The K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 pinnacled as Brazil’s Ariel Machado defeated China’s Feng Rui with a first-round knockout, securing the openweight championship in Tokyo. This tournament began with multiple Grand Prix from all around the globe. It was South America's Machado who took K-1 gold in 2024.
Quarterfinal Results
Shota Yamaguchi def. Claudio Istrate (DQ)
Istrate’s aggressive approach backfired as repeated fouls, including an illegal knee and punches to the back of Yamaguchi’s head, led to his disqualification in the first round. Yamaguchi advanced despite enduring heavy pressure.
Feng Rui def. Mattia Faraoni (Majority Decision)
Feng showcased his technical precision, countering Faraoni’s spinning techniques with consistent low kicks and straight punches. A late spinning kick by Faraoni added drama, but Feng’s dominance earned him the decision.
Ariel Machado def. Rhys Brudenell (KO, Round 1)
Machado overcame an early barrage from Brudenell with a stunning counter right hook, securing a one-punch knockout to advance in the tournament.
Errol Zimmerman def. K-Jee (KO, Round 2)
Zimmerman’s relentless power and a perfectly timed flying knee led to a second-round knockout, sending him to the semifinals
Semifinal Results
Feng Rui def. Shota Yamaguchi (Unanimous Decision)
Rui used his reach advantage and front kicks to control the pace, while Yamaguchi’s low kicks and aggressive forward movement fell short. Feng’s clean strikes carried him to a unanimous decision win.
Ariel Machado def. Errol Zimmerman (TKO, Round 2)
Machado’s relentless pressure overwhelmed Zimmerman, landing two knockdowns in the second round. A sharp straight punch sealed the TKO victory
Final
Ariel Machado def. Feng Rui (KO, Round 1)
Machado capped off his dominant run with a devastating left hook that knocked Feng out late in the first round, securing the K-1 World Grand Prix title.
Highlights from Team Japan vs. Team Allazov
The special Team Japan vs. Team Allazov exhibition ended in a draw. Belarus’ Danila Kvach delivered a spinning backfist KO against Hikaru Terashima, while Japan’s Chihiro Nakajima edged out Daniil Yermolenka in an extra round to even the score.
Featured Bouts
The event also featured exciting matches in other weight classes, including Japan’s Hiromi Wajima outpointing Bulgaria’s Stoyan Koprivlenski in the Super Welterweight division, and Poland’s Kacper Muszyński defeating Valentin Mavrodin via TKO in a catchweight bout.
K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 Final Results
Ariel Machado def. Feng Rui by KO (Left hook), Round 1, 2:55
Akihiro Kaneko def. Aslanbek Zikreev by Decision (Unanimous)
Rui Okubo def. Riamu by Decision (Unanimous)
Hiromi Wajima def. Stoyan Koprivlenski by Decision (Unanimous)
Kacper Muszyński def. Valentin Mavrodin by TKO (Referee stoppage), Round 3, 2:08
Daichi Kimura vs. Sina Karimian, No contest (low blow), Round 1
Thian De Vries def. RUI by KO (Left cross), Round 1, 0:27
Ariel Machado def. Errol Zimmerman by TKO (2 Knockdowns/low kicks), Round 2, 2:33
Feng Rui def. Shota Yamaguchi by Decision (Unanimous)
Chihiro Nakajima def. Daniil Yermolenka by Ext.R Decision (Unanimous)
Danila Kvach def. Hikaru Terashima by KO (Spinning backfist), Round 1, 2:08
Daizo Sasaki def. Takuma Tsukamoto by Decision (Unanimous)
Koji Ikeda def. Momotaro Kiyama by Decision (Unanimous)
Errol Zimmerman def. K-Jee by KO (Left hook), Round 2, 0:58
Ariel Machado def. Rhys Brudenell by KO (Right hook), Round 1, 2:35
Feng Rui def. Mattia Faraoni by Decision (Majority), Round 3, 3:00
Shota Yamaguchi def. Claudio Istrate by DQ (Hit to the back of the head), Round 1
Seiya Tanigawa def. Kosuke Jitsukata by TKO (Left hook), Round 1, 1:59
Kosei Sekiguchi def. Takaya Komatsu by KO (Left hook), Round 1, 0:15
Kanata Ueno def. Sakuya Ueda by KO (Spinning back kick), Round 2, 0:05
Taki def. Ren Ogawa by Decision (Majority)
Rui draw. Raiki by Decision (Majority), Round 3, 3:00
Daichi def. Yukito Iwagami by TKO (Punches), Round 1, 1:21
