TOKYO, Aug. 30 — K-1 HERO’s officially released four new fights for their upcoming Middleweight (154 pounds) Grand Prix to be held at the Ariake Colosseum on September 7.
Franca is coming off two tough losses this year against Yves Edwards (Pictures) and Ray Cooper (Pictures). Since 2004 Franca has been on a rollercoaster ride, going 2-4 overall. Boku is in a four-fight winning streak since 2003 with his last MMA bout early this year against Ryan Bow (Pictures) to determinate the new SHOOTO Pacific Rim champion. Since then Boku had been trying some luck in K-1 MAX with negative results in preliminary fights.
Also three super-fights had been added to the regular show so far:
Sam Greco (Pictures) vs. Shungo Oyama (Pictures)
Akira Kikuchi (Pictures) vs. Kiuma Kunioku (Pictures)
Yoshihiro Nakao (Pictures) vs. Fai Falamoe
The most interesting match for true Japanese MMA fans is the fight with current SHOOTO middleweight champion and Killer Bee’s Judoka powerhouse Kikuchi taking on ex-King of Pancrase middleweight and welterweight champion Kiuma Kunioku (Pictures).
Kikuchi is coming off from a quick display of power over current Pancrase welterweight champion Katsuya Inoue (Pictures), while Kunioku is coming from a decision loss to Rodrigo Gracie. Both fighters made their HERO’s debut in the last show.
All tournament fights are scheduled for two five-minute rounds, with one round extension if needed. The super-fights are scheduled for three five-minute rounds.
Bracket A:
Kazuyuki Miyata vs. Genki Sudo (Pictures)
Remigijus Morkevicius vs. Hiroyuki Takaya (Pictures)
Bracket B:
Royler Gracie (Pictures) vs. Norifumi Yamamoto (Pictures)
Caol Uno (Pictures) vs. Hideo Tokoro (Pictures)
Semifinals:
Winner of Bracket A face off
Winner of Bracket B face off
Official fighters in the tournament will need to fight twice in one night in order to choose two remaining fighters for the finals at K-1 Dynamite on December 31.