When Jean-Claude Van Damme became an international film star, there was some debate as to his ring accomplishments. Former multiple World Kickboxing Champion Don "The Dragon" Wilson even offered Jean-Claude a "$100,000" bounty match to get into the ring and fight him. Van Damme brushed off the "challenge" as a publicity stunt. But, the truth of the matter was that Jean-Claude Van Damme had indeed had a kick-boxing career, which turned out to be very successful on the European scene. He fought under his birth name of Jean-Claude Vandenberg. Fighting as a middleweight he captured a version of the European Middleweight Kickboxing Championship in 1980 with a first round knockout which was recorded in less than a minute. His career however, lasted only a few years as his interest lay in a film career. Jean-Claude's record was 12-1 with 12 knockouts.


The Hard Corps (2006): $3,000,000 - $3,500,000
Sudden Death (1995): $5,000,000
Street Fighter (1994): $8,000,000
Timecop (1994): $5,000,000
Hard Target (1993): $3,500,000
Universal Soldier (1992): $1,500,000
Double Impact (1991): $600,000
Death Warrant (1990): $75,000
Kickboxer (1989): $70,000
Cyborg (1989): $50,000
Black Eagle (1988): $70,000
Bloodsport (1988): $25,000
No Retreat, No Surrender (1986): $250

His fight scenes are so intense that he won't film them in the U.S. for fear of being sued. Won a court case filed against him by martial arts legend Frank Dux, who claimed he collaborated with Van Damme on his 1996 directorial debut The Quest (1996), only for Van Damme to deny him any share of the profits. His evidence was lost in an earthquake. Coincidentally, Van Damme played Dux in his debut Bloodsport (1988). On July 10, 2000, Van Damme was sentenced to an anti-drunk driving class, a $1,200 fine, 3 years probation and a 90 day revocation of his license after pleading no contest for a September 23, 1999 DUI arrest in Beverly Hills. In Jesse Ventura's book, he mentions Van Damme as having played Predator (1987) monster until he was fired and replaced by Kevin Peter Hall. Speaks French, English, Spanish and German. Was student of Dominique Valera. Likes classical music and his favorite composer is Beethoven. Can lift 166 kg on a bench. Was the original choice to play the title character in Predator (1987). One-time sparring partner of Chuck Norris during the early 80s. He was the inspiration for the character Johnny Cage from Mortal Kombat. One of Johnny Cage's special moves is doing the splits while punching his opponent in the groin, as seen when Van Damme's character, Frank Dux, punches his large sumo opponent in Bloodsport (1988). Purchased a condominium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Knocked-out Emile Leibman in the first round of a scheduled three-round full-contact match at Iseghem, Belgium in 1979. Adopted Van Damme as his stage name from one of his friend's father name. He considered it punchy, short and clear than his birth name of Van Varenberg. Films often contain injuries to the groin area. Examples: Double Impact (1991) Hard Target (1993) and Timecop (1994). At Mulhouse, Belgium in 1978, he knocked out Andre (Robar) Robaeys in 1 round of a scheduled 3-round full-contact match. In 1980, in Brussels, fighting under his birth name, Jean Claude Van Varenberg, he knocked out a fighter known as Verlugels in 2 rounds. Both of Van Dammes defeats were to Patrick Teugels, his former team mate on the Belgium team. However, prior to retiring, Van Damme defeated Teugels in under two minutes. He was another consideration for a villain in Rush Hour 3 (2007). Was briefly considered for the role of Michael Cheritto in Heat (1995). Fight Record: 18-2 (18 knockouts) 1977: Won: Knocked out Toon Van Oostrum in 1 round. 1977: Won: Knocked out Maurice Devos in 1 round. 1977: Lost:Decision to Patrick Teugels 3 rounds. 1978: Won: Knocked out Eric Bruno Strauss in 1 round. 1978: Won: Knocked out Michel Juvillier in 1 round. 1978: Lost:Decisioned to Patrick Teugels in 3 rounds. 1978: Won: Knocked out Orlando Lang in 1 round. 1978: Won: Knocked out Emile Leibman in 1 round. 1978: Won: Knocked out Cyrille in 1 round. 1979: Won: Knocked out Andre Robaeys in 1 round. 1979: Won: Knocked out Jacques Piniarski in 1 round. 1979: Won: Knocked out Rolf Risberg in 1 round. 1979: Won: Knocked out Sherman Bergman in 1 round. 1979: Won: Knocked out Gil Dias in 1 round. 1980: Won: Knocked out Mustapha-Ahmad Benamou in 1 round. 1980: Won: Knocked out Bekim-Moussa Muhammad in 1 round. 1980: Won: Knocked out Micheal J. Heming in 2 rounds. 1980: Won: Knocked out Georges Verlugels in 2 rounds. 1980: Won: Knocked out Andres Kovac in 2 rounds. 1980: Won: Knocked out Patrick Teugels in 1 round.