AikaImmortal

Copied from my blog because I am lazy.. that explains the somewhat dumbed down nature of the article.

*SPOILER ALERT*
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Ok.

K-1 HERO's inaugural tournament round one wrap-up.

K-1, Japan's premiere kickboxing organisation, held its first MMA rule tournament at the Ariake Coliseum on DATE. I have been a K-1 fan for many years, and it is exciting to see an organisation with the integrity and financial backing that K-1 has decide to leap into the MMA game. Now, I know what some of you are thinking.. yes, K-1 has had MMA rule fights in the past, but never a tournament, and a tournament it was. Japans finest lightweight (under 70 kilogram) fighters faced off at the gala HERO's event, filled with fanfare, tons of fireworks (methinks Mr. Akira Maeda is a pyromaniac!) and the atmosphere of something big happening.

The tournament bracket follows:

Genki Sudo
VS
Kazuyuki Miyata

Remigijus Morkevicius
VS
Hiroyuki Takaya

Royler Gracie
VS
Norifumi "KID" Yamamoto

Caol Uno
VS
Hideo Tokoro


Genki Sudo, a fan favorite and a favorite of mine, faced off against relative newcomer Kazuyuki Miyata. Miyata took the fight to the ground quickly, but Sudo was able to hold out and many reversals insued. At the end of the first round, it was a close call. Glad I am not a judge! By the second round however, Sudo was able to armbar Miyata and secure a win.

In the nights second fight, Remigijus Morkevicius, a RINGS Lithuania regular, fought Hiroyuki Takaya, a veteran of SHOOTO. Morkevicius came out with a flurry of punches, but once he hit the ground he stayed there, leading to his eventual TKO in the second round due to a hailstorm of punches thrown my Takaya.

The next fight featured Royler Gracie of the famed Gracie Jiu Jitsu family pitted against one of the most dangerous and unpredictable lightweight fighters in the world in 'Kid' Yamamoto. For a Gracie fighter, Royler avoided taking the fight to the ground, minus one stalemate in round one. In round two, Royler continued avoiding the ground, throwing a knee at Yamamoto. He missed, leaving his head wide open for a right hook, taking him to the ground.. but not in the way he would like. KO in round 2.

The final preliminary bout of the night featured veteran Caol Uno against Hideo Tokoro. Naysayers of Uno might not have been satisfied, as Uno was unable to finish the fight, but won by unanimous decision.

In the night's first semifinal fight, Genki Sudo faced off against Hiroyuki Takaya. Would Takaya continue his undefeated streak in K-1 MMA rule matches? Not if Sudo had anything to do with it. In his usual flurry of spinning backfists, Sudo struck and struck, but Takaya had his fair share of strikes landed as well. Sudo tended to counterfight a bit in the first round, but as the second came around, he began to realize the urgency of the fight and pushed for a takedown. Takaya slipped, giving Sudo a chance to work his way to a triangle choke from behind.

The final fight of the evening featured 'Kid' Yamamoto vs Caol Uno. This was not one for the squeamish. Uno managed to defend himself well against Yamamoto, but defense can only get you so far. In the second round, Yamamoto landed a nasty right hook, bloodying Uno. The fight was stopped at this point so that doctors could inspect the cut over Uno's left eye. After a few minutes, the doctors decided that Uno could go on, and the fight was continued. You can only trick fate so much, and Yamamoto landed many punches as Uno attempted to go for the takedown, forcing a stoppage due to concern for Uno. Safety is paramount in Mixed Martial Arts, and Yamamoto would have likely went on to win.

So there you have it, Genki Sudo vs Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto at K-1 Dynamite!, set to take place New Years Eve. A lightweight matchup for the ages, let's hope Pride's lightweight Bushido winner squares off with the HERO's winner. Now THAT would be a show!

If you are interested in K-1, write the company and demand that HERO's and other high caliber events be shown on US PPV.. they have the money to get it done.

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