Quick Results From K-1 MAX

A valiant run by Sato (not to mention Kraus and Zambo), but he was just spent by the time he reached the finals, I hope he doesn’t give up and tries taking Petro out when they’re both fresh. Petrosyan looked unreal against Kraus.

I stayed up super late to watch the TV broadcast on a stream I found. It could have been how long I was up, but what was shown failed to light my world on fire.

I’m a big fan of Jienotsu, but there was a gigantic difference in terms of skill between him and Zambidis. Nagashima tried, but he couldn’t overcome it. Nagashima had a delayed reaction to a punch. He got donged on the very top of his head and seemed fine but then he pretty much collapsed on his own. From there it was rudimentary.

Petrosyan/Kraus was good, but much like the first battle, there was just a totally different level. I almost feel that Kraus gave up on winning halfway through. He just started wading in no matter what Petrosyan threw and viciously attacked the body. A “If I can’t beat you, I’m going to try and take you out of the tournament” type deal.

The TV broadcast aired highlights of Drago/Khamal. It LOOKED really fun, if not entirely one sided. Had to make room for the millionth mention of Satoshi Ishii.

Didn’t really see much of Sato/Glogowski. Was brushin my teef.

They aired the final round of HIROYA/Kubo. Nothing really to note other then HIROYA looked out classed.

They aired the final round of that fight to CUT OUT THE FIRST ROUND OF PETROSYAN/ZAMBIDIS. Personally, I thought both rounds were close enough to go to an extension round, but I was laying down half asleep so I’m sure the K-1 judges knew more then I did. Zambidis rocked Petrosyan a few times with this bull charge.

Sato completely mauled Drago in pretty impressive fashion. He spam abused his height advantage by continuously kneeing Drago into oblivion and had Drago in serious trouble to end 1 and 2. Drago fired back some in Rd 3, but Sato held it together long enough.

They finished off with the tournament final. Sato tried his best, but he couldn’t really do a whole lot to Petrosyan. Petrosyan was much fresher and just picked him apart for the JD and the tournament victory. Kind of a lack luster finish.

I do have to say this. I was amazed by Petrosyan’s skill…but at the same time, he annoyed me. I got the feeling in every fight except the Zambidis fight, that he was only going fifty percent. It was like a sparring session. He was content to sit in the ring and prove how dominant he was, without really going out of his way to definitively attempt to finish. He wasn’t attempting to make his opponents look terrible like Anderson Silva does in MMA, but the feeling was the same. He knew he was better then everyone else and was content to just ride that to the win.

Zambidis was the only fighter to get Petrosyan to work. Mainly because every time Petrosyan would relax, Zambidis would crack him. Zambidis even got a questionable “slip” on Petrosyan which could have been ruled a down. Petrosyan was forced to actively work, if only to dodge the incoming freight trains for his brain.

And finally, Petrosyan is a death sentence for K-1 MAX. Watching this broadcast it was hammered over and over how ethnocentric Japan/K-1 is. Not that it’s any shock, but this was one of the worst I’ve seen. Ishii was hyped every single opportunity with pauses in action. After his fight, it moved to Sato. Hell, the “host” of the event even screamed “SATO! GAMBATTE!” right before the final.

Petrosyan on his own has absolutely no charisma. And aside from being marveled at his technical brilliance, his style isn’t very appealing either. In a fight culture where stars are badly needed, Petrosyan is a murderer. He’s like Schilt but without the freakish nature of him. He’s just a small guy, who looks like he couldn’t care less, who has so much talent that no one poses a threat. It’s odd to condemn a man for being too talented, but in all honesty, Petrosyan is the worst possible type of fighter to come in Japan at this moment.

Petro/Zambo didn’t go to an extension because Petro kicked his ass in R1, and Zambo hit air more than he his Petrosyan. When a high qulity vid comes out you will see Petro pretty much avoided Zambo and used that step in knee all day.

I agree that Petro isn;t what K-1 needs, but personally I love watching him more than anyone in K-1. The skill level is insane. Im sure Masato will be back soon enough though.

You can’t take Petro out with punches so why not kicking him ? And Hinata is doing a great job, I love his recent fights.