While many foreign conquerors have failed to find success in Japan, Chingiz Allazov is looking to change the course of history with his next conquests. On December 14, the top-ranked pound-for-pound kickboxer will have three of his team's fighters compete in K-1 against a trio of Japanese opponents.
TEAM ALLAZOV VS. TEAM K-1
Like a Pokemon master, Chingiz Allazov has chosen his three champions to compete in K-1 representing the best of his team. ‘Chinga’ Allazov is an Azerbaijani-Belarusian athlete who took over the world of kickboxing with impressive wins over Sitthichai, Superbon, Marat Grigorian, and others. A former ONE Featherweight World Grand Prix champion and reigning featherweight world titleholder, Allazov left his mark in ONE Championship even though his current status with the promotion is unknown.
Prior to his subjugations in ONE, he claimed gold in the 2017 K-1 Grand Prix, dominating three opponents in a single night. Now, he returns to K-1 and looks to reclaim what was once his, but this time he is looking to take more divisions with the help of his top team members.
The Belarusian Danila Kvach will face Japan's Hikaru Tarashima in a Super Lightweight (-65 kg) matchup. Daniil Yermolenka, also from Belarus, is set to meet Chihiro Nakajima at -60 kg, while Greece's Kostas Aslanidis will take on Naoki Takahashi at -61 kg.
Danila Kvach (12-3-0) is a versatile switch-stance fighter who has honed his skills in China's competitive kickboxing scene. Hikaru Tarashima (9-5-0) enters the bout riding high on the momentum of a recent knockout victory.
Daniil Yermolenka (9-4-0), who has trained alongside Chingiz Allazov, will look to make a statement against Chihiro Nakajima (9-4-0), a national Kyokushin Karate champion. Meanwhile, the seasoned Kostas Aslanidis (30-3-0), currently training in Bangkok and competing in Muay Thai, will face Naoki Takahashi (19-8-2), a former KRUSH champion.
“Me and my team come to Japan," Allazov said, "My team is ready to fight in Japan. And we may surprise you guys.”
The K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 Final will be broadcast live from the Yoyogi Daiichi Gymnasium in Shibuya, Tokyo on December 14. This event will also feature the K-1 World GP 2024 Openweight Tournament Final.
