Robert "Bob" Schrijber is a Dutch former mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He currently runs his own MMA and Muay Thai team in Krommenie, Netherlands called Sports Academy Schreiber. His most famous students at the moment are UFC fighter Stefan Struve, and professional wrestlerTom Budgen, currently wrestling for WWE under the name of Aleister Black. He is internationally known as Bob Schreiber because the Dutch vowel 'ij' is very uncommon in other languages. He holds the notable distinction of being one of the three fighters to lose to Melvin Manhoef by decision, the others being Jae-young Kim and Kent Kauppinen, and the first to defeat and knock Manhoef out in professional mixed martial arts competition, Manhoef's other 27 wins come by KO/TKO.
Background
Schrijber was born in Alkmaar, Netherlands. His parents divorced when he was young, which separated Schrijber and his brother Fred, who had a close relationship. Schrijber had a troubled childhood and began abusing drugs and alcohol from a young age. He also had an interest in punk rock music, starting a band with his brother, and got a job melting copper in a factory. Around this time, the young Schrijber began practicing judo and karate at a local gym. He noticed that he wasn't in as good physical condition as some of his peers at the gym, and went cold turkey on all drugs.
Fighting career
Schrijber started his martial arts career in 1981, when he started training in karate and judo in Haarlem, Netherlands. A year later he started training Muay Thai at the same gym. After his transition to the acclaimed Mejiro Gym, he started training with seven time muay thaiworld championRob Kaman. At this gym Schrijber became the Dutch and WKA European muay thai champion. In his shot at the WKA World title against Zijo Poljo, Schreiber crushed his left ankle in the third round. Although he did finish the fight, he lost a jury decision. In 1995 he started his MMA career. He fought notable opponents like Heath Herring, Wanderlei Silva, Semmy Schilt and Igor Vovchanchyn and made three appearances in Pride FC. His last appearance as an MMA fighter was in 2008 against Barrington Patterson, which he lost due to a unanimous decision.
