California MMA Doping Violations Mount At Alarming Rate

K-1 Max : ‘Susumu Daiguji Announces Retirement, Masato’

Alatorre vs Futrell, Rematch set for Tachi Palace Championship Boxing 10-23
On October 23,2008 marks the return of World Championship boxing at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, Ca. In the main event, Bakersfield, Ca heavyweight Manuel Quezada takes on tough heavyweight Teke Oruh. Also featured on the card is the return of "The pride of Tulare, Ca" Hector Alatorre in a long awaited light welterweight showdown, rematch, against champ Don Juan Futrell. Alatorre " I can't wait for this fight it's a long time coming, I have a whole new mind set & focus, and can't wait to fight in my back yard."   the PFC will also feature four bouts on a night of World Championship boxing. In the main event, Lemoore, Calif. light heavyweight Mike Martinez (3-2) takes on city rival Brandon Lorenz (1-0). Also featured on the card is a featherweight showdown between PFC champ Jorge Evangelista (7-2-1) of Fresno, Calif. and Las Vegas, Nev.’s David Smith (4-1) in a non-title fight. Legendary referee Doc Hamilton releases instructional DVDs Ever wanted to be a MMA ref or a judge but didn’t know how to get started? New to MMA and don’t fully understand why the referees do some of the things they do or judges’ decisions go the way they do? Want to fight but are looking for more information before stepping into the cage for the first time? Now one of the most experienced referees Doc Hamilton helps by sharing some of his extensive knowledge in a two-part series of instructional DVDs just released under the REFS (Ring Experience Fight Specialists) brand. Says Hamilton on the DVDs “REFS mission is twofold: first and foremost we want to elevate the quality and consistency of MMA officiating. Secondly we act as consultants to any Native American or Athletic Commission that has decided to regulate the sport within their jurisdiction.” The series MMA 101 comes in two parts, “referee” at 100 minutes and “judge” at 75 minutes. Each does a good job of this elevating quality and consistency.    Doc Hamilton has been involved in sanctioning MMA since 2000 when the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) formed the Martial Arts Advisory Committee. “They gave us a directive to develop a set of rules to govern mixed martial arts (MMA) because they anticipated that we were going to have it in California and they wanted the rules in place” Doc explains on the DVD. New Jersey used the rules Hamilton and California came up with as the basis for a new set of rules, what have become known as the “unified rules”. The referee DVD contains an actual rules meeting conducted by Doc as well as segments on what to look for with KOTC footage as examples. Doc even tries to address the ringside physician angle with a segment Dr. David Watson, lead ring physician for Nevada.    Overall these DVDs are packed with information and keep a good pace. Looking for something to pick on in an effort to give balance is difficult. The only downside is the same four songs playing over and over in the background and Doc’s unedited speaking style can be a little distracting. In Doc’s defense that same unedited speaking style brings the flavor of a real seminar to your home.    For more information check out www.mmarefs.com

CEN-CAL INVITATIONAL JIU-JITSU TOURNY

On OCT. 4^th, 2008 The first Cen-Cal Invitational jiu-jitsu Tournament was held at VQ fitness Sports club 522 W 7TH ST, in Hanford,Ca . Schools from Fresno, and as far south as Bakersfield , Attended for an action packed day of grappling

there was adult men,

 
women,
 
teen

and kids divisions,
who competed in a gi and gi-less single elimenation,
 
except for the kids which only competed in gi and double elimination.

Hats off to Marc De La Cruz & Garrett Choinacki, and everyone that helped make this event happen. Full results will be posted soon.





Elite XC ‘Heat’ Results

EliteXC Saturday Night Fights, scheduled to feature Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson vs. Ken Shamrock in the main event.

Ken Shamrock did not compete in a scheduled bout with Kimbo Slice at CBS-EliteXC Saturday Night Fights in Sunshine, Fla. With Shamrock out ,
 
Seth Petruzelli, who was to fight Aaron Rosa on the prelim card, stepped up to fight Kimbo in the main event , and wasted little time knocking out the street fighting legend in :14 seconds of round one. .


Main Bouts:
Seth Petruzelli over Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson by TKO (Strikes) in :14 sec, of RD1

Jake Shields over Paul Daley by Submission (Armbar) in 3:47 of RD2
Andrei Arlovski over Roy Nelson by KO in 3:14 of RD2
Gina Carano over Kelly Kobold by Unanimous Decision
Benji Radach over Murilo "Ninja" Rua by TKO (Strikes) in 2:31 of RD2

Prelim Bouts:
Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos over Yoko Takahashi by Unanimous Decision
Connor Heun over Edson Berto by TKO (Strikes) in 2:18 of Rd2
Mikey Gomez over Lorenzo Borgomeo by Submission (Armbar) in 4:06 of Rd2
Bryan Hamade over David Gomez by Submission (Guillotine) in 2:03 of Rd1
Nicolae Cury over Jorge Bouchat by Submission (Reverse Triangle) in 1:35  Rd1




Abraham’s fight with Marquez postponed

BAMBERG, Germany —Arthur Abraham’s defense Saturday of his IBF middleweight title against Raul Marquez has been postponed because the champion has come down with the flu.

The fight has been rescheduled for Nov. 8, also in Bamberg.

“I am really sorry but the flu really got me overnight and it’s not possible for me to fight,” Abraham said in a statement.






Strikeforce ‘Payback’ Results

BROOMFIELD,  CO— Knockout artist Duane “Bang” Ludwig (17-8) capped off an electrifying night of Strikeforce mixed martial arts (MMA) action, scoring a first round TKO on Sam “The Squeeze” Morgan (19-12), in their highly-anticipated rematch at Broomfield, Colorado’s Broomfield Event Center on Friday, October 3^rd.  Superstar Frank “Twinkle Toes” Trigg (18-6) controlled the action against Falaniko “Niko” Vitale (26-9) for three consecutive rounds to notch a unanimous judges’ decision victory.

Morgan, who stopped Ludwig in 52 seconds when they faced off three years ago, took Ludwig down early in the first.  Ludwig stood up shortly thereafter, though, and began to find his mark with his left hook and right hand.

A hard left hand to the body from Ludwig staggered Morgan.  Ludwig followed up with a hard right hand to the head that put Morgan on his knees.  Still on his feet, Ludwig blasted the downed Morgan with a left hand to the midsection. 

Ludwig dropped into Morgan’s guard and began tagging Morgan with a flurry of blows.  Morgan turned on to his side in an effort to escape the barrage, but Ludwig continued the heavy offensive until Morgan verbally submitted at the 2:01 mark of the first round.

Trigg, a former NCAA wrestling stud and 2000 Olympic wrestling trials finalist, showed off his stand-up combat skills, repeatedly backing Vitale into the cage and setting up flurries of elbows and right hands with a straight left hand, followed by a hard knee to the head.  Vitale attempted to counter each time, but Trigg either controlled Vitale’s arms against the fence or back pedaled out of harm’s way. 

In the third round, Trigg scooped his opponent up and slammed him, but was unable to make any headway on the ground.

Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson (5-2) made good on her promise of an explosive fight and also made it a short night for Tyra Parker (0-2).   After scoring a straight right hand that stunned Parker, Waterson backed her opponent into the corner and began unloading knees to Parker’s face while the two were clinched. 

Parker escaped, but made the mistake of turning her back, which allowed Waterson to latch on and sink in a choke.  With the hold firmly intact, Waterson brought Parker to the ground and produced a submission at 1:20 of the opening round.

Two-time New York State Metropolitan Boxing Champion and Muay Thai Champion, Carlos Zevallos (1-0), survived an early storm at the hands of fellow light heavyweight (205 lb. limit) Andre “The Silencer” Walker (1-4) before turning the tides on Walker with a series of knee strikes in the clinch. 

Zevallos took Walker to the ground and quickly transitioned from side control to mount where he rained down on Walker with punches until the referee called an end to the bout at the 4:48 mark of the opening round.

Billy Evangelista (8-0) was dropped twice in the first round by Luke “Lil’ Hulk” Caudillo (14-11) in lightweight (155 lb. limit) action, but made it to his feet after the second knockdown and launched a fearsome attack that, soon after, put Caudillo on his knees.  An onslaught of punches from inside Caudillo’s guard forced “Lil’ Hulk” to turn over, allowing Evangelista to sink in a choke before the bell sounded.

Evangelista capitalized on the momentum he gained and controlled the pace of the fight in rounds two and three.  Caudillo’s takedown defense was strong, but Evangelista managed to score a takedown in the third and final round and drop punches from both sides. 

A slowdown in the action prompted the referee to stand the fighters up.  Evangelista was awarded a unanimous judges’ decision following the close of the third round, raising his undefeated record to 8-0.

After keeping the fight standing for the majority of the first two rounds, Donnie Liles (12-5) decided to bring his welterweight (170 lb. limit) fight with Pete “The Secret Weapon” Spratt (18-15) to the mat, scoring two takedowns in the third.  The second takedown produced dividends as Spratt gave up his back after being mounted.  Liles sunk in a rear naked choke and, from his back, forced Spratt to tap at 1:59 of the round.

Tyler Toner (3-1), a 25-year-old upstart from nearby Aurora, dominated “Relentless” Ricky Johnson (0-2) with an all-out assault standing up and strong defense on the ground before finishing Johnson with a ground and pound offensive at the mark 3:44 of the second round. 

Strikeforce “Payback” was televised live on HDNet.

Official Results
Main Card Results:

Duane Ludwig over Sammy Morgan by Submission (Strikes) in 2:01 of Rd1
Frank Trigg over Falaniko Vitale by Unanimous Decision
Donnie Liles over Pete Spratt by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 1:59 of Rd3
Billy Evangelista over Luke Caudillo by Unanimous Decision
Carlos Zevallos over Andre Walker by TKO (Strikes) in 4:48 of Rd1
Michelle Waterson over Tyra Parker by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 1:20 of Rd1
Tyler Toner over Ricky Johnson by TKO (Strikes) in 3:44 of Rd2

Prelim Card Results:
Drew Dober over Lumumba Sawyers by KO (Punch) in 0:16 of Rd1
Alan Gomez over Jordan Goodwin by Unanimous Decision
Eric Galvan over Jeremy Malaterre by Split Decision
Turrell Galloway over Brett Tillis by Submission (Rear Naked Choke)  in 1:21 of Rd1
Aaron Trujillo over Haven Torres by TKO (Strikes) in 2:59 of Rd1

ELITE XC: “Heat” — “Saturday Night Fights on CBS” — will take place at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., Saturday night and air live on the network television channel beginning at 9 p.m. ET.


The undefeated Carano had to disrobe after she failed to meet the 141-pound weight requirement for her match with Kelly Kobald 141. The noticeably weakened Carano, weighed 141 on her third try . 

Here are the official results:

265 lbs.: Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson (234.5) vs. Ken Shamrock (206.5)
170 lbs.: Elite XC Welterweight Champion Jake Shields (169.7) vs. Paul “Semtex” Daley (170)
265 lbs.: Andre “The Pitbull” Arlovski (240.7) vs. Roy “Big Country” Nelson (262.7)
140 lbs.: Gina “Conviction” Carano (141) vs. Kelly Kobald (141)
185 lbs.: Murilo “Ninja” Rua (185) vs. Benji Radach (185)
140 lbs.: Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (148.5) vs. Yoko Takahashi (148.5)
160 lbs.: James Edson Berto (157.7) vs. Conor Huen (160.7)
205 lbs.: Seth Petruzelli (205.5) vs. Aaron Rosa (204.7)
170 lbs.: Lorenzo Borgomeo (170.2) vs. Mickey Gomez (170.2)
140 lbs.: David Gomez (138.7) vs. Brett Jackowski ()
160 lbs.: Jorge Boechat (159.5) vs. Nicolae Curry (161.2)

LEMOORE, Calif. -As if the announcement this week of a pivotal Palace Fighting Championship flyweight showdown between Las Vegas, Nev. grappler Ulysses Gomez and Thailand superstar Rambaa Somdet wasn’t enough.

The Visalia, Calif. mixed martial artist has made the move down to middleweight and will face Central Valley rival Rafael Del Real on November 20 at PFC 11.

“This is a fight that has been a long time in the making. Regardless of what either guy will say I don’t think they’ve ever cared for each other. There could be some jealousy. There could be some envy. There could be a lot of things,” Printup said. “But I can guarantee that there will be a lot of heated exchanges in the ring during this bout. I don’t see either man wanting this fight to go to the score cards, this is the ultimate bragging rights fight for Central California and I know both men will be looking for the KO.”

Marshall (8-3) made his PFC debut in June with a technical knockout victory over Merced’s Phil Collins (6-4). He’s been a staple of the WEC and known as one of the more energetic fighters from Central California. He’s put on some epic battles in both Las Vegas and Lemoore.


“I know what I’m getting into, Doug’s a great fighter but I have the key to beating him. I’ve seen all of his fights. I wanted to fight him back in the day, but it got put on hold or whatever,” said Del Real a Tulare, Calif. native. “He can’t withstand my punching power at middleweight. His chin is suspect ever since he moved down from heavyweight. My career has had it’s ups and downs and I took a lot of fights I probably shouldn’t have, but I guarantee in this one I’m going to hit him hard and often and he’s not going to know what happened until the doctors wake him up.”

Del real (5-10) has lost four of his last five fights, but has been a big draw locally.


“Well, I was going to fight Rafael as a heavyweight and he backed out. Now at 185 he thinks he has a chance? That’s a joke. It doesn’t matter what weight we meet at the Rhino is going to bring the fight like he always does. I’ll be the one serving up a KD (knocked dead).”

Tickets for PFC 11 start at $40 and are available now at all tickets.com outlets, charge by phone by calling 1-800-225-2277, in person at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino gift shop or in Fresno at MMA Elite Apparel at 6640 North Blackstone Ave.

Printup also recently confirmed some upcoming rumored bouts on cards through February.


On October 23, the PFC will feature four bouts on a night of World Championship boxing at the Palace. In the main event, Lemoore, Calif. light heavyweight Mike Martinez (3-2) takes on city rival Brandon Lorenz (1-0). Also featured on the card is a featherweight showdown between PFC champ Jorge Evangelista (7-2-1) of Fresno, Calif. and Las Vegas, Nev.’s David Smith (4-1) in a non-title fight.

In prelims, Oakland, Calif. featherweight Jimmy Jarquin (2-2) vs. TBA and Visalia, Calif. heavyweight Rocky Molina (1-2) takes on Madera, Calif.’s Joaquin Sanchez (3-1).

The next PFC show is sure to bring some drama, as a few fights have been confirmed by Printup that have major title implications.

Most notably is a rematch for the PFC World Light Heavyweight title between Brazil’s Jorge Oliveira (3-2-1) and St. Paul, Min.’s Isaiah Larson (6-1). The pair fought to a no-contest at PFC 9 in June.

Making his PFC debut will be Las Vegas, Nev. featherweight Eddie Yagin (11-3-1) against Oroville, Calif.’s Shawn Bias (13-6) and UFC veteran Gabe Ruediger (11-5) of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. is set to take on Fairbanks, Alaska’s Scott McAfee (5-1).

In a match that will get some international interest, Oakland, Calif. lightweight Dominique Robinson (13-2-1) takes on Japan’s Takumi Nakayama (13-11-4).

Hanford, Calif. featherweight Chad Mendes (1-0) is expected to be in action in both November and February. Mendes, who was a runner up at the NCAA Wrestling Championships in 2008, is considered by many to be one of the PFC’s most coveted prospects.

On January 22 the Palace will host PFC 12. PFC Lightweight champ Brian Cobb (13-4) of Bakersfield, Calif. will take on Ensenada, Mexico’s Olaf Alfonso (7-9) for the belt.

Also rumored to be on the card are brothers Jorge and Billy Evangelista (7-0) of Fresno, Calif. PFC Welterweight champ Bryan Travers (11-1) of Bakersfield, Calif. will also be in action.

Henderson vs. Franklin & Rua vs. Coleman Set for UFC, Jan. 2009!

Masato Wins K-1 World Max '08 Championship

 

TOKYO, October 1, 2008 -- At age 29, Masato is already a veteran among K-1 World Max fighters. Tonight, the Japanese kickboxer countered any doubts about his speed and stamina by battling to victory in a pair of absolutely thrilling bouts to capture the K-1 World Max 2008 Final Championship at the Nippon Budokan.

 

With its 70kg/154lbs weight limit, K-1 World Max's speed and technique have captivated fightsport fans in Japan and around the world. Tonight, this year's top-four World Max fighters clashed in a couple of semifinal bouts, with the winners going head-to-head in the Main Event for the World Max 2008 Championship.

 

Masato's semifinal opponent was Japanese kickboxer Yoshihiro Sato, the '06 & '07 World Max Japan Champion.

 

Sato is tall, and used his 11cm/4" height advantage well, pushing in front kicks to control the distance and threatening with the knees when the action closed. Masato, meanwhile, drew on his speed, firing in low kicks and darting forward with punches, as both fighters scored soundly through an electrifying first round. The second saw even more action, Masato powering past his opponent's defenses with numerous left straight punches; Sato showing a great chin and continuing to counter. Incredibly, the boys raised it another notch in the third -- a round that showcased what World Max is all about. Sato benefited from a change in tactics, bearing in with punches, and Masato answered in kind as the pair stood toe-to-toe and traded 'em before Sato got through with a left-right combination to fell his opponent. Masato recovered well to score with straight punches, although most connected at the limit of his reach. Masato did better by closing to work the body blows and uppercuts.

 

One judge liked Sato but two scored it a draw, prompting a tiebreaker round. Here Masato was quick with his combinations, closing again to work the body; while Sato played it defensively, firing low kicks and pushing his opponent back with front kicks. Masato's aggression made the difference as he passed with the jab and straight punches then drove home body blows from inside. A late Masato left straight cocked Sato's head back, and by the time Sato resumed his punching attacks it was too late. Masato with the hard-fought unanimous decision and a trip to the final.

The smart money had it that Masato would meet two-time and Defending World Max Champion Andy Souwer in the final. But Souwer hit a roadblock on the road to glory, in the form of 21 year-old Ukrainian fighter Artur Kyshenko.

 

Kyshenko smartly snapped in the kicks to start, but Souwer's blocking and evasions were excellent, and the Dutch fighter went on the offensive late in the first with a couple of smart one-two punch combinations. A bit more action in the second as the distance closed, both combatants throwing punches -- Souwer looking good with tight combinations on the counter. But still, neither fighter showed a killer instinct. Souwer's cautious style was now cause for concern. When would he break out?

 

The judge's card had the pair even going into the third, and although Souwer's blocking in the final frame was once again near-flawless and his combinations on the counter displayed admirable technical skill, his overall defensive strategy did not win him the round, and the bout went to a tiebreaker.

 

Kyshenko knew he had an excellent chance to win it. The Ukrainian's stamina served him well as he launched a number of creative attacks, including a spinning back kick and flying knees. Souwer responded with low kicks and also varied his attacks some, but that might have been the Champ's problem -- he spent too much time responding. When the bell sounded, judges gave Kyshenko the nod and a date with Masato in the final.

 

In ten World Max bouts, Kyshenko's only loss had come against Masato in last year's final. In that bout, Kyshenko was ahead on the cards before falling to a Masato left hook. And so this had the making of a great, albeit unexpected final. Both fighters had gone four rounds in their semifinal contests, but Kyshenko -- seven years Masato's junior -- had taken fewer blows en route to the final.

 

The fighters came out hard and fast, exhibiting no ill effects from their semifinal bouts. Kyshenko answered Masato's first low kick with three of his own, and Masato worked the straight punches, but Kyshenko's blocking was sound. Kyshenko landed a solid low kick and right hook, however more of Masato's surgical strikes got through, the Japanese fighter improving both his power and accuracy as the first round wound down.

 

Significant among World Max rule changes introduced for this event was an "open-scoring" system, whereby judges' scorecards are displayed on arena monitors at the conclusion of each round.

 

It might have lit a fire under Kyshenko when one judge scored the first round a draw and the other two gave it to Masato by a point. Kyshenko started the second with a hard right straight punch and continued striking with combinations until a left dropped Masato. The trip to the mat did not unnerve Masato, who coolly countered with low kicks and closed with uppercuts. Meanwhile, many of Kyshenko's punches were exploding promisingly from the guard only to miss the mark, and a Kyshenko kick sailed high late in the round.

 

Still, the down had put Kyshenko up on one card going into the third. The Ukrainian had his chance, but could not put this one away. Stamina had entered the equation, and if there was a fatigued fighter in the ring it was certainly not the ever-advancing Masato. Plenty of hard stuff thrown here, Kyshenko floating some and missing more; Masato solidly planted on his feet to take the edge in power and accuracy. Kyshenko however remained dangerous, landing a knee late in the round.

 

After three rounds, one card had it for Masato while the others added up even, and so a tiebreaker was prescribed.

 

Crunch time, and they came out swinging -- but again Masato set himself better, picking his spots and hitting the target while doing an excellent job of reading and evading Kyshenko's big hooks. Masato had the initiative, and he had the right attack at the right time. Although Kyshenko connected with a hard upper, his flagging guard left him vulnerable and he received more than he gave, and Masato finished the round in control.

 

A very good performance by the young Kyshenko, but a better one from the experienced Masato, whose stamina, smarts and versatility erased the second-round down and earned him a unanimous decision and the World Max Belt. It was the second time Masato has won the World Max Final, he also took it in 2003.

 

"These were the toughest fights I've ever had," said Masato in his post-event interview. "My face and my legs hurt. I didn't expect to be downed twice, I gave 100%, and I have nothing left -- now I just want to relax and have a cup of coffee! Of course, I am very happy to win the belt. It is definitely different from what I felt before, now I think I can realize the true value of this belt. I'm completely exhausted, right now I feel like I don't want to ever fight again -- so I'll think about the future later."

 

"Now I understand why Masato is the champion," said Kyshenko afterward. "He has good punches and kicks, and I think the reason I lost was because I don't have as much experience as he does. But now I've fought him two years in a row, it was a great learning experience. Also it gave me a lot of confidence to beat Andy Souwer, who was the Max champion twice. Last year I finished in third place and this year I was second-place, so I'm improving one step at a time -- next year I'll be the champion!"

 

 

In the first tournament reserve, Japanese kickboxer Yasuhiro Kido fought the first-ever World Max Champion, boxer Albert Kraus of Holland.

 

Good positioning and movement by Kraus in the early going, the Dutchman getting through with the fists and scoring with low kicks. Kido connected with a couple of strikes but otherwise struggled to find his distance, and a Kraus knee at the bell sent the Japanese fighter to the interval with a nasty gash over his eye. Kido came alive in the second, making good with combinations, but time was twice stopped for the ringside doctor to check his worsening cut. Kido did not pass the second evaluation, so Kraus had the TKO win.

 

"Kido was good and strong and technical," said Kraus post-bout. "I'm happy with my performance this year, the only thing I missed out on was the championship belt."

 

The second tournament reserve pitted two-time World Max Champion Buakaw Por Pramuk of Thailand against Indian muay thai fighter Black Mamba.

 

There is a reason Buakaw has won the World Max twice, and the Thai fighter showed it tonight. Mamba made a go of it, but was simply out of his league as Buakaw commanded the distance, pace and style of this one from the first bell. At just 2:18 of the first Buakaw had the win courtesy a couple of downs -- the first after a leg-grab and left straight punch to the chops, the second courtesy a couple of side-launched right hooks.

 

 

The evening's 13-bout card also included a World Max Superfight, the ISKA World Lightweight Title Match and another lightweight contest, plus the quarterfinals in K-1's new Koshien King of U-18 series.

 

In the World Max Superfight, Japanese kickboxer Taishin Kohiruimaki met Dutch kickboxer Joeri Mes. Kohiruimaki started with an ambitious knee, but Mes quickly seized control, making good with the left straight punches to score an early down. Mes continued to close on his opponent, and although Kohi came back with knees and low kicks midway through the second, Mes was the dominating fighter, and started the third with a three-point lead on all cards. Kohiruimaki desperately needed to make some noise here, and as time wound down he opened up -- but it was the indefatigable Mes who got through with the decisive blow -- a left hook on a counter -- to lay the Japanese fighter out flat. An impressive display of power, speed and spirit by Mes.

 

"I feel good," said Mes, "I fought aggressively, like Melvin [Manhoef] and Badr [Hari]. "I knew Kohi is a good fighter, but he kept clinching. After my win today, I'd like to fight more in K-1. I already fought Andy Souwer once and I lost, I'd like to fight him again and win! I'd also like to fight Japanese fighters like Masato and Sato."

 

In the ISKA World Lightweight (60kg/132lbs) Title Match, it was Japanese fighters Susumu Daiguji, a 30 year-old karate stylist; and Daisuke Uematsu, a kickboxer two days shy of his 24th birthday.

 

A quick start and a quicker finish to this one. Daiguji shot in with the fists, Uematsu weathering the attack before countering with a middle kick then pumping up a knee to score a down. As Daiguji slumped against the ropes then onto the mat, the referee stepped in to call it. Uematsu the winner by KO at just 0:29.

 

Another lightweight contest featured Japanese fighters Haruaki Otsuki and Ryuji Kajiwara.

 

The shorter fighter, Otsuki hung his guard loose and low and chased Kajiwara with kicks, but ate a few fists -- including a hard right hook in the second. It was anyone's fight going into the final frame. Good action here, Kajiwara punching into his opponent's guard, Otsuki answering with a punishing high kick. Kajiwara scored with a right hook, but Otsuki was more creative inside, and took a unanimous decision.

 

In the evening's opening fight, a World Max contest, Nieky "The Natural" Holzken of Holland's prestigious Golden Glory Gym rammed the fists past South African boxer Virgil Kalakoda's guard to score two quick first-round downs and pick up the KO win.

 

 

Also on the card were the quarterfinal contests in the new K-1 Koshien King of U-18 Series. Paralleling Japan's hugely popular Koshien high school baseball tournament -- which enjoys television viewer ratings exceeding those of Japanese major league baseball -- K-1 Koshien is open to high school students aged 16-18, with a weight range limitation of 57kg/126lbs to 62kg/137lbs. Bouts are conducted under modified K-1 rules, with 5-counts and fighters wearing ten-ounce gloves.

 

Koshien promoter's selection Hiroya snapped in straight punches to rattle Taishi Hiratsuka, a Top-3 Chubu Region Fighter, prompting the referee to call it for Hiroya. Shota Shimada, also a promoter's selection, took a unanimous decision over Ryo Murakoshi, a Top-3 Kanto fighter; Chubu Champion Ryuya Kusakabe's high kick KO'd Kanto Finalist Daizo Sasaki late in the first round; and Kanto Champion Koya Urabe scored a second-round TKO over Yusuke Tsuboi, a Chubu Finalist.

 

During tonight's intermission, a draw was held to determine the semifinal matchups for the Koshien Final, which will be held at K-1's New Year's Eve Dynamite event. It will be Hiroya vs Shota Shimada; and Ryuya Kusakabe vs Koya Urabe.

 

 

The K-1 World Max 2008 Final attracted a sellout crowd of 15,321 to the Nippon Budokan. All bouts were conducted under K-1 Rules -- three rounds of three minutes each, with a possible tiebreaker round in all but the K-1 Koshien Series, and two possible tiebreakers in the ISKA Title bout and the World Max Final's championship bout.