K-1 Announces Line-Up for First MAX show of 2010

K-1 MAX has announced the line-up for their first scheduled tournament show of 2010, and there are some great names involved.  The event takes place on March 21, as the Netherlands will host the K-1 MAX Europe Grand Prix Qualifier, with the winner receiving entry into the Final 16, scheduled for April 16 in Japan.  The eight fighters eneterd in the tournament are:

Mootje Khamal / Vos-Gym (Marokko)
Anthony Kane / Slamm (Ierland)
Hafid El Boustati / Ringsensation (Marokko)
Robin van Roosmalen / Roosmalen (Nederland)
Tarik El Idrissi / Black Label (Marokko)
Bruno Carvalho / Portugal
Harut Gregorian / Showtime (Belgie)
Chris van Venrooij / Hasselaar (Nederland)

It will be very interesting to see how the tournament draw plays out, as there are a lot of names here who could take this.  El Boustati comes into this tournament off his huge upset win over 2009 final 16 fighter Chahid Oulad El Hadj, so definitely has momentum on his side.  Khamal, a Muay Thai style fighter, is also coming in strong, having defeated Anuwat at Slamm VI in November.  El Idrissi has a big 2008 victory over Murat Direkci, while van Venrooij has been getting a lot of hype in the European kickboxing communities.  But my early pick to win it is It's Showtime fighter Harut Grigorian, who has been quietly piling up the victories over the past year, and has looked strong in the process. Depending on how the brackets end up, he should be viewed as an early favorite.

Also announced for the show: Marvin Sansaar v. Saro Presti in the reserve fight, and Leroy Kaestner v. Menno Dijkstra.