During the 90s and 00s, K-1 was the biggest kickboxing promotion on the planet. Although times have changed and new competitors have emerged, K-1 is now setting its sights on a future of renewed kickboxing dominance. Last year marked K-1's 30th anniversary, and during a press conference, the organization made the bold declaration that it intends to reclaim its title as the biggest kickboxing promotion in the world. They officially made their return with the K-1 World Grand Prix, featuring a one-night, 8-man heavyweight tournament. This year, K-1 has been expanding its reach overseas, hosting events in Romania, Sicily, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They even revived the K-1 World MAX Tournament, bringing back 2-time K-1 MAX champion Buakaw.
THE NEW MAN BEHIND K-1
We're halfway through 2024, and naturally, we wanted to check in on K-1's progress and learn about their future plans. I was thrilled to speak with Carlos Kikuta, K-1 Producer and Head of Global Marketing. For those unfamiliar with Carlos, he is one of the most influential figures in K-1. He began his entertainment career at Sony Corporation, where he managed film investment and licensing, not only in sports but also in music, film, and TV dramas produced by Sony. After holding various positions across different companies, Carlos joined K-1 in 2023, bringing his expertise to one of the most storied and recognizable kickboxing promotions in the world.
With all the big plans K-1 has made, my first question is: Are you happy with how this year of K-1 is going? Because you are very ambitious.
In the world, many things have happened in the years since I became a producer. Most of which I cannot mention here. I'm not satisfied with all the events in 2024. But I am satisfied with the budget efforts, that's being a made since I've been a producer of such as K-1 World Grand Prix - World Preliminary Round, that we have already started, and the K-1 World MAX, with eyes to the global market.
Speaking of K-1 World MAX. Stoyan Koprivlenski's K-1 World MAX Tournament victory was amazing. How did you experience the return of K-1 World MAX?
Thank you very much. And I'm very happy to hear you say so. The 70 kg K-1 MAX is one of our flagship content. We'd like to realize many matches of under 70 kg fighters in MAX. And also K-1 World Grand Prix events in the future. We recently announced that five 70 kg fighters will participate in the Osaka event in October. At the same time we will continue to find excellent fighters for each weight class from all over the world.
Unfortunately, K-1 70kg champion Ouyang Feng couldn't participate in the K-1 World MAX 2024 Tournament because of an injury. With Stoyan Koprivlenski winning the tournament, will there be a title match between Koprivlenski and Ouyang Feng?
We are working on making the title match between Stoyan and Ouyang happen. You know, the matchmaking is not determined by the availability of their schedule. It is determined by a number of factors, such as the fighter's condition, their schedule, the attention of the tournament itself, and the need of the market, [which] is important. We are making adjustments to provide the best possible setting for them.
If we talk about the last K-1 World MAX tournament, we have to talk about Buakaw. Are there any plans to bring him back?
What I can say. We are martial arts promoters. So if you [want] participation in the World K-1, [if] the K-1 fans need him to do so, I would like to negotiate in good faith again. That's my call. My answer.
Is K-1's international expansion going as expected?
The last time K-1 did an event overseas was about 14 years ago. [..] I'm very worried about our fans. Are they still all over the world or not? However when I went to Romania, when I went to Bosnia and I went to, you know, Italy. I could meet so many K-1 fans. Therefore still now we have a very strong brand recognition in the world. It's a little relief, I feel.
With K-1's global expansion, are there plans to go back to The Netherlands?
At the moment we have no plans to set up a K-1 event in The Netherlands. However, you know, now we get a lot of offers from the promoter or gym and the fighters to hold a K-1 event in The Netherlands. However, now, we have no plan to set it up.
What do you think of K-1 champion Yuki Yoza facing a champion from another organization, for example Petchpanomrung?
In order for us to make a match, there are a sum of factors. Not only the schedule, the condition [of the fighters] and the most important is the business. The, how to make a business. That's very important. Therefore, in order for us to set up the matchmaking with Yuki Yoza and GLORY fighters, GLORY champion or world champions, we need the necessity. The understanding of our market. [..] That's obviously important for us.
Recently K-1 announced their partnership with CSI Sports. Is there a possibility that we're going to see more English / international broadcasting?
Yes, exactly. [..] Well, now they have been selling and distributing of boxing and martial arts so all kinds of fighting sports mainly in the English speaking countries, both in the US and the UK. [..] We are very happy to collaborate with them. In order for us to expand our English speaking market.
What is K-1's vision for the future?
Basically speaking, in the 90s and the 2000s, K-1 was synonymous with heavyweight fighting. Our goal is to make K-1 synonymous with heavyweight fighting again in the international market. This is our goal. I think the most important thing is how to get a licensing deal with each country. [..] 30 years ago, the 2000s, Eurosport broadcasted K-1 weekly. That work was very important to get our product [out there], to could expand our brand recognition. And we want to set up a key broadcasting platform for each region. Such as in Western European countries and Eastern European countries, North America, Central America and South America, Oceania, in the Asian countries, in China, in Thailand and Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and also Middle Eastern countries. In each region, we need a broadcasting partner. That, you know, is my main job at this time. In order for us to do so, I think the most important thing is how to get a licensing deal with each country.
Why do combat sports fans need to watch K-1 compared to GLORY and ONE Championship or even the UFC?
It's a very difficult question. To my understanding that.. Do you know what the K stands for? [..] The K stands for kungfu, karate, and the kick. You know, according to [Kazuyoshi] Ishii-kancho, the K stands for bushido, budo, kakutogi. [..]
I believe that the marketing of martial arts has its origins in Japan. In the old days, it was sumo, pro wrestling, UFC, Pride, and K-1. In martial arts, it is important to attract an audience. How many people paid attention to the fight between Antonio Inoki and [Muhammad] Ali, and how many watched the broadcast? All of them are filled with the appearance of martial arts as a form of entertainment. It was K-1 in the 2000s that was able to realize and reproduce this.
Bushido does not have a clear definition, but it does have a fundamental value standard of ethics and moral code. In a broad sense, it is a common-sense approach that is unique to Japan. We make effective use of this code of ethics and morality in our entertainment. This is something that ONE [Championship] and GLORY do not understand, and I think it is a fundamental difference from K-1.
BEYOND KICKBOXING Q&A SESSION
We had some questions from the Beyond Kickboxing community. We selected two of them and the first question is: How does K-1 want to promote 55 kg fighters to Europe and how does K-1 want to promote European 70 kg fighters to Japanese audiences?
We received an offer from a European promoter for a 55 kg fighter to compete. But, you know, [we have] not decided yet. And also we have plans to have enough 70 kg and under 70 kg fighters compete on an ongoing basis. And rather than focusing on the promotion of individual fighters, we concentrate on how to improve the K-1 brand equity. We have already announced that we are to open in the country situation and if we get any offer regarding an under 55 kg fighter or overseas promoter we are glad to send them.
Knowing that there is now a K-1 Fighting Network belt. Will K-1 also create regional belts, knowing there is a shot of K-1 being regularly going to Europe and South America?
The K-1 Fighting Network is another branding. It's the minor league of K-1 World Grand Prix and K-1 MAX. We've set up only one promoter for K-1 Fighting Network. For using K-1 Fighting Network the promoter can do whatever they want. Based on a discussion we might pick them [fighters] up for the K-1 World Grand Prix or K-1 World MAX.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH CARLOS KIKUTA
If you want to watch the video version of my interview with K-1 Producer Carlos Kikuta, go watch it down here. The questions and answers from the Beyond Kickboxing community are exclusively for this article.
