[K-1]: classifica MW/MAX (70 kg)

The biggest change from last month is the drop of Yodsaenklai Fairtex. Ranked #6 in February, Fairtex lost to unranked fighter Colossa and as a result, ends up down at #11. The other change is purely cosmetic. In keeping in line with other SBN pages, we've expanded to a top 25 ranking instead of our former 20.

Expect a good amount of changes for the April rankings, as between now and then we will get the Japan GP on March 27. Tons of fights on that card worth looking at, but none more so than #1 Giorgio Petrosyan v. #5 Yoshihiro Sato in what should be a great battle. Before that fight, Petrosyan also faces the unranked, but dangerous, Khem Sitsongpeenong, next weekend in Milan.

#1 Giorgio Petrosyan
#2 Andy Souwer
#3 Buakaw Por. Pramuk
#4 Artur Kyshenko
#5 Yoshihiro Sato
#6 Albert Kraus
#7 Yuya Yamamoto
#8 Murat Direkci
#9 Nieky Holzken
#10 Gago Drago
#11 Yodsaenklai Fairtex
#12 Cosmo Alexandre
#13 Yasuhiro Kido
#14 Marcus Oberg
#15 Taishin Kohiruimaki
#16 Hinata
#17 Chi Bin Lim
#18 Sahin Yakut
#19 John Wayne Parr
#20 Leroy Kaestner
#21 Marco Pique
#22 Chris Ngimbi
#23 Chahid Oulad el Hadj
#24 Yuichiro Nagashima
#25 Aalviar Lima

Beyond Petrosyan v. Sato, the 27th event also includes the Japan qualifying tournament featuring some great quarter-final matches. #8 Yuya Yamamoto faces #16 Hinata, #15 Taishin Kohiruimaki meets #24 Yuichiro Nagashima, and #13 Yasuhiro Kido faces Ryuji.

Other top ranked fighters will take part in the It's Showtime event on May 29. The biggest MW fight there is #4 Artur Kyshenko v. #8 Murat Direkci. This will be a real test for Direkci, and a chance for him to move way up the rankings. Also on May 29: #1 Petrosyan keeps his busy schedule against #9 Nieky Holzken, #2 Andy Souwer v. Pajonsuk, #10 Gago Drago v. #20 Leroy Kaestner, #18 Sahin Yakut v. Rayen Simson, plus #23 Chris Ngimbi and #24 Chahid Oulad el Hadj in action. That's a lot of good fights.

Today also sees some action in Europe, as #6 Albert Kraus faces William Diender and #25 Aalviar Lima faces Warren Stevelmans. Look for results later today.

Finally, It's Showtime includes a few other marquee fights before Amsterdam. Next weekend, in addition to Petrosyan v. Khem, the card includes #13 Cosmo Alexandre v. Dmitry Shakuta and Chahid v. Sudsakorn.

Notably not scheduled: #3 Buakaw Por. Pramuk, who is once again in his periodic state of "Will he fight for MAX again or won't he?"

UPDATE: Just as these are published, reports are surfacing that Holzken may be off the May 29 event. We'll keep you posted.