The matchups for the "K-1 WORLD GP 2024 Open Weight Asian Qualifier," scheduled for Saturday, October 5 at the Edion Arena Osaka, have been revealed. The winner of these four bouts will earn a place in the K-1 WORLD GP 2024, set to take place on December 14.
Besides expected contenders like former K-1 Cruiserweight Champion Sina Karimian and Japanese veteran Seiya Tanigawa, the biggest surprise in the lineup is the return of the "uncrowned king," Jérôme Le Banner.
The kickboxing legend faced off against iconic fighters such as Peter Aerts, Ernesto Hoost, Mike Bernardo, and Andy Hug during the golden era of K-1. After the dissolution of the original K-1 organization, he continued competing in both MMA and various other martial arts events. Now, at 51 years old, the Frenchman is making his return to the K-1 ring to face K-Jee, the second-ever K-1 WORLD GP Cruiserweight Champion.
The three other qualifying bouts will be made up of Errol Zimmerman against Shota Yamaguchi, a rematch between between bitter rivals Sina Karimian and Claudio Istrate, and Seiya Tanigawa against Kwon Jangwon.
THE REST OF THE FIELD
Earlier this year, Ariel Machado, Rhys Brudenell, and Miloš Cvjetićanin secured their tickets to Japan by winning qualifying tournaments held across the globe.
Rounding out the field of eight competitors is Liu Ce, last year's Openweight Grand Prix champion and the newly crowned K-1 Cruiserweight Champion.
