Earlier today, M-1 Sports Media, which operates K-1, announced that K-1 WORLD GP Welterweight champion Masaaki Noiri and Krush Featherweight champion Tatsuki Shinotsuka have left the promotion and will relinquish their titles. It's no secret, that many names on the roster have been vocal about the new K-1 management and are seeking better opportunities elsewhere.
For fans of Noiri, this comes as no surprise. Nonetheless, many still speculated that he would be the yet-to-be-announced wildcard for the upcoming K-1 WORLD MAX in July.
The K-1 veteran has been with the promotion since the very start of his career, winning the K-1 JAPAN TRYOUT in 2007 at the age of only 13. Two years later, he made a name for himself, winning the K-1 Koshien in his first year of high school. He then became a two-weight K-1 champion, having held the K-1 World GP Super Lightweight Championship (-65 KG) between 2017 and 2018 and the K-1 World GP Welterweight Championship (-67.5 KG) since 2021.
Tatsuki Shinotsuka, 25, has quickly gained a following for his flashy fighting style and antics in the ring. He confirmed on social media, that his departure from K-1 has come prematurely, as he had to buy his way out. "After paying a hefty penalty, the contract with K-1 has been amicably terminated on March 26, 2024".
Similar to former K-1 fighters Rukiya Anpo and Minoru Kimura he's likely to continue his way in RIZIN, having scored a decision over Daichi Tomizawa at RIZIN 45 on New Years Eve.
