. At the age of 15, he attended a kickboxing event for the first time, and became impressed by the visitors and the atmosphere. While working in a bar, he met kickboxing world champion Gilbert Ballantine. Passenier sparred with Ballantine, who appreciated Passenier's skills and invited him to work as an assistant coach. Passenier never entered the professional ring himself.^[2]

Passenier began teaching martial arts in 2002. A year later, he opened his own gym, named Mike's Gym.^[3] Passenier became more known in the world of kickboxing when he trained Joerie Mes, who was considered one of the best combination specialists in kickboxing. The silhouette of Mes was made part of the Mike's Gym logo.^[2]

Mike's Gym became one of the biggest martial arts gyms in the Netherlands. ^[3] Passenier's pupils are distinguished by their willingness to win by knockout during a bout. They do not use points-oriented tactics.^[2] Passenier trained many world champions, including Melvin Manhoef, Badr Hari, Murthel Groenhart and Sahak Parparyan.^[4] At certain stages of their careers, he coached top contenders such as Gökhan Saki, Artur Kyshenko, Alistair Overeem, Freddy Kemayo, Björn Bregy, Sergey Adamchuk and Sergei Lashchenko.^[5]

On November 26, 2009, a fire broke out in the building next to Jim's Gym, and burned down the Gym.^[6][7] The gym was reopened on March 29, 2010.

In February 2019, Mike's Gym partnered with the well known Vos Gym, led by Ivan Hippolyte. Both gyms temporarily operated under one building.^[8]

• Mike's Gym Official Website Archived 2020-08-03 at the Wayback Machine
• Official Website^{[permanent dead link]}