First Ever K-1 World Grand Prix Champion Branko Cikatic Cornering Peter Aerts

The K-1 World Grand Prix brings out a lot of names in Japan, including Japanese celebrities, fighters and some European fighters will show up as well. In the US we are accustomed to blockbuster UFC cards with celebrities in the crowd doing the awkward clenched-fist pose when the camera gets on them. Regardless of K-1's freakshow appeal that they push sometimes, K-1 is the premier martial arts tournament in the world and brings out a certain kind of celebrity.

At the K-1 World Grand Prix this year, the first ever champion of the World Grand Prix, way back in 1993, the man that knocked out Ernesto Hoost to take the first crown, Branko Cikatic will be cornering the great Peter Aerts. Cikatic's career after K-1 has not been the most illustrious, as his brief stint in PRIDE involved admitting to working a fight, disqualifications and embarrassing losses, but his place in MMA history is solidified for the training he did with Mirko Cro Cop. Cikatic, a Croation fighter, helped pave the way for Mirko Cro Cop as well as helped to train him in the art of kickboxing.

Branko has something in common with Aerts beyond kickboxing, though; both men continued to compete at a high level in their late 30's. Branko, upon winning the first World Grand Prix was at the age of 38, and Peter Aerts whom he'll corner on December 5th will be 39. I'm sure the man dubbed the Croatian Tiger will be able to offer some sage-like advice to Aerts (as long as he doesn't talk about MMA or acting).

SBN coverage of K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Finals