Held at the Sapporo 1972 Winter Olympics', the event featured four "Revenge" matches, these providing an opportunity for fighters who had lost against a particular opponent over the last couple of K-1 GP seasons to step up and try to even the score.

As Japan's best K-1 fighter, Musashi hoped to exact payback from Feitosa in their showdown. Feitosa beat Musashi in the semis of the WGP Tokyo Dome Final in 2005, ending Musashi's run for glory with a second-round KO.

Intensity cut through the air in the hot and humid Makomanai Arena, and the bout was smart and quick from the start, both fighters good with low kicks through the first -- Feitosa in particular creative, sailing a high kick up that Musashi deftly ducked, then just missing with an axe kick.

Musashi went with fists in the second, working the body blows and closing with straight punches, Feitosa responding in kind. Both of course also fired in low kicks, but blocking was sound and no damage sustained.

The third provided the most exciting action on the day -- Feitosa starting with a hefty right hook, then chasing his opponent round the ring with kicks. Musashi got some punches in on the counter, but increasingly the Brazilian was assuming control. A Feitosa right uppercut marked the beginning of the end for Musashi, who was shaken and could not recompose. Feitosa pumped in body blows, and when Musashi's guard relaxed, threw up the high and axe kicks. Musashi was able to elude these, but suffered when Feitosa reverted again to punches, scoring with a second uppercut.

Sensing he was down on points, Musashi bravely undertook a late rally, connecting with a left punch. But this attack strategy left him open to counters, and Feitosa picked his spot expertly, dropping the flailing Japanese fighter with a right hook to finish the round. A unanimous decision for Feitosa.

"I think my training with Ray Sefo in Tokyo over the last two months has helped improve my boxing," said Feitosa in his post-bout interview. "But Musashi's boxing is also better now, and his defense is always tight, so I am happy I could get the late down, or else the fight might have gone to an extra round."

In another revenge match, this one actually a double revenge affair, American-Japanese former Sumo Grand Champion Akebono took on Korean behemoth Hong-Man Choi, who had prevailed in both of the pair's previous bouts.

The two stalked one another throughout this one, Akebono testing with the jab, Choi better with a right straight punch midway through the first and a flying knee, which landed on Akebono's chest, at the clapper.

Unfortunately, Akebono never found a way to get past Choi's reach. In the second the Korean pounded in a left punch that stunned Akebono, then followed with a hard right straight and a little left tap to drop his opponent and pick up the KO win.

Said Choi from the winners' circle: "I decided I wanted to win it in the second round, and by KO because that is the best way to win! So I'm happy!"

The fourth revenge match saw Peter Aerts of Holland step in against Gary Goodridge of Trinidad and Tobago. It was Aerts by KO in Nagoya the last time these two met, back in June 2004 -- the lumberjack whacking out one of Goodridge's teeth en route to the win. Goodridge somberly reflected on that fight at the pre-event press conference, while Aerts countered, with a laugh, that he might perform more ad hoc dentistry this time.

Aerts laid in early with the kicks, and when Goodridge closed the distance met him with punches. Goodridge is known for his fast starts but could not get through here, while Aerts was perfect with his attacks, positioning and defense. The best blow of the first round was an Aerts left high kick that rattled Goodridge and put him in the corner, closed up. Aerts maneuvered for the knee but could not finish. In the second, Goodridge pounded in body blows and hooks to effect. Aerts met the challenge, though, and planted another left high kick across Goodridge's head.

The final round began with Goodridge again throwing punches, Aerts light on his feet and good again with his blocking then taking control with front and low kicks. A comfortable unanimous decision for the Dutch Lumberjack, whose experience, skills and power have to make him a serious challenger in this year's World GP.

"I'm sure Peter has noticed how much I've improved since the last time we fought," said Goodridge in his post-bout interview. "I lost the fight but I think I hurt him tonight, and I doubt he'll be eager to fight me again."

Aerts had a different take: "Well, Gary was good, yes, but I won the fight and I know I hurt him! And anytime he wants to fight me again, I'm ready!"

In Superfight Challenges on the card:

Yusuke Fujimoto of Japan, this year's Asia GP Champion, took on self-slighting Japanese TV personality turned fighter Bobby Ologun of Nigeria.

Fujimoto is possibly the all-round most powerful fighter in Japan, but he had his hands full with Ologun, who charged in from the bell to tie up in the clinch. Ologun used a kick-and-clinch tactic to stay out of harm's way, but Fujimoto got a right punch through midway through that sent Ologun stumbling back for a down. In an often-comic second round Ologun repeatedly tangled up Fujimoto and took him for a roll round the mat, and was warned for this. Best blow here was a Fujimoto right that caught Ologun atop the head.

The third -- and many hadn't expected the fight to get this far -- featured further rassling, and now Ologun was shown the yellow card. But the Nigerian surprised Fujimoto with a right knee shortly afterward for his best chance. The fight ended with Fujimoto scored well ahead on all three cards.

Paul Slowinski of Australia outmuscled the field to earn the K-1 Oceania GP title in Auckland earlier this year. In his first fight in Japan he met the scrappy local Tatsufumi Tomihira.

Slowinski started in with solid combinations and good defense, while Tomihira couldn't do much of anything. Finally Tomihira saw his chance, and put a punishing left hook around that cocked his opponent's head back. With Slowinski bleeding from a cut above the eye caused by accidental head-on-head contact, a doctor check was called, but the Aussie was cleared to continue and the pair made a good finish of the round.

In the second, Slowinski shot in hard low kicks again, and Tomihira struggled on the counter. It was the third when the kicks caught up with Tomihira, and now he could scarcely stand on his brutalized legs, let alone mount any meaningful attacks. A warrior's spirit got Tomihira through to the final bell -- a no-nonsense style and superior power got Slowinski the unanimous decision.

Bjorn Bregy of Switzerland earned the K-1 Europe GP Crown with a convincing performance in Amsterdam this year. Today he fought Tsuyoshi Nakasako of Japan. Both these fellows have good power, both hail from karate backgrounds and both turn 32 this year. One difference -- Bregy brought a 12cm/5" height advantage to the dance. He used his reach to control the distance early on, stepping in with punch and low kick combinations, earning a standing down when Nakasako turned away after eating a kick. Nakasako never really recovered -- he was dropped again by a knee shortly after, then another seconds later. A champion-worthy performance by Bregy for the KO win..

Frenchman Freddy Kemayo went up against Hiromi Amada of Japan. Depending on your perspective, it could be said that Kemayo has had either the honor or the bad fortune to have met the strongest K-1 forces in his short time with the sport. But K-1 Japan 2004 Champion Amada has also shown he can dance with the big boys.

Amada worked the fists through an entertaining first, getting to the body well, while a relaxed Kemayo stayed back with low and middle kicks. Kemayo woke up somewhat in the second, planting a right on his opponent's head -- but Amada has a tough head, and in no time the scrappy Japanese was giving it back. Amada stepped in with the body blows again and sustained the pressure through a round that ended with the pair trading low kicks. In the third, Amada stepped in repeatedly, Kemayo again closing up to block then responding with low kicks. Amada's upper leg was badly bruised by the end of this one and he was limping some, and although he probably hadn't hurt Kemayo to that extent, he had been the more aggressive fighter through the bout, and got out with a majority decision.

In undercard action featuring Japanese fighters, Noboru Uchida beat Rikijyo and Mitsugu Noda beat Tsutomu Takahagi, both fights ended by KO.

Four-time K-1 World GP Champion Ernesto Hoost made a ring appearance to announce that he is coming out of retirement to fight at the Final Elimination in Osaka this September, with the goal of earning a spot at the Tokyo Dome Final.

The K-1 Revenge 2006 in Sapporo event was dedicated to the memory of Andy Hug, the legendary Seidokaikan Karate fighter who embodied the spirit of K-1. Andy passed away in Tokyo six years ago (http://www.so-net.ne.jp/feg/k-1gp/d001_00.htm). In this seventh year of remembrance, Andy's spirit lives on in the hearts of K-1 fighters and fans around the world.

The K-1 Revenge 2006 in Sapporo attracted a sellout crowd of 8,390 to the Makomanai Arena, and was broadcast live on the Fuji Television Network and Fuji Satellite TV in Japan, and on MBC and MBC/ESPN in South Korea. It will be time-delay broadcast on EuroSport across Europe, ProTV in Romania, inDemand in the United States, Viewers' Choice in Canada and GroboSat in Brazil. The event will be seen in over 100 countries, please check with local broadcasters for scheduling details.
 

"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it!" -- Thomas Jefferson.

LAS VEGAS, April 29, 2006 -- There is good reason to call Chalid "Die Faust" Arrab a lucky man -- but his success at the K-1 USA Grand Prix tournament tonight was, in the final analysis, the result of a great deal of very hard work.

Just one week ago, while he was driving along the Autobahn in his native Germany, Die Faust's BWM was struck by another car and sent flying from the highway. The car was wrecked, but Die Faust (which is German for "The Fist"), walked away unharmed. Then, after winning his first fight tonight, Die Faust lost a split decision to Carter Williams in the semifinals. But Williams couldn't continue due injuries, and so under K-1's substitution rule the fortunate Die Faust advanced to the final in his place. The German was down on points on all three judges' cards going into the last round and looked like he needed a miracle -- but he somehow came through once again to pick up the victory.

With his win, Die Faust takes the K-1 USA Championship belt and earns a trip to the World GP Final Elimination. There he will battle for a spot in fightsport's most-prestigious tournament, the K-1 Tokyo Dome Final.

While Die Faust was the night's number one star, the entire "Mayhem at the Mirage II" event was absolutely thrilling.

All bouts were contested under regular K-1 Rules (3Min. x 3R w/1R tiebreaker).

The first tournament quarterfinal featured Rock 'em Sock 'em Gary Goodridge, a Trinidad and Tobago-born, Canadian-based slugger. Big Daddy's opponent was Japanese freelance martial arts fighter and sometime action film star, Kengo.

A tough training regimen and egg-white diet brought Goodridge to Vegas looking trim and fit. From the bell, he barreled in with his signature punching attack, tossing the haymakers in one after the other. Kengo attempted to counter but was overwhelmed by fists, and a right hook dropped him after just 40 seconds. Kengo couldn't find his feet, and so Goodridge had the KO win and was through to the semis.

A bit of last-minute card-shuffling saw American Scott Lighty promoted from the reserve bout to the tournament bracket after scheduled Superfight participant Glaube Feitosa broke a toe in training. A Muay Thai stylist, Lighty got to the final at the "Mayhem at the Mirage" event last year. His opponent tonight was Las Vegas' own Dewey "The Black Cobra" Cooper.

With mixed martial arts legend Chuck Liddell working his corner, Lighty looked cool and confident, snapping in several spot-on high kicks in to start the first. Cooper's blocking was sound, but he was getting rattled nonetheless. By midway through Cooper was working the distance better, and established himself with some quick punch combinations.

Lighty started the second round aggressively, and soon Cooper was on the wrong end of a bunch of body blows, low kicks and straight punches, and looking shaky. But The Black Cobra once again finished well, with middle and high kicks. In the third, Lighty pressed an increasingly fatigued Cooper against the ropes and was better with the punches and kicks. Cooper managed some late strikes but these lacked KO power. The judges scorecards unanimously put Lighty, who had started on the odds board as the 20-1 longshot, into the semis.

The odds-on favorite was Carter Williams, a California street kid turned martial artist who upset the field to win the K-1 US GP in 2003. The 26 year-old Williams faced Yusuke Fujimoto of Japan in the next bout. These two guys have issues. Broken nose issues.

A Williams knee foul cracked Fujimoto's snout when these two fought in Vegas a year back. This time, Fujimoto was bent on revenge. "I'll not only win the fight," he joked beforehand, "but maybe I'll break Carter's nose while I'm at it!"

Williams has beefed up some -- he weighed in for this fight at 121kg/266lbs, some 10kg/21lbs heavier than in his last K-1 appearance. After a slow start, Williams got things going with a high kick then worked the right hook on a counter to score a down. Fujimoto was fast with his kicks, but generally held back until the second, when he endeavored to come in low with the fists. But Williams made his opponent pay for the attacks with excellent punches on the counter.

In the third, Fujimoto socked Williams well with a hard body blow and leaned in more with the punches. Williams looked good with a high kick that made partial contact, but as the round wore on, he increasingly resorted to clinching. The American had, however, put enough points up to squeeze through by unanimous decision. His nose was still intact -- but the night was young.

In the last of the quarterfinals, boxer Die Faust took on a former wrestler, hard-hitting Sean O'Haire of the United States. At the pre-event press conference, Die Faust had promised to show fans a "secret" new strategy for the fight. And from the start of this bout it was no secret that his strategy was to pummel. Die Faust stepped in quickly from the bell, firing in all manner of punches, and O'Haire never had a chance. A couple of right uppercuts KO'd the American, and put Die Faust into the semis.

The first semifinal pitted Gary Goodridge against Scott Lighty. Again, Goodridge bowled over his opponent, finding the jaw with a right seconds in to score a down, and after resumption pumping the fists in to put Lighty on the mat once again and win under K-1's two-down-in-a-round rule. The crowd, apparently unfamiliar with the two-down protocol, erupted in a chorus of boos -- more than a few probably frustrated because their bets were off.

A couple of sluggers, Carter Williams and Chalid Die Faust, went at it in the second semi. In the early going Williams was fast with the fists, Die Faust good with combinations and an uppercut. In the second round Williams was more aggressive, bloodying his opponent's right eye. But midway through, Williams charged forward with punches to put Die Faust on the ropes, then dropped him with a right knee to the sternum.

Williams worked the body again in the third, pumping in the fists to score a second down. But Die Faust was not out of it yet, and mounted a remarkable punching attack comeback to rattle Williams, then banged in a right hook that very nearly put the American down. Williams was hurt and wobbling, but somehow stayed on his feet. In the dying seconds Williams could only clinch, and was warned by the referee. Die Faust kept on coming but could not get the down he needed, and Williams escaped with a split decision win.

Then it was announced that Williams could not continue due a broken nose and shin injury suffered in his fight with Die Faust, and so the German was sent back in to face Goodridge in the final.

Goodridge had fought a total of just 76 seconds on the night, and as the fresher of the pair made an energetic start. Mindful perhaps of the fate of Goodridge's earlier opponents, Die Faust elected to stay in motion, circling the perimeter of the ring to avoid the fists. Despite Die Faust's evasive measures, Goodridge caught up with him, throwing in a quick left hook to score an early down. But Die Faust was not about to quit, and soon took Goodridge to the corner and communicated his defiance with a barrage of body blows.

The second, again, saw Goodridge score an early right hook down only to have Die Faust rally with a ferocious punching attack of his own. This was now a slugfest, both combatants giving as good as they got. Testimony to the fury in the ring came when Goodridge pumped a potent knee up to Die Faust's face. In any other bout this should have been a down, but Die Faust just shook it off and came back.

Heading into the third, Die Faust was trailing badly on all cards due the two downs -- the only thing that could possibly win it for the German was a KO, and that meant going all out. Which is exactly what he did.

To his credit, Goodridge responded to the challenge -- rather than closing up or resorting to clinching, he fought back with gusto -- and probably had the better stuff for a time, scoring with a kick followed by a good hard right, then hammering in the fists. It was while Goodridge was pounding Die Faust with haymakers that the German raised his head and clobbered his wide-open opponent with a right hook to the jaw. Goodridge tumbled to the canvas and lay there, and the crowd leapt from their seats. The roar was deafening. It was over, Die Faust had capped the comeback in dramatic fashion to become the K-1 USA Champion.

"With all that happened over the last week, I believe it was meant to be," said Die Faust afterward. "I think the difference was my good training -- we trained for the KO, because it is difficult to win on points. Now I have more K-1 experience, and in the future I promise many more exciting fights!"

Asked if he would use his prize money to buy a new car, Die Faust laughed: "No, the car was fully insured and anyway the accident wasn't my fault, so I think when I get home my team and I will just celebrate in our own usual way!"


In the Superfights:

Like Die Faust, Defending K-1 World Grand Prix Champion Semmy Schilt fights out of the Golden Glory Gym in Holland. The Dutch fighter is tough, technical, and very big -- standing 211cm/6'11 and weighing in at 123kg/284lbs. Only one man, the legendary Peter Aerts, has ever beaten him. Here, Japan's premier K-1 fighter Musashi stepped up hoping to become the second.

Schilt pounded in a right hook to take control early. Musashi tried to work the low kicks but Schilt used his reach to effectively keep his opponent out of range, and responded with knees when the distance did close. He was mostly stymied, but when Musashi finally got a left straight punch up late in the first the crowd gave a cheer of appreciation for the Japanese fighter's pluck.

The second saw Schilt solid again with the punches and seemingly impervious to Musashi's attacks. The Japanese fighter did get some kicks in and made partial contact with another left straight punch, but was unable to sustain any pressure. To make matters worse for Musashi, late in the round he was cautioned for excessive holding. Schilt was the boss again in the third, and when the final bell sounded he had taken all rounds on all cards for the convincing win.

A K-1 veteran with a lethal combination of fast and technical punch and kick attacks, Stefan Leko of Germany took on Ruslan Karaev in a second Superfight. Karaev is a 22 year-old Russia who brawled his way to the "Mayhem at the Mirage" Championship last year.

Leko forwent the flashy productions that characterized other fighters' entrances, walking alone to the ring with only a low-key Ennio Morricone musical accompaniment.

Karaev wasted no time firing in a spinning back kick, but a cool Leko answered directly with a spinning kick. The two then tested for some time, Leko with the low kicks and Karaev with springboard punches. This was a classic bout, technical, fast and with plenty of powerful, spirited exchanges.

In the second Karaev was the more aggressive fighter and late in the Russian got the down he was looking for with a right uppercut followed by a left. Leko was stunned afterward but made it out of the round.

In the third Leko went with low kicks, tossing in a dozen to pick up points, but Karaev was able to get the right in again for another down. Leko, however, turned the tide in spectacular style, speeding in a brutal right to score the down of the fight. Karaev just beat the count, and weathered a late flurry to get out of this one with enough points to win by unanimous decision.

The Defending K-1 Asia GP Champion is the gargantuan Hong-Man Choi (218cm/7'2";161kg/355lbs). In the night's final Superfight, the Korean faced former wrestler Sylvester "The Predator" Terkay of the United States, a large fellow himself at 198cm/6'6";138kg/305lbs.

Choi made a very Vegas-appropriate entrance to the thumping beat of Elvis Presley's "Burning Love." When the two titans stood toe-to-toe for the referee's pre-fight introductions, there were gasps of astonishment from the crowd.

This was pure power versus power from the start. Choi put in a left straight punch in for an early down, then worked the knees looking for another. But the Predator showed a good chin and stayed standing, and as the round progressed looked better with his own attacks, lunging forward with a good right straight punch and putting in the low kicks.

The Predator took the initiative with his fists in the second, but Choi answered with a left straight punch to score another down. The Predator was now bleeding badly from the right eye, but showed strong spirit to keep on coming. At one point the tied-up pair teetered against the ropes and almost went over for what would have been a most unwelcome visitation on the front row spectators. Choi had a laugh at that. Late in the round a Predator right punch stunned the Korean, who might have gone down but for the bell to end it.

The third was incredible. The intrepid Predator, his face awash in blood, won the hearts of the crowd with repeated attacks on an exhausted Choi. There were mighty body blows and straight punch combinations from in close, but Choi stayed on his feet, and managed to counter even to the final bell. A great match, the unanimous decision announced in favor of Choi. The crowd gave both boys a standing ovation, and after Choi's arm was lowered, rewarded The Predator with one of the loudest cheers of the night.


In Undercard fights:

The peppy tournament reserve bout saw Russian karate fighter Alexander Pichkounov edge American kickboxer Patrick Barry by split decision; Maurice Jackson also took a split decision over Daniel Green; John James beat Imani Lee by unanimous decision; and in a World Max (70kg/154lbs) bout, Fernando Calleros beat Danny Steele by unanimous decision.

Sonsy Las Vegas-based LaTasha Marzolla, both a former Playboy centerfold and an accomplished kickboxer, met her match in Michelle "Lady Action" Ishio. The athletic Ishio was good with the legs, pressing throughout and scoring a third-round high kick down to take a female featherweight fight by a comfortable unanimous decision.

Once again, Scott Coker and his K-1 USA team put on a first-rate production to fill the 4,609-seat MEC hall at the historic Mirage Hotel and Casino. Among the notables in attendance were actor Bruce Willis and Defending IWGP World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Brock Lesnar. "It was an amazing show," smiled a both exhausted and elated Coker after the event, "the best we've ever had in Vegas!"

The K-1 USA GP '06 was broadcast live on the Fuji Television Network and Fuji Satellite TV in Japan and on MBC/ESPN in South Korea. The event will be time-delay broadcast on inDemand in the United States, Viewers' Choice in Canada, EuroSport across Europe, ProTV in Romania and GroboSat in Brazil. Please check with local broadcasters for scheduling details.

* All Photos HERE
 

[4/25/2006] Three-time K-1 tournament champion, Stefan “Blitz” Leko (50-13-1 (1 No Contest) (29 KO’s) will replace an injured Glaube Feitosa in K-1 Superfight action opposite Ruslan Karaev (163-10 (126 KO’s) while American Scott Lighty (25-8-2 (5 KO’s) will take Leko’s place in the eight-man, single elimination “Mayhem At Mirage II” tournament at Las Vegas, Nevada’s Mirage Hotel and Casino on Saturday.

The lineup shift for the annual spring K-1 affair comes after Feitosa sustained a broken toe during training camp.

The 31-year-old Leko brings to the table a history of success in Las Vegas K-1 competition. During the first-ever summer tournament there on August, 11, 2001, the German kickboxing stylist stopped three straight opponents, including three-time K-1 “World Grand Prix” champion, Peter Aerts, whom he sent to the canvas with a hard right hand in the championship round of the event. Considered one of the most dramatic moments in K-1 USA history, Leko’s knockout of Aerts also made waves in the mainstream sports world as footage of it was used in ESPN’s annual, year-end highlight video that recaptures the year’s most memorable moments in sports.

On May 2, 2003, Leko returned to Las Vegas where he faced “The Great Kusatsu” of Japan during a Superfight contest. In the second round of the bout scheduled for five rounds, the German smothered his tenacious opponent, scoring three knockdowns before being awarded a technical knockout victory.

Leko is expected to have his hands full with the 22-year-old Karaev, also a kickboxing stylist, who shocked the martial arts fight world by seizing the inaugural “Mayhem At Mirage” tournament championship last August as a 17 to 2 underdog. En route to the winner’s circle, Karaev displayed phenomenal speed and a vicious spinning back kick, one that earned him two knockdowns during the event, including a stoppage of France’s Freddy Kemayo.

Originally slated to square off in a tournament “reserve” bout, Lighty will make the second start of his career in the main draw of a K-1 tournament. During his debut last August, the 27-year-old Muay Thai fighter reached the championship round of the “Mayhem At Mirage” playoff where he lost a unanimous judges decision to Karaev. Lighty will face two-time world kickboxing champion and undefeated professional boxer, Dewey “The Black Kobra” Cooper (42-8-2 (26 KO’s), in the quarterfinal round of the event.

The K-1 “Mayhem At Mirage II” card will also be highlighted by the Las Vegas debut of reigning K-1 “World Grand Prix” champion, Semmy Schilt (36-15-2 (17 KO's), who will lock horns with four-time K-1 Japan Grand Prix tournament victor, Musashi (43-21-5 (1 No Contest) (12 KO’s), in a Superfight.

During the quarterfinal round of the event’s eight man, single-elimination tournament, a grudge rematch will ensue between 2003 K-1 USA tournament champion, Carter Williams (37-12 (24 KO’s), and Japan’s Yusuke Fujimoto (18-10 (9 KO’s). The tournament will also see as the return of knockout artist “Big Daddy” Gary Goodridge (43-24 (31 KO’s) and Chalid “Die Faust” (12-4 (1 KO).

. Tickets for “Mayhem At Mirage II” are on sale and can be purchased both online on K-1 USA’s official website, www.k-1usa.net, or at the Mirage Hotel and Casino box office (800-963-9634). Tickets are priced at $50, $100, $200, and $300, respectively.

The Mirage Grand Ballroom doors will open for the event at 5 PM Pacific Standard Time on Saturday. The first preliminary bout will begin at 5:30 PM and the tournament will commence at approximately 7 PM.
 

Reigning K-1 World Grand Prix champion, Semmy Schilt (36-15-2 (17 KO's), will make his highly-anticipated fighting debut in The United States during a K-1 “Mayhem at Mirage II” Superfight with heralded Japanese champion Musashi (43-21-5 (1 No Contest) (12 KO’s) at Las Vegas, Nevada’s Mirage Hotel and Casino on Saturday, April 29th.

The featured bout will serve as a rematch to their April 21, 2002 meeting when Schilt, in his K-1 debut, earned a judges’ decision over Musashi. “I have grown a lot as a fighter since then,” said the 32-year-old Schilt, who stands at an enormous 6 feet 11 inches. “Semmy Schilt is training like a mad man, like always. I fight because I like to fight and, as always, will be in top shape.”

On November 19th, Schilt, before 58,000 plus fans at Japan’s Tokyo Dome, dethroned K-1’s previous reigning champion, Remy Bonjasky, during the semifinal round of the “World Grand Prix Finals” tournament.

After scoring a stunning upset knockout on Bonjasky in the first round of their meeting, the Dutchman dealt another tournament champion in Glaube Feitosa a worse fate when he put Feitosa down for the 10 count with a hard left knee strike only 48 seconds into the tournament’s championship round bout.

A member of Team Golden Glory for the last six years, Schilt brings to his team training sessions a set of skills unique to the Holland-based fight squad: the principals and techniques of Seido Kaikan Karate. “Any fans who like my traditional way of training and the karate and budo spirit, will see me improve each fight,” said the big man, a student of various forms of Karate since the tender age of eight.

Musashi is a four-time victor of the annual, eight-man K-1 Grand Prix tournament in Japan and a two-time “World Grand Prix Finals” runner-up. Last April, Las Vegas fight fans saw the 33-year-old Seido Kaikan Karate stylist defeat six-time world kickboxing champion, Rick “The Jet” Roufus, by way of unanimous judges’ decision during a featured Superfight on K-1’s “Battle at Bellagio IV” card.

Overall, 2005 was one of Musashi’s strongest years as a K-1 competitor as he earned decisions over former world boxing champion, Francois “The White Buffalo” Botha, and Ruslan Karaev, the victor of last August’s “Mayhem At Mirage” tournament, on September 23rd and November 19th, respectively.

The K-1 “Mayhem At Mirage II” card will also be highlighted by a Superfight showdown between 2005’s two Las Vegas K-1 tournament winners, Feitosa (63-15-1 (59 KO’s) and Karaev (159-8 (125 KOs) as well as the return of Stefan Leko (24-12 (14 KO’s), who will face American Dewey “The Black Kobra” Cooper (42-8-2 (26 KO’s) in the tournament’s quarterfinal round. The quarterfinal round of the tournament will also feature a grudge rematch between 2003 K-1 USA tournament champion, Carter Williams (37-12 (24 KO’s), and Japan’s Yusuke Fujimoto (18-10 (9 KO’s).

Tickets for “Mayhem At Mirage II” are officially on sale and can be purchased both online on K-1 USA’s official website, www.k-1usa.net or at the Mirage Hotel and Casino box office (800-963-9634). Tickets are priced at $50, $100, $200, and $300, respectively.

The Mirage Grand Ballroom doors will open for the event at 5 PM Pacific Standard Time on April 29th. The first preliminary bout will begin at 5:30 PM and the tournament will commence at approximately 7 PM.

K-1 is a martial arts fighting sport that derives its name from its inclusion of a wide array of combat disciplines, including Karate, Kung-Fu, and Kickboxing (“K”), and its intent to determine one champion in one ring (“1”). After being staged for the first time in Japan in 1993 under the direction of founder Master Kazuyoshi Ishii, it later evolved into the country’s most popular sport and achieved popular culture status there as its athletes turned into larger-than-life celebrities.
 

In order to keep the action fast (mirroring rule changes made in the World Grand Prix series), K-1 announced prior to tonight's event that World Max referees would penalize fighters who resort to clinching and holding to slow down fights. This is a protocol that K-1 is intent on continuing.

The K-1 World Max '06 Final Elimination attracted a sellout crowd of 10,800 to the Yoyogi Olympic Stadium. The event was same-day broadcast across Japan on the TBS Network -- in other locations check with local broadcasters for time-delay scheduling. As always check the K-1 Official Website (www.k-1.co.jp) for complete coverage soon after the final bell.
 

The opening bouts will see Japanese fighter Tatsuji step in against Nick Gonzalez of the US; and Soren King (Aus) mix it up with Toshiyuki Kinami (Japan).

Mirroring rule changes announced this year to keep the strikes coming in K-1's World Grand Prix series, clinching and holding will be curtailed in World Max, and referees will penalize fighters who use such non-aggressive techniques to slow down a fight.

The K-1 World Max '06 Final Elimination starts at 17h00 Jpn time on Wednesday April 5 at the Yoyogi Stadium in Tokyo. The event will be same-day broadcast in Japan on the TBS Network, in other locations check with local broadcasters for time-delay scheduling. As always check the K-1 Official Website (www.k-1.co.jp) for complete coverage soon after the final bell.
 

April 2, 2006; New York, NY….Their first encounter ended abruptly with a dramatic knockout. Last year’s rematch simply ended with blood spill. This time around, 2003 K-1 USA tournament champion Carter Williams (37-12 (24 KO’s) and Japan’s Yusuke Fujimoto (18-10 (9 KO’s) are both promising an explosive ending to their personal grudge that will enter a third chapter during the opening tournament round of Saturday, April 29th’s K-1 “Mayhem At Mirage II” extravaganza at Las Vegas, Nevada’s Mirage Hotel and Casino.

On May 2, 2003, a ferocious Williams stopped Fujimoto in the second round of their matchup with a crushing right hook to the head en route to being crowned tournament champion at the Mirage.

A different scenario unfolded during the pair’s rematch at Las Vegas’s Bellagio Hotel and Casino on April 30th of last year when a much-improved Fujimoto put pressure on Williams early in their quarterfinal round contest. In a brash effort to fight his way out of trouble, Williams countered Fujimoto’s offensive with a series of punches before grabbing and pulling down the Japanese Karate stylist’s head into a Williams knee, a technique considered illegal in the state of Nevada. (Note: Knee strikes are permitted, but a fighter may not use his hands to pull his opponent’s head down in order to set up the knee strike.)

The shot left Fujimoto’s nose broken and badly bloodied, forcing a stoppage of the bout and his withdrawal from the tournament. K-1’s “survivor rule” allowed Williams to advance to the semifinal round where he was defeated at the hands of eventual tournament victor, Glaube Feitosa.

Based on comments he recently made to the media, Fujimoto apparently still has a bitter taste in his mouth from the manner in which the bout unfolded last year and is keen on getting payback.

“I (intend) not only to win the fight against Carter, but also (to) break his nose,” said the typically outspoken Fujimoto at a press conference held in Japan on March 29th. The 30-year-old Fujimoto is preparing for the event at the Seido Kaikan Karate training center in Osaka, Japan. “Carter is just a step for me to achieve my goal, which is becoming the Las Vegas champion.”

Since the spectacular run he made in Sin City three years ago as a 17 to 1 underdog, Williams has struggled to reclaim the glory that accompanies one to the winner’s circle of a K-1 tournament. To his credit, though, he recently acquired the assistance of “Dr. Knee” Ganyao Fairtex and Jongsanan Fairtex, two of the top Muay Thai trainers in The United States.

A former troubled teen, Williams was discovered at age 19 by AAA Kickboxing Academy owner and head trainer, Gene Fields, who steered the youngster away from the streets and into the gym. Under Fields, Williams later earned his black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

The K-1 “Mayhem At Mirage II” card will also be highlighted by a Superfight showdown between 2005’s two Las Vegas K-1 tournament winners, Glaube Feitosa (63-15-1 (59 KO’s) and Ruslan Karaev (159-8 (125 KOs) as well as the return of Stefan Leko (24-12 (14 KO’s), who will face American Dewey “The Black Kobra” Cooper (42-8-2 (26 KO’s) in the tournament’s quarterfinal round. The names of the event’s remaining four tournament participants will be announced shortly as will additional Superfight matchups.

Tickets for “Mayhem At Mirage II” are officially on sale and can be purchased both online on K-1 USA’s official website, www.k-1usa.net or at the Mirage Hotel and Casino box office (800-963-9634). Tickets are priced at $50, $100, $200, and $300, respectively.

The Mirage Grand Ballroom doors will open for the event at 5 PM Pacific Standard Time on April 29th. The first preliminary bout will begin at 5:30 PM and the tournament will commence at approximately 7 PM.

K-1 is a martial arts fighting sport that derives its name from its inclusion of a wide array of combat disciplines, including Karate, Kung-Fu, and Kickboxing (“K”), and its intent to determine one champion in one ring (“1”). After being staged for the first time in Japan in 1993 under the direction of founder Master Kazuyoshi Ishii, it later evolved into the country’s most popular sport and achieved popular culture status there as its athletes turned into larger-than-life celebrities.
 

[3/27/2006] German superstar Stefan "Blitz" Leko (24-12 (14 KO’s) will return to K-1 action in Las Vegas, Nevada for the first time in three years when he faces former K-1 USA tournament runner-up and undefeated professional boxer, Dewey "The Black Kobra" Cooper (42-8-2 (26 KO’s), during the opening round of the eight-man, single-elimination "Mayhem At Mirage II" tournament at Mirage Hotel and Casino on Saturday, April 29th.

At 31 years of age, Leko, a 6 foot 2 inch, 220 pound kickboxing stylist, finds himself at a fresh, new beginning with the organization that helped him kick-start his professional fighting career nine years ago. Following a loss he suffered at the hands of Sebastiaan van de Muysenberg in Japan on October 31, 2003, Leko abandoned the ranks of K-1 for other opportunities in the fight world and did not return until June 12th of last year when he was stopped by Badr Hari. The tournament in Las Vegas will be his first K-1 appearance of 2006.

Leko is a member of Team Golden Glory, the elite, Holland-based fight squad that is comprised of over 30 world-class pugilists, including reigning K-1 World Grand Prix champion, Semmy Schilt; Alistair Overeem; and Gilbert Yvel.

Sin City and the Mirage last played host to Leko on May 2, 2003 when he faced "The Great Kusatsu" of Japan during a Superfight contest on the annual, spring K-1 USA card. In the second round of the bout scheduled for five rounds, Leko smothered his tenacious opponent, scoring three knockdowns before being awarded a technical knockout victory.

It was at Las Vegas’s Bellagio on August 11, 2001 that the German fighter made his greatest stand to date. Pitted in K-1 single-elimination competition, Leko fought at a furious pace during the quarterfinal round of the eight-man playoff before scoring a thunderous right hand that stopped American Jeff "Duke" Roufus at the 2:34 mark of the bout’s second round.

The German’s hard kicks were too much for semifinal round opponent Sergei Ivanovich, whose corner threw in the towel after the second round came to a close. The win over Ivanovich set up a meeting between Leko and one of the sport’s most decorated icons in three-time K-1 World Grand Prix champion, Peter Aerts.

A heavy favorite to take first prize in the event, Aerts looked relatively slow as Leko repeatedly beat him to the punch before finally blasting the Dutchman with a crisp right hand that sent him plunging to the mat at the 2:05 mark of the third round. So theatrical was the knockout of Aerts that, towards the close of 2001, ESPN included the footage in its annual, year-end sports highlight video that showcases the most exciting moments in sports from the current year.

The "Mayhem At Mirage II" card will also be highlighted by a Superfight showdown between 2005’s two Las Vegas K-1 tournament winners, Glaube Feitosa (63-15-1 (59 KO’s) and Ruslan Karaev (159-8 (125 KOs). The names of the event’s remaining six tournament participants will be announced shortly as will additional Superfight matchups.

Tickets for "Mayhem At Mirage II" are officially on sale and can be purchased both online on K-1 USA’s official website, www.k-1usa.net or at the Mirage Hotel and Casino box office (800-963-9634). Tickets are priced at $50, $100, $200, and $300, respectively.

The Mirage Grand Ballroom doors will open for the event at 5 PM Pacific Standard Time on April 29th. The first preliminary bout will begin at 5:30 PM and the tournament will commence at approximately 7 PM. 
 

[3/20/2006] Superfight between 2005 tourney champions promises hard-hitting action for “Mayhem At Mirage II”

K-1 ”Battle at Bellagio IV” tournament victor Glaube Feitosa (63-15-1 (59 KO’s) will square off with “Mayhem At Mirage” tournament winner, Ruslan Karaev (159-8 (125 KOs), in an explosive Superfight during “Mayhem At Mirage II” at Las Vegas’s Mirage Hotel and Casino on Saturday, April 29th.

For both men, the contest represents an opportunity to build on newfound success they experienced in Sin City last year. The 6 foot 4 inch, 225 pound Feitosa of Brazil was the first of the two to shine when he made what was the second start of his career in a K-1 North America tournament during the Bellagio affair on April 30th.

After securing a victory by way of unanimous decision over Dewey “The Black Kobra” Cooper, Feitosa was roughed up early by 2003 K-1 USA champion, Carter Williams. The Kyokushin Karate stylist fought back courageously in the second round, though, and turned the tides on the stocky American powerhouse, stunning Williams with a strong axe kick and following up the blow with a knee strike to the midsection that put Williams down for the 10 count.

The win over Williams set up a championship round meeting between Feitosa and heavy handed brawler, “Big Daddy” Gary Goodridge, who had brutalized Sean O’ Haire and Scott Lighty, respectively, during the two previous tournament rounds, stopping each before the first round of action came to a close. Feitosa’s skills were too much for Goodridge, however, as the Karate player remained poised until he was given the opportunity to floor Goodridge with a high kick to the head. Goodridge beat the referee’s count, but the third man in charged called an end to the bout at the 2:40 mark as he deemed Big Daddy unfit to continue.

Relatively unknown in the world of K-1 despite his 100 plus previous martial arts fights, the 6 foot 2 inch, 215 pound Karaev was named a 17 to 2 underdog by odds makers before “Mayhem At Mirage,” his debut in The United States.

The 22-year-old native of Russia quickly asserted himself against first round challenger Freddy Kemayo of France with more than one barrage of body punches executed at a high speed rarely seen in heavyweight martial arts fighting. Karaev attempted to do more damage with high kicks, but it was a powerful spinning back kick that he planted precisely on Kemayo’s liver that put the Frenchman down for the 10 count.

The tournament’s semifinal round saw Karaev engage fellow K-1 USA newcomer, Azem Maksutaj, in what has since been recognized as one of the greatest K-1 battles ever to unfold in Las Vegas.

The drama heated up in the second round when, to the astonishment of those looking on, Karaev scored with the same spinning back that he used to defeat his first opponent. Maksutaj beat the count, though, and went on the offensive, snapping Karaev’s head back repeatedly with everything from straight punches to knees and roundhouse kicks.

During the final three minutes, Karaev countered another campaign launched by Maksutaj and unloaded a knee strike that put Maksutaj down for the second time in the bout. Maksutaj recovered once again and survived the round, but it was Karaev who earned the unanimous nod from the judges.

Karaev was again taken to task in the tournament’s championship round by American Muay Thai fighter, Scott Lighty. Understandably fatigued after the war with Maksutaj, the Russian worked at a slower pace than he had during his previous bouts that night. A strong right hand in the second round put Lighty on the run, after which Karaev attempted his spinning back kick twice.

Karaev finished strong as he dished out straight punches to the body and roundhouse kicks and knees. After the third round came to a close, he was declared the victor by all three judges scoring the bout.

“Mayhem At Mirage II” will also feature an eight-man, single-elimination format tournament, the lineup of which will be announced shortly. Additional Superfights and a preliminary card will be announced soon as well.

Tickets for “Mayhem At Mirage II” are on sale and can be purchased at the Mirage Hotel and Casino box office (800-963-9634). Tickets are priced at $50, $100, $200, and $300, respectively.

The Mirage Grand Ballroom doors will open for the event at 5 PM Pacific Standard Time on April 29th. The card’s preliminary bouts will begin at 5:30 PM and the tournament will commence at approximately 7 PM.
 

The Hero's 2006 event attracted a sellout crowd of 8,770 to the Budokan. It was broadcast live in Japan on the TBS Network, and in OnMedia's Super Action TV in South Korea. Time-delay broadcasts are set for 54 countries on EuroSport -- check with local broadcasters for scheduling. As always, visit the K-1 Official Website (www.k-1.co.jp) for complete coverage.

All Photos: http://k-1fans.com/photos.htm
 

In advance of the tournament, K-1 announced new rules to crack down on defensive techniques that slow a fight's pace. In order to ensure more strikes per round, holding is henceforth prohibited, with refs penalizing fighters for infractions.

After a robust Maori folk music and haka war dance performance center ring, the tournament's first-tier bouts began with the explosive Marseilles kickboxer Cyril Abidi taking on Hiraku Hori, a 23 year-old Japanese up-and-comer whose boxing background has taught him to use his reach (Hori stands 198cm/6'6") to advantage.

Abidi came out with low kicks which Hori was able to block or absorb without difficulty. Abidi got a hard right straight punch in on Hori's nose, and seemed to be taking control. But a Hori kick caught Abidi awkwardly on the inside of the thigh, and he went down. The referee initially ruled this a slip, but when Abidi turned away from the fight a down was called. He got through the round but it was evident all was not right with the Frenchman.

After a doctor's check on Abidi's leg at the start of the second, he was cleared to continue and made something of a go of it. But Abidi frequently favored his taped-up ankle -- a previous injury which might have been aggravated. Hori recorded another down halfway through the second, and it was a prudent decision from Abidi's corner to throw in the towel before the third, taking their boy out and putting Hori into the semis.

Jafa fighters Jason Suttie and Pola Mataele tangoed in the second matchup. Mataele fights out of the Ray Sefo Fight Academy gym, and at 200cm/6'7" was the tallest fighter in the tournament. Jason "Psycho" Suttie is a tough, squat veteran with 59 bouts under his belt, including a win over Mataele last year.

The crowd was solidly in Suttie's corner -- after Ray Sefo he'd got the loudest cheer during the opening ceremony's fighters' introductions. This must have energized Suttie, who wasted no time -- throwing a hard right overhand then following with a quick punch combination that pinned Mataele in the corner. Mataele later recomposed and got some low kicks in to keep it close.

Suttie, however, had the better stuff throughout. The second round in particular was thrilling, as the pair repeatedly went head-to-head to slug it out. And in the third, it was the younger Mataele who looked the more fatigued. A majority decision for Suttie.

The third fight saw a couple of kickers -- Peter Graham, a veteran Australian who won the Oceania GP in 2003 and 2004;and the untamed Badi Hari of the Netherlands. Hari is only 21 years-old, but already his bad boy reputation precedes him. Graham and Hari exchanged words at the press conference a day earlier and engaged in some pushing and sparring afterwards. There is, as they say, no love lost between these two.

Graham wanted to box in the early going, but Hari used front kicks to keep him at bay. Hari had the faster and harder low kicks throughout, and while Graham's textbook combinations were good they were nothing spectacular. Graham connected with a right high kick late in the first and a right uppercut in the second but it was Hari who provided the visual excitement here, throwing spinning back kicks and haymakers -- although most of these missed or made only partial contact. Hari threaded a solid right straight through in the second to cock his opponent's head back, and as the third wore down it looked like the Dutch fighter had this one locked up.

But then, in the blink of an eye, Graham shocked everyone in the building -- not least Hari -- and stole the fight. From out of nowhere, the Aussie spun round a back kick with perfect execution. The heel hit Hari hard on the head and the fighter went down, knocked out cold. Amazingly, Graham had beat the flashy Dutch wunderkind at his own game, and in highlight-reel style.

The crowd jumped to their feet, awarding Graham an extended standing ovation. When they finally sat back down, Hari was still in the ring, lying flat on his back.

Slowinski got started in the last quarterfinal, going up against Rony Sefo of New Zealand. Sefo has learned a thing or two as the training partner and younger brother of one of the K-1 greats, but had yet to solve Slowinski, who had beaten him twice before tonight's meeting.

The first was relatively even, both fighters able with the combinations and solid on defense. Sefo picked things up late in the round, putting Slowinski on the ropes with a barrage of hooks. In the second Slowinski stepped in and Sefo ate some leather and absorbed a few kicks -- but was generally there with the counters and had a couple of good low kicks of his own. Both fellows slowed some in the third, Slowinski only occasional with low kicks, Sefo wobbly and half-hearted at times. There were flashes of energy here and there and a good finish with the two exchanging punches. Judges thought Slowinski brought more to the ring and so gave him the unanimous decision.

Hiraku Hori and Jason Suttie fought in the first semifinal. Hari chased Suttie some with kicks in the early going, although midway through Suttie closed the distance and pumped in a few fists. Hori's reach stood him in good stead, and through the second he avoided any serious threats while racking up the points with his technical strikes. Suttie seemed frustrated by Hori again in the third, and could not get anything going. But, once again, just when it appeared one fighter was comfortably ahead on points and could coast to victory, he hit the ditch hard. A Suttie right hook, thrown during a mid-ring exchange between the fighters, connected soundly with the side of Hori's head and dropped the Japanese fighter to the canvas for a KO, and Suttie was in the final.

The second semi saw Peter Graham and Paul Slowinski mix it up. Both men wanted through, and the focus and spirit was there from the start. Neither gave the other much to hit, although Graham put the punches in fairly well and Slowinski did connect with some good hard low kicks. Slowinski intensified those low kicks in the second to effect, and soon Graham's left leg was hurting and he was wincing. As the midway point approached Graham was limping. Slowinski exploited the weakness and pumped in a couple of low kicks to score a couple of downs and get the win and a date with Suttie in the all-Oceania final.

With everything on the line, Slowinski kept his guard high and his kicks low, while Suttie went mostly with a quick punching attack. The two went at it throughout, Suttie clocking his opponent with a hard straight punch in the early going, Slowinski landing a dandy high kick soon afterward.

Slowinski showed some boxing prowess in the second. Alas, despite repeated cries of "Jason!" from the crowd, Suttie was simply outmuscled here. After an exchange midway through the second, Slowinski saw an opening and threw up a high kick to drop Suttie and pick up the Oceania GP Trophy.

"I really wanted to bring it home" said an emotional Suttie to the crowd afterward, "but I'll continue to fight until I get there. If I die in the ring, I die happy . . ."

Slowinski's victory speech was well-received by the good-sports crowd: "From day one I worked hard for this -- I usually train in Muay Thai style but I focused instead on punching this time. So, thanks, New Zealand! And thanks to my trainers and team, and especially thanks to my girlfriend who had to put up with all this shit over the last three months!"

Ray "Sugarfoot" Sefo appeared in the main event, taking on South African boxer Francois "The White Buffalo" Botha, a former I.B.F. Heavyweight Champion, in a Superfight. The bout was Sefo's first in his native New Zealand in more than eight years.

Known for his fists, Sefo elected here to display a more varied fighting style. Sugarfoot led with three low kicks before attempting an ax kick that just missed. Botha came in with a jab then tried the right overhand, but couldn't lay a glove on his opponent until he got a few left straight punches through in the second. But Sefo wasn't going to lose this one, and he connected with a nice high kick midway through the bout, then executed a beautiful spinning back punch seconds later. When Sefo resorted to his lazy-guard mocking-apeman routine, Botha charged in and tagged him a couple.

But Sefo again dropped the guard and taunted Botha in the third. The South African's overhand right got in, but Sefo showed a good chin and kept coming back with the neat combinations. In the end, it was easy for the judges to give Sefo the win by a comfortable unanimous decision.

"I wasn't expecting Ray to kick so much," said Botha in his ring comments, "but he kicks like a mule!"

"Francois took this fight on short notice but fought like a warrior," said a triumphant Sefo. "Thanks to him, and thanks all my people here in New Zealand for supporting this sport! I feel great!"

A second Superfight pitted Defending K-1 World GP Champion Semmy Schilt of the Netherlands against compatriot Peter Aerts, a living legend who has won the WGP three times. The gargantuan Schilt has been unstoppable, recording 13 wins and one draw in his 14 K-1 bouts coming into this event -- but Aerts the "Lumberjack" cut him down to size.

Despite the new rules, there was too much clinching in this bout. Otherwise it proved a study in strategies. Schilt was intent on staying outside and tossing in kicks, and his size made this a safe choice. Aerts, meanwhile, had to get inside, and that meant getting past Schilt's kicks and fists, striking once at most while avoiding the big knees. Aerts did well -- he got a good overhand right punch in early in the first and landed another in the second, and had the low kicks on throughout.

Aerts showed smarts and a lot of heart, and kept bringing the fight to the big guy, although Schilt was never in any serious trouble. Both fighters scored points with combinations in the middle going.

The third round was Aerts' chance to get ahead, and he rose to the challenge, fearlessly crashing through Schilt's guard -- only to be repeatedly stymied by a big bear hug. Eventually, Schilt was given a yellow card for his attack-stifling holding tactics, and shortly afterward got a second. This had to have influenced the judges, who regarded Aerts as the more aggressive fighter and rewarded him with the upset win by majority decision.

"I feel great," said a beaming Aerts afterward amid a throng of autograph-seeking fans, "Semmy is tall and big and so he's difficult to fight against but I won, that's the important thing! I really feel great!"

In the tournament reserve fights: Jay Hepi of New Zealand beat Ben Edwards of Australia by majority decision in a spirited contest; and in a bout deadlocked after three, Matt Samoa of Australia was awarded the win when Sydney Asiata of New Zealand could not continue due a shoulder injury.

The K-1 Oceania Grand Prix '06 attracted a sellout crowd of 8,800 to the Trusts Stadium and was broadcast live on the Fuji Television Network and Fuji Satellite TV in Japan; on TV2 in New Zealand; and on MBC/ESPN in South Korea. The event will be delay-broadcast on EuroSport across Europe, on ProTV in Romania and GroboSat in Brazil. In total, the Oceania GP will be seen in more than 60 countries -- please check with local broadcasters for scheduling details.

 

There is a tremendous amount of talent here -- the first tournament bout will feature the explosive Cyril Abidi, who, it could be argued, has never made a boring fight in his entire K-1 career. The Marseilles kickboxer will take on Hiraku Hori, a 23 year-old Japanese up-and-comer whose boxing background has taught him to use his reach (Hori stands 198cm/6'6") to advantage.

Hori was characteristically modest here, saying only "If I marshal all my strength, I hope I can have a good fight." Abidi, meanwhile made the same promise he does every time: "I respect my opponent, and I'll do my best!"

Auckland homies Jason Suttie and Pola Mataele will tango in the second matchup. Mataele fights out of the Ray Sefo Fight Academy gym, and at 200cm/6'7"is the tallest fighter in the tournament. Jason "Psycho" Suttie is a tough, squat veteran with 59 bouts under his belt.

One of those contests was against Mataele. "I beat the three biggest last year," smiled Suttie," and I'm furious that Pola is here again this time round! So, I'll show my fury tomorrow, in the ring, and I'll beat him again!" Replied Mataele: "I'm just looking forward to evening things up with Jason."

The third fight will feature a couple of excellent kickers, as Peter Graham, an Aussie who won the Oceania GP in 2003 and 2004, steps in against the untamed Badi Hari of the Netherlands.

Hari is only 21 years-old, but already his bad boy reputation precedes him. Graham, intent perhaps on mocking his opponent, strode into the pres conference with spiked hair, wraparound sunglasses and a neo-punk black jacket. Then he turned serious.

"I saw your last press conference," said Graham to Hari, "and I was disgusted with the disrespect you showed for the K-1 veterans there. Well, today's the press conference so you can talk the talk, but tomorrow is a fight, so you better bring it."

An incensed Hari stood up and pointed his finger at Graham: "Well, I saw your fight tapes and you're an amateur! How old are you, thirty? Why don't you drop dead!"

Hari responded to a TV New Zealand reporter's suggestion that he is talented but not dedicated by saying "I have a new trainer, Andre Mannaart in Amsterdam, and I work hard because I'm serious about my future. Tomorrow I'm going to knock everyone out."

Hari responded to another reporter's suggestion that we was a blowhard by offering to fight the reporter. Hari finally sat down, but there were further words and some shoving between his and Graham's teams after the press conference. This one will be a war.

In the last quarterfinal, Polish-born, Australia-based Muay Thai fighter Paul Slowinski will go up against Rony Sefo. The junior Sefo has learned a thing or two as the training partner and younger brother of one of the K-1 greats.

Said Slowinski, who has already beaten Sefo twice: "Both my bouts with Rony were tough and it's going to be tough again, I'm sure." For his part, Sefo was cautiously optimistic that things would turn round tomorrow: "It's going to be great, Paul is a good fighter and it will be hard, but I want to win the fight -- and then I want to go on and win the tournament!"

The elder Sefo will appear in the main event, taking on South African Francois "The White Buffalo" Botha, a former I.B.F. Heavyweight Champion, in a Superfight.

The bout will be "Sugarfoot" Sefo's first in his native New Zealand in more than eight years. "It's just awesome, I'm very grateful that K-1 is bringing such a big tournament here," said Sefo. "It means a lot to me because I'm in my hometown, but also the prime time coverage across the nation will do a hell of a lot to develop the sport here. Botha beat [Jerome] LeBanner, he's a boxing champ so it will be a hell of a fight -- one of us is going down, so everyone enjoy the show!"

Botha said simply that he was ready to fight and had come to New Zealand to win.

A second Superfight will pit Defending K-1 World GP Champion Semmy Schilt of the Netherlands against his compatriot Champ Peter Aerts, a living legend who has won the WGP three times. Will "The Lumberjack" be able to cut Schilt down to size?

"Well, it's a big fight and I'm an old man," joked Aerts, "and he has a big advantage because of his height. But I have a small advantage too, so we'll see!"

Schilt, who has looked unstoppable recording 13 wins and one draw in his 14 K-1 bouts, said only that he would again show his fans a great fight.

In tournament reserve fights, it will be Ben Edwards of Australia versus Jay Hepi of New Zealand; Sydney Asiata of New Zealand versus Matt Samoa of Australia.

K-1 New Zealand Event Producer Dixon McIver was excited on the eve of the event: "It was a five-year plan that got K-1 to this level in New Zealand, thanks to the work from our team and thanks also to our local hero Ray Sefo. It is great to have guests like Schilt and Aerts on the card and it's been a privilege to work with all the people who got us here!"

In advance of the tournament, K-1 announced new rules to crack down on defensive techniques that threaten to slow a fight's pace. In order to ensure more strikes per round, holding will henceforth be prohibited, with refs penalizing fighters for infractions.

Set for the Trusts Stadium (which is already sold out), the K-1 Oceania GP '06 will be broadcast live on the Fuji Television Network and Fuji Satellite TV in Japan; on TV2 in New Zealand; and on MBC/ESPN in South Korea. The event will be delay-broadcast on EuroSport across Europe, on ProTV in Romania and GroboSat in Brazil. In total, the Oceania GP will be seen in more than 50 countries -- please check with local broadcasters for scheduling details.
 

This year, FEG will produce eight major K-1 World Grand Prix tournaments:

The K-1 Oceania GP will showcase the best of down under. The first major K-1 event in New Zealand, it will be held at the Trust Stadium in Auckland on May 3.

The K-1 USA GP with feature participants from the Americas and is set for April 29 at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

The K-1 Europe GP will bring the European powerhouses to Holland, the event is scheduled for the Amsterdam Arena on May 13.

The K-1 Asia GP will be held on either June 3 or 4; in either Seoul, Shanghai or Honolulu. The date and location will be announced when finalized.

The K-1 Japan GP has the best Japan-based fighters going head-to-head in Sapporo this July 29 or 30, date will be announced when finalized.

There will also be a last-chance Repechage tournament in August, to be held in either Las Vegas, Hawaii, or Seoul. The date and location will be announced when finalized.

The winners from the above tournaments, along with a fighter chosen for outstanding performance during the year (for a total of seven), will go to Osaka with the nine participants from the World GP '05 Tokyo Dome Final. (The eight bracketed fighters, Semmy Schilt, Remy Bonjasky, Hong-Man Choi, Ray Sefo, Jerome LeBanner, Peter Aerts, Musashi and Ruslan Karaev -- plus Glaube Feitosa, the reserve fight winner who came in as a substitute and advanced to the final.)

The Osaka Dome Final Elimination is set for Sept 30. The 16 participants will be paired off for eight do-or-die one-matches, the eight victors advancing to the K-1 World Grand Prix Final.

The World GP '06 Final will take place at the Tokyo Dome on either Nov 25 or Dec 2. The date will be announced when finalized.


With this ambitious international schedule, FEG hopes to truly establish K-1 as "The World's Fightsport." A network of overseas broadcasters will bring the World GP action to television viewers in 116 countries.

Occupying the place of honor through the year will be Defending Champion Semmy Schilt, who was at the press conference today. Asked if he had worked on any new techniques to counter all the fighters who will challenge the Champ in Superfights, Schilt just smiled:

"I know they will be coming for me and I'd say the most dangerous fighters are the newcomers, the ones who have everything to gain and nothing to lose. I don't really have any new techniques, it's all punching and kicking, I can't think how I can invent anything else! I am very excited, I have great team, and I intend to still have my title when the year is over!"

It was also announced today that Schilt will face compatriot and three-time WGP Champion Peter Aerts in a Superfight at Auckland.

"It's good to fight all three Dutch champions in a short period of time," said Schilt [he beat Remy Bonjasky at the WGP Final in November, and beat Ernesto Hoost at the Osaka Dome New Year's Eve event]. "Peter is a great fighter, so I know it will be a tough fight!"

For constantly updated tournament matchup information and prompt results and complete coverage from the World GP '06 and all other FEG/K-1 events (plus a complete archive of past events), refer to the K-1 Official Website, www.k-1.co.jp.
 

Bad boy boxer Tatsuji made his K-1 debut against Yuya Yamamoto, who at just 21 tears of age was the youngest fighter in the tournament.

Yamamoto, wearing a pink half-slip draped over his trunks, ate a whole lot of leather in the first as Tatsuji got antagonistic with the fists. In the second, Yamamoto hardly threw a punch, and was cautioned for repeatedly clinching. After Tsuji unloaded a barrage of unanswered blows, the referee stepped in and called for a doctor check. It was determined that Yamamoto had dislocated his right shoulder, and the bout was stopped even as an intrepid Yamamoto loudly protested that he wanted to continue.

The third bout saw the mean-looking Akira Ohigashi take Ryuki Ueyama, an amateur wrestler making his K-1 debut.

The fancy Ueyama brought flipping and spinning backhand punches and pranced in a manner suggesting Genki Sudo. Ohigashi meanwhile stuck to the basics -- guard high, tossing the jab and pumping in body blows when the distance closed. In the second, Ueyama used the low and front kicks and knees to effect, and was able to duck, deke or retreat whenever the fists came.

Ohigashi seemed frustrated by his slippery opponent, and Ueyama got the knee up from the clinch in the third to open a cut over his opponent's right eye, prompting a doctor check. The fight continued, but Ohigashi couldn't connect, couldn't get back into it, and Ueyama took the win by unanimous decision.

A couple of powerful kickers, Yoshihiro Sato and Akeomi Nitta, mixed it up in the last of the quarterfinals. The first round was fast and about even, the fighters trading low kicks, Nitta good with an uppercut, Sato solid with a knee to the midsection.

Throughout, Sato worked the knees with superior kill, and this was to prove the difference. Both fighters put punches through, but neither did serious damage with either the fists or the low kicks. A good, close fight that went to Sato by judges' decision.

And so Tatsuji took on Hayato in the first semifinal. The spunky Tatsuji outworked his opponent here, connecting with a high kick and a right straight in the first. Again in the second Tatsuji was aggressive, always moving in with body blows, answering Hayato's attacks with stinging low kicks.

The final round was fast and furious, a desperate Hayato stepping in to throw the right, Tatsuji again punishing with the body blows and low kicks. Tatsuji put his opponent off balance with a low kick late in the round, then quickly followed up with a hard right to score a down. An impressive performance to earn Tatsuji a well-deserved place in the final.

The second semi pitted Ueyama against Sato. Ueyama's dancing-out-of-harm's-way tactic wasn't working here, as an aggressive Sato did an excellent job of cutting off the ring. Both fighters got low kicks in, but Sato's had more on them. By the end of the first Ueyama was limping and wincing in pain. During the break the ringside doctor stepped up to have a look, and decided to stop the fight, putting Sato into the final.

Sato and Tatsuji made a war of the final. The height differential (Sato stands 185cm/6'1"; Tatsuji but 174cm/5'9") meant that Tatsuji had to get past Sato's jab and low kicks in order to get anything going. This he did surprisingly well in the first -- getting in on Sato with two good left straight punches and a right that was the best strike of the round. Sato had the low kicks, but when the pair went toe-to-toe, which they did for a good long while, it was Tatsuji who got the better of the exchanges.

But the second evidenced Sato's technical prowess, as the fighter began to throw the knee whenever Tatsuji stepped forward. Midway through, a knee to the midsection dropped Tatsuji, and the fighter was lucky to have this ruled a slip. Sato rattled his opponent with a right hook, and was now taking control of the fight. A never-say-die Tatsuji strove to work the punches, and while you had to admire his gutsy effort, the tide had turned.

A worn out Tatsuji took a truckload of punishment in the third -- more knees, a high kick and a right hook, but to his credit never went down. A unanimous decision for Sato to cap an exciting night of action.

With his tournament victory, Sato earns five million yen and a spot at this April's World Max Final Elimination -- a one-match tournament which will determine the World Max '06 Final Eight.

"My technique got me through," said Sato post-tournament. "I feel no pressure for the April tournament, the only adjustment has been familiarizing myself with the K-1 rules. In April, I would want to fight Buakaw, as I think he is the strongest Max fighter out there!"

Asked what he planned to do with his prize money, Sato said he would use it to repay his student loan.

Overall, a good tournament that showcased some emerging talent. In the hard-fought reserve bout, Yasuhito Shirasu edged Hakuto by judges' decision.


In Superfights on the card:

The Main Event had 2003 World Max Champion Masato of Japan step in against Ian Schaffa of Australia. Masato fired in more than a dozen hard low kicks in the first, while Schaffa seemed unsure how to get in with his punches, attempting instead (and missing with) a spinning back kick.

It was more of the same in the second. Although Schaffa's ambitious flip kick made partial contact this time and he got a brief volley of punches through, Masato had the better stuff with his low kicks, and unloaded some good punches on Schaffa in the corner.

Dominating in every aspect of the bout, Masato gave the partisan crowd plenty to cheer about, showing good technical skill and flying in with a knee in the third. Schaffa missed with his big hooks and winced when he caught Masato's kicks on the counter. It was clear that although Schaffa has speed and power, as a jiu-jitsu man fighting one of the world's best kickboxers under K-1 rules, he was out of his league. A unanimous decision for Masato.

"I am happy with the result," said Masato afterwards, "although I have to say I would have preferred to win by KO! In any case, I'll keep working and win again in April, just you wait and see!"

Full-on fighting machine Remigijus Morkevicius of Lithuania had won both his K-1 bouts coming into his Superfight against Japanese fighter Shingo Garyu, a 30 year-old J-Net Welterweight Champion making his K-1 debut. Garyu got a laugh at the pre-event press conference by announcing, "I want to win this fight because I really really want to become famous!"

There's an adage -- "Be careful what you wish for, you might get it." Somewhat ironically, Garyu did indeed become famous tonight: His name will go into the record books on the wrong end of the quickest-ever KO in World Max history.

At the bell, Morkevicius snapped in a low kick that turned Garyu round. Straightaway, Morkevicius leapt up with a flying knee to KO the Japanese fighter. The whole thing took eight seconds.

Buakaw Por Pramuk of Thailand, who won the Max Final in 2004 and was runner-up last year, is one of the world's best kickers. In the card's third Superfight, he tested his skills against Mike Zambidis, a squat Greek slugger who had won three of his last four K-1 bouts by KO.

After a slow start, Zambidis got a high kick up that glanced off Buakaw's head. Buakaw was quick with his legwork, but Zambidis' defenses were sound. In the second, Buakaw tossed in more low kicks to control the distance, and went to the clinch-and-throw when Zambidis attempted to close with the fists. Zambidis did get a body blow through on a counter, but that was about it.

The third saw more body blows from Zambidis, which Buakaw coolly answered with middle kicks. The Greek launched several roundhouse rights, but Buakaw always got beyond the arc then darted back in with the magically lethal legs. The skill was incredible, as Buakaw was able to both position and punish his opponent with his legwork. Buakaw simply landed more strikes, and took a unanimous decision.


The K-1 World Max Japan '06 Tournament attracted a sellout crowd of 13,927 to the Saitama Super Arena. The event was same-day broadcast in Japan on the TBS Network -- in other locations check with local broadcasters for time-delay scheduling.

All photos here