K-1
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Alternate uses, see K1
K-1 is a combat sport that combines standup techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Kickboxing and traditional boxing among others. The recently formed division called K-1 MMA promotes fights based on mixed martial arts rules where techniques from grappling sports such a wrestling and Brazilian jiu jitsu are permited as well.
There is a 70.5kg (155lb) division in K-1 called K-1 MAX.
The sport was first formed in 1980 by Kazuyoshi Ishii in Japan. In 1982, a K-1 fight was televised for the first time.
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Tactics
The principal object of K-1 is to win by either knockout or by decision. Fights are fought inside a ring, like in boxing, and they are fought for up to three rounds, of three minutes each. Victories are usually achieved by hurting the opponent with kicks to the legs or the head, or using traditional boxing punches, such as the jab, cross or uppercut.
Classic defensive boxing stance is rather ineffective against leg kicks, and fighters are more or less forced to constantly move and counterattack, which is certainly one of the reasons why K-1 fights are seen by many as more dynamic and exciting than boxing fights.
No major K-1 tragedies have been reported; nonetheless, the risk of sustaining a serious injury still exists.
History
History of K-1 can be called history of Seido-kaikan which is a school of karate that started K-1.
Kazuyoshi Ishii found his own karate organization "New Japan Karatedo Federation Seido-kan" (新日本空手道連盟正道館) in 1980 after he resigned "Kyokushin-kaikan Ashihara dojo"(極真会館芦原道場)which he had belonged.
Mr. Ishii began to send his students to other organizations competitions to show their ability since 1986.
Mr. Ishii held "K-1 GRAND PRIX 93" on 30 April, 1993. It was a dream meeting because of its concept which was to decide the strongest martial artist in a night. Branko Cikatić won the tournament after he knocked out Changpuek Kiatsongrit, Masaaki Satake and Ernesto Hoost.
There was "K-2 GRAND PRIX 93" which was a tournament of Light heavyweight class. Ernesto Hoost knocked out Changpuek Kiatsongrit in a final match was a winner.
Popularity
The sport is popular principally in Brazil, Japan, and the United States, where it is banned in most states. Most K-1 contests in the United States take place in Las Vegas. The sports events are frequently shown on Pay Per View television or ESPN 2 in the United States.
K-1 Grand Prix
Throughout the year K-1 holds various 8 man grand prix style tournaments to determine the 16 fighters who will compete in the K-1 World GP. K-1 events most commonly take place in Japan, but they have hosted shows in Holland, France, Korea, Australia, Sweden, Russia, Croatia, Italy, Scandinavia, Brazil and USA.
K-1 World Grand Prix champions to date
- 1993 - Branko Cikatić
- 1994 - Peter Aerts
- 1995 - Peter Aerts
- 1996 - Andy Hug
- 1997 - Ernesto Hoost
- 1998 - Peter Aerts
- 1999 - Ernesto Hoost
- 2000 - Ernesto Hoost
- 2001 - Mark Hunt
- 2002 - Ernesto Hoost
- 2003 - Remy Bonjasky
- 2004 - Remy Bonjasky
K-1 MAX World GP champions to date
- 2002 - Albert Kraus
- 2003 - Masato
- 2004 - Buakaw Por.Pramuk
Other notable K-1 fighters
- Mike Bernardo
- Mirko Filipović
- Sam Greco
- Alexey Ignashov
- Jerome LeBanner
- Stefan Leko
- Musashi
- Rick Roufus
- Bob Sapp
- Ray Sefo
- Gary Goodridge
Traditional boxing stars at the K-1 tournament
Late in 2003, Bob Sapp challenged Mike Tyson, the former world Heavyweight boxing champion, to a K-1 fight. While Tyson did not accept the offer immediately, he was signed as a K-1 fighter in 2004. Others who have made the transition from traditional boxers to K-1 fighters include:
- Frans Botha (former IBF world Heavyweight champion)
- Shannon Briggs (former Heavyweight, who beat George Foreman and then lost to Lennox Lewis when given a shot at the WBC world Heavyweight championship).
- Ray Mercer
- Krish Manchanda (former Welterweight champion)
- Vince "Cool" Phillips (former Middleweight champion)th:เค-วัน