A Tribute to Mandy Böhm on Her 36th Birthday

Recently, I was sitting with fellow artists discussing which moments of our artistic work have stayed with us the most. Of course, every photographic moment is significant in its own way – yet some encounters remain especially memorable. That was certainly the case for me with Mandy Böhm.

In 2013, this portrait of the martial artist Mandy Böhm was created. At the time, the artist Bärbel Frank commissioned me to take photographs for her tactile series “Strong Types.” The shots were taken at the Fight Club Gelsenkirchen-Erle. The goal of the series was to make portraits tactilely accessible for visually impaired and blind people. The photographs were enhanced with fine, textured objects so that the shape, posture, and expression of the depicted persons could be perceived by touch. The works were exhibited in 2013 at the Senator Ernst-Weiß-Haus in Hamburg – a project that impressively combined art, inclusion, and social significance. Both Mandy Böhm and Michael Kopzog, former German welterweight champion, immediately agreed to participate in the project upon Bärbel Frank’s request.

At our first meeting, Mandy Böhm immediately impressed me: a confident, exceptionally polite and friendly young woman, respectful in personal interaction, with a graceful, almost dance-like movement, very delicate facial features, and a very refined and chosen manner of speaking. She had a commanding presence but appeared completely unpretentious – no airs, no affectation, simply very pleasant and sincere in her manner.

Besides the usual dynamic fighting poses, it was important to me to create for Bärbel Frank’s series an image that shows a strong personality in a calmer, contemplative pose – a portrait expressing strength, vulnerability, reflection, and determination all at once. Mandy Böhm was open to this idea, and so this portrait was born.

From Fight Club Gelsenkirchen-Erle to the Wide World

Born on 30 July 1989 in Gelsenkirchen – today she turns 36 – Mandy Böhm initially pursued very different sports: gymnastics and dance shaped her youth. It was only at 18 that she started martial arts – a late start that demanded even greater ambition. Alongside her training and work as an industrial mechanic, she began rigorous training. Success followed quickly: national tournaments, then kickboxing at the international level – Mandy Böhm became a two-time European champion.

MMA Title Win in Canada

A decisive career step after switching from kickboxing to mixed martial arts (MMA) came in 2019: Mandy Böhm travelled to Canada to compete in the organisation TKO MMA. There, she defeated her opponent Jade Masson-Wong by technical knockout, securing the world championship title in the flyweight division. This victory opened doors – not only athletically but also contractually: shortly thereafter, she was signed by Bellator MMA, one of the world’s largest MMA leagues.

The Leap to the UFC

The next milestone followed soon after. In autumn 2021, Mandy Böhm stepped into the “cage” of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for the first time, one of the most prestigious combat sports leagues worldwide. She lost her debut to Brazilian Ariane Lipski on points; her second UFC fight against US-American Victoria Leonardo also did not go in her favour. Yet Mandy Böhm never lost heart.

Off to Vegas and First UFC Victory

In 2022, Mandy Böhm relocated from Gelsenkirchen to Las Vegas to advance her MMA career. There, she encountered a professional environment that allowed her to develop athletically and compete at the highest level.

Finally, in May 2023, she reaped the deserved reward for her hard work: Mandy Böhm fought experienced South Korean Ji Yeon Kim at UFC on ABC 4 and delivered a valiant performance in an unusual match. After the second round had ended and the bell had sounded, Kim landed a kick – a clear foul. In the third round, while Mandy Böhm was in a defensive position on the ground, Kim struck her with an illegal knee strike – a technique deemed dangerous and against the rules in that situation. Mandy Böhm went down, visibly shaken. The ringside doctor was called and, after a brief examination, decided the fight could not continue.

Due to Kim’s rule violations and the advanced stage of the fight, it was not stopped and Kim was not disqualified; instead, the match was decided by a so-called Technical Split Decision in favour of Mandy Böhm – two of the three judges had her ahead. Thus, she was officially declared the winner.

A New Beginning in the Boxing Ring

After her UFC career ended, Mandy Böhm embarked on a new path, making the leap into professional boxing – and promptly celebrated four consecutive wins, including against Eva Hubmayer in Düsseldorf and Polish boxer Karina Szmalenberg in Munich. Her first world championship fight in Frankfurt was surprisingly judged 93:96 in favour of her opponent Mei-Li Folk, despite Mandy Böhm’s overall dominance during the bout.

Back to Gelsenkirchen: The Monster Academy and Fearless Females

But Mandy Böhm’s new chapter was not only athletic. Together with her husband, professional fighter Khurshed Kakhorov, she returned to Gelsenkirchen and founded the Monster Academy, which goes far beyond a mere martial arts school. At its core lies the idea to empower especially children, young people, and women. It focuses on self-assertion, mental resilience, and violence prevention. The academy aims to provide space for personal development – whether you want to step into the ring or simply move through life with greater confidence.

A special concern for her is the project „Fearless Females“, an initiative to strengthen women in martial arts and everyday life. It is her contribution to a society where boundaries are recognised and respected – and where no one has to diminish themselves.

A remarkable journey that Mandy Böhm from Gelsenkirchen has travelled in her still young life – a path shaped by unwavering ambition, strong determination, and courageous action. She has always picked herself up after setbacks, learned from them, drawn strength, and realigned her course. This constant rising, moving forward, and forging new paths make her story one of inspiration, strength, and perseverance. And by founding the Monster Academy and the Fearless Females project, she passes on that strength and courage – an impressive commitment. Respect, Mandy Böhm!