K-1 Announces K-1 WORLD MAX 2009 Finals

K-1 held a press conference today to announce some K-1 MAX news for the October 26th WORLD MAX 2009 World Championship Finals. Tournament bouts are Por. Pramuk vs. Andy Souwer and Petrosysan vs. Yuya Yamamoto.

The bigger news was Kozo Takeda announced his retirement. Takeda, a finalist in the 2003 MAX tournament has had a legendary career but never seemed to reach the top of the weight class in K-1. Known for his devastatingly hard low kicks and most recently getting murdered in the ring by Tatsuya Kawajiri, the 36 year old will have his last hurrah against Albert Kraus in a superfight.

K-1 WORLD MAX 2009 World Championship Final
10.26.09 – Yokohama, Japan

Tournament Bouts
Reserve Fight: Yoshihiro Sato vs. Yasuhiro Kido
Semi: Buakaw Por. Pramuk vs. Andy Souwer
Semi: Giorgio Petrosysan vs. Yuya Yamamoto
Finals: x vs. x

Superfights
Kozo Takeda vs. Albert Kraus
Taishin Kohiruimaki vs. Drago
Hinata vs. Mike Zambidis
Yuichiro Nagashima vs. Xu Yan
Kazuhisa Watanabe vs. Jae Hee Cheon

Koshien Final 8
HIROYA vs. Ryuya Kusakabe
Tsukasa Fuji vs. Katsuki Ishida
Shota Shimada vs. Hiroki Akimoto
Keisuke Miyamoto vs. Masaaki Noiri

Alistair Overeem Update from Golden Glory

Overeem; MMA Fighter

Overeem is such a strange case recently, as his name comes up constantly since Strikeforce became a national promotion here in the United States. As stated a few times before, Overeem claims that his contract with Strikeforce had expired and there wasn’t a new one negotiated until just before he injured his hand in a brawl. Of course the ever-vigilant MMA fans on the internet have pointed out his kickboxing career, which at the moment is rather fruitful for him. Golden Glory, his management, has word on the Overeem saga.

I talked with Bas Boon about Alistair Overeem starting his training again after his fight with 5 bouncers and his hand injury. Bas Boon told me that only a few months ago the agreement was made with Strikeforce, more then a year after Alistair became the heavyweight champion (he does not know why this offer came so late by Strikeforce). Alistair has a very good contract with FEG/K-1 and has been very busy fighting K-1 and dream fights in 2008. Strikeforce knew about this, but Alistair was allowed after negotiations, to fight in the USA as well in 2009. Unfortunately when the deal was finalized with Strikeforce we had to cancel the fight. Alistair was preparing for his first title defense for Strikeforce this summer, he sustained a very nasty infection on his hand as a result of a nightclubbrawl, were five bouncers were send to the hospital. This injury took longer as we anticipated and the result was the cancelation of two fights. The injury is healed now and the first fight of Alistair will be in Seoul against Peter Aerts for the qualification of the K-1 WGP on September 26th 2009!

I think it is fair to assume the injury was legitimate at this point, as Overeem’s last fight was in March against Remy Bonjasky (a fight in which he nearly won, too). The Strikeforce fight was scheduled for last month and his infection hadn’t shored up by then. He is now scheduled to fight in K-1 at the end of this month, as well as in October for Golden Glory (possibly for DREAM as well), and Strikeforce hasn’t exactly offered him a new fight yet. I think it is time for the internet to calm down on Overeem. FEG right now is giving him a chance as a kickboxer, and with a knockout over Badr Hari and a close decision with Remy Bonjasky I’d say K-1 is the best place for him right now.

Zach Arnold contacted Bas Boon himself to see what he could get, and got this for an answer:

“There was never a contract after the Paul Buentello title fight. This contract came a few months before Alistair hurt his hands. So it’s not 22 months long, but only 3 months.”

Gegard Mousasi Injured; Will Not Fight in Super Hulk Tournament

Gegard Mousasi is a guy that in the past few years has really broken out and made a name for himself. The fact that he put K-1 Legend Musashi out of action for nearly a year and has him sternly talking about retirement, and then dazzled American audiences destroying Renato Babalu Sobral, has made Mousasi a quick favorite. In one of those “oh c’mon” moments, a seemingly harmless grappling exhibition with Fedor Emelianenko has turned into an injury, sez MMAWeekly. Rough.

Gegard Mousasi has been forced to withdraw from a scheduled bout with Rameau Thierry Sokodjou in the semifinals of the Super Hulk Tournament at Dream 11, MMAWeekly.com has been told by multiple sources close to the situation. The Japanese promotion is currently trying to find a replacement opponent for the Oct. 6 event, which also features the promotion’s Featherweight Grand Prix Finals.

According to one source, Mousasi may have injured his shoulder during a grappling exhibition with Fedor Emelianenko at M-1: Breakthrough last month in Kansas City.

I’m Renaming This Blog “Overeem Legend” — Overeem’s Strikeforce Contract

Yet more Alistair Overeem news emerges, as he seems to be the talk of the town; be it his fights in Europe, his fights for FEG or his inactivity in US-based Strikeforce where he happens to hold a Heavyweight Championship. The guys at BE have a story up talking about Overeem’s Strikeforce situation, how he was never bound to a Championship clause with them. The actual interview is from MiddleEasy and is one of the most quotable interviews I’ve seen.

My contract with Strikeforce was only made about three months before the incident, I think they let me fight against (Vitor)Belfort and Paul (Buentello) to lose, but I won. Normally in a contract it says you have to defend your title within a certain period. But my contract just ended there. As I had a long term contract with FEG, I kept fighting for Dream and K-1. It’s ironic that we finally got an offer from Strikeforce and reached an agreement, and I get in some stupid brawl and cut my hand. In jail it got infected and it took longer than expected.

He also doesn’t hate Scientology unless Tom Cruise and Beck decide to declare war.

Strikeforce Officials Talk Overeem

If you are a MMA fan, you have probably been up in arms over Alistair Overeem’s lack of title defenses in Strikeforce. Well, rest assured, Overeem is healed and will once again fight for Strikeforce — after he is done fighting in the K-1 World Grand Prix and fighting in his home of Golden Glory. MMAmania went out on a limb to get the scoop.

When contacted by MMAmania.com (www.MMAmania.com ), Strikeforce officials were happy to report that Overeem’s injuries have finally healed and that he will compete in the upcoming kickboxing bout as part of his existing contract with K-1.

Following that bout, as well as a planned fight for Golden Glory, Overeem is expected to return to Strikeforce to defend his title.

And with Brett Rogers, Fabricio Werdum and Fedor Emelianenko all gunning for first dibs, don’t expect him to receive a very warm welcome.

So it looks like Overeem has told Strikeforce that he’ll be fighting for them as soon as his obligations to other promotions are met. Here is the question that I beg to ask; if Overeem goes on to the K-1 WGP Finals, do you really see him rushing to get booked on a Strikeforce card? The same could be said if he gets “injured” again.

For Familyman Aerts Retirement Isn’t the Plan

Peter Aerts will compete in his 17th K-1 World Grand Prix this year, and with recent talks of retirement from fighters like Musashi and Aerts being 42 years old, there is speculation, of course, as to if this will be his last World Grand Prix or not.

Aerts recently had a sit down with the K-1 crew to discuss this, as well as his family’s support for his decision to continue fighting in K-1 competition. Aerts is hard on some of his performances in the past few years, but says he has been training harder than ever. Peter loves his family and of course the art of fighting, and will continue competing at the highest level possible before he considers retiring.

…and Now a Word From Musashi

Musashi thanks the fans for voting for him to receive a wildcard spot (even though, technically, he lost) in the FINAL 16, as well as promises he’ll return to Japan victorious and make them proud.

K-1 9.26 World GP in Seoul -FINAL 16- Card

After rumor after rumor, K-1 has gone ahead and posted the card for the FINAL 16. Some surprises like JLB vs. Musashi, which is actually a better fight for both men than previously mentioned. MMA fans will make note that Alistair Overeem is confirmed for this event, on top of a few other fights he has taken in Europe it really looks more and more like he is simply avoiding the United States and its drug testing policies.

Also in the fan poll Catalin Morosanu, and in an act of K-1ness, Musashi instead got the nod, with their official website even saying it came down to a “decision from the sponsors.” It seems the K-1 initiated “plea” from Musashi was enough to gain the public’s interest and giving him one last shot at glory is the least they could do.

Also note how far out the banner is for this show. Really?

1. Final 16 – 3R Ext. 2R Badr Hari vs. Zabit Samedov
2. Final 16 – 3R Ext. 2R Ruslan Karaev vs. KYOTARO
3. Final 16 – 3R Ext. 2R Semmy Schilt vs. Daniel Ghita
4. Final 16 – 3R Ext. 2R Ewerton Teixeira vs. Singh “Heart” Jaideep
5. Final 16 – 3R Ext. 2R Peter Aerts vs. Alistair Overeem
6. Final 16 – 3R Ext. 2R Remy Bonjasky vs. Melvin Manhoef
7. Final 16 – 3R Ext. 2R Errol Zimmerman vs. Glaube Feitosa
8. Final 16 – 3R Ext. 2R Jerome LeBanner vs. Musashi
9. Superfight Taiei Kin vs. Catalin Morosanu

Musashi: Give Me One More Shot

K-1 Japanese troubled legend Musashi made his plea to the K-1 brass today, saying he’ll retire after this, but is truly healthy for the first time in a very long time now.

If you’ve been following K-1 LEGEND you’ll know that Musashi vs. Teixeira is a strongly rumored fight for the FINAL 16, so it looks like we’ll see Musashi get his last chance at redemption. If you’ve been following Musashi’s career you’ll know it has been a tumultous one, and you’ll note that last year Musashi met Teixeira in the FINAL 16 in Korea where he lost a tough decision.

Musashi has not fought since Dynamite!! 2008 where Gegard Mousasi absolutely annihilated him before the first round could expire. It very much looked like Musashi was done, but with his passionate plea it looks like we’ll see Musashi make one last go at being the very best the K-1 world has to offer.

UPDATE: K-1 officials announced that they would hold a fan vote to determine if Musashi gets a spot in the Final 16. If he wins the voting, he is in. If not, he will have one final retirement match. Either way, he will retire at the end of the year.

DREAM.11 to Feature KID Yamamoto

The DREAM.11 Poster has been making its rounds over the past week or so, of course notable is that the SUPER HULK tournament continues on, with Gegard Mousasi looking to easily be the favorite in it.

On top of that, the Featherweight GP continues on, with KID Yamamoto slayer Joe Warren facing incredibly stiff competition from Bibiano Fernandes in the semi-finals. Hideo Tokoro, one of the favorites, faces off with Hiroyuki Takaya.

Hellboy finally makes his return to action against grappler Shin’ya Aoki for the DREAM Lightweight Championship.

The big additions are superstars Tatsuya “Crusher” Kawajiri, who we last saw being dismantled in the K-1 MAX ring against the #1 Middleweight fighter, MASATO, as well as the recently troubled KID Yamamoto, one of FEG’s biggest names in Japan. The previous rumor was that they would face each other, but the risks seemed to outweigh the potential right now with both men coming off of losses, so for now they are just “on the card” for October 6.