Simon Marcus (born 5 November 1986), also known as The One, is a Canadian mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai kickboxer, who competes in the Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight divisions. He is currently signed with Unified MMA. He was formerly signed with Glory, where he was the former two-time Glory Middleweight champion. In 2012, he beat Kaoklai Kaennorsing for the WPMF World Light Heavyweight title and defeated Joe Schilling twice. He has also defeated Jason Wilnis three times in notable rivalries. Marcus also holds a win over former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. Marcus was ranked as a Top 10 middleweight by Combat Press between September 2014 and July 2021.
Early life Marcus, a Jamaican Canadian, was a troublesome child but excelled in sports. He was charged with assault and expelled from school for fighting at the age of fifteen. After moving to a new school, he discovered Ajahn Suchart Yodkerepauprai's Siam No.1 Muay Thai gym nearby and promptly began training there. He would then give up on Muay Thai for two years, however, as he pursued basketball and served three months in a youth detention center. Upon being released from detainment, he returned to the gym with the goal of making it as a professional fighter.Simon Marcus: The Fighting Prophet . Muaythaiauthority.com (15 February 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.
Kickboxing career Amateur career Marcus took up Muay Thai at sixteen and achieved success as an amateur initially by medaling at three international tournaments as well as capturing the North American Cruiserweight Championship. He began his amateur career in 2006 and came to prominence by taking a gold medal at the 2007 IFMA World Championships at −81 kg/178 lb before finishing runner-up the following year. In 2009, he became the WKA Amateur North American Cruiserweight (−86 kg/189 lb) Champion, and defeated Artem Vakhitov in the finals of the World Combat Games 2010 −81 kg/178 lb Muaythai division to claim gold there.. Mymuaythai.com. Retrieved on 17 March 2013.
Turning professional Marcus turned professional in 2007 and Was obtaining pro and amateur careers at the same time up until 2011. He won his first pro titles in Thailand the following year by claiming the Thaphae Stadium Light Heavyweight belt and the Northern Thailand Cruiserweight strap. 2010 also saw his take notable wins over Filip Verlinden, Kun Khmer legend Eh Phoutong and Japanese Kyokushin stylist Ryuta Noji."Planet Battle" à Hong Kong. Fr.muaythaitv.com. Retrieved on 17 March 2013. He ended the year with a first round knockout of Chinese sanshou fighter Guo Hang Hang in Foshan, China.WMC Mega Event in Fushan, China. Wmcmuaythai.org (12 January 2011). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.Simon Marcus vs Guo Hang Hang 2010. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 17 March 2013. Guo and Marcus then rematched at the Wushu vs. Muaythai event at the Hefei Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Hefei, China on 11 June 2011 where Marcus once again came out on top, winning on points after battering Guo with low kicks throughout the fight.Wushu vs. Muaythai. Wmcmuaythai.org (21 June 2011). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.
In 2011, Marcus was scheduled to face former Rajadamnern Stadium champion Kaoklai Kaennorsing in Anaheim, California, United States, but the bout fell through.Fight Card for Stand Up Promotions "World Class Championship Muay Thai" . Muaythaiauthority.com (8 May 2011). Retrieved on 2013-03-17. He would then sign with the short-lived Muaythai Premier League, and debuted with a unanimous decision win over familiar foe Artem Vakhitov at the Muaythai Premier League: Round 1 in Long Beach, California, United States, on 2 September 2011.Fight card announced for the Muaythai Premier League's "Stars & Stripes" event . Muaythaiauthority.com (4 August 2011). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.Updated fight card for MPL's "Stars and Stripes" event . Muaythaiauthority.com (28 August 2011). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.Walsh, Dave. (3 September 2011) Buakaw Victorious in MPL's Debut Outing. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 2013-03-17. Another big fight then fell through for Marcus as he was expected to go up against L'houcine "Aussie" Ouzgni at the Muaythai Premier League: Round 3 in the Hague, Netherlands on 6 November 2011 but Ouzgni pulled out on short notice.The MPL Returns on Sunday in Holland. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 17 March 2013.Fight Card for MPL's "Baptism by Fire" event on 6 November . Muaythaiauthority.com (17 October 2011). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.
Joe Schilling rivalry In 2012, he entered the top ten in the world rankings for the first time in his career, coming in at #9.Scalia, Rian. (5 January 2012) Light Heavyweight Rankings: January 2012. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 2013-03-17. On 25 February 2012, Simon Marcus and Joe Schilling went head to head in a bout to determine North America's top light heavyweight at Lion Fight Promotions: Battle in the Desert 5 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both men agreed to a "winner takes all" scenario, meaning that whoever came out victorious would take 100% of the fight purse,Five Fantastic Fights in February. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 17 March 2013.Schilling vs. Marcus, Mulkey vs. Choplin and more expected to take place at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5" . Muaythaiauthority.com (2 January 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.Fight card for Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5" . Muaythaiauthority.com (23 January 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.NSAC approves winner take all scenario for Joe Schilling vs. Simon Marcus at Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5" . Muaythaiauthority.com (4 February 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17. and the fight ended as controversially as it began. In round one, Marcus tripped Schilling, sending his head slamming into the canvas. As Schilling returned to his feet, clearly hurt from the throw, Marcus stormed in and knocked him down with a left hook. He was able to beat the count but Marcus went on the attack again and knocked Schilling out with a right elbow soon after.Results & Recap: Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 5" . Muaythaiauthority.com (26 February 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17. Following the fight, Schilling's camp made the accusation that the sweep that Marcus used to daze him initially was illegal and appealed to the Nevada State Athletic Commission to have the bout result overturned to a no contest, which was rejected.Simon Marcus responds to criticism concerning his victory over Joe Schilling . Muaythaiauthority.com (28 February 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.Joe Schilling's appeal rejected by Nevada State Athletic Commission . Muaythaiauthority.com (12 March 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.
In 2012, he earned his first world title shot and his long-awaited fight with Kaoklai Kaennorsing was set for 16 March in Bangkok, Thailand, with the vacant WPMF World Light Heavyweight (−79 kg/175 lb) Championship also on the line.Kevin Ross vs. Choke Eminent Air and Simon Marcus vs. Kaoklai Kaennorsing set to take place on 16 March in Thailand . Muaythaiauthority.com (16 February 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17. Marcus dominated the action over five rounds, and walked away with the unanimous decision victory and his first world title at professional level.Simon Marcus defeats Kaoklai and Suriya Prasathinphimai defeats Chike Lindsay in Thailand . Muaythaiauthority.com (16 March 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.
On 21 April 2012, Marcus defeated two opponents the same night at the Qianjiang World Muay Thai King Challenge in Beijing, China. He first knocked out Green Spangler before beating Li Shuai via decision in his second fight.Simon Marcus talks win against Kaoklai and upcoming fight in China . Muaythaiauthority.com (28 March 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.Simon Marcus picks up two wins in China . Muaythaiauthority.com (22 April 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.
Due to the controversy surrounding the ending of their first fight, Marcus and Joe Schilling rematched at Lion Fight Muay Thai VI in Las Vegas on 12 May 2012 in a WBC Muaythai World Light Heavyweight (−79 kg/175 lb) title eliminator.Joe Schilling vs. Simon Marcus re-match taking place at Lion Fight Promotions 12 May event . Muaythaiauthority.com (11 March 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.Schilling vs. Marcus official for Lion Fight Muay Thai VI . Muaythaiauthority.com (23 March 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.Fight Card set for Lion Fight Muay Thai VI: Schilling vs. Marcus . Muaythaiauthority.com (30 March 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17. It was close this time, with both men exchanging menacing shots. Marcus' knees and throws from the clinch would be the deciding factor, however, as he was awarded the majority decision (47-47, 48–47, 49–46).Results & Recap: Lion Fight Muay Thai VI "Schilling vs. Marcus 2" . Muaythaiauthority.com (13 May 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.
Marcus vs. Levin Marcus moved up to #6 in the world rankingsWalsh, Dave. (3 July 2012) Rankings – June 2012. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 2013-03-17.Rankings – July 2012. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 17 March 2013. and was expected to face Artem Levin, widely considered the world's best light heavyweight kickfighter, for the Russian's WBC Muaythai World Light Heavyweight strap at Battle for the Belts in Bangkok on 9 June 2012.7 WBC Muay Thai world titles on the line at Battle for the Belts; Levin, Saenchai, Alamos, McKinnon all in action . Muaythaiauthority.com (29 March 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17."Battle For The Belts" Gets Artem Levin vs. Simon Marcus, 7 World Title Fights. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 17 March 2013. However, Marcus withdrew from the bout for unknown reasons and was replaced by Joe Schilling.Simon Marcus rumored to be out of bout with Artem Levin, Joe Schilling tabbed as replacement . Muaythaiauthority.com (20 May 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17. Levin would then also withdraw.Artem Levin rumored to be out of fight with Joe Schilling at Battle for the Belts on 9 June . Muaythaiauthority.com (23 May 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.
Levin vs. Marcus was then pencilled in for The Battle of Champions 7: School vs. School event at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, for the vacant WMC World Light Heavyweight (−79 kg/175 lb) title on 16 November 2012Simon Marcus vs. Artem Levin expected to take place 16 November in Russia . Muaythaiauthority.com (21 October 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17. but the event was cancelled.Simon Marcus vs. Artem Levin postponed, new date unknown . Muaythaiauthority.com (23 October 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.
He instead returned to action with a third round elbow KO of Sweden's Sadibou Sy at Muay Thai in America: In Honor of the King in Los Angeles, California, on 1 December 2012 to end the year with a perfect 6–0 record.Fights To Watch In December: Part 1. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 17 March 2013.MTIA returns with 1 December event featuring Simon Marcus, Julie Kitchen, Rungravee, Coke, and Chike Lindsay . Muaythaiauthority.com (2 November 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.Results and Recap: Muay Thai in America "In Honor of the King" . Muaythaiauthority.com (2 December 2012). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.
Marcus once again beat two opponents in one night on 10 January 2013 when he knocked out both Arthit Hanchana and Wang Anying at the Foshan China vs. Thailand event in Foshan.Simon Marcus picks up two KO wins in China to start 2013 campaign . Muaythaiauthority.com (11 January 2013). Retrieved on 2013-03-17.