K-1 MAX cold-blooded Sato-machine
TOKYO, Japan - July 5th at the Yoyogi Olympic Stadium #1, Japan's top MAX fighters gathered to battle for fortune and glory! No time for love, Doctor Jones. They're here to make MAX history! The event itself is host to two tournaments - three bouts of the elimination tournament for the -70 kilo MAX World Top 16 (the rest to take place in an event scheduled to take place in Europe in the Fall) and a one day tournament to decide the first -63 kilo MAX Japan champion.
T-70kg Tournament FINAL 16
In addition to the highly anticipated Sato / Yamamoto revenge match, fans were also looking forward to Jienotsu’s touted entrance hinted at yesterday’s press conference. Nakajima also vowed in an interview that he was out to “retire Kraus”.
Andre Dida vs. Yuichiro “Jienotsu” Nagashima
“Jienotsu” entered in top form to the Evangelion theme song and dressed as Sachiel, the first angel to appear on screen on the Evangelion anime show. A full entourage accompanied him dressed as other characters from the show. His opponent came in with his own outfit, a lucha (Mexican wrestling) mask with Dida lettered on the top. Nice try. Though Dida may have tried to fight a losing battle during his entrance, he more than proved he is a worthy opponent for the MAX Japan champion “Jienotsu”. In the first round, the two traded mostly punches with a few kicks in between. The round was scored even with no particular fighter doing any damage of consequence. In the second, “Jienotsu” drew oohs and aahs with a reverse backhand, but otherwise seemed that he was playing it careful. The last half of the round found Dida on the defense as “Jienotsu” became more confident in his attacks. Not only did he evade many of Dida’s powerhouse punches, he also got in more than a few licks himself. The two met in the middle for the last round and Dida started to hit his target more consistently. Though both were taking hits to the face, it was Dida who seemed off-balance and ready to topple. With the slightest of leads, “Jienotsu” was able to pull off a win, bringing his Evangelion cosplay compatriots to tears of joy.
Yoshihiro Sato vs. Yuya Yamamoto
A match five years in the making, these two last met in the kickboxing ring with Sato humiliating his opponent with a huge point difference. In those five years, Yamamoto has made a name for himself in the K-1 ring winning him a fan base that helped keep him in the ring even when his performance was less than stellar. Sato tends to be a fighter you love or hate - his straight-fisted approach to matches often found to be less than exciting. Yamamoto has never seemed more serious - the look on his face could freeze a tiger in its tracks, but it did little to stop some powerful hits to the face by Sato. The points were in Sato’s favor going into the second round and the stoic fighter’s expression hardly changed a tic. Every attack by Yamamoto seemed ineffective as the Sato-machine inched ever forward. Sato’s lefts and rights were all on target as he deftly canceled every attack by Yamamoto while calmly hitting his opponent’s face again and again. In the third round, Yamamoto had a five-point deficit to overcome and came on with all the power available to him. Though mostly unfocused, it looked more and more like Yamamoto might get in the right attack at any moment. Sato forced into a higher gear, used knees and punches to try to keep Yamamoto from getting in too close. As the 10 second warning was sounded, Yamamoto flew at his opponent in a desperate attempt to regain lost ground, but the Sato-machine was unstoppable. Hit after hit kept Yamamoto from his revenge - knees and punches bruising Yamamoto’s body and pride and bloodying his nose and honor. The Sato-machine barely drew a sweat throughout the whole match and his expression was unchanged even as his arm was lifted up for the victory decision.
Albert Kraus vs. Hiroki Nakajima
Nakajima may have his hands full against Kraus, the first MAX champion, who has shown no sign of slowing, though he has yet to win the crown since. Though Nakajima threatened to forcefully retire Kraus, his countenance was no way near as confident as the veteran fighter. The bout began with each fighter measuring their opponent’s defenses both alternating between high and low attacks. Kraus threw two waves of combos at Nakajima, forcing him into the corner - an attack only stopped with a strategic clinch. The round ended with Kraus jabbing Nakajima and then downing the young fighter with a right high kick! Kraus was on a roll and used the momentum from the first round to fuel a constantly advancing offensive. Flying knees and flailing punches did nothing to shake Kraus and Nakajima was unable to recover any ground lost. Nakajima was fighting an uphill battle against an eight point defecit, but his attacks seemed somewhat more focused. Kraus seemed to show some signs of fatigue, and his attacks were a bit too careful. Kraus tried to taunt Nakajima to come in and attack, but the young fighter just didn’t have the energy. Kraus did get in one counter, but overall the last round ended somewhat uneventfully. Though it was a clear win for Kraus, he obviously wasn’t willing to work for a knockout.
-63kg Japan Tournament Final
Finally, the long neglected under 63 kilo class has its day in the sun as the first Japan champion was crowned. Before the fights, experts disagreed about which fighter would win as they all have a high level of expertise. Red corner fighters were somewhat favored before the first gong sounded throughout the Yoyogi arena.
Reserve Fight: Kazuhisa Watanabe vs. Kazuyuki Miyata
Watanabe is known for being Japan kickboxing champion and also for being a little loose with the rules. Miyata, a wrestler and regular in the HERO’S and DREAM MMA shows, has been preparing several years for this, his second K-1 rules match. Kickboxing’s bad boy versus ripped and tanned Olympic wrestler. Miyata came in with low and middle kicks but the power wasn’t quite in the attacks - not as much as the low kicks that hit Miyata’s calves. Watanabe pressured Miyata into the corner, but the wrestler’s speed kept him from the trap. Miyata’s quick reflexes also saved him from a number of flying attacks, but without a cohesive attack plan it looked like an uphill battle. The first round ended with an even score, with plenty of movement but no decisive attacks. The next round found Miyata trying a number of complex attacks, but he somehow seemed out of his element. Watanabe came in with a succession of low kicks and then punch after punch trying to put Miyata in the corner, but a low kick from Miyata found Watanabe knocked to the mat for a down! Both fighters looked a little winded coming into the third, but Miyata’s reflexes kept him from taking any damage while sneaking in a few good lows. Watanabe looked like he may have taken a low blow - twice even! - but judges waved it off. Miyata pushed and pushed with knees and punches looking like he was ready to take the win, but Watanabe - perhaps fueled by anger over the possible low blows - had Miyata in trouble, even downing him, and though Miyata, with his guard down the whole time, looked like he would topple any second - blow after blow landing on face and temple - he would not go down! Miyata somehow managed to throw a few knees and still stay up, proving that he is one tough dude and not just a pretty face. Though he still has the aura of a fish out of water, Miyata won the fight thus making him the first reserve fighter in case someone was unable to go on to the the semifinal round.
Quarterfinal: Daisuke Uematsu vs. Yoshimichi Matsumoto
Matsumoto entered to Michael Jackson’s Thriller, but the thrills were yet to come as the first round was pretty much an even battle. The two traded knees and low kicks throughout the round with a spattering of punch combos on both sides. Uematsu won the round with a few more solid hits, but suffered a cut above the left eye. At the start of the second round Uematsu was downed with a right hook and Matsumoto tried to push the advantage. Uematsu was less than cooperative as he kept on the offensive with punches, but Matsumoto’s knees and roundhouse kicks were enough to keep his opponent at bay. Solid hits were traded back and forth but the down cost Uematsu the round. The third round started with a bang as both fighters put their all into trading attacks. Matsumoto used every bit of energy available to get Uematsu on the ropes and once in the corner he pummeled and kneed Uematsu hard enough that the ref came in to end the fight. At this point, it is yet to be seen if he will have enough juice for the next round. Winner - Matsumoto.
Quarterfinal: Yuta Kubo vs. Keiji Ozaki
30-year old Ozaki came into the ring with something to prove - that experience trumps youthful exuberance. On the other hand, Kubo might seem like another pretty face (Event producer Sadaharu “Tany” Tanikawa is an avid fan), but is ready to show that he has a dark side as well. The first round found the two fighters looking for a comfortable rhythm. Ozaki was mostly on the defensive as Kubo moved forward with powerful middle kicks. The round ended with an even score, and less action than befits this weight class. Kubo came on even stronger in the second keeping Ozaki off balance, but Ozaki didn’t show any particular signs of damage or fatigue. Could it be that the two are more concerned with saving their energy for the next round? Kubo continued to push Ozaki back and tried to score with one-two punches and one-two knee combinations. The judges agreed that Kubo won the round. Ozaki continued to edge back, but not necessarily aiming for a counter. Kubo showed no fatigue whatsoever dodging Ozaki’s powerless attacks. There was a mad rush at the tail end of the round with Ozaki flourishing a range of Taekwando kick attacks, but it was Kubo’s perseverance that won him the round and the match.
Quarterfinal: Naoki “Naokick” Ishikawa vs. Kizaemon Saiga
Saiga taunted Naokick early on with comments such as “you look like E.T.”, and though Naokick didn’t rise to the verbal challenge, he did say that he would embarrass Saiga in the ring. Saiga entered the arena bouncing along with his music, but the expression on his face could only be described as nervous. Naokick was all business as he stepped into the ring, but then he whipped out his katana (an actual sword - not a euphamism for something less savory) and a smile spread across his face. Saiga reacted by holding his nose, but it was yet to be seen who would come out smelling like a rose. Ear;y in the first round, a fist to the jaw had Naokick stagger to his knees resulting in a down! Saiga continued to come on strong, though a little stiff, continuing to taunt his opponent with smiles and dropping his guard. Down in points from the get-go, Naokick started in strong, putting the Saiga on the defense. When Naokick’s first wave of attacks were less than successful, Saiga continued to taunt by waving his opponent to come on, while aiming for counter attacks and actually landing a few. As the round went on Naokick looked more and more in trouble and a rolling kick hit by Saiga had him losing his balance as the gong rang out. Naokick’s anger started to show through as his attacks were relentless yet poorly aimed. Saiga seemed unfazed by his opponent’s knee attacks, but was running out of energy as the round went on. Without any solid hits by Naokick, the round and match went to the cocky Kizaemon Saiga with an embarrassing 6-point difference.
Quarterfinal: Tetsuya Yamato vs. Yuki
Yuki came into the ring ready to add on to his winning streak while Yamato entered the ring to the catchy “Space Cruiser Yamato” theme song. Fans waited with baited breath to see if Yamato had a “wave-motion” punch to counter Yuki’s powerful low kicks. The match started with good movement on both sides, Yamato keeping Yuki at bay with punches and Yuki working his way inside with punch-kick combos. Yamato’s front kicks seemed successful in throwing off Yuki’s timing and helped set up a right cross to temple, left hook to jaw double whammy that had Yuki on the mat and out for good in the last 10 seconds of the round!
Semifinal: Yoshimichi Matsumoto vs. Yuta Kubo
The first round found both fighters trading powerful kicks and punches - each looking in good shape and ready to go three hard rounds when suddenly - SMACK! Kubo nails a left high kick to Matsumoto’s jaw knocking him down and out! What a finish!
Semifinal: Kizaemon Saiga vs. Tetsuya Yamato
Will Saiga be able to counter Yamato’s combos with just a smile and a quip? Compared to his opponent he’s already fought a full three rounds while Yamato only has one round of fatigue to deal with. Fans had already chosen their winner with Yamato receiving the lion’s shares of cheers. The match started with Saiga wearing a more serious countenace than in his previous battle. His front kicks were successful in keeping Yamato’s punches at bay, and Yamato himself used the same front kicks to pressure his opponent into the corner. Combo met combo with a flurry of punches thrown by both and though Saiga did land a good reverse kick to the body, the round ended with no clear winner. The second round started lively with each opponent looking for the chink in the armor, but once again the round was looking even until WHAM! Yamato unleashed another right straight, left hook combo! Saiga dropped SMACK! to the canvas as Yamato was catapulted into the Final.
Final: Yuta Kubo vs. Tetsuya Yamato
Both fighters finished their last match quickly and cleanly allowing them to come into the ring in good shape. The event overall had been quite exciting with some really good knockouts and a lot of good martial spirit. As the “Space Cruiser Yamato” theme rang out a third time, the whole crowd clapped along with Yamato’s entrance. It’s almost too bad he didn’t follow Jienotsu’s lead and come in costume. That would have had the cosplay crowd on his side. Kubo came in all smiles probably bringing a smile to EP Tany’s face in the process. The fight could go either way and the crowd was pumped up for an exciting end to an amazing night. No time was wasted as the two clashed immediately as the gong rang. Kubo’s low and high kicks were more than a match for Yamato’s poor attempts at fronts and knees. The crowd gasped as Kubo’s left straight to the temple put Yamato on the canvas. Yamato was up quickly, but Kubo was relentless with punch combos and knees. Kubo still had energy to spare as he pressed his advantage, forcing Yamato in the corner. A slip by Kubo saved Yamato from more damage and the fight moved back to the center of the ring. By the end of the round, the two seemed to be losing steam but a rush by Yamato fueled a furious fist battle with Yamato winning the round! In the last round, Kubo’s defense continued to waver as Yamato was able to get in more and more hits and then BAM! Yamato knocked Kubo to the mat!! Before the count could finish, Kubo got up ready for battle! But Yamato was unstoppable! Blood on his face, jaw clenched, Yamato went in for the kill and after a constant stream of one-two combos! Kubo’s dreams of becoming the first under 63 MAX Japan champion were left on the blue canvas as Yamato unleashed a final signature hook that dropped his opponent and won him the night! A perfect ending to an overall fantastic event! If tonight proved anything, it’s that MAX’s new weight class has the talent and the energy to take on all comers.
15 July 2010
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