K-1 WORLD MAX 2009 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT -FINAL-

The winners in October will lead the way

TOKYO - September 15th - With Masato's impending retirement, it's still up in the air who will fill the vacuum left by the charismatic fighter. Several likely candidates will show their stuff in the upcoming October Super Fight matches. Directly following Kozo Takeda's retirement announcement, the following matches were released at a press conference held in Tokyo:

Taishin Kohiruimaki vs. DRAGO
HINATA vs. Mike Zambidis
Yuichiro "Jienotsu" Nagashima vs. Xu Yan
Kazuhisa Watanabe vs. Jae Hee Cheon

 

Including the already released cards World Final Reserve fight Yoshihiro Sato vs. Yasuhiro Kido, World Final matches Sauer vs. Buakaw, Yuya Yamamoto vs. Giorgio Petrosian, the 4 K-1 Koshien fights, and Kozo Takeda vs. Albert Kraus, there are 12 matches total. Event Producer Sadaharu Tanikawa mentioned he'd also like to bring in Artur Kyshenko making this event a true K-1 all-star extravaganza.

The importance of the Final Tournament goes without saying, but there is another level of importance for the Sato/Kido reserve match and the Super Fight competitors. They are all out to show that they are the next MAX superstar. Until now, Masato has been MAX's shining star and helped make the middleweight class what it is today - one of the most popular martial arts events in the world (with the highest percentage of female fans of any fighting sport). With his retirement not far off, the other fighters are chomping at the bit to prove that they have the stuff to lead K-1 MAX in 2010 and beyond.

Cosplayer Nagashima secretly spars with Masato

At today's press conference Kohiruimaki, Hinata, Nagashima, and Watanabe were on hand to give the press a taste of what they have in store for fans in the upcoming event. Yuichiro "Jienotsu" Nagashima came in (as usual?) a cosplay costume (the character Suigintoh) from the popular manga/anime series "Rozen Maiden" made even more popular when it was rumored that current PM Taro Asoh was reading the series. "Aso? Then we're talking about regime change!", the fighter joked referring to changes in MAX as well as the upcoming change in Japanese political leadership.

Watanabe brushes off competition

After Nagashima came Kazuhisa Watanabe weilding a hair brush and wearing a jacket loud enough to pop eardrums. Approaching Nagashima, he began to brush the cosplayer's hair(?) to muffled laughter from the assembled reporters. Next he responded to a query speaking into his brush saying, "Could you repeat the question?"

He won't be able to joke his way out of facing upcoming opponent Jae Hee Cheon, however. Cheon is known for his technically exquisite kicks and punches and also for KO'ing Norifumi "KID" Yamamoto. Watanabe commented, "I've been watching him since the KID fight and I have to say that he has great legs. They'd look good in fishnet stockings. Just kidding. I mean, getting kicked by those legs will hurt. He's not to be taken lightly. I think KID let him get a few attacks in on purpose (to make things exciting), but went too far. It was like an accident."

Hinata takes Zambi head on

Facing MAX veteran Mike Zambides is young hopeful Hinata. In his first international match he lost the decision after being downed in the extra round by Dzhabar "Genghis Khan" Askerov. He seems cautious but hopeful about his upcoming match stating, "I've been watching Zambides since I was in high school. He's a strong fighter. I can't believe that I'll actually be fighting him. It's a little intimidating, but at the same time I can't wait to see how well I'll do."

Kohi issues challenge

Taishin Kohiruimaki had been out of action for quite a while due to injury, but apparently he's back in top form as he suddenly and confidently declared, "I want to face Masato. To make that happen, I will make short work of Drago. Give me Masato." Though the odds lean toward this year's MAX champion to be Masato's final opponent, nothing is decided as of yet, so there is still a chance that Kohi might get his wish. Either way, his comments made quite a stir.

Nagashima: "I have my own thing. I won't be another Masato. I'm a cosplay and anime missionary." Hinata: "The one who puts in the time succeeds. It's all about results." Kohiruimaki: "You either have it or you don't." Watanabe: "Like Nagashima said, we all have to be our own person. We need another champion like Masato and that's what I'm aiming for." Each fighter has his own vision of the future of MAX and each one has the desire and ability to become the next man to lead the new generation of MAX fighters. One can only imagine what the future holds in store for MAX fight fans.

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I agree with Nagashima that he won't be another Masato - that would be too much for him I agree with Nagashima that he won't be another Masato - that would be too much for him

where is JW Parr....he fights quality guys and has good fights. where is JW Parr....he fights quality guys and has good fights.

Did I miss something ? Why is Kraus fighting ? Did I miss something ? Why is Kraus fighting ?

@Slayer-CH Superfight. Here is the full card

http://www.k-1.co.jp/en/event/2009/1026_ max/index.html {q user="Slayer-CH"}Did I miss something ? Why is Kraus fighting ?{/q} Superfight. Here is the full card-br--br-http://www.k-1.co.jp/en/event/2009/1026_max/index.html

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