K-1 MAX Japan 2010 Predictions

K-1 MAX Japan is tonight if you live in Japan and very early in the morning if you live in the United States. That means get ready and if you aren't ready, Head Kick Legend is here to provide you with our predictions for the kickoff for the Japanese K-1 season. If you live in the US and don't have access to a means to watch K-1 MAX tonight, HDNet will be airing K-1 MAX Japan next Friday at 11:30 eastern time, leading up to a live broadcast of K-1 World Grand Prix Yokohama.

So here are the picks from the three of us.

Fraser Coffeen
As I see it, 2 of the first round fights are easy calls.  Despite having some impressive credentials, Tatsuji is a fighter on the definite decline, while Nakajima is rising.  I look for the Krush champion to take out Tatsuji here.  In the other easier quarter-final, I see Kido having little trouble with Ryuji.  From there, it gets trickier.  Kohi was an easy bet against Nagashima, but the far less experienced Yuji Nashiro is not as safe a bet.  Still, I think Nagashima's lack of full-time focus will continue to be his downfall, and look to Nashiro to pull off the mild upset.  Finally, the quarter-final I'm most looking forward to, Yuya Yamamoto v. Hinata.  Both fighters really had great K-1 runs in 2009, with Yuya obviously having the greater success.  But to me, one of the unsung MAX highlights of 2009 was Hinata's dynamic defeat of Kido at last year's Japan GP.  Smart money is on Yuya Yamamoto, but I'm going with my gut and picking Hinata for the upset win.

Form there, I've got Hinata v. Nakajima and Kido v. Nashiro in the semis.  If that plays out, Hinata v. Nakajima could be a show-stealer.  I'll take Hinata there, though it's a close one.  Kido should get the relatively easy win, setting up a Hinata v. Kido rematch in the finals, only this time, I expect a different outcome.  Kido takes this one, making him a two time MAX Japan GP champion.

Fraser's Pick: Yasuhiro Kido

Evan Poll
Quarter-Finals:

RYUJI (0-2) vs. Yasuhiro Kido (8-5)

In the opening fight of the tournament, my pick here would be Yasuhiro Kido. He's younger and has more K-1 experience. It should be an easy win for him.

Yuji Nashiro (2-0) vs. Yuichiro "Jienotsu" Nagashima (1-3)

I'm going with Nagashima for the win here. Nashiro hasn't fought up on the big stage (K-1) for some time. Plus, Nagashima has had more prep time as Nashiro is a late replacement for the injured Sato. Should be a close and exciting fight.

Hiroki Nakajima (0-0) vs. TATSUJI (9-5)

Going with the underdog here and picking the Krush 70kg 2009 tournament champ Hiroki Nakajima. TATSUJI has had bad luck in the MAX Japan tournaments bowing out in the first rounds the past two years.

HINATA (2-1) vs. Yuya Yamamoto (6-6)

I'm really excited about this fight. I think Yamamoto will pull out the victory but HINATA will be no push over. I predict a close fight that will go ther distance.

Semi-Finals:
Yasuhiro Kido vs. Yuichiro "Jienotsu" Nagashima
I don't think Kido will have too much of a problem winning here but he will have to be careful.

Hiroki Nakajima vs. Yuya Yamamoto
I see Yamamoto being too strong for the 21-year old Nakajima but the youngster will gain some good experience. Yamamoto to the finals.

Finals:
Yasuhiro Kido vs. Yuya Yamamoto
If this was indeed the finals, it would be a re-match between these two fighters as they met back in May 2005, almost 5 years ago. It was Yamamoto who scored the victory by 3-0 decision and I think he would do it again in similar fashion. A close finals going the judges. Yuya Yamamoto, K-1 WORLD MAX 2010 Japan Tournament Champion.

Evan Poll's Pick: Yuya Yamamoto

Dave Walsh
This tournament was just flipped right onto its head in a hurry when a few days ago Taishin Kohiruimaki pulled out due to his nagging hip injury and retired. It wasn't entirely shocking as injuries have plagued him for a long time now, with most of the 2009 season seeing Kohi out of action, but the return of Kohi and his track record made him a strong, strong favorite. In my mind, Nagashima had no chance against Kohi, and I saw him going all the way to the finals and racking up yet another MAX Japan victory. Clearly this is not going to happen now, and the playing field was evened out quite a bit. So the first bracket, Yasuhiro Kido facing off against Ryuji, I find this to be an easy pick for Kido. While I do think that RYUJI will put up a solid fight, I see Kido pulling off the win and moving on comfortably. Yuji Nashiro vs. Yuichiro Nagashima is I believe the fight that can define this tournament. Nagashima has never had the focus or drive to fully live up to his potential, but Nashiro being a late, late replacement means his prep time might not be up to snuff, with Nagashima moving on to the next round. Now, don't blink, as Nashiro could absolutely pull off the upset. I think in the least, Nagashima goes on battered to the next round against Kido.

It seems like we are all pulling for Hiroki Nakajima against TATSUJI. There is a reason for this, while TATSUJI is a very game opponent, Nakajima's drive and skill will put him through to the next round. This leaves us with the most interesting fight of this round, HINATA vs. Yuya Yamamoto. Both men have a lot to gain and a lot to lose. Yamamoto's loss to Petrosyan in the MAX Finals last year was a huge setback after a great year, and HINATA is looking to make it to that stage and do better than Yamamoto. That being said, I gotta go with my gut and say that Yamamoto got his taste of fame and will work his ass off and get the hard-fought win. This sets up Kido vs. Nagashima, and honestly, I just see Nagashima being too worn down to put up too big of a fight. Kido to the finals. The last semi is Nakajima against Yamamoto. While Yamamoto might have a bit more wear on him at this point, look for him to still pull off the win and look more reserved here. This sets up Yamamoto vs. Kido. Both men would've been through some wars at this point, and I see Yamamoto just wanting it more. Kido has been here before and if the tournament unfolds how I see it, he will be fresher, but this is still going to be a war of a fight. Look for Yamamoto to take this with his heart, trying to prove himself the next Masato and live up to his billing.

Dave Walsh's Pick: Yuya Yamamoto

HKL's Overall Pick: Yuya Yamamoto