I think thats correct. I remember reading in an interview that Remy Bonjasky got a bonus for knocking out his opponent. Plus, K1 would give him an additional "signature move" bonus if he kayoed the opponent with one of his signature flying kicks/knees. K1 is obsessed with making sure that the crowd gets to see constant action. They even went as far as to completely get rid of the clinch so that fighters don't waste time hugging their opponent. Furthermore, K1 tries to make sure that all of their fighters are marketable. Ben Edwards (the dude that got beat up by Overeem in the Final 16) said in an interview that the K1 officials sat down with him and basically asked him to lay of the donuts and to get in better shape. The FEG wants to see guys with good physiques/looks (like Petrosyan, Badr Hari, Overeem, etc). The reason behind this is because females are a huge demographic for K1 (especially in Japan). FEG wants to keep them happy by making sure that they get to see good lookin muscular guys beating the crap outta each other.
That's what makes K1 so exciting! I havent been able to watch one live since the 2004 finals which incidentally featured a spirited match up between Francois Botha and Remy Bonjansky.
If you think about in having the round of 16 one night and the QF's/SFs/F on another night makes sense, it gives you 8 big matches on the first show and 7 on the second show. Add to that some of the fighters qualify for the round of 16 though smaller one night knockout events thoughout the year, Edwards and Kemayo in this case. Remember that K1 is essenitaly an outgrowth of karate aswell which has always focused heavly on one night knockout events.
Thats why its called a Grand Prix. PRIDE used to do it. And so did the early UFC's. GP's in my opinion are the best thing about either sport. They not only showcase the best fighter but also the toughest.
I can't wait for this event. K1 Finals are awesome. Its like Prizefighter but on a MUCH HIGHER level. A format which I think elite boxers would do well to embrace.
Short fights are ultimately a nessesity in kickboxing, a 12 round match would result in fighters being crippled by low kicks rather quickly.
I don't think it's weird, I think it's rather logical. During the year they hold qualifying GP's where the winners have to go 3 fights on one evening starting out of the quarter finals and ending up winning the final of the tournament. That winner will have proven that he can fight and win 3 fights on one evening and he will secure a shot at the last 16 in September. There the 16 best fighters face eachother in 8 separate matches and the eventual winners earn a spot in the Final 8 to determine the best fighter of the year! I think that's just a great concept along with the 3 x 3 min action packed rounds and that's also the reason boxing picked it up with the Prizefighter series. Here you can find the matchups for the Finals this year; http://www.k-1.co.jp/en/event/2010/1211_wgp/index.html They also have 2 reserve bouts for in case an injured fighter drops out. I think they have a reserve bout for each bracket. Rumoured fro the reserve bouts are Edwards, Le Banner, Kharitov, Gerges and Hari. This content is protected This content is protected
