K-1 Announces MAX Grand Prix Line-Up

by Fraser Coffeen on Jun 4, 2010 6:14 AM EDT in K-1 MAX News

It's about time. K-1 has finally announced the line-up for both the 63 and 70kg MAX Grand Prix events, and there's some very intriguing matches here.

First up, the 63 kg GP. As previously announced, this tournament will conclude on July 5, with a one night 8 man tournament. Quarter final fights are:

Daisuke Uematsu vs Yoshimichi Mastumoto
Yuta Kubo vs Keiji Ozaki
Naoki Ishikawa vs Kizaemon Saiga
Tetsuya Yamato vs Yuki

The opening round of this tournament was full of crazy upsets, so I'm not sure I want to predict anything here, but on the back half of the bracket, it certainly would appear we'll get a Ishikawa v. Yamato semi-final that should be absolutely fantastic. I'd have to say whoever wins there is the favorite.

For the 70kg MAX GP, K-1 finally confirmed the rumors - yes, they will split the Final 16 into two events. Three of the Final 16 fights will take place at the July 5 show, with the remaining 8 to take place in September in Europe. Scheduled for July 5:

Yoshihiro Sato vs Yuya Yamamoto
Yuichiro "Jienotsu" Nagashima vs Andre Dida
Hiroki Nakajima vs Albert Kraus

The remaining line-up, who will compete in September:

Giorgio Petrosyan
Andy Souwer
Artur Kyshenko
Su Hwan Lee
Mohamed Khamal
Vitaly Hurkou
Michal Glogowski
Either Buakaw Por.Pramuk or Pajonsuk
Either Gago Drago or Chahid Oulad El Hadj
One more fighter yet to be determined

The one name that jumps out as missing here to me is Nieky Holzken. Holzken was a MAX Final 8 fighter last year, which should earn him a spot this year, plus has been on a great roll since losing that fight to Buakaw. It's unfortunate he has not yet been invited back, though it's possible he'll still claim that final slot.

Also noteworthy, obviously things continue to be rocky between Buakaw and K-1. I'd love to see Pajonsuk in this event, but hope they patch things up with Buakaw as well, as it would be a real shame to see one of the top 5 in the world walk away from K-1.

Finally, good to see both Souwer and Petrosyan listed, as there had been some fears about them not being able to take part this year. With their inclusion, this is shaping up to be a great Grand Prix.

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“Holzken was a MAX Final 8 fighter last year, which should earn him a spot this year, plus has been on a great roll since losing that fight to Buakaw. "

MAX doesn’t use the WGP system, Yuya wasn’t assured a spot in the Final 16 despite being in the Final 4 while there was no doubt Sato’ll get a slot despite dropping out in the final 16.

Holtzken had two chances in K-1 so far and he’s set off a yawnfest in every fight he was in. I don’t really care to see him back over guys like JWP and Zambo. Though he would still have been a better choice than Dida.

by Karaev_fan on Jun 4, 2010 8:44 AM EDT reply actions

Wait, how did Ozaki get through to the Final 8? He looked really sloppy in his first round match.

by Amor on Jun 4, 2010 3:16 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, but he’s also the only guy in here who has more than a tiny handful of actual K-1 fights. I imagine they want to do their best to make this look like its not all totally new names.