TOKYO, Sept. 4 — The K-1 MAX Series, featuring the top 70-kg stand-up fighters from around the world, continues to roll along.
Since its inception in 2002, the rules of the MAX series have continually evolved, with regulations on the clinch have gotten stricter in recent years in an attempt to keep the action fast-paced and exciting. Tonight this trend reached its logical conclusion, with the clinch effectively being outlawed from K-1 MAX events. Gone are the days of securing a tight lock around an opponent’s neck to deliver knee after furious knee.
But despite this restriction, Thai fighters such as 2006 K-1 World MAX champion Buakaw Por Pramuk and K-1 World MAX 2006 Japan Tournament champion Yoshihiro Sato, have been able to modify there style to conform to the new era, delivering knees in an open clinch — almost a modified body hold — without locking hands.
The main event featured a rematch between last year’s World MAX champion Andy Souwer (Pictures) and two-time World MAX Japan Tournament champion Takayuki Kohiruimaki. The first time these two met in the World MAX 2005 finals it was Souwer who dominated.
Watching this fight has re-affirmed my belief that the Dutchman has the best combinations in all of K-1 MAX. Not only this, but he’s also able to turn them on like a light switch.
Throughout the first round, the traditionally slow-starting Souwer looked like he was asleep, merely covering up and defending what Kohiruimaki threw at him.
In the second, after a few moments of inactivity, Souwer started laying on the combos, mixing his targets and throwing devastating liver shots. Within the space of 15 seconds Souwer had his Japanese opponent in serious trouble, to the point that Koki had to tie him up and hold just to survive.
Souwer continued to pick apart his opponent with well-placed hands, staggering Kohiruimaki several times. The referee repeatedly admonished the Japanese fighter for holding, until he finally received a yellow card in the second.
Souwer continued the punishing combos into the third, opening up at the ropes like he did against Kozo Takeda, eventually putting Kohiruimaki to the ground for a standing-eight count.
The Japanese fighter managed to hang on to hear the final bell, but Souwer once again was too much for him. The fight went to the judges and Souwer took the victory 29-27 and 30-26 twice.
Since finding his new home in K-1 HERO’s, the Japanese promoter’s MMA arm, it had been a while since Genki Sudo (Pictures) stepped foot in a MAX ring. Sudo’s 1-3 record in MAX doesn’t look all that impressive on paper, but keep in mind that his losses have come from the likes of Kohiruimaki, Masato and Krauss.
On his night, the “Neo Samurai” was pit against tough Australian fighter Ian “The Machine Gun” Schaffa.
Sudo came to the ring with his traditional elaborate ring entrance and proceeded to do his usual theatrics during the fight, much to the enjoyment of the fans. But just as fellow in-ring showman Masakazu Imanari (Pictures) learned in his match against Joachim Hansen (Pictures) at Bushido 8, eventually, despite all the dancing and wizardry, you’re going to get caught.
And that’s exactly what happened. Sudo managed to avoid most of what Schaffa threw at him in the first, taunting the Australian by turning his back and throwing wild spinning kicks.
In the early stages of the second, after Sudo threw yet another poorly placed spinning kick, Schaffa answered with a huge spin kick of his own that caught Sudo on the chin as he backed away with his hands down. This was a perfectly timed and executed kick that will undoubtedly live forever on Ian Schaffa’s highlight reel.
Sudo went straight to the canvas upon impact and it was a miracle that he beat the count after the crushing blow. But it was obvious that he was badly rocked, as he had difficulty standing.
The referee started the fight again and Schaffa came in for the kill, throwing an onslaught of punches. Sudo had no legs left to fight and had to turn and run from the blows. Schaffa followed and continued to tag his opponent until the referee stepped in and stopped the fight 59 seconds into round two.
2002 K-1 MAX World Champion Albert “The Hurricane” Krauss really showed off his boxing prowess against Japanese Thai fighter Yoshihisa Sato. Krauss basically employed the same strategy that he used to score the victory over Muay Thai machine Buakaw Por Pramuk: inside boxing and overhand hooks.
Krauss pounded Sato at close range, and his hooks went over Sato’s arms and shoulders, finding their mark on his opponent’s face. Each time Sato tried to create distance to deliver his low kicks, Krauss would close it up again and drag the Japanese fighter into a boxing war.
“The Hurricane” just out-boxed his opponent, plain and simple. The fight went to the judges and Krauss took the victory by majority decision (30-30, 30-29, 30-29).
Japanese fighter Hiroyuki Maeda came rushing out off the bell in his bout with South African fighter Virgil Kalakoda, and delivered a flying knee that knocked Kalakoda down for a standing-eight count.
Maeda looked good in this one, as he was willing to stand and trade with the former IBC champion. Kalakoda covered up, taking the blows on his forearms while looking to score with counterpunches to the head and body.
The trading of punches continued into the second round until the referee called for a doctor check of Maeda’s badly swollen left eye. It was determined that the Japanese fighter could no longer see due to the swelling and the fight was stopped at the 33-second mark.
2006 K-1 MAX World Champion Buakaw Por Pramuk proved that he has some power in his hands during his match-up against Shootboxing veteran Hiroki Shishido.
“Mr Shootboxing” charged the champion off the opening bell, but Buakaw defended and threw a high kick that just missed. Then, just seconds later, as Shishido was attempting to land some leather, Buakaw caught the Japanese fighter with an ungodly left hook that sent Shishido to the canvas like he was shot dead. This was an absolutely textbook left hook, perfectly timed and placed, which like Schaffa’s spin kick to Sudo will forever live on in the highlight reels.
The whole affair lasted only 15 seconds, in which time Buakaw threw only two techniques.
J-Network middleweight champion Naoki Samukawa strung together some excellent combos in his bout against the 2006 K-1 MAX finalist simply known as Drago. But while Samukawa threw more, it was Drago that landed the quality shots.
In the third Drago put his Japanese opponent to the ground with a right hand just as Samukawa was coming in for a flying knee. Drago then opened up with hard right hands once the action resumed.
Samukawa survived the onslaught and put together some combos in the closing moments, but it was too little too late as Drago took the unanimous victory (30-28, 30-27, 30-26).
The Stone Cold Steve Austin of K-1, Mike Zambidis, had a high paced, action packed tilt with R.I.S.E. Dead or Alive 2005 Tournament champion Tatsuji.
Zambidis is arguably one of the finest pure boxers in the whole K-1 MAX. He did a great job of mixing up his punches on the inside, and his liver shots were tremendous. Tatsuji was able to counter the heat that Zambidis threw at him with good combinations, usually followed by knees and low kicks.
The bout ended as both fighters connected with strong punches, and despite a very close fight it was Zambidis who walked away with the victory (29-28, 30-29, 30-29).
Jerome LeBanner (Pictures)’s stable mate Farid Khider defeated All Japan Kickboxing Federation veteran Yuya Yamamoto after three rounds by 2-0 judges decision, 30-29, 30-28, 30-30.
Future Tribe fighter Hayato defeated 19-year-old Ukrainian Artur Kyshenko after a fourth overtime round (10-9 three times).
Seidokaikan Karate fighter Kazuya Yasuhiro (Pictures) defeated Bobby Ologun (Pictures)’s brother, Andy Ologun, by majority decision (30-28, 29-28, 29-29).
Ray Sefo (Pictures) Fight Academy member Jordan Tai defeated Mongolian Shinobu Tsugto Amara by decision (30-27, 30-28, 29-27).
Yushinkan fighter Satoruvashicoba defeated Taka Osamitsu in 55 seconds of the first round after three knockdowns.