The 15th annual K-1 WGP Final followed the sport's classic eight-man tournament format: Four first-tier bouts advancing a quartet of fighters to the semifinals, the winners there squaring off in the final. All bouts were contested under K-1 Rules, 3min x 3R, with two possible extra tiebreaker rounds.

The first tournament quarterfinal saw veteran kickboxer Jerome LeBanner of France step in against gargantuan South Korean Hong Man Choi, a former ssirium wrestling Grand Champion.

Choi's 28cm/11" height advantage was strikingly evident when the pair met center ring for the referee's pre-fight instructions. LeBanner had joked beforehand that he would have to "bring down a tower," and took up the task from the start, darting in with a left straight and pumping in a right to the body. Throughout the first round LeBanner circled with good evasions, coming forward quickly to score with the left and low kicks. In the second the Frenchman led with the left, and brought a nice right cross over his opponent's guard. Choi did not appear to be bothered by the blows, and rattled LeBanner with a hard left hook late in the round to stay close.

LeBanner made the third thrilling, closing fearlessly with the overhand before coming round from behind to tag the retreating Choi's chops with a right. Surprisingly, Choi made few attempts to bring the knees into this fight, connecting for the first and only time midway through the third. It was too late, though, as the big Korean was now fatigued. As Choi slowed, LeBanner intensified his punching attacks, putting up points with tight combinations to earn a unanimous decision and a trip to the semifinals.

The second quarterfinal pitted Semmy Schilt against Brazilian kyokushin master Glaube Feitosa. This was the first of three wins on Schilt's road to victory, and it was also the hardest.

The two fighters traded low kicks to start, Feitosa with speed, Schilt with power. Feitosa made partial contact with a high kick, while Schilt closed to fight with the knees. No significant damage in the first. The second saw Feitosa with his guard high and close, patiently taking what Schilt was dishing out -- before suddenly firing up a beautiful kyokushin kick that caught the side of Schilt's head hard. It was the strike of the fight, and the crowd rose to their feet as a stunned Schilt wobbled awkwardly backward. Schilt very much looked like he was going down, but his fall was arrested and his balance restored by the ropes. Seeing his chance, Feitosa chased the dizzy Dutchman with fists, but could not finish. The round ended with a recovered Schilt throwing hard low kicks, jabbing with the left and again coming in with the knees. In the third Schilt repeatedly tossed in the jab and hoisted the knees, while but for a decent left straight punch Feitosa could not bring any hurt to the big guy.

A spirited contest, and the WGP laurels might well have graced a different head had Schilt gone down in the second. But as it was Schilt came out of the bout having clearly put more strikes through, and took the win by unanimous decision.

The second bracket opened with Moroccan bad boy Badr Hari, the K-1 Heavyweight Champion, taking on two-time WGP Champion Remy "The Gentleman" Bonjasky of Holland. There is no love lost between this pair, who have lashed out at one another in interviews. This one was expected to be a war.

And it was. An explosive start, speed and power characterizing the countless low kicks that flew in the first. Hari launched a nice high kick here, Bonjasky a flying knee; and both men also went pugilistic, Bonjasky going for the nose, Hari pumping the right to the body. More punch and low kick combinations to start the second before the fighters stood off some, searching for openings. Both kept the guards high and showed good blocking, a hint of animosity evidenced when Hari refused to touch gloves after Bonjasky had signaled a low blow. The pair did not touch gloves at the end of the round either. In the third, legs were further brutalized. Bonjasky threw several left hooks then smacked in a right kick to the top of Hari's leg, and the Moroccan looked to have slowed some by the final bell.

A close one, Bonjasky taking the third on all cards to prevail by the narrowest of majority decisions. But after absorbing so many hard low kicks, one had to wonder whether Bonjasky would be fit for the semis.

The last of the quarterfinals featured three-time WGP Champion Peter Aerts of Holland and 23-year-old Japanese kickboxer Junichi Sawayashiki.

Aerts has competed in all 15 K-1 WGP finals, and the "Dutch Lumberjack" displayed his experience here, cutting his opponent down in just 89 seconds. Aerts started fast with low kicks to put Sawayashiki off-balance. A deftly-placed high kick then caught the Japanese fighter hard on the head for a down. Sawayashiki beat the count, but on resumption Aerts coolly threaded a right straight punch through for a second down and the win. Aerts looked nothing like his 37 years, while Sawayashiki just looked out of his element.

In the first semifinal it was Jerome LeBanner -- the lone non-Dutch fighter remaining in contention -- stepping in against Semmy Schilt.

From the bell LeBanner was the aggressor, and why not -- Schilt must have appeared small after Choi! The Frenchman cocked his head to the left and threw the overhand right to good effect, and Schilt was forced into retreat, pushing LeBanner back with front kicks. Schilt threw some hard low kicks and decisively reversed the flow at the clapper, bringing a hard right knee up to LeBanner's face then laying in with punches to end the round.

There was some confusion at the start of the second, when it appeared that LeBanner's cornermen might not leave the ring. LeBanner pulled rank, waving them out and starting in with a series of punch attacks. However it soon became clear from LeBanner's movement that his right leg was compromised. Schilt exploited this by firing in a low kick for a down. A distressed LeBanner beat the count, but his corner had seen enough and threw the towel, giving Schilt the win.

The second semi featured Remy Bonjasky, who had taken a heap of punishment in his first fight; and Peter Aerts, who had barely been touched in his.

If Bonjasky was hurt he wasn't showing it, exhibiting fluid movement and throwing high kicks from the bell. Bonjasky went to the mat after an exchange of kicks, but this was ruled a slip. Aerts stood his ground, stepping in with the right straight punch, working the body and throwing low kicks along with a knee that slowed Bonjasky down some. Aerts went to the body again in the second, and the closed-up Bonjasky was now hopelessly on the defensive. After being cautioned for a lack of attacks, Bonjasky fired the fists onto his opponent's guard, Aerts responding by mockingly dropping his gloves and inviting Bonjasky in.

Fatigue had caught up with Bonjasky, who was listless in the third, rarely throwing anything and missing badly when he did. Aerts put low kicks in, worked the body again, and picked up enough points to win by comfortable unanimous decision.

The final between Schilt and Aerts marked the third meeting between these two -- Aerts taking the first fight, in Auckland in March of last year; Schilt equalizing in the Championship bout at the WGP 06 Final. The repeat of last year's final showdown provided a dramatic opportunity for the fighters to settle the score.

Aerts may have been the crowd's sentimental favorite, but Schilt would not be denied. The bout began with Aerts moving in ambitiously with overhand punches. Schilt fended off the attacks with low kicks, and went to the clinch when the distance closed. Schilt soon corralled his opponent into the corner and brought up the knee, but Aerts escaped and found the space to resume his pursuit. Schilt put through a left straight punch that didn't look especially dangerous, but caught Aerts square on the chin. Unfortunately for Aerts, as he stumbled backward his right knee buckled, and he fell to the canvas smarting less from the punch than its side effect. With pain etched on his face, Aerts grasped his failed knee, and could only listen in frustration as the count progressed. Aerts could not get up, and Schilt had the Championship.

"I'm very glad to win tonight and to make history by winning the Championship three years in a row," said a beaming Schilt in his post-tournament interview. "It was a good final, there were no easy fights. I think the first fight [against Feitosa] was the hardest, but the first fight is always the most difficult, it decides what happens in the other fights."

Asked if the final with Aerts was a "dream fight," the normally stoic Schilt attempted a joke: "I think if you really want to see a dream fight you have to rent a DVD, like one of the Rocky movies…" Ok, now we know why Schilt is stoic.

Schilt's victory continues a Dutch domination of K-1 that is nothing short of astounding. The three Dutch fighters in tonight's WGP Final all won their quarterfinals, and were only eliminated by fellow Dutchmen; the K-1 WGP Champion has been a Dutchman for the last six years; and in K-1's 15-year history, a Dutch fighter has won the WGP 12 times.

In the tournament Reserve Fight it was Mighty Mo of the United States and Paul Slowinski of Australia. The squat Mo's right hook has been the bane of many an opponent; while Slowinski's karate background and conditioning afford him a more varied repertoire of attack strategies. Slowinski also had one of the greats in his corner -- Ernesto "Mr Perfect" Hoost.

Slowinski answered Mo's early punching charge with a series of low kicks, but Mo stepped through these to persist with the fists, a right opening a cut near Slowinski's eye and prompting a doctor's check. Mo was aggressive again after resumption, closing repeatedly and connecting well with the fists. In the second Mo again took the initiative, but now Slowinski made good on counters, leading with the left straight then firing in a hard low kick to drop the big Samoan. Mo looked like he might just beat the count, and the referee gave him ample opportunity to assume a fighting pose, but Mo could only respond with a grimace, and the fight was called, giving Slowinski the victory.

A Superfight saw veteran Japanese seidokaikan fighter Musashi take on David Dancrade, a French kickboxer making his K-1 debut. Dancrade threw low, middle, high and spinning back kicks in the early going, while Musashi blocked and took his time, testing with the occasional jab or low kick. But suddenly, at the clapper, Musashi fired in a left kick that caught Dancrade on the midsection and sent him to the canvas. The French fighter stayed there, unable to beat the count. A good fighter makes winning look easy by picking his spots, and Musashi's K-1 experience proved the difference here as he did just that.

Also on the card, Jan "The Giant" Nortje South Africa beat Dong Wook Kim by TKO when the South Korean could not continue after bashing his foot into The Giant's knee; Takashi Tachikawa of Japan scored a KO win over Ki Min Kim of South Korea; and Mitsugu Noda of Japan beat Noel Cadet of France by TKO.

The pairings were decided with a system that combines choice and chance. One after the other, in an order decided by lot, the fighters were free to select any available position on the tournament tree.

Twenty-three year-old Japanese wunderkind Junichi Sawayashiki, who had drawn the number two selection, went against the "start early" strategy, opting to avoid LeBanner and instead put himself in the "H" spot, blue corner in the fourth quarterfinal. LeBanner was seen having a bit of a laugh at this.

Next up was Korean fighter Hong-Man Choi, and the biggest guy in the tournament, who made a bit of a deke on the stage, suggesting he might line up beside Sawayashiki before walking over to the "B" spot and a date with LeBanner. This delighted the Frenchman, who exchanged high-fives with Choi.

"I am very happy to fight this giant guy," said LeBanner, "December 8 will be a new Pearl Harbor!" Said Choi: "I am honored to be fighting someone I respect."

Two-time WGP Champ Peter Aerts of the Netherlands was up next, taking the spot beside Sawayashiki to set up a fight between the tournament's oldest fighter (Aerts is 36) and the second-youngest (Sawayashiki is 23).

"He had a good fight last night," said Aerts, "but I chose him because he has less experience." Sawayashiki just smiled and joked, "Same with me."

Two-time WGP Champ Remy Bonjasky of Holland got the fifth choice, and went to the "F" spot, blue in the 3rd fight. He was followed by Moroccan Badr Hari, the K-1 Heavyweight Champ and youngest fighter in the tournament (Hari's birthday is December 8, he will turn 23 on the day of the tournament). Hari made his way directly to the "E" spot, pairing himself with Bonjasky.

"I've wanted to fight Remy for long time," said Hari, "if I'm lucky I can get him and Peter in one night!" Said Bonjasky: "Hari is talented, but now comes now the real challenge for him."

This left Semmy Schilt, the two-time and Defending WGP Champ and the current K-1 Super Heavyweight Champ to fight Brazilian Kyokushin star Glaube Feitosa. Schilt had the next choice and went to the red corner in the second bout, leaving Feitosa the blue.

Schilt: "I'm just happy to be in this first bracket!" Feitosa: "It's an honor to fight defending champion, I will do my best."

The truly international Final, featuring three Dutch fighters and one each from France, Morocco, Brazil, South Korea and Japan, is set for December 8 at the Yokohama Arena. Check the K-1 Official website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp) for complete fighter information and coverage of all K-1 events.
 

The popularity of the K-1 World Max 70kg/154lbs weight class rivals that of the World GP. Where the heavyweights have the power, the lighter fighters appeal with speed and stamina, consistently producing thrilling contests. This year's World Max eight finalists represented six different countries.

The first quarterfinal was a keenly anticipated matchup between all-round kickboxer and media darling Masato of Japan, who won the Max Belt in 2003; and Thai fighter Buakaw Por Pramuk, whose positively lethal legs and fast fists made him the two-time and Defending Max Champion.

Both fighters got the low kicks going early, and the first round had plenty of action -- Buakaw scoring with body blows and a high kick, Masato getting an uppercut in before surprising his opponent with an innocent-looking right straight punch to score a down.

The second saw Buakaw good with the hard low kicks, Masato leading with the left straight and deftly picking his spots on the counters, connecting with another uppercut. Masato used the ring to effect, moving to his left, forcing Buakaw to approach with less than perfect positioning. In the third Buakaw needed a down to get back into the fight, but was uncharacteristically tentative with his attacks. Masato meanwhile continued his mastery, focused and fast with the straight punches, closing for another uppercut while absorbing his opponent's low kicks. A fine performance from Masato for the well-earned unanimous decision.

The second matchup featured power puncher Mike Zambidis of Greece, a compact bundle of strength and determination; and Ukrainian Artur Kyshenko, a muay thai fighter who also likes the fists.

A slow first, Kyshenko with occasional high kicks, Zambidis blocking well and countering with low kicks and body blows -- neither fighter connecting decisively, a slight edge to Kyshenko evidenced on two judges' cards. Better action in the second, Zambidis darting inside with punches but Kyshenko employing his 5cm/2" height advantage to arrest the Greek with long low kicks.

In the third, Kyshenko went with the fists, pumping in body blows, while Zambidis launched a couple of flying knees that came up short. Spirited action to end the fight, which one judge gave to Kyshenko and two saw as a draw, triggering a tiebreaker round.

A more aggressive Kyshenko in the deciding extra round, in with proficient kicks and combinations; Zambidis meanwhile circling with a hit-and-run strategy, missing again with his flying knees but getting body blows through. A difficult one to call, the decision going to Kyshenko.

Dutch boxer Albert Kraus' speed, smarts and punches won him the inaugural World Max Championship in 2002. In tonight's third tournament quarterfinal, the 27 year-old Max veteran met the two-time and Defending Japan Max Champ, kickboxer Yoshihiro Sato.

Sato started fast, intent on using his reach and 10cm/4" height `advantage to run Kraus down. But the Dutch fighter was equally aggressive, moving past the straight punches and knees with body blows and uppercuts. Sato sent a number of high kicks up throughout this one, but Kraus' evasions and blocking were sound.

In second, a Sato knee looked to have Kraus in trouble, but the Dutch fighter answered with a dandy straight punch and left hook to regain his momentum. The third was thrilling, both fighters repeatedly clashing. Sato again used his long legs to fire the low kicks, and leaped forward with the knees. But a determined Kraus was smart in all aspects of his game -- his movement and positioning were perfect, and he tallied big time late in the round with a punch combination that snapped Sato's head back and, were it not for the ropes, might have put him down.

One of the best fights on the night, the unanimous decision going to Kraus.

Andy Souwer of Holland set off on the road to glory against muay thai stylist Drago, an Armenian known for both aggression and creativity.

The pair kept their guards high and close and traded hard low kicks and straight punches in the opening moments, Souwer sailing a high kick just over Drago's head. The second saw Drago taking some chances, leading with the jab and closing with body blows, Souwer coming back with the knees and kicks. And then, in an instant, it was over. Drago leaned in with a left straight just as Souwer was bringing a right hook around. The fighters' arms brushed past one another, and Drago's missed and Souwer's connected, knocking the Armenian out cold.

The first semifinal pitted Masato against Kyshenko in a back-and-forth battle. Masato started fast with the low kicks and straight punches to put his opponent on the defensive. Kyshenko rallied promisingly with some big haymakers and high kicks, but was shut down well by Masato's stinging low kicks. Even as Masato appeared to be in control, the limping Kyshenko came back with three hard right straight punches, and now it was Masato in trouble. Kyshenko was chasing his opponent when the bell sounded to end the first, and took the round on two cards.

In the second Kyshenko resumed the punches, Masato the low kicks. The distance had closed, with both fighters center ring and exchanging punches, when Masato rammed in a left hook in to drop Kyshenko, who was unable to beat the count. Masato to the final.

It was Kraus and Souwer in the all-Dutch second semi. Souwer had very little rest time between his quarterfinal and this fight, but nonetheless brought some strong attacks, setting the distance with front kicks, pumping the knee up and putting the low and middle kicks through in the first, picking up the pace in the second to score with combinations, body blows and high kicks. Kraus got inside, only to be stymied by a high and close Souwer guard. A Kraus left hook in the second kept it close, but Souwer had the better stuff overall, connecting with a nice right in the fast-paced third and taking the decision on two cards, with one judge calling a draw. Souwer, with the narrowest of majority decisions, now had a date with Masato in the final.

The dream final brought the crowd on their feet, the encouragement deafening as their favorite son made his way to the ring. Masato took the initiative from the bell, charging at Souwer with straight punches and body blows, getting full contact with a hard left punch. Souwer weathered the attacks, closed up in defense. Souwer's attacks were less than overwhelming, he missed with a high kick, and saw his low kicks answered fearlessly with more straight punches.

But in the second Souwer turned it up a notch or two, throwing low kicks and flying in with the knees; while Masato pressed forward again to deliver the one-two straight punches, unleashing the uppercut that had done him well in his earlier fights. Souwer persisted with the low kicks, and by midway through these were seriously slowing Masato.

The turning point came late in the round, Souwer smashing in a right straight punch, catching his off-balance opponent with a number of hard low kicks. At the clapper Souwer was chasing the retreating Japanese fighter, and when the bell sounded Masato slowly slumped over the ropes, hurt and exhausted.

The ringside camera stayed on Masato between rounds, and the question now was whether he could answer the bell for the third. The time ticked off, the announcer called 'seconds out,' but Masato's cornermen remained huddled round their seated fighter, who had pain tattooed on his face. A quiet, mournful shake of the head and the hint of a smile from Masato. It was over.

Souwer leapt in the air, then dropped to the canvas and bowed to Masato, lifting the Japanese fighter to his feet as the crowd rose to theirs to offer both warriors a standing ovation.

In his post-fight interview, Masato told reporters that injuries to his hand and legs from his bout against Buakaw had badly limited him in his subsequent fights.

Commenting afterward on his strategy for the final, Souwer said, "My trainer Andre Mannaart and I knew Masato wanted to rush me with punches, so we had this plan to use kicks. My ribs and my ankle were hurt in my fight with Kraus, and my right hand was also causing me pain, but I had to give my all against Masato, who is one of the best!"

With the victory, Souwer reclaims the Belt he surrendered to Buakaw last year, and also picks up a cool 20 million in prize money.

"My second son was born just last week," said Souwer, "I will put this money in the bank for him and his brother."

In the Reserve Fight it was Takayuki Kohiruimaki of Japan vs Virgil Kalakoda of South Africa.

Kohiruimaki wanted the distance to throw his kicks, but Kalakoda kept moving inside with the fists. Kohiruimaki had said in the pre-event press conference that he would "find the right position" to defend against Kalakoda's punches. Unfortunately for the fans, the position he choose was the clinch, prohibited under K-1 rules. This got Kohiruimaki numerous warnings and a yellow card. Kalakoda had the much better strikes, several straight punches and a right hook in the second then a left straight in the third for a down. After the count, Kalakoda pounded in tight hooks for another down and the win.

In a Superfight, seidokaikan fighter Kazuya Yasuhiro of Japan took on kickboxer Su Hwan Lee of South Korea.

Fast and furious this one, the fists seeing action, Yasuhiro getting a right through in the first, Lee scoring a down with a left. Lee took the fight to his opponent in the second, scoring another down with a left hook, snapping in the low kicks and ducking a desperate spinning back punch to stay out of harm's way. Yasuhiro has great heart, and kept coming at the Korean, but couldn't muster the down he needed to get back into the fight, which went to Lee by unanimous decision.

A special junior 60kg Superfight saw 15 year-old Japanese kickboxer Hiroya take on 18 year-old Kwon Eolzzang of South Korea.

An estimable contest, the youngsters showing impressive technique and speed. Both put the good low kicks in early, Hiroya scoring with combinations and a nice right overhand, and planting a couple more hard punches in the second. Eolzzang got his stuff going at times, but Hiroya used superior footwork, positioning and speed to put more muscle on the money, earning a comfortable unanimous decision.

In undercard action, Japanese fighter Gori beat compatriot Ryogi by unanimous decision; and Murat Direkci of Turkey scored a second round KO victory over Satoruvashicoba of Japan.

The K-1 World Max '07 Final attracted a sellout crowd of 14,231 to the Nippon Budokan and was broadcast live across Japan on the TBS network. For delay broadcast information in other areas contact local providers. For complete coverage of this and all K-1 World Max and World GP events visit the K-1 Official website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp).
 

This year's World Max top eight hail from six different countries, each with his own special set of highly-refined skills. One will be crowned Champion tomorrow in the historic Nippon Budokan. Today, the hopefuls shared their pre-tournament thoughts in a standing-room-only press conference at the Hotel Laforet.

Buakaw: "I've had a strict, hot weather training regime and I have absolute confidence I will make a fight that all will enjoy, and absolute confidence I will win!"
Masato: "I spent one whole year training for this tournament alone, I am in my best-condition ever. Not only for myself, but for my family and all my fans, I will show my best!"

The second matchup features power puncher Mike Zambidis of Greece, a compact bundle of strength and determination; and another fists-first fighter, Artur Kyshenko of the Ukraine.

Zambidis: "I am proud to come from country with heroes like Alexander the Great, tomorrow everyone will see me do justice to my national heritage!"
Kyshenko: "Just to be in the best eight is great, I have been training hard for tomorrow, and I will do a great fight!"

Dutch boxer Albert Kraus was the inaugural Max Champ, a young man with superior speed and punches. In the third tournament bout, he will meet two-time and defending Max Japan Champ Yoshihiro Sato, who uses his height (185cm/6'1") to fire the knees and kicks.

Kraus: "I will do my best, I only want to be number one!"
Sato: "Since August I have been training myself mentally, lots of brainwork to configure myself for this bout. I know am a stronger fighter now and I have one goal -- to be the Champion!"

Shoot boxer Andy Souwer of Holland took the World Max Belt in 2005, but lost to Buakaw in the final last year. Tomorrow he will square off against Armenian muay thai stylist Drago, known for both aggression and creativity.

Souwer: "I have been training to get back the title I lost last year, I will get the belt tomorrow you'll see!"
Drago: "I am happy to be here, good luck everybody!"

In the Reserve Fight it will be Takayuki Kohiruimaki of Japan vs Virgil Kalakoda of South Africa.

Kohiruimaki: "Virgil is a good puncher, I want to position myself properly for the exchanges."
Kalakoda: "There are some big, tough matchups and anything can happen. I prepared for this as if I was in the tournament, in case the reserve fight winner gets in."

In a Superfight, Kazuya Yasuhiro of Japan will take on Su Hwan Lee of South Korea; while a special junior 60kg Superfight will see 15 year-old Japanese kickboxer Hiroya take on 18 year-old Kwon Eolzzang of South Korea.

The K-1 World Max '07 Final kicks off at 18h00 on October 3 at the Nippon Budokan. It will be broadcast live in Japan on the TBS network. For delay broadcast information in other areas contact local providers. For complete coverage of this and all K-1 World Max and World GP events visit the K-1 Official website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp)
 

Fightsport's most coveted crown, the K-1 WGP Championship is bestowed each year on a single warrior after a worldwide series of qualifying tournaments. On this early autumn evening, the top 16 stepped in for eight fights at the Seoul Olympic Complex, with the eight winners earning a spot at the WGP Final in December.

The Final Elimination is one of the GP season's highlights -- nowhere on the calendar is the talent pool deeper. Each fighter is fresh, has prepared for a specific opponent, and knows he must unleash his all in the do-or-die event. A very vocal crowd further pumped up the intensity for a tournament that was nothing short of terrific.

The first matchup featured Defending K-1 Heavyweight Champion, bad boy Badr Hari of Morocco, facing the surprise winner of August's Battle at the Bellagio tournament in Las Vegas, Doug Viney of New Zealand.

Viney took the early initiative, stepping in and scoring with the straight left, firing the low kicks, hooks and body blows. Hari took his shots from outside, connecting solidly to rattle Viney's jaw, but the Kiwi's superior positioning usually kept him one step ahead. Hari however got the combinations going nicely in the second to force the fight. The lanky Moroccan then perfectly picked a chance, countering a Viney low kick with a devastating right cross to deposit his opponent on the canvas. Viney could not beat the count, and Hari was on his way to the December Final.

"Everything that I do is calculated," said Hari afterward. "He was very well prepared for my jab, after the first round I could see that. So after that I threw my jab, and set him up for the other punch."

The second bout was a clash of size and power versus raw determination, as the two-time and Defending WGP and Super Heavyweight Champion Semmy Schilt of Holland took on this year's Europe GP tournament winner Paul Slowinski of Australia.

Slowinski joked at the pre-event press conference that he had a "big job" ahead of him here, and that was no exaggeration. At 212cm/6'11" Schilt is one of the largest fighters in K-1, and has the technique and speed to boot. One has to go back more than a year to find a loss on Schilt's record.

Schilt closed to work the knees to start, but Slowinski showed good evasions, and challenged the Champ with some solid straight punches. For a time, that is. Scarcely midway through the first, as Slowinski was backed against the ropes, he briefly relaxed his guard and Schilt brought the left knee up hard, catching him on the right of the jaw and crumpling him to the canvas. Slowinski got to his feet, barely in time, but the referee didn't like the look of his bloodied face, and waved his arms to stop the fight, giving Schilt the KO win.

Schilt says his goal is to win the GP Final three times in a row. "I think tonight I've come a little bit closer to that goal," he said after the bout.

A couple of quick and technical fighters went at it in the third bout, as two-time WGP Champion Remy Bonjasky of Holland met Stefan "Blitz" Leko of Germany.

Leko brutalized Bonjasky's gonads when these two met at last year's Final, kicking him below the belt twice times in their quarterfinal matchup, prompting a long break and a postponement. Bonjasky went on record saying he suspected the second blow was intentional. And so, this had the makings of a "revenge" match.

Leko had the low kicks and combinations working from the bell, while an aggressive Bonjasky went with his signature flashy flying knees and high kicks. At one point, when a Bonjasky kick hit Leko's midsection, the German fighter played the crowd with some "I'm alright, what's the big deal?" theatrics.

Maybe he shouldn't have mocked Bonjasky like that, because now "The Flying Gentleman" redoubled his efforts, and in a moment had flown in with a right knee to the jaw. A howling strike, which downed Leko. A convincing KO romp for Bonjasky, who after a trying string of personal tragedies looks to be back in absolutely top fighting form.

"My mother passed away recently," said Bonjasky, "and winning this fight was like giving a trophy to her, so I'm really glad."

In the next bout it was another German, power-punching Chalid "Die Faust," taking on the Brazilian with the out-of-this-world kicks, Glaube Feitosa.

Die Faust came out swinging, but it was Feitosa who had the better first, controlling the distance with front kicks, countering with a left knee to score an early down and answering his opponent's haymakers with a left straight punch to score a second down late in the round. This one went the distance and the crowd loved it -- there were gasps of astonishment when Feitosa serpentined his kyokushin kicks; and roars of approval when the plucky Die Faust weathered repeated the blows but continued to come back on the attack.

Both fighters got through in the second and third with uppercuts, straight punches and kicks. Die Faust ate a hard knee and stumbled some in the third, but showed a good chin as Feitosa could not finish him, and the bout ended with no further downs. Really a great, fast and spirited contest, Feitosa's hand raised by the referee but the boisterous standing ovation clearly going to both fighters.

In his post-fight interview, Feitosa spoke about his preparations for the December Final: "I train to get stronger, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I will -- it takes a lot of work to improve. Rather than focusing on one thing, I know that I need work on everything."

Next up, French K-1 veteran Jerome Le Banner took on late substitute Young Soo Park of Korea. The scheduled qualification bout between LeBanner and Ruslan Karaev, was turned into a Superfight when Karaev could not make it to the event.

Park started aggressively, firing in three fast low kicks to elicit cheers of encouragement from the crowd. But LeBanner was not buying into the Cinderella scenario, and marched forward with the fists. Now it was the Frenchman putting on the pressure, and it didn't take long before Park looked out of his league. A LeBanner right hook proved the decisive blow, sending the Korean down hard, where he stayed, sorely unable to beat the count.

Remarking this year's Final falls on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, LeBanner joked with reporters afterward, "I want the fight in December to be a big Pearl Harbor. Banzai!"

The sixth fight featured Japanese kickboxing sensation Junichi Sawayashiki, who stunned the K-1 world by defeating LeBanner this March, and turned 23 only last week. Sawayashiki's opponent was compatriot Yasuke Fujimoto, the Asian GP '07 Champion.

Fujimoto started with low kicks, and put a couple of straight punches through to bloody Sawayashiki's nose, prompting a couple of doctor checks. Sawayashiki looked skittish, not committing to attacks even as he absorbed more blows from Fujimoto.

In the second Sawayashiki swung wildly but was rarely on target, until he got a knee and punch combination through to drop Fujimoto. Now it was Fujimoto, bleeding from above his right eye, who got the doctor check. Full-on fisticuffs followed resumption, and at the clapper Sawayashiki brought up a right high kick to score a second down.

Fujimoto was terribly wobbly in the third, his legs buckling at even the suggestion of a strike. After calling a number of slips, finally the referee ruled a down, then a second, then a third, and Sawayashiki had the win.

Testimony to the youngster's spirit, he fought on to victory despite having had his nose broken in the first round.

Three-time WGP Champ Peter "The Dutch Lumberjack" Aerts has, incredibly, appeared in every WGP Final since K-1's inception in 1993. To stretch his streak to 15, he'd have to get past another seasoned veteran, Kiwi slugger Ray Sefo.

It was all Aerts in the first. Although Sefo managed a nice right straight punch that cocked Aerts' head back, he looked less than 100% here. The Lumberjack got the fists and textbook combinations in at will, and repeatedly chopped Sefo down with low kicks, these finally scoring a down late in the round. At the bell Sefo uncharacteristically walked away from his opponent. If there was any doubt Sefo was in distress it was confirmed when he did not answer the bell.

The ringside camera zoomed in on the doubled-over Sefo, revealing tears streaming down his face. When Aerts wrapped his arms around his long-time friend, the crowd knew this was no time for jeers, and offered the pair a warm round of applause.

"It was not a problem," said Aerts afterward. "Ray said he was a little bit sick, but the fight was not too much of a problem. I wanted to hurt his legs and that worked out."

The Main Event saw local hero, the gargantuan Hong-Man Choi, in a revenge match against the only fellow to beat him this year, hard-hitting Samoan-American Mighty Mo.

With the crowd chanting his name, Choi looked down on his rotund opponent for a long while before making a move. Mo tried a kick to no avail, and came in with haymakers that made only partial contact. Finally Choi got the knee in, then a front kick, then swatted at Mo with a left. But Mo stood his ground, despite more swatting and hammer punches from Choi.

In the second Mo barreled in with the fists and this seemed to unnerve Choi, who answered with feeble jabs. A Choi low blow toward Mo's groin brought controversy -- the referee did not call a time out, but instead issued a standing count. The two then briefly mixed it up, Mo putting Choi in the corner and connecting with a couple of overhands, while absorbing a knee.

The third saw Choi, his left glove glued to the side of his head in perpetual guard, smacking down the occasional hammer punch, stretching in front kicks and scoring with a good hard middle kick midway through; Mo at darting in from distance to throw the overhands, tagging the Korean with a right and a left.

The judges gave it to Choi, but the decision hardly received the reaction one would associate with a convincing win.

"I feel I was robbed. I should have won," said a disappointed Mo after the fight. "He must have picked up a new technique -- the kick below the belt! I really think that there should be a third fight. There was a lot of favoritism here, next time I want to fight somewhere else."

Informed of Mo's protestation, Choi said, "I don't have any problems with the decision -- I wanted to beat him by KO but beating him by decision is good. I was very nervous yesterday, I kept remembering Mighty Mo from that time, so I only slept for three hours and I was tired. If he wants a rematch, anytime!"

Tonight's eight winners will participate in a draw here in Seoul tomorrow, September 30, to determine the matchups for the December WGP Final.

In other action on the card, the Opening Fight saw 217cm/7'3" Young Hyun Kim of South Korea use the big knees and low kicks to beat Ryushi Yanagisawa of Japan. In undercard action Kyoutaro Ranger of Japan won over South Korean Kyoung Suk Kim under the three-downs-in-a-round rule; while in an all-Korea match, Min Soo Kim beat Randy Kim by decision.

The K-1 World Grand Prix '07 Final Elimination attracted a crowd of 16,652 to the Olympic Complex in Seoul. It was broadcast live in Japan on the Fuji TV network and in South Korea on CJ Media. The event will be delay-broadcast in 135 countries, contact local providers for scheduling information. Check the K-1 official website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp) for official results and coverage of this an all K-1 action.
 

Tomorrow these fighters will step into the ring at the Seoul Olympic Complex for eight single-match contests, fought under K-1 Rules, with the victorious octet advancing to the WGP Final in December. Nowhere on the WGP calendar is the talent pool deeper or the action more thrilling -- each fighter is fresh, has prepared for a specific opponent, and knows he must unleash his all in the do-or-die event.

On the eve of the tournament, participating fighters appeared in a press conference at the COEX International Hotel to share their thoughts with local and international media.

 

Said Hari: "Last year I was in the final 16 but didn't make it. This time it will be different. I trained hard and I'm ready to KO someone!" Viney: "I'm also ready, and I'm sure the fight will be exciting!"

The second bout is a clash of size and power versus raw determination, as the Defending WGP and Super Heavyweight Champion Semmy Schilt of Holland takes on this year's Europe GP tournament winner Paul Slowinski of Australia.

Schilt: "I'm happy to be here as Champion, I want to show a great fight, I don't care who I meet as long as he comes in 2nd!" Slowinski: "Semmy's a big guy so I have a big job tomorrow, but I feel good about fighting him and I'm looking forward to it!"

A couple of quick and technical fighters will go at it in the third bout, as two-time WGP Champion Remy Bonjasky of Holland meets Stefan "Blitz" Leko of Germany.

Bonjasky: "It's always exciting to be here in Korea, I will do my best to win so my fans here can have a great time!"
Leko: "This is my 10th year now in K-1, I will do my best to win it!"

In the next bout it will be another German, power-punching Chalid "Die Faust," taking on the Brazilian with the out-of-this-world kicks, Glaube Feitosa.

Feitosa: "It is my second time here in Seoul, I will do my best to perform at the top of my ability!"
Faust: "I feel great, I know it will be very good!"

French K-1 veteran Jerome Le Banner was scheduled to fight Ruslan Karaev, but K-1 reported that the Russian fighter had been injured in a traffic accident and could not make the trip to Seoul, and that a replacement would be announced "in a few hours." This prompted undercard fighter Young Soo Park, during in his comments to the press, to declare to K-1 Event Producer Sadaharu Tanikawa his strong desire to fight LeBanner.

"Well, I hope the boss can take the offer of this Korean guy," piped in LeBanner, "I don't know him, but why not give a new man the chance to go for my chin, rock and roll!"

Sure enough, scarcely an hour after the press conference had finished, it was decided that Park, whom Tanikawa termed "passionate and courageous," would get his wish.

The sixth fight will feature 23 year-old Japanese kickboxer Junichi Sawayashiki, who stunned the K-1 world by defeating LeBanner this March. Sawayashiki will fight Asian GP '07 Champion Yasuke Fujimoto, also of Japan.

Fujimoto: "It is my 2nd time here in Korea, last time I had a good performance, and I want to win again this time!"
Sawayashiki: "It is an important fight, I want to do my best!"

Three-time WGP Champ Peter 'The Dutch Lumberjack" Aerts has, incredibly, appeared in every WGP Final since K-1's inception in 1993. If he wants to stretch the streak to 15, he'll have to get past another veteran, Kiwi slugger Ray Sefo.

Aerts: "Well, we're two old men, and only one can be in final, that's all!"
Sefo: "Yes, that's about it, two old men! Peter is a great warrior, a great man and a great friend. I wish the best to him and to everyone in the event!"

The Main Event will see local hero Hong-Man Choi in a revenge match against the only fellow to beat him this year, hard-hitting Samoan-American Mighty Mo.

Choi: "It's my third year now in the World Grand Prix, I want to do my best to win this time!"
Mo: "Well, Choi and I will do it again, hopefully I can repeat the last result and I will be in the Final!"

The K-1 World Grand Prix '07 Final Elimination kicks off at 17h00 at the Olympic Complex in Seoul and will be broadcast live in Japan on the Fuji TV network and in South Korea on CJ Media. The event will be delay-broadcast in 135 countries, contact local providers for scheduling information. Check the K-1 official website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp) for official results and coverage of this an all K-1 action.
 

LAS VEGAS, August 11, 2007 -- Doug Viney came to the Bellagio Hotel and Casino carrying his own bags, inconspicuous in an entourage that included K-1 superstar Ray Sefo and World Grand Prix Tournament favorite Alexandre Pitchkounov. Viney had a minor role to play, he was slotted for the tournament reserve bout -- an undercard contest that takes place while the house lights are half on and the stands are half empty, long before pyrotechnics and music trumpet the "elite" fighters' arrival. But when the night was over, Viney was standing center stage with the tournament trophy and a spot in next month's K-1 WGP Final Elimination in Seoul. It is an understatement to say that this was one hell of an achievement for Doug Viney.

Doug who?

Viney, 32, was born in Auckland. He had only five amateur bouts to his name when he first fought professionally in 2001. In 2004, Viney represented New Zealand, in a losing cause, in Super Heavyweight Boxing at the Athens Olympics. Five weeks ago, he began training with Ray Sefo, whom he has known since he was a teen. "We worked a lot on the basics," said Sefo after Viney's victory. "Tonight Doug proved what he can do, and this is just the beginning!"


Viney's road to victory started with a 2nd round TKO of American fighter Mahmoud Fawzy the reserve fight.
"I expected to have one fight," said Viney, "and winning that was awesome. But what happened afterward was bloody marvelous!"

First up in tournament action was Viney's sparring partner, karate stylist Alexandre Pitchkounov of Russia. At fight time Pitchkounov was the favorite to win it all, sitting at 8/5 on the Bellagio Sports Book odds board. His opponent was Tsuyoshi Nakasako of Japan, the longshot at 25/1.

Pitchkounov controlled the distance well throughout, snapping in low, front and middle kicks and making good contact with the left straight punch. Nakasako fired in the fists in the second, but Pitchkounov was better on the counters, and caught the Japanese fighter in the face with a front kick before scoring a down with a left hook. The pair stayed inside through much of the third, Pitchkounov picking his spots and getting the better of Nakasako to take the fight by comfortable unanimous decision and advance to the semifinals.

Ranked second on the odds board, at 3/1, was former American Armed Forces Heavyweight Boxing Champion "Savage" Rick Cheek. To get anywhere in this tournament Cheek first had to get past the formidable Imani "Juggernaut" Lee, also a former heavyweight boxer, and the biggest fighter in the tournament at 141kg/310lbs.

A good first round in this bout, both men pushing with low kicks and jabs, Cheek showing superior evasions and combinations, Lee surprisingly technical and quick for his size. The second saw Cheek dancing and circling, flying in a knee; and Lee powering in a left hook or two to keep it close. A Cheek spinning back punch smacked Lee across the lip, and Cheek also put a left straight through -- but the durable Lee was not fazed, and kept tossing in the low kicks. Lee came out fast in the third, chasing his opponent with the fists. Midway through, after taking an innocent-looking right punch to the midsection, Lee bent forward in pain, motionless in the center of the ring. Cheek leapt in with a knee that mercifully missed before the referee stepped in to call the fight for Cheek. Lee protested, but Cheek had the win and trip to the semis.

The third quarterfinal featured a couple of muay thai fighter -- American Patrick Barry, fresh from a stint in Amsterdam training with the legendary Ernesto Hoost; and Rickard Nordstrand of Sweden.

The smallest fighter in the tournament at 90kg/199lbs, Nordstrand nevertheless brought a lot of spirit to this thrilling bout. An early Barry left high kick sent the Swede to the canvas -- some saw a slip, but the referee issued a count. Behind on points, Nordstrand fired in a bunch of low kicks and stung Barry's left leg. But the American's superior power and low kicks took their toll on Nordstrand. Barry showed excellent technique, focus, blocking and balance, evading Nordstrand's knees on several occasions. Barry won it in the second when a low kick put Nordstrand down past the count.

The last of the quarterfinals saw two more muay thai fighters mix it up. Belorussian Zabit Samedov, who at 23 was youngest in the tournament, met Esh'Chadar Brown Ton of the United States.

Fast-paced action here, Samedov the more aggressive and confident fighter, getting the better stuff through. Brown Ton had his chances, but inexperience at this level of competition handicapped the Texan. Brown Ton's face was bloodied in the first, and he went down from a barrage of body blows at the clapper. Bravely, the American answered the bell to start the second, even as ringside officials were checking the cut on his face. Samedov chased his opponent, spinning in a rear heel hick to the midsection to put Brown Ton down for good. A full-throttle effort from the Belorussian, and a trip to the semis.

Viney got into the tournament when Rick Cheek could not continue due to a leg injury sustained in his bout with Lee. Under K-1 tournament rules, Viney was parachuted into the tournament to face Alexandre Pitchkounov.

"I only had about 10 minutes notice," said Viney, "and I was didn't really want to fight with Alex because he trains in the same camp as me. My brain was 50/50."

But the shot at glory is what every reserve fighter dreams of, so Viney stepped into the ring. The Kiwi was measured but able in his attacks early on, firing in occasional low and high kicks, denying Pitchkounov his distance and coming in quickly with sharp counters. By the bell Pitchkounov's nose was bloodied and he had not landed a single solid blow -- a great start for Viney.

The pace slowed in the second, but for a couple of punching exchanges midway through, with Viney putting through the better stuff. Pitchkounov landed a promising knee, but Viney stayed mobile and out of harm's way, ducking and blocking and repeatedly stepping in with straight punches and low kicks. A unanimous decision for Viney, and a trip to the final.

The second semi was a power-on-power showdown between Patrick Barry and Zabit Samedov. A fast start with the boys closing hard -- head-to-head, pumping the fists. Samedov scored with a hard straight punch before Barry got a high kick up, which Samedov answered with some Ray Sefo-style taunting. In the second both had chances, Barry working low kicks and a good overhand right, Samedov smart with his footwork and movement, scoring from inside with body blows and an uppercut. The third saw crowd favorite Barry looking confident, blocking or evading Samedov's high kicks, countering well with low kicks. A split decision which the crowd did not at all like -- the win and trip to the finals going to Samedov.

And so we had the Viney the reserve fighter and Samedov the youngster in the final.

Viney looking good with his meat-and-potatoes punching attacks, while Samedov, confident to the point of cockiness, went with style and creativity. Viney opened with two hard low kicks, then a right hook that made partial contact. An aggressive Samedov launched a high kick but this was blocked. Viney showed good focus and timing to rattle Samedov with a right straight punch here. In the second Samedov blocked a Viney high kick and countered with a solid low kick and right hook, as the Belorussian's footwork evolved to dancing and taunting. A hard low kick came late in the round, which Samedov won on all cards.

But Samedov, who was battling the flu, appeared to be tiring. In the third Viney got the fists going, and although Samedov connected with a handsome left hook, Viney was countering well, threading in a right straight punch and simply outworking his opponent. It was close. Samedov later said he was sure he'd won; and the crowd wanted another round. But the judges had seen enough to give it to Viney by the slimmest of unanimous decisions.

"To fight at this level, with these guys, is a dream," said Viney afterward. "I feel now that if I continue to train properly, focusing on myself, I can take on the world!"

In the card's Superfights:

Ray "Sugarfoot" Sefo of New Zealand has made Las Vegas his home for the last year. Tonight, the 36 year-old slugger played host to Bjorn Bregy of Switzerland. A karate stylist, the 6'8"/203cm Bregy won the K-1 Europe GP in Amsterdam last year.

A tentative first, with both men testing -- Sefo with low kicks, Bregy using his long reach to tag with the jab, putting up a hard high kick which Sefo blocked. Frequently, Sefo closed with one-two footwork and left jabs, looking to work the hook or uppercut from inside, but was stymied by Bregy's evasions. A couple of Sefo punch and high kick combinations started the second, and the Kiwi made partial contact with a spinning back kick. Bregy was able to control distance though, and but for a brief series of body blows Sefo still could not close to effect. Bregy glanced a right high kick off Sefo's chin in the third, and got a decent knee up from the clinch. A flurry of Sefo punches late in the fight were not enough to even things up, and Bregy notched the upset win by split decision.

"It was a good decision," said Bregy, "He was really strong, which surprised me, but I know I did a good job."

Said Sefo: "I don't want to cry over spilled milk, but I hoped he'd stand and trade. Instead he was always running away, he looked like a 100 meter sprinter!"

In the penultimate Superfight, German kickboxer Stefan Leko -- whose straight punch KO of Peter Aerts at the Bellagio made the ESPN year-end sports highlight reel in 2001 -- took on American powerhouse Mighty Mo, a big fellow with one heck of a right hook.

Leko started with a spinning back kick and spent most of the first throwing low kicks. Mo led with the left jab, pushing forward, finally throwing the right hook late in the round, missing but following with a left that made partial contact. Leko brought the spinning back kick again in the second, otherwise it was mostly low kicks from the German. With his guard high, Leko did not present much of a target for Mo's right, and met the American with low kicks and the clinch when he attempted to close. Mo threw low kicks throughout, but these did not appear to bother Leko at all. Mo did land some fists in the third, but Leko was better with a spinning back kick and a few good straight punches of his own. Mo pushed repeatedly with the left but his power potential was never realized, and the judges gave the fit and quick Leko a unanimous decision.

The third Superfight featured Petr Vondracek of the Czech Republic and Ariel Mastov of Israel. A spunky Mastov downed Vondracek early with a right, and after resumption planted a dandy spinning kick to keep the pressure on. Vondracek got the upper hand in the second, landing a high kick and a couple of straight punches then chasing his opponent with a hook for the equalizer. Vondracek wanted to overwhelm Mastov here but the Israeli showed he could take a lot of punishment, and was able to mount creative attacks on the counter. In the third Vondracek had the textbook one-two punch and low kick combinations working, but Mastov again showed flexibility, doing well with body blows and stunning his opponent with a series of overhand rights. Vondracek looked tired and Mastov exploited a defensive lapse, spinning in a heel kick to the midsection to drop the Czech fighter, who could not beat the count. The crowd loved this one.

All fights were conducted under K-1 Rules (3Min. x 3R with a possible tiebreaker).

The K-1 World Grand Prix '07 in Las Vegas attracted a sellout crowd to the Bellagio Grand Ballroom. It was broadcast in Japan on the Fuji TV network, with rebroadcasts set for a total of 135 countries -- contact local networks for scheduling information. Visit the K-1 Official Website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp) for official results and coverage of this and all K-1 events.
 

LAS VEGAS, August 9,2007 -- Whether it's billabong poker, indoor skydiving or a comely companion -- you can find just about anything you're looking for in Las Vegas. But this morning Scott Coker's K-1 USA production team were stumped. Finally, just minutes before the World Grand Prix in Las Vegas press conference, Tony Valente rushed into the Bellagio Hotel and Casino with a wide smile on his face. His frantic search, covering more than 65km/40miles, was a success -- Valente had found the flag of the Republic of Belarus.

The red, green and white national banner was installed alongside nine other flags as the world's top martial arts fighters made their way to the podium. In what has become an annual tradition, K-1 had arrived in Las Vegas.

The K-1 World Grand Prix '07 in Las Vegas comprises an eight-man elimination tournament to qualify a single fighter for the WGP Final Elimination in Seoul, as well as a trio of Superfights featuring some of K-1's biggest international stars. The action happens at the Bellagio this Saturday night. Today, the fourteen fighters met the media.

HONG KONG, August 5, 2007 -- Yasuke Fujimoto took a circuitous route but arrived victorious tonight at the K-1 Asia World Grand Prix Tournament in Hong Kong. It was the second consecutive Asia GP title for the 32 year-old Japanese karate fighter.

Held at the new Asia-World Expo Arena, the event marked K-1's first foray into Hong Kong. Featured alongside the eight-man elimination tournament were a trio of big-name Superfights.

One of Asia's strongest K-1 competitors, the huge Hong-Man Choi of South Korea, met Trinidadian-Canadian slugger Gary Goodridge in the card's top Superfight.

When the fighters met center ring for the referee's pre-fight instructions, Choi towering over Goodridge, there were gasps of amazement from the crowd. Renown for overwhelming opponents in the early moments of a fight, here Goodridge struggled in vain to overcome a 28cm/11" height disadvantage.

It wasn't close and it didn't last long. Goodridge circled and tossed a couple of low kicks while looking for a way in. But Choi was always in control, powering the big fists right through his opponent's guard before putting Goodridge on the ropes and bringing up the knee to score the fight-ending down at just 1:34.

Said Choi afterwards: "This is my first time in Hong Kong and I wanted to get out there and show people that I could be aggressive from the start. What's more, all of the other Korean fighters had lost today, so I felt I had to do something. I hope to be able to show everyone an even more improved fighting style [at the K-1 Final Elimination] in September."

One of the most keenly-anticipated matchups on the card was a Superfight between Badr Hari of Morocco and Aussie Peter Graham. Hari's trash talking of Graham at the press conference for last year's K-1 WGP in Auckland escalated to punches -- and when the pair met in the ring the following day Graham spun a heel hick round to shatter Hari's jaw. Hari has since become the first fighter to win the new K-1 Heavyweight Belt, and prior to this rematch the one-time braggart sounded gracious, thanking Graham for making him "stronger, more motivated and better." Graham, meanwhile, pledged to "help Badr to become even more mature!"

The fighters were tentative through the first round -- Hari keeping his guard high and working the left jab, occasionally leading with the right, both men throwing kicks but unable to really put the hurt in. The second saw the speedy Hari stringing combinations together to effect, landing a high kick and a couple of straight punches. Graham worked low kicks and the right, but was increasingly forced to the defensive.

Hari's long limbs were the difference in the third as he darted in all manner of strikes before downing Graham with a left straight punch to the midsection. The bout went the distance and the unanimous decision for Hari came as no surprise -- more surprising was the hugs the two exchanged after the final bell. Clearly, some of the hatred had been replaced with respect.

"I didn't have any hate for Peter, but I'm not his friend," said Hari in his post-fight interview. "I'm a professional, I came here to fight, and I beat him. I know he talked a lot of tough things about me, like he'll break my jaw again, but that is no problem. I just come to win and do my job. I don't want to break somebody's jaw. I just wanted to let him know that he was lucky last time, I was not the Badr that I am now. I just wanted to put that in his face!"

The card's other Superfight saw Peter Aerts of Holland take on spirited Seidokaikan fighter Nicholas Pettas of Denmark. No one better personifies K-1 than Aerts, who has participated in every World GP Final since the sport's inception in 1993 -- and has won it all three times.

But Pettas has a fine skill set of his own, and made a good go of it here, taking the fight to Aerts through much of the first with body blows, kicks and combinations, and showing impressive footwork and evasions to stay out of harm's way. In the second Aerts turned it all around, pumping in a right hook for a down that took much of the fire out of Pettas' attacks. Soon afterward Aerts fired up a high kick that caught Pettas on the side of the head. The Dane went down and did not get up for a long while, and the spunky Aerts, looking nothing like a 37 year-old, had the convincing win.

"It was a while since I fought Nicholas," said Aerts, "but he showed a good fight, he showed good heart. He really wanted to fight, and he fought like a man, not like Bob Sapp! I had a hard time finding my rhythm at the beginning of the fight, but I'm happy that I won, but I think I let him attack me too much. A win by points doesn't matter, but I won by knockout, so I hope the fans like that."

At the center of it all today was the K-1 Asia GP -- an eight-man elimination tournament, with the winner advancing to this year's K-1 Final Elimination.

First up in the quarterfinal bouts was Japan's foremost K-1 veteran, Musashi; and South Korean tae kwon do fighter Yong Soo Park.

Park let the feet fly from the start, and Musashi had a tough time closing. A Park low kick hit Musashi hard below the belt and the Japanese fighter was given a minute to recover, while Park was issued a warning. Incredibly, almost immediately after resumption Musashi caught a second boot to the orchises and this time went down writhing. Ringside officials now gave a yellow card and one-point deduction to Park and a five-minutes of recovery time to Musashi. Alas, he could not recompose, so both men were sent to their dressing rooms and the fight was resumed after the fourth quarterfinal.

At resumption, the time remaining in the first round played out fairly uneventfully, both fighters testing with kicks. But things got weird at the start of the second -- Musashi initially reluctant to oblige Park's extended arm for the usual touching of gloves, then rocked with three quick middle kicks when he did. Now miffed, Musashi went on the offensive, and in no time had Park on the run.

A high kick put Park off balance, and Musashi followed with a left hook and then a right, both of which landed hard across Park's jaw. The Korean's legs went out and he crumbled gracelessly to the canvas. Maybe it was the glove-touching incident or perhaps a lingering pain in his loins, but for whatever reason Musashi was compelled to move in over his stuporous opponent and commence flailing and crowing before his cornermen pulled him away. The KO win advanced Musashi to the semifinals.

The second tournament matchup saw Wang Qiang of China make his K-1 debut against Randy Kim of South Korea.

Spurred on by the partisan crowd, Qiang worked the fists well, chasing Kim round the ring. Qiang kept the pressure on, and Kim looked fatigued by the end of the first. Qiang dominated again through the second, bringing low kicks and tight combinations to drop his opponent at 1:22. The battered and beaten Kim could not make the count, and so Qiang had a spot in the semifinals.

Yusuke Fujimoto took his first step on the road to victory in the third tournament quarterfinal, against Chinese sanda fighter Shi Hong Jian.

Jian did a good job of keeping Fujimoto outside through a first marred by clinching. Both fighters had their chances, but Jian's 15cm/6" height advantage, high floating guard and nimble leading leg served him well here. But Fujimoto seized an opportunity midway through the second, answering a Jian low kick with a right hook for a down. The Japanese fighter closed up some in the third, firing in the occasional low kicks and again answering Jian's advances with the right to maintain his edge. A unanimous decision and trip to the semis for Fujimoto.

Sentoryu, a former sumo wrestler fighting for the United States, stepped in against K-1 veteran Taiei Kin of Japan in the last of the tournament quarterfinals.

This one came in at less than two minutes. Sentoryu rumbled forward sumo-style, his punches matching his steps, but Kin was easily able to read and arrest with low kicks. Halfway through the first, Kin threw a hard kick up to Sentoru's head to get the KO win.

In the first semifinal it was Fujimoto and Kin. The two traded low kicks through the first round, both looking for openings but failing to put fist past guard. Things took a dramatic turn in the second when a seemingly innocuous Kin knee to the midsection sent Fujimoto to the mat. He beat the count but was shaky on his feet, and Kin exploited this by pumping up another knee to the jaw to send Fujimoto tumbling once again. A huge upset win for Kin, who, at this point, appeared to have secured a spot in the final.

The second semi, between Musashi and Qiang, was yet another controversial fight. Early on, Qiang put Musashi in the corner and brought up a couple of knees to trunks. Musashi fell in pain, and in a flash his corner threw the towel. But after lengthy ringside consultations, it was announced that because Qiang would be penalized for a low blow, the towel-throwing was voided. Musashi was given an extended period of time to recover, but could not. The crowd voiced boisterous disapproval at the next official announcement -- Qiang had left the ring and so had forfeited, therefore Musashi was the winner.

After a 15 minute intermission, the K-1 Rules Committee announced that Musashi was unable to continue due his injury, and Kin likewise could not continue due an injury to his face. Officials set the final pairing as Fujimoto versus Qiang.

When Fujimoto and Qiang were introduced, the former was met with near-silence, the latter given a hearty reception. Qiang was the aggressor from the bell, grabbing and throwing his opponent -- a maneuver that unfortunately is not permitted in K-1. There was a good deal of clinching and pushing here, Qiang's chasing Fujimoto round the ring eliciting approval from the stands. To his credit the vastly more-experienced Fujimoto refused to be drawn into a wide-open scrap, and instead maintained a calculated distance, keeping his guard high and waiting for chances.

The strategy paid off, as the rash Qiang soon found himself out of position and on the wrong end of a devastating straight punch. Qiang went down and barely beat the count, but was now severely compromised. This was Fujimoto's chance and he took it, closing rapidly with a front kick to knock the wobbly Qiang off balance, and when the guard was gone pounding in an overhand right then a left hook to finish him off.

It wasn't exactly the result the crowd had hoped for, but they afforded Fujimoto a warm round of applause regardless, even as a distressed Qiang bowed humbly in apology for his loss.

With his tournament victory Fujimoto hoisted the Asia GP trophy for a second time and more importantly earned a spot in the K-1 Final Elimination, a 16-man, one-match tournament in Seoul on September 29 that will determine the WGP '07 Final Eight.

"Well, a lot went down tonight, but in the end lady luck was in my corner," said Fujimoto after his victory. "I do have to say that my fight with Taiei Kin was really tough. After my first fight I had run out of stamina, while my opponent had breezed through the first round. But for my last fight I put a good finish on it with that KO. I'll take a couple of days off, and then start practicing again. Last year I got taken out in the Final Elimination, but I hope to make it a few steps farther this time!"

In the tournament reserve fight, Erhan Dennis of Turkey used speed and mobility to stay away from Dong Wook Kim's fists before felling the rotund South Korea with low kicks early in the second for the win.

Three undercard contests pitted Hong Kong fighters Man Kit Wong, Hoi Kwan Tsang and Kam Ho Chak against Malaysians Charles Suresh Selauraj, Loong Shueng Lim and Chee Leong Lim, respectively. To the delight of the earlybirds in the stands, the local boys won all three matches -- with Man Kit Wong's lively and acrobatic style particularly impressive.

The K-1 World Grand Prix '07 in Hong Kong drew a sellout crowd of 10,634 to the Asia-World Expo Arena. It was same-day broadcast in Japan on the Fuji TV network. Delayed broadcasts will bring the event to 135 countries -- for scheduling information contact local providers. As always, visit the K-1 Official Website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp) for complete coverage of this and all K-1 events.
 

HONG KONG, August 3, 2007 -- With the mercury hitting near-record highs, the Hong Kong Observatory this morning issued a "Very Hot Weather Warning." It is sizzling in Asia's World City -- especially for the fighters who will do battle in this Sunday's historic K-1 Asia GP 07 in Hong Kong.

Set for the new Asia-World Expo Arena, the event is K-1's first in Hong Kong. It features an eight-man elimination tournament and a trio of big-name Superfights. In advance of Sunday's fireworks, the 14 participating fighters cooled down seaside at the idyllic Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel, and shared their thoughts with local and international media.

One of Asia's strongest fighters, the huge Hong-Man Choi of South Korea, will meet Trinidadian-Canadian slugger Gary "Big Daddy" Goodridge in a Superfight. Renown for overwhelming opponents in the early moments of a fight, here Goodridge will first have to overcome a 28cm/11" height disadvantage.
Said Goodridge: "I like Choi, and we will be friends before and after the fight. But when the bell rings there will be a fight, I can't say what will happen, but there will be a fight!"
Choi: "I was disappointed that I wasn't able to fight in Los Angeles in June, so I want to make it up to my fans here!"

One of the most keenly-anticipated matchups on the card is the Superfight between Badr Hari of Morocco and Aussie Peter Graham. Hari's trash talking of Graham at the press conference for last year's K-1 WGP in Auckland escalated to punches -- and when the pair met in the ring the following day Graham spun a heel hick round to shatter Hari's jaw.

This spring Hari became the first fighter to win the new K-1 Heavyweight Belt, and the former bad boy was decidedly more reserved in his comments today: "I am thankful for all the chances and all the great things that K-1 has given me. What happened with Peter last year made me stronger, I lost the fight but I it made me more motivated and better, so thanks Peter!"

Graham couldn't resist a dig: "I came here to take away everything K-1 gave him, we will fight again and I will beat him again. Badr said 'thank you' -- well Sunday I want to help him to become even more mature!"

The press and fighters laughed heartily at this, and -- although he tried to hide it -- even Hari had a smile on his face.

Graham continued: "I could waffle on and say this and that, but the truth is Badr can fight, he's the K-1 Heavyweight Champ. But I'm bigger and stronger now, and trust me this is going to be one of the biggest grudge matches ever -- we are past the hate and want to win so badly that it burns. It will be war!"

Sunday's third Superfight will see Peter Aerts of Holland take on spirited Seidokaikan fighter Nicholas Pettas of Denmark. No fighter better personifies K-1 than Aerts, who has participated in every World GP Final since the sport's inception in 1993 -- and has won it all three times.
Aerts: "I wish everyone good luck, but for Nicholas a little bit less luck than me."
Pettas: "I am honored to fight Peter Aerts, I have been looking forward to this for a long time. I want to show Hong Kong what K-1 is all about!"

The Asia World GP tournament, meanwhile, is an eight-man elimination that will advance the man who wins three on the day to the September WGP Final Elimination in Seoul.

First up in the quarterfinal bouts is Japan's foremost K-1 veteran, Musashi; and Yong Soo Park of South Korea.
Said Musashi: "This is my first time in Hong Kong, and I am here to win!"
Park: "I will do my best to make a great fight!"

The second tournament matchup will see Wang Qiang of China take on Randy Kim of South Korea.
Qiang: "I am thrilled to be here, and will do my best!"
Kim: "I want to make an this a great fight!"

The defending Asia GP Champion, Japanese kickboxer Yusuke Fujimoto, will entertain Chinese fighter Shi Hong Jian in the third tournament matchup.
Fujimoto: "I won it last time, I will win it again this time!"
Jian: "I came here from Mainland China to do my very best!"

Sentoryu, fighting for the United States, will step in against Japanese fighter Taiei Kin in the last of the tournament quarterfinals.
Sentoryu: "It's my first time in Hong Kong and my first fight in K-1 both, so it is a great chance for me and I want to show a great fight!"
Kin: "It's been a while since I fought in K-1, in the tournament I will focus on every fight to advance and to win!"

In the tournament reserve fight it will be Erhan Dennis of Turkey and Dong Wook Kim of South Korea.

Three undercard contests will pit Hong Kong fighters Man Kit Wong, Hoi Kwan Tsang and Kam Ho Chak against Malaysians Charles Suresh Selauraj, Loong Shueng Lim and Chee Leong Lim, respectively.

The K-1 World Grand Prix '07 in Hong Kong kicks off at 3:00 pm local time and will be same-day broadcast in Japan on the Fuji TV network. Delayed broadcasts will bring the event to 135 countries -- for scheduling information contact local providers. As always, visit the K-1 Official Website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp) for complete post-event coverage.
 

TOKYO, June 28, 2007 -- Masato won in the Main Event and the three other World Max Grand Champions also came through in convincing style tonight at the World Max '07 Final Elimination.

The do-or-die showdown featuring 18 of the best fighters in the popular 70kg/154lbs K-1 World Max weight class. Held on a hot and humid night at the historic Nippon Budokan in central Tokyo, the one-match format event advanced victorious fighters to October's K-1 World Max eight-man final.

The Main Event featured the '03 World Max Champion Masato of Japan and the defending Hero's mixed martial arts middleweight champion, J.Z. Calvan of Brazil.

Calvan tripped the light fantastic through a peppy and protracted ring entrance. Then, accompanied by thundering death metal, Masato sashayed in dressed in a fuchsia robe, looking something like a disco druid. Finally it was time to fight. And what a fight it was!

From the bell Calvan grabbed a Masato low kick and held on while pushing forward with a big right overhand punch. Masato answered with a hard low kick, a nice uppercut and a right hook, Calvan stumbling a bit in the middle of all this but staying on his feet before sending back a serious right hook of his own. The second was a veritable slugfest -- a couple of bouts worth of action squeezed into one single round. Calvan with another right hook, adding a jarring left to make this his strongest round; Masato taking it on the chin, spinning in a kick, hammering in a great left hook and right uppercut before grabbing his opponent and throwing him to the canvas. And both fighters barely missing with high kicks. The third round again was electrifying -- Masato's best strikes a right hook and an uppercut, Calvan now finally looking fatigued, but not so much that he didn't launch a flying knee.

In the end, the difference was Masato's stamina and a new killer instinct which looked good on a technical fighter some had regarded as a bit of a pretty boy. Masato is back -- and surprise, now he's a real badass!

"I trained for this fight with distance running," said Masato in his post-fight interview. "and that helped me stay energetic to the end because it was very hot in the ring. Of course I would have liked to get a KO, but J.Z. pressed pretty hard, hit me good a couple of times, and anyway the important thing is to win!"

The penultimate match saw defending and two-time World Max Champion Buakaw Por. Pramuk of Thailand take on Western European World Max Champion Nieky Holzken of Holland.

With his relentless hard low kicks, surgical punching attacks and preternatural evasions, Buakaw is the man to beat in World Max. But there was a buzz in the air here regarding Holzken, who is billed on his website as "the world's best upcoming talent."

The fighters tested with low kicks and jabs to start. Buakaw got a hard high kick up at the clapper, but Holzken read it and blocked perfectly. In the second they went toe to toe and Holzken snuck a right, Buakaw doing the same soon afterward on a counter. Buakaw steadily asserted himself, now using front kicks to set the distance, blocking and dodging and getting the better stuff in. In the third again Holzken closed with punches, but Buakaw had superior balance and positioning and scored with low kicks and quick counters. Not a bad effort from Holzken, but a better one from Buakaw, who took the unanimous decision.

"Nieky is a very good fighter, he hit me in every round" smiled Buakaw afterward, "I think if he had fought another fighter he probably would have won! I am not fully satisfied with my performance, I have room to improve to make myself a complete fighter, so I will train hard for the October final!"

Albert Kraus of Holland was the first-ever World Max Champion, and made it to the final eight last year. Here he faced fellow boxer and '06 final eight fighter, Virgil Kalakoda of South Africa.

Kraus looked a mature fighter, showing more low kicks and creative combinations than he has in previous outings. Kalakoda got a nice left through in the first, but again in the second Kraus had the edge, smart and speedy with his combinations, connecting with a right hook and a spinning back kick to the midsection. Kalakoda was no slouch, answering most of what came his way, although a high and close guard kept Kraus out of trouble.

Both fighters still had plenty of gas in the tank to make a wild ride of the third -- stepping in to mix it up with the fists, making contact with the jabs and straight punches, but mostly missing with the big artillery. Kraus got a dandy right straight in for the strike of the round, and finished with some dexterous evasions to take the win by unanimous decision.

"I had fractured my right hand four weeks ago in a fight in the UK," said Kraus, "so I was limited somewhat in this fight. But I am happy I could show my critics that I am still a contender for the Championship this year!"

The 2005 World Max Champion and runner-up in last year's final is shoot boxer Andy Souwer of Holland. Tonight he met muay thai fighter Ole Laursen of Denmark, one of several "producer's picks" on the card.

Laursen made with an aggressive start, doing well with the right straight punch and low kicks. Souwer coolly weathered the attacks until he found his chance. Midway through the first, as Laursen threw a left that went wide, the Dutchman abruptly fired a right over his opponent's extended arm, thwacking him on the chin and depositing him on the canvas. Tremendous timing and a tremendous strike, and Souwer had the KO win.

"I had a hard time adjusting to the weather here and had a bit of a flu, so I am surprised and happy that I could get that punch in for the KO," said Souwer. "I'll take a week or two off to rest then hit the gym to train for the final!"

The World Max Japan Champion for the last two years is Yoshihiro Sato. The lanky kickboxer brought a formidable 15cm/6" height advantage to the ring for his bout with the World Max Eastern Europe Champion, muay thai fighter Denis Schneidmiller of Germany.

The two traded low kicks in the early going, Sato with the edge in power, Schneidmiller occasionally stepping in to throw the right straight punch. The distance closed in the second, Schneidmiller quick with the one-two punch combinations, Sato throwing tight low kicks and bringing the knee up. Schneidmiller absorbed a bunch of low kicks in the third, forced onto the defensive and struggling to get strikes through his opponent's long reach. Sato by unanimous decision.

Armenian muay thai fighter Drago made it to the World Max semifinals in '06. Here he came up against a little guy with a big punch -- producer's pick Mike Zambidis of Greece.

Zambidis started dancing when the bell rang and remained in motion through the entire bout. The Greek slugger showed excellent evasions and blocking, and was spry and solid on the counter with body blows. Drago had some fancy moves of his own, making partial contact with spinning back kicks and fists, and by the end of the second round the pair were locked in one hell of a battle. Drago did well with the front kicks and knees in the third, but Zambidis was always closing with punches. The crowd cheered with gusto when all three judges scored the fight a draw, adding a tiebreaker round to the thrilling contest.

Again, total commitment from both fighters, Drago throwing straight punches and working the kicks and knees, the intrepid Zambidis once more coming in with the fists, scoring surprisingly with a high kick that caught his opponent on the jaw. Plenty of spirited exchanges and a shame only one man's arm could be raised -- the judges awarding the win to Zambidis.

Another producer's pick, muay thai fighter Artur Kyshenko of the Ukraine, stepped in against Asian World Max Champion Soo-Hwan Lee of South Korea.

Kyshenko worked the body blows beautifully from the get-go, also connecting with a high kick and right straight to the chin to dominate his opponent through the first. Lee's front kicks, one-two punch combinations and a decent knee made the second closer, but Kyshenko unleashed a vicious volley of punches in the third to force a standing count, and after resumption laid in with a left hook to earn the win by KO.

In the first of two Superfights on the card, Nigeria's Andy Ologun and Japanese boxer Tatsuji mixed it up. Ologun's lateral movement and right straight served him well through the early going, but Tatsuji rattled him late in the first with a worthy right hook. The Japanese fighter was aggressive from the start of the second, clocking Ologun with a right straight punch, showing good timing to get past his opponent's low kicks and deliver the fists. The third saw Ologun rally some with straight punches, Tatsuji frequently locking him up in the clinch. Tatsuji got some good licks in here as well, although neither fighter managed to put decisive force behind their strikes. One judge called it a draw, the other two liked Tatsuji by a single point each, which was good enough for the win.

The second Superfight featured kickboxers Takayuki Kohiruimaki of Japan and Tsogto "Shinobu" Amara of Mongolia. Kohiruimaki used his 9cm/4" height advantage to fight from outside, repeatedly firing in low kicks to stymie Amara's attempts to close with the fists. In the second the Japanese fighter met his opponent's advances with knees on a couple of occasions, but otherwise again it was all low kicks. As the fight wore on Amara grew increasingly frustrated and Kohiruimaki increasingly cocky, pumping his fist in the air to the delight of the crowd. A convincing and timely performance from the Japanese fighter, who stopped his three-bout losing streak with a comfortable unanimous decision.

In undercard bouts, Farid Villaume of France beat Nonthanun Por. Pramuk by decision; Yuji Nashiro of Japan KO'd compatriot Hakuto; and Keiji Ozaki of Japan beat Pak-Wing Heung of Hong Kong by decision. All fights were conducted under K-1Rules (3min x 3R with one possible tiebreaker round).

Today, participating fighters shared their pre-event thoughts with the media in a standing-room-only press conference at the Meridian Pacific Hotel.

The penultimate match up will see defending and two-time World Max Champion Buakaw Por Pramuk of Thailand take on Western European World Max Champion Nicky Holtzken of Holland. Buakaw: "I want to show the fans a both interesting and entertaining match" Holtzken: "This is my first time fighting in Japan and I am happy and confident and I can't wait -- there will be fireworks in the ring I promise!"

The 2005 World Max champion and runner-up in last year's final is shoot boxer Andy Souwer of Holland. Tomorrow he will meet muay thai fighter Ole Laursen of Denmark, one of several "producer's picks" on the card. Souwer did not attend the press conference, as he was in the steam room sweating off a little extra weight to qualify later today at 70kg. Said Laursen: "I trained hard for this match, and I hope Andy did too. I am ready!"

Armenian muay thai fighter Drago made it to the World Max semifinals in '06. For another shot at glory, tomorrow he will have to get past a little guy with a big punch, producer's pick Mike Zambidis of Greece. Drago: "I will show a really nice fight." Zambidis: "I haven't decided what I'll wear tomorrow, but I do know I will put on a spectacular fight -- I want the audience to get their money's worth!"

The World Max Japan Champion for the last two years is Yoshihiro Sato. Tomorrow, the lanky kickboxer will be tested by World Max Eastern Europe Champion, muay thai fighter Denis Schneidmiller of Germany. Sato: "Last year I lost against Buakaw, this year I will use that experience to advance!" Schneider: "I want to have a special match tomorrow, I think it's going to be a great one!"

Albert Kraus of Holland was the first-ever World Max Champion. Kraus made it to the final eight last year, and tomorrow he will face fellow boxer and '06 final eight fighter, Virgil Kalakoda of South Africa. Speaking in Japanese, Kraus promised to do his best. The easy-going Kalakoda joked, "There are already three Dutchmen in this tournament, Albert -- I think that's too many and so I'm afraid you aren't going to make it through!"

A producer's pick, muay thai fighter Artur Kyshenko of the Ukraine, will step in against Asian World Max Champion Soo-Hwan Lee of South Korea. Kyshenko: "I feel great to be here, I want to come to this sort of pleasant press conference more often, so I will do my best tomorrow in order to be invited back!" Lee: "I want to show fans all over the world my surprising ability."

Kohiruimaki: "I know that Shinobu has stamina and is good fighter, I look forward to the fight!" Amara: "I want to make this my most beautiful fight ever!"

There will also be a couple of Superfights on the card: kickboxers Takayuki Kohiruimaki of Japan and Tsogto "Shinobu" Amara of Mongolia will mix it up; and Japanese boxer Tatsuji will go up against Nigeria's Andy Ologun.

All fights will be conducted under K-1Rules (3min x 3R with a possible tiebreaker round). The action kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Nippon Budokan, and will be broadcast live in Japan on the TBS Network. For scheduling information elsewhere contact local broadcasters. As always, visit the K-1 Official Website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp) for complete coverage of this and all K-1 tournaments.