After a 14-year hiatus since its last event in 2010, K-1 World MAX made its return yesterday at the Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.
The spotlight was on Buakaw, who was vying for his third World MAX title, coincidentally on the same date he won his first title 20 years ago. However, it was not meant to be, as Stoyan Koprivlenski delivered the performance of his career, defeating the Thai in the first round and ultimately claiming the K-1 World MAX 70 kg championship.
The attending media was curious if that's the last time we have seen Buakaw in the K-1 ring. "I will have to think if I will fight in K-1 again. I want to fight in many promotions in Japan. K-1 will get bigger in the future, but right now my main promotion is Rizin. I want to thank everyone for not forgetting Buakaw. I will continue to train hard in Thailand. I might be older and different Buakaw now, but I can still fight. I will fight anyone. Thank you everyone for your support."
K-1 WORLD MAX FINAL
After grueling battles with Buakaw and Silva, Stoyan Koprivlenski entered the final bout more battered than his opponent, Akimov, who had won both of his previous fights by knockout. Despite this, Stoyan set the pace of the fight, landing clean knee strikes to Akimov’s body. He followed up with a barrage of punches, sending Akimov to the canvas.
Although Akimov managed to get up after an eight-count, he had no time to recover as Stoyan's relentless punch combinations earned him a knockout victory and the K-1 World MAX crown.
At the post-fight press conference, when asked about his next opponent, Stoyan simply responded that he wants the belt, setting up a title fight with the K-1 Super Welterweight champion, Ouyang Feng. K-1 Producer Carlos Kikuta confirmed that this would be the next fight for both fighters and K-1 aimed to match them up after Ouyang Feng recovers from his injuries.
YOZA CRUSHED KONGNAPA
In a highly anticipated non-title match-up between reigning and former champions, Kongnapa started strong, pushing Yuki Yoza back with powerful left hooks. He maintained a fast pace, throwing looping hooks and straight punches that pierced through Yoza's guard. However, Yoza responded with effective leg kicks and jabs, eventually prying Kongnapa open.
A flying knee from Yoza to Kongnapa’s body brought him down, and although Kongnapa tried to retaliate, Yoza sealed the deal with a left hook that secured a knockout win.
Addressing the crowd after his win, Yoza called on K-1 to bring in even tougher international fighters.
55 KG TOURNAMENT DOMINATION
Tough luck for 'Team World'. All four Japanese fighters advanced to the second round of the -55 kg tournament, which will take place on September 29. Scoring big knockouts on the opposite sides of the brackets, Akihiro Kaneko and Kumura Masashi are poised to be the favorites again.
Reigning Super Bantamweight champion Kaneko adressed his participation in the tournament after his knockout win.
"I'm sure there are some people who wonder why I'm participating in this tournament when I'm the champion, but I'm participating because I'm the champion. Only truly strong people become champions, and I want to show everyone the strength of spirit that we have as Japanese people."
K-1 WORLD MAX 2024
70 kg Tournament – Final – Main Event
Stoyan Koprivlenski def. Viktor Akimov – KO at 2:07 of R1
Yuki Yoza def. Kongnapa Weerasakreck – KO at 2:30 of R1
Shintaro Matsukura def. Alexandru Amaritei – Unanimous Decision
Viktor Akimov def. Sergio Sanchez – KO at 1:33 of R3
Stoyan Koprivlenski def. Raphael Silva – Unanimous Decision
Kaneko Akihiro def. Kan Meng Hong – KO at 0:57 of R3
Masashi Kumura def. Antonio Orden – KO at 0:56 of R1
Riamu Masamoto def. Angelos Martinos – KO at 0:40 of Extra Round
Rui Okubo def. Zhendong Zhao – Unanimous Decision
INTERMISSION
Kacper Muszyński def. Zhora Akopyan – Unanimous Decision
Viktor Akimov def. Romano Bakboord – KO at 0:06 of R2
Raphael ‘Dengue’ Silva def. Darryl Verdonk – Unanimous Decision
Stoyan Koprivlenski def. Buakaw Banchamek – Unanimous Decision
Sergio Sanchez def. Petros Freitas – KO at 2:25 of R2
PRELIMINARY CARD
Yokoyama Tomoya def. Guilherme Monteiro – KO at 1:43 of R1
Takumi Terada def. Shoki Kaneda – Majority Decision
Yuta Matsuyama def. Naoki Yamamoto – KO at 2:07 of R2
Kira Matsutani def. Yoo Jung Jung – Unanimous Decision
Koji Ikeda def. Koki Tomimura – TKO at 2:05 of R2
