While growing up Michael was active in a variety of sports including track and field, football, soccer, baseball and wrestling.

In 1996 Michael entered the K-1 fighting network and started to train with the 1992 Karate World Cup Champion, Andy Hug.

In 2000 Michael stunned a crowd of 35,000 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Fukuoka by winning a unanimous decision over the heavily favored Nicholas Pettas.

On December 7, 2002 he was selected for K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Finals first reserve fight against Martin Holm.

In front of a packed house of 6,000 fans at The Bellagio in Las Vegas, Michael dispatched Dewey Cooper to win the title for the third time in three years.