[K-1]: WGP in Yokohama - preview (03/04/2010)
The K-1 Yokohama World Grand Prix show is just around 12 hours away now and the anticipation has hit the typical K-1 fever pitch (as it should). This show opens up the K-1 heavyweight season with a bang, featuring two title fights and a rematch years in the making between Alexey Ignashov and Badr Hari. On top of that, longtime K-1 Japanese stalwart Musashi gets a heartfelt retirement ceremony.
#7: Badr Hari v. Alexey Ignashov
The main event of the evening, a rematch of a bout in 2003 where Ignashov knocked a younger Badr Hari out. Alexey Ignashov has fallen off since 2004 as he has gone through bouts of alcoholism, but claims to have returned to form and kicked the habit. He has been training in New Zealand and clean for quite a while now. Badr of course had some recent legal allegations, but over the past few years has toned down the bad boy image and been more mature.
#6: Semmy Schilt v. Errol Zimmerman
The K-1 Superheavyweight Championship has been held by Semmy Schilt for years now, but has not been defended that often due to the tournament nature of K-1. From my recent discussions with Bas Boon he had mentioned that something "big" would happen on this show and had hinted before that Golden Glory fighters are prepared to fight each other (none of that AKA fake brotherhood stuff here), as they are fighters and each one is looking to be the best, so K-1 delivers us this fight between 4-time K-1 World Grand Prix Champion Sem Schilt and the young powerhouse Errol Zimmerman. Zimmerman had a rough 2009, but showed flashes of aggressive brilliance against Remy Bonjasky and believed he should have fought Schilt in December, so this fight was a long time coming.
#5: Peter Aerts v. Kyotaro
The K-1 Heavyweight Championship is held by Kyotaro currently, the young Japanese Heavyweight who is seen as the heir to Musashi's awkward throne. Kyotaro won the championship last year by winning a tournament after Badr Hari was stripped of his championship for his 2008 K-1 WGP outburst against Remy Bonjasky. Kyotaro had a rough end to 2009 and is looking to take on the living legend, Mr. K-1 and prove himself. Mr. K-1 is here to prove that while he is pushing 40 he is still the absolute elite of K-1.
Musashi Retirement Ceremony
K-1 Japanese legend Musashi had his last bout last year in Seoul, South Korea and will get his proper Japanese send off for his years of loyal service to K-1.
#4: Alistair Overeem v. Dzevad Poturak
Alistair Overeem is set to defend his Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship in May against Brett "The Grimm" Rogers, but first he takes on a very game challenge of Poturak in a tune-up fight. His manager, Bas Boon has done a tremendous job over the past few years of raising Overeem's stock by having him compete often in both K-1 and MMA and rack up impressive win after win. Overeem is looking to possibly take part in this year's World Grand Prix if his schedule permits, look for him to be on fire against Poturak.
#3: Jerome Le Banner v. Tyrone Spong
Originally set to be Ruslan Karaev, a knee injury took him out of the mix and young superstar Tyrone Spong steps in. Spong lit the European circuits on fire with his devastating knockouts and flashy style but has yet to impress on the K-1 level yet, as he is on the lighter side of the heavyweight limit in K-1. JLB put on a downright shameful display against Semmy Schilt at the World Grand Prix and is looking to prove his head is still in the game, both men have a lot to gain and a lot to lose.
#2: Singh Jaideep v. Gokhan Saki
Jaideep won the Asia GP last year, but on the big stage proved to be a bit timid and disappointing, being in one of K-1's worst fights of last year that we'd all like to forget. Gokhan Saki had a rough end to 2009 after a knee injury and has yet to return to form on the K-1 level. He has had a few impressive tune-up fights and is back in the mix now, looking to make quick work of Jaideep.
#1: Sergei Lascenko v. Takumi Sato
Both men are fringe K-1 fighters and are looking to prove that they can get to the next level and stay there.
