Hiroki Nakajima Advances, Yuya Yamamoto Upset in Krush 70 KG. Quarterfinal

Krush began the quest to crown another divisional champion over the weekend, as the promotion's 70 kg. tournament began on Sunday in Japan.

Tournament favorite Hiroki Nakajima knocked out YOSHI to secure the lone stoppage victory of the opening round. Nakajima has struggled a bit since making it to the final round of the K-1 World MAX 2010 Japan tournament, though his three consecutive losses leading into Sunday's event came to Yuichiro Nagashima, Albert Kraus, and Buakaw Por. Pramuk.

Shintaro Matsukura was also able to advance to the semifinal round with a decision victory over K-1 MAX veteran Yuya Yamamoto. Yamamoto, a semifinalist at the K-1 World MAX 2009 tournament, won back-to-back bouts against Masakazu Watanabe and Akihiro Gono earlier in the year under the Krush banner. While Matsukura's win is definitely an upset, the K-1 Koshien 2009 champion must look ahead to the opportunity to establish himself among the small grouping of Japan's elite 70 kg. kickboxers. A potential tournament bout against Nakajima would certainly provide that opportunity for Matsukura.

The other tournament quarterfinals saw Yutaro Yamauchi avenge a knockout loss in defeating Yuji Nashiro by decision, while NJKF standout Kenta came out ahead of Masakazu Watanabe.

Krush's 70 kg. tournament is set to conclude on a July 16th card which will also feature the promotion's newly-crowned 60 kg. champion, Hirotaka Urabe.

Keep an eye out for more news related to Krush and the 70 kg. tournament, as well as any fight videos that may pop up in the near future.