K-1 Final 16 Exclusive Fight Report:
Seoul, Saturday September, 26. 15, 417 people were at the Olympic stadium in a great night, when the top 16 fighters of the K-1 world were finally united to decide who is going to be at the final in December. FEG invested a lot in marketing, updating the K-1 official site in English and exploring the youtube channel making the event more interesting than ever not only in Japan but for all the occident too. After a great expectation by the fans, fighters and trainers, the great day finally arrived.
Unfortunately we had just one knockout that was not so amazing, but the event was good at all. I think people wanted to see more aggression and explosive knockouts but I hope the fighters have saved their best to the final. Of the 8 qualified, 6 were in the final last year. It shows that the old names are still in control of K-1 and the new generation is not ready to take the post yet (I think in a few years the new generation will be fresh and ready to rock, but not this time).
Catalin Morosanu vs. Taiei Kin:
Winner: Taiei Kin, 2R 0:00 TKO (Disqualification)
In the superfight of the night Morosanu showed an evolved technique, controlling himself. No more fighting like a crazy animal. He dominated the actions and the center of the ring. When the 10 seconds warning sounded, Morosanu thought it was the end of the first round. When the bell really ringed he was confused and punched Kin who was with his guard down being disqualified. Kin, after recover himself, said they will fight again.
Remy Bonjasky vs. Melvin Manhoef:
Winner: Remy Bonjasky, 3R Judge Decision 3x0
Manhoef, like Morosanu controlled himself at the fight and tried to use a counter attack strategy. The first two rounds were close and the Manhoef game was great. But in the final round Bonjasky used his legs and the height and weight difference to win the third. The referee Nobuaki Kakuda controlled well this two “assumed foes”. Melvin used some leg techniques to put Bonjasky on the ground stopping the fight fluidity.
Errol Zimmerman vs. Glaube Feitosa:
Winner: Errol Zimmerman, 3R Judge Decision 2x0
The rematch of Glaube Feitosa against Errol Zimmerman showed that the Brazilian is getting older and his time is passing by. The Ichigeki fighter showed no heart and no explosion against the Bonecrusher who didn’t fight well too. After winning the two first rounds, Zimmerman made his way to the final 8. Feitosa was better at the last round but it was not enough. The Brazilian kicks were inefficient.
Ruslan Karaev vs. Kyotaro:
Winner: Ruslan Karaev, 3 R Judge Decision 3x0
While Kyotaro made his game of avoidance and counter attack circulating through the ring at the first rounds, Karaev tried to be aggressive and hit him. When Kyotaro was under pressure he started using clinches, what made the referee warn him about a possible penalty for ending with the fight fluidity. In the final round Kyotaro tried to make a different game and fought face to face with the Russian. At the end Ruslan won by points.
Ewerton Teixeira vs. Singh Jaideep:
Winner: Ewerton Teixeira, 5R Judge Decision 3x0
In the most boring fight of the night Ewerton Teixeira and Singh Jaideep made nothing effective through the five rounds. The Indian had his great chance when attacked Teixeira with his knee at the third round. Surprisingly the young Japanese- Indian has not explored his technique through the rest of the fight. In the end, the judges proclaimed Teixeira as the winner but neither Ewerton, neither Jaideep deserved to be at the final in December.
Semmy Schilt vs. Daniel Ghita:
Winner: Semmy Schilt, 3R Judge Decision 3x0
Schilt is back! Daniel Ghita made an excellent fight but the Hightower was in a great night and knocked the Rumanian down twice during the third round. The great mistake of Ghita was tried to fight in front of Schilt’s reach. The jabs of the giant Dutch destroyed Daniel who was tired at the end of the match. The kicks of Ghita wasn’t able to destroy his opponent legs like in Tokyo months before. So after all, the decision was unanimous.
Jerome Lebanner vs. Musashi:
Winner: Jerome Lebanner, 3R Judge Decision 3x0
A great fight against two veterans of the world of K-1. Musashi not only used his kicks but he boxed a lot. Jerome was in better condition and attacked well. The French seems to have no more the knockout power who made his name a long time ago but his punches are still dangerous and putted Musashi down once at the fight. The Japanese who is retiring did his best and deserves all the affection of the fans. He thrown a lot of punches and fought bravely, with the heart. It was the best of Musashi’s fight in the last years. Even loosing he was one of the names of the night.
Peter Aerts vs. Alistair Overeem:
Winner: Alistair Overeem, 3R Judge Decision 3x0
With an explosive beginning and with all his brutality Alistair Overeem took the place of mister K-1 at the Final in Yokohama. Aerts tried to hurt his opponent but the hard body and the heavy hands of the MMA fighter made Peter Aerts seems ineffective. The size difference remembered Sapp vs. Hoost. Aerts tried to work with the angles, with low kicks, with punches but was almost knocked down at the end.
Badr Hari vs. Zabit Samedov:
Winner: Badr Hari, 1R 2:15 TKO (Belly Straight)
Hari avoided the Zabit’s punches and attacked with energy and power. He was more technique than ever trying to attack at the right moment. Hari’s low kicks were destroying Samedov until hari used a straight that made the fighter who was representing Belarus stay down until the end of the counting.