‘I Fight For Them’ – Marat Grigorian On Why Giving Back To His Parents Is His Greatest Purpose In Life
Three-time Kickboxing World Champion Marat Grigorian has built one of the most decorated careers in the sport’s history, and every single part of it belongs to his parents.
The 34-year-old Armenian striker returns to action against Japanese standout Kaito Ono in a heated featherweight kickboxing showdown at ONE SAMURAI 1, which emanates live from Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, April 29.
Samvel and Amalya raised three older girls and their kickboxing son in Talin, Armenia, with very little and gave their children everything they had. His dad worked as a chef, while his mom was a hairdresser.
The family uprooted twice in search of something better – first to Germany, then back to Armenia when things fell apart, and then finally to Antwerp, Belgium, when Grigorian was 9. In those early years in Belgium, his parents worked five to six jobs a day. Some mornings, there was only tea and bread on the table.
Grigorian has never forgotten his father and mother’s sacrifices, and all that matters to him now is to ensure he gives back to them with the same dedication and discipline instilled in him from a young age:
“I’m determined to give my parents the life they deserve. That’s the only reason that keeps pushing me to do better in my career. We went through a lot of difficult times, a difficult life. I know they did so much for me, and now it’s my time to do everything possible for them.
“I just want to make them happy and to make their dreams come true as they get older. That’s one of the big reasons why I fight. I fight for them, and I’d do anything to see them smile.”
The career that followed has given him plenty of reasons to make them smile. Three Glory Kickboxing World Titles. Two shots at the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship.
Grigorian has shared the global stage with the very best his sport has to offer, and he never once took a backward step. Every round logged and belt won carries a meaning that goes deeper than the result.
He told onefc.com:
“As you get older, you understand more what they are doing for you. That’s the beauty of life. You start to understand the meaning of it, and they gave me everything and worked really hard to build my future.
“So, that’s why whatever you see in the ring, sometimes when I’m happy, sad, or whatever feelings I show, it’s all because of them. The belts that I have are a way I honor them through work.”
Inside the squared circle, Grigorian has done his part. Outside of it, the Armenian striker has made sure that the actions match the words.
There is just one request from Samvel and Amalya that remains outstanding, though. His loving parents want to see him tie the knot, and, when the time comes, they want grandchildren.
While he continues to search for the love of his life and fulfilling their request, the Hemmers Gym representative finds other ways to keep them happy:
“I love to surprise my parents in a lot of ways. One example is booking a flight, just going there with no warning. Those are the kind of moments you can never get back. I want to spend good times together and to see them smile.
“Just a few months ago, I booked them a flight to Armenia. I also gave them some nice gifts there and brought them out to eat at some nice restaurants. It’s just small and simple things. They don’t need big gestures.”
The Values That Built A World Champion
The surprise flights and dinners are his way of saying thank you.
But the most honest expression of Marat Grigorian’s gratitude has always been the person he became, which starts with the values Samvel and Amalya instilled in him. Both parents left their mark, and he carries those lessons into everything he does.
The kickboxing superstar added:
“My dad has a really strong character. He always said, ‘My family always comes first. I don’t care about anyone else. I’m your father, and it’s my responsibility to take care of all my children.’
“My mom, meanwhile, is a very kind and soft-spoken person. She taught me to be nice to all people, to help others if you can, and to be thankful for what you have in life.”
Grigorian’s mother taught him kindness. His father taught him responsibility.
But the years of hardship that came with those lessons left another quality that is perhaps the most powerful of the three.
He continued:
“I came from a very difficult situation. I am not in that place today, but I am thankful that life happened like that. It gave me hunger. When you feel the hunger – real hunger – it makes you feel like an animal.
“Many people don’t understand what I mean because they’ve never felt it. When you reach that point, you change as a human. You become more like an animal. You become stronger.”
The hunger that he speaks of never left.
On April 29 at ONE SAMURAI 1, Kaito Ono gets to feel it firsthand. The bad blood between them adds a sharp edge to an already compelling matchup.
Grigorian has been waiting for this moment. But the fight he is most focused on winning has been going on his entire life – and Samvel and Amalya are the only judges that matter.
