SuperKombat Results: Albert Kraus Scores Impressive KO, Sergei Lascenko Wins

SuperKombat kicked off their planned World Grand Prix series with an intriguing event in Bucharest on Saturday, featuring a four-man heavyweight tournament and a host of other bouts showcasing talent from across Europe.

The four-man heavyweight tournament offered solid action despite some changes made to the field of competitors initially advertised. Sergei Lascenko defeated Dzevad Poturak by second round knockout in their opening bout, while Roman Kleibl took a decision win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik. In the tournament's reserve bout, Rico Verhoeven was able to bounce back from his March loss to Jamal Ben Saddik with a knockout victory over former American Gladiator personality and professional wrestler Jesse 'Justice' Smith.

Sergei Lascenko and Roman Kleibl met in what was a somewhat competitive, if not technically inspiring, final. Both fighters had their moments but Lascenko was able to stop his Czech opponent in the second round. The tournament win was an important one for the 23-year-old Ukrainian prospect, who is now on a three fight win streak since a loss to Ismael Londt last October. Lascenko, who now trains out of Mike's Gym in the Netherlands, will surely be looking forward to some bigger tests in the near future.

Although details are still somewhat fuzzy, it appears that Saturday's heavyweight tournament was qualifier of sorts, with SuperKombat planning to host six events of this kind before organizing a grand prix final. Perhaps we won't see much in the way of world-beaters competing here, but SuperKombat's planned tournament could definitely lead to some interesting bouts and help clarify where a lot of fighters just outside the upper echelon of international kickboxing truly stand.

In non-tournament action, former K-1 MAX champion Albert Kraus looked impressive in a first round knockout win over Marius Tita. Despite his recent struggles in the ring, Kraus picked Tita apart from the opening bell, peppering his Romanian opponent with combinations in early moments. The end came in short order as Kraus landed a clean head kick on Tita while the Romanian's guard was low in the first round.

Top Romanian prospect Bogdan Stoica defeated Pacome Assi in a Wako-Pro 88.68 kg. intercontinental title. Stoica looked dominant as usual, but was plainly unable to finish Assi through the course of the first two rounds. The end finally came in the third as Stoica landed a right knee to the head of his French opponent. Assi took a standing eight count and the bout was summarily called off by the referee.

Romanian heavyweights Sebastian Ciobanu and Benjamin Adegbuyi were also victorious on the evening, as was Wako-Pro 71.8 kg. titleholder Arnaldo Silva.

Full results after the jump

Rico Verhoeven defeats Jesse 'Justice' Smith via first round knockout

Roman Kleibl defeats Jairzinho Rozenstruik via unanimous decision

Sergei Lascenko defeats Dzevad Poturak via second round technical knockout

Sergei Lascenko defeats Roman Kleibl via second round knockout

Albert Kraus defeats Marius Tita via first round knockout

Bogdan Stoica defeats Pacome Assi via third round technical knockout

Arnaldo Silva defeats Miodrag Olar via unanimous decision

Benjamin Adegbuyi defeats Libor Polach via first round knockout

Sebastian Ciobanu defeats Ratislav Talarovic via unanimous decision