marcelt
10-04-2009, 23:12
Preview K-1 MAX 2009 Final 16
K-1 MAX FINAL 16 PREVIEW
The most electrifying fight circuit on the planet - the K-1 MAX - begins its search for the 2009 champion on April 21 at the Marine Messe in Fukuoka when 16 fighters do battle in 8 matches with the winners advancing. K-1 English language commentator, MICHAEL SCHIAVELLO, analyses the 16 combatants vying for glory.
Written by Michael Schiavello.
Fight # 1
ALBERT KRAUS vs YUICHIRO "Jienotsu" NAGASHIMA
Albert Kraus
Does inaugural K-1 MAX champion Kraus still have what it takes to reclaim the title he last held in 2002?
Kraus has the distinct honour of being the only fighter to have defeated Andy Souwer, Masato and Buakaw. He enters the Final 16 after making hard work of Korean Su Hwan Lee in a super fight on February 21.
A resurgence of form sees Kraus on a six-fight winning streak dating back to May 2008, with three of those wins coming via TKO. Though it could easily have been a seven-fight win streak had he not been controversially awarded a loss against Buakaw last April.
One of MAX's best natural boxers with an iron-clad jaw and high workrate, Kraus will need to be active and mobile against Nagashima and beware of the cosplay fighter's wicked right hand.
From a television perspective this is a viewer's dream match: the Leonardo Di Caprio look-alike taking on a man with more dresses than Queen Elizabeth.
Country : The Netherlands
Age : 28
Best Weapon: Durability. Boxing combinations
Yuichiro "Jienotsu" Nagashima
Whether you're a fan of his cosplay outfits or not, you have to respect the in-ring skills of Japan's newest MAX star.
The 24-year-old self-proclaimed "Otaku Fighter" has made the crossover from NJKF to MAX and proved an instant hit. The former NJKF super welterweight champion, he won that title by winning eleven bouts - seven of them by knockout. Particularly impressive was his victory over Furukawa who he pounded mercilessly with a jackhammer right hand for almost one minute solid.
Nagashima shot to worldwide fame at the K-1 MAX Japan tourney in February where he knocked out Hayato before being stopped by a cut over his right eye against Yuya Yamamoto in the semi finals.
With a pulverizing right hand and a never-say-die attitude, expect Nagashima to brawl toe-to-toe with Kraus in a match of fistic fury that will knock the socks (or the stockings, in Nagashima's case) off one fighter.
Country : Japan
Age: 24
Best Weapon : Right cross.
Fight # 2
BUAKAW vs ANDRE DIDA
Buakaw Por. Pramuk
Whenever a discussion arises as to the finest stand-up fighters on the planet, Muay Thai super star Buakaw Por. Pramuk's name invariably arises. Listed by International Kickboxer Magazine as one of the Top 25 Fighters on the Planet (at # 13 ahead of BJ Penn and Uriah Faber), Buakaw is a human wrecking machine with incredible power in his hands and legs.
Knocked out for the first time in his career against Yoshihiro Sato last July, Buakaw has had two fights since: an easy KO win over Kultar "Black Mamba" Gill in October and a controversial decision loss to Albert Kraus in Eindhoven, Holland (non K-1 fight) in November.
A two-time MAX champion, his 2006 victory was one of the most comprehensive tournament wins in K-1 history (heavyweight or middleweight).
Expect Buakaw to be fresh and focused come April 21. Rather than allow Dida into boxing range where the Brazilian can work his powerful hands, look for Buakaw to smash Dida's legs with his trademark Muay Thai leg kicks and keep the Brazilian at bay with some of the world's best teep kicks (front kicks).
Country : Thailand
Age : 26
Best Weapon : Leg kicks. Front kicks.
Andre Dida
Former member of the vicious Chute Boxe Academy and a Muay Thai instructor in his own right, MMA fighter Andre "Dida" Amade exploded onto the K-1 MAX scene last year with a stunning first round obliteration of Lithuanian veteran Remigijius Morkevicius.
It looks as if the Hero's 2007 Middleweight Finalist and DREAM Lightweight GP participant is ready to make a fully-fledged run at the MAX championship. Expect him to show no respect for Buakaw and come out hard and fast on the Thai from the opening bell.
The longer this match continues, the greater toll Buakaw's kicks to the legs and body will take. If Dida can catch Buakaw cold in the opening minute and back up the Thai, he could pull off an upset with far greater ramifications than his destruction of Morkevicius.
Country : Brazil
Age : 25
Best Weapon : Wild power punches from all angles.
FIGHT # 3
YOSHIHIRO SATO vs DRAGO
Yoshihiro Sato
The Cinderella-story of 2008, Yoshihiro Sato must be licking his lips at the news of Masato's upcoming retirement and the chance to be Japan's number one gun in the MAX.
Sato comes into the fight after an easy second round KO of MMA fighter Sergey Golyaev on February 23 in which he brutalized the Russian's legs. Before that he had gone the distance with Artur Kyshenko at Dynamite and lost by decision in a technical contest laced with power.
A leggy Muay Thai stylist with phenomenal reach, Sato possesses knockout ability with his legs and hands: just see his shocking right-cross KO of Buakaw last year and his stunning knockdown of Masato in the K-1 MAX final four.
Sato will rely upon his legs against Drago, as there is no way he wants to allow the animalistic Armenian into boxing range.
Country : Japan
Age : 28
Best Weapon : Leg kicks.
Drago
A refugee of the Armenian war now based in The Netherlands, Drago is one of the most ferocious, explosive and unpredictable fighters in K-1 MAX.
An unstoppable force early in his kickboxing and Muay Thai career, Drago won 25 of his first 27 bouts and went on an amazing 23 fight win streak including victories over Marco Pique, Murat Direcki, Ali Gunyar and Amir Zeyada. Most impressive has been his knockout ratio, with almost half of his 63 career fights ending via the short route.
Coming off two (non K-1) losses in a row to Chahid Oulad El Hadj (now a MAX fighter) and Murat Direcki, Drago is keen to get back in the winner's circle and will go hell for leather on Sato come April 21.
A fan favourite with one of the most adrenaline-pumping ring entrances on the planet, expect Drago to pull out all the stops on Sato in what could be one of this event's most exhilarating matches.
Country : Armenia
Age: 24
Best Weapon : Hard hands. Workrate. Aggression.
FIGHT # 4
GIORGIO PETROSYAN vs DZABHAR ASKEROV
Giorgio Petrosyan
Italian-Armenian Muay Thai fighter Petrosyan makes his MAX debut on April 21 and brings with him a wealth of international experience.
The WMC Intercontinental middleweight champion enters this fight against Askerov on an amazing... wait for it ... 18-fight win streak dating back to 2007! Among the scalps he has claimed are such notables as: Marco Pique, Naruepol Fairtex and Warren Stevelmans. However it is the last fight result that most impresses, with Petrosyan defeating two-time MAX champion Andy Souwer by extra round decision on March 14 in Italy.
Petrosyan is as gifted a Muay Thai fighter as you will find. Technically flawless he is a top-level counter-fighter who has knockout power, with 30 of his 55 career wins ending by KO, including one third of the current winning streak.
Country : Italy / Armenia
Age : 23
Best Weapon : Counter fighting.
Dzhabar Chengiskhan Askerov
Muay Thai stylist Askerov shot to worldwide fame in 2008 as part of The Contender Asia television reality series filmed in Singapore. He made it to the final four of the series before losing to former K-1 MAX fighter Wayne Parr by controversial decision in Episode 14.
A well-built specimen with the face of a demented Muppet, Askerov is known as "Mr Bomb" due to the massive power he packs in his overhand right. It was this right hand that produced the most devastating knockout of The Contender Asia series against Australia's Soren Monkontong who Askerov laid out cold for several minutes.
Finalist in the K-1 MAX Scandinavia tournament in 2008 where he TKO'd Jordan Tai, decisioned Marco Pique and lost a controversial decision in the final to Marcus Oberg, Askerov is based out of Thailand where he trains at both Rompo Gym alongside Arslan Magamedov and the WMC Camp in Koh Samui with Hanarong and Nokveed Davy.
Country : UAE
Age : 23
Best Weapon : Overhand right.
K-1 MAX FINAL 16 PREVIEW
The most electrifying fight circuit on the planet - the K-1 MAX - begins its search for the 2009 champion on April 21 at the Marine Messe in Fukuoka when 16 fighters do battle in 8 matches with the winners advancing. K-1 English language commentator, MICHAEL SCHIAVELLO, analyses the 16 combatants vying for glory.
Written by Michael Schiavello.
Fight # 1
ALBERT KRAUS vs YUICHIRO "Jienotsu" NAGASHIMA
Albert Kraus
Does inaugural K-1 MAX champion Kraus still have what it takes to reclaim the title he last held in 2002?
Kraus has the distinct honour of being the only fighter to have defeated Andy Souwer, Masato and Buakaw. He enters the Final 16 after making hard work of Korean Su Hwan Lee in a super fight on February 21.
A resurgence of form sees Kraus on a six-fight winning streak dating back to May 2008, with three of those wins coming via TKO. Though it could easily have been a seven-fight win streak had he not been controversially awarded a loss against Buakaw last April.
One of MAX's best natural boxers with an iron-clad jaw and high workrate, Kraus will need to be active and mobile against Nagashima and beware of the cosplay fighter's wicked right hand.
From a television perspective this is a viewer's dream match: the Leonardo Di Caprio look-alike taking on a man with more dresses than Queen Elizabeth.
Country : The Netherlands
Age : 28
Best Weapon: Durability. Boxing combinations
Yuichiro "Jienotsu" Nagashima
Whether you're a fan of his cosplay outfits or not, you have to respect the in-ring skills of Japan's newest MAX star.
The 24-year-old self-proclaimed "Otaku Fighter" has made the crossover from NJKF to MAX and proved an instant hit. The former NJKF super welterweight champion, he won that title by winning eleven bouts - seven of them by knockout. Particularly impressive was his victory over Furukawa who he pounded mercilessly with a jackhammer right hand for almost one minute solid.
Nagashima shot to worldwide fame at the K-1 MAX Japan tourney in February where he knocked out Hayato before being stopped by a cut over his right eye against Yuya Yamamoto in the semi finals.
With a pulverizing right hand and a never-say-die attitude, expect Nagashima to brawl toe-to-toe with Kraus in a match of fistic fury that will knock the socks (or the stockings, in Nagashima's case) off one fighter.
Country : Japan
Age: 24
Best Weapon : Right cross.
Fight # 2
BUAKAW vs ANDRE DIDA
Buakaw Por. Pramuk
Whenever a discussion arises as to the finest stand-up fighters on the planet, Muay Thai super star Buakaw Por. Pramuk's name invariably arises. Listed by International Kickboxer Magazine as one of the Top 25 Fighters on the Planet (at # 13 ahead of BJ Penn and Uriah Faber), Buakaw is a human wrecking machine with incredible power in his hands and legs.
Knocked out for the first time in his career against Yoshihiro Sato last July, Buakaw has had two fights since: an easy KO win over Kultar "Black Mamba" Gill in October and a controversial decision loss to Albert Kraus in Eindhoven, Holland (non K-1 fight) in November.
A two-time MAX champion, his 2006 victory was one of the most comprehensive tournament wins in K-1 history (heavyweight or middleweight).
Expect Buakaw to be fresh and focused come April 21. Rather than allow Dida into boxing range where the Brazilian can work his powerful hands, look for Buakaw to smash Dida's legs with his trademark Muay Thai leg kicks and keep the Brazilian at bay with some of the world's best teep kicks (front kicks).
Country : Thailand
Age : 26
Best Weapon : Leg kicks. Front kicks.
Andre Dida
Former member of the vicious Chute Boxe Academy and a Muay Thai instructor in his own right, MMA fighter Andre "Dida" Amade exploded onto the K-1 MAX scene last year with a stunning first round obliteration of Lithuanian veteran Remigijius Morkevicius.
It looks as if the Hero's 2007 Middleweight Finalist and DREAM Lightweight GP participant is ready to make a fully-fledged run at the MAX championship. Expect him to show no respect for Buakaw and come out hard and fast on the Thai from the opening bell.
The longer this match continues, the greater toll Buakaw's kicks to the legs and body will take. If Dida can catch Buakaw cold in the opening minute and back up the Thai, he could pull off an upset with far greater ramifications than his destruction of Morkevicius.
Country : Brazil
Age : 25
Best Weapon : Wild power punches from all angles.
FIGHT # 3
YOSHIHIRO SATO vs DRAGO
Yoshihiro Sato
The Cinderella-story of 2008, Yoshihiro Sato must be licking his lips at the news of Masato's upcoming retirement and the chance to be Japan's number one gun in the MAX.
Sato comes into the fight after an easy second round KO of MMA fighter Sergey Golyaev on February 23 in which he brutalized the Russian's legs. Before that he had gone the distance with Artur Kyshenko at Dynamite and lost by decision in a technical contest laced with power.
A leggy Muay Thai stylist with phenomenal reach, Sato possesses knockout ability with his legs and hands: just see his shocking right-cross KO of Buakaw last year and his stunning knockdown of Masato in the K-1 MAX final four.
Sato will rely upon his legs against Drago, as there is no way he wants to allow the animalistic Armenian into boxing range.
Country : Japan
Age : 28
Best Weapon : Leg kicks.
Drago
A refugee of the Armenian war now based in The Netherlands, Drago is one of the most ferocious, explosive and unpredictable fighters in K-1 MAX.
An unstoppable force early in his kickboxing and Muay Thai career, Drago won 25 of his first 27 bouts and went on an amazing 23 fight win streak including victories over Marco Pique, Murat Direcki, Ali Gunyar and Amir Zeyada. Most impressive has been his knockout ratio, with almost half of his 63 career fights ending via the short route.
Coming off two (non K-1) losses in a row to Chahid Oulad El Hadj (now a MAX fighter) and Murat Direcki, Drago is keen to get back in the winner's circle and will go hell for leather on Sato come April 21.
A fan favourite with one of the most adrenaline-pumping ring entrances on the planet, expect Drago to pull out all the stops on Sato in what could be one of this event's most exhilarating matches.
Country : Armenia
Age: 24
Best Weapon : Hard hands. Workrate. Aggression.
FIGHT # 4
GIORGIO PETROSYAN vs DZABHAR ASKEROV
Giorgio Petrosyan
Italian-Armenian Muay Thai fighter Petrosyan makes his MAX debut on April 21 and brings with him a wealth of international experience.
The WMC Intercontinental middleweight champion enters this fight against Askerov on an amazing... wait for it ... 18-fight win streak dating back to 2007! Among the scalps he has claimed are such notables as: Marco Pique, Naruepol Fairtex and Warren Stevelmans. However it is the last fight result that most impresses, with Petrosyan defeating two-time MAX champion Andy Souwer by extra round decision on March 14 in Italy.
Petrosyan is as gifted a Muay Thai fighter as you will find. Technically flawless he is a top-level counter-fighter who has knockout power, with 30 of his 55 career wins ending by KO, including one third of the current winning streak.
Country : Italy / Armenia
Age : 23
Best Weapon : Counter fighting.
Dzhabar Chengiskhan Askerov
Muay Thai stylist Askerov shot to worldwide fame in 2008 as part of The Contender Asia television reality series filmed in Singapore. He made it to the final four of the series before losing to former K-1 MAX fighter Wayne Parr by controversial decision in Episode 14.
A well-built specimen with the face of a demented Muppet, Askerov is known as "Mr Bomb" due to the massive power he packs in his overhand right. It was this right hand that produced the most devastating knockout of The Contender Asia series against Australia's Soren Monkontong who Askerov laid out cold for several minutes.
Finalist in the K-1 MAX Scandinavia tournament in 2008 where he TKO'd Jordan Tai, decisioned Marco Pique and lost a controversial decision in the final to Marcus Oberg, Askerov is based out of Thailand where he trains at both Rompo Gym alongside Arslan Magamedov and the WMC Camp in Koh Samui with Hanarong and Nokveed Davy.
Country : UAE
Age : 23
Best Weapon : Overhand right.