K-1 MAX Grand Prix 2010 Takes Tentative Step Forward

For K-1's newly formed 63kg division (which is now sorely in need of a catchy "MAX"-style name), Monday's Grand Prix event couldn't have gone better.  The show was packed with highlights, from a fight of the year finale, to Yamato's KO-heavy championship run, to Saiga's upset win, to action packed reserve fights, the whole tournament absolutely delivered.

Unfortunately, the 63kg GP only made up a portion of the card.  Filling out the event was the start of the MAX Final 16.  Overshadowed by their lighter counterparts, the MAX fighters turned in three unremarkable fights which are already easy to forget just one day later.  This kind of cautious action is not uncommon in the Final 16, as fighters look to play it safe and guarantee their bid into the later rounds, but as MAX looks for a bit of a post-Masato boost, Monday's action certainly did not help.

Kicking off MAX action was the newest Japanese superstar, the #9 ranked Yuichiro Nagashima, as he took on Andre Dida.  For the second year in a row, Dida was brought in out of left field as a Final 16 participant, and for the second year in a row, Dida almost spoiled the party before falling in defeat.  While his showing here was not as dramatic as his near victory over Buakaw at the 2009 Final 16, Dida did give Nagashima a run for his money, no doubt terrifying the FEG heads looking at Nagashima's future.  In the end, it was the improved technical boxing of Jienotsu that once again came through, scoring him a Majority Decision victory (2-0). 

#5 Albert Kraus also was victorious, defeating #11 Hiroki Nakajima, again via decision (3-0).  Unlike Nagashima, Kraus left nothing open for interpretation, scoring an early knockdown to gain an advantage and never allowing his young opponent back in the game.  It was a solid showing from Kraus, although not quite up to his recent KO-laden performances.  Nakajima unfortunately looked completely out of his element here.  He's young, and has a lot of time to grow, but needs to head back to the drawing board before taking another step up in competition like this.

The best MAX bout of the evening featured #8 Yoshihiro Sato v. #13 Yuya Yamamoto.  These two met outside of K-1 years ago, with Sato scoring the win, and this meeting proved to be little different.  Sato easily picked apart the aggressive Yamamoto, never allowing the younger fighter to bait him into a brawl.  It was a very technical, well executed performance from Sato, though again, not the most exciting showing.  Sato took the majority decision 2-0.

With these fights in the books, we have three men now qualified for the Final 8 this fall: Yoshihiro Sato, Albert Kraus, and Yuichiro Nagashima.  We know Yamamoto, Dida, and Nakajima will not be joining them (no big surprises there), and the remaining five slots will be filled at a Final 16 event to be held in Europe in September. 

Of the 10 men taking part in those Final 16 fights, seven are confirmed by K-1: Giorgio Petrosyan, Andy Souwer, Artur Kyshenko, Su Hwan Lee, Mo Khamal, Vitaly Horkou, and Michal Glogowski.  Either Chahid or Drago will take slot #8, with either Buakaw or Pajonsuk in slot #9, and slot #10 TBA.  I would be surprised to see the popular Drago left off in favor of Chahid, though both could feasibly end up entered.  As for Buakaw/Pajonsuk - I think at this point we have to accept that Buakaw likely will not be involved.  He's been distancing himself from K-1, taking lots of fights outside the organization, and apparently has not been in much communication with them.  While it will be exciting to see Pajonsuk get a shot, the loss of Buakaw is obviously a letdown.

With that next event not scheduled until September, it could still be some time before we hear more news on the MAX Grand Prix.  Let's hope the next news rekindles some of that much needed excitement.