December 14th, 2024

Shota Yamaguchi vs. Claudio Istrate

Round 1:
Istrate started aggressively, charging at Yamaguchi and landing an illegal knee in a full clinch. After a brief pause, Istrate hurt Yamaguchi again with hook combinations. Yamaguchi attempted to create distance but was struck by a punch to the back of the head. The referee gave Istrate another warning. After the break, Istrate ignored the referee’s commands, swarmed Yamaguchi and knocked him down to the floor. Due to repeated fouls following 2 yellow cards, Istrate was disqualified with a red card.

Shota Yamaguchi advanced to the semifinal.

Istrate’s post-fight comment: “I think this is a copy of Sina’s fight. I know Japanese people love war. I gave them war. They gave me a fighter or a dancer? I don’t know.” “I don’t want to say bad things. But Sina and [Yamaguchi] are the same.” “This is my style. I cannot change. This is my character.” “Today I’m the winner. This is not a fair fight.”

Feng Rui vs. Mattia Faraoni

Round 1:
Faraoni began aggressively but delivered a kick to the groin that paused the action briefly. He followed up by sweeping Feng and fighting from the outside. Feng responded by catching Faraoni with a strike to the back of the head during a spin. Taking control, Feng pressured Faraoni, driving him into the corner, while Faraoni attempted a spinning back kick.

Round 2:
Feng’s punch combinations and low kicks continued to land, forcing Faraoni onto the defensive and into the ropes. Faraoni was warned for excessive holding. Both fighters exchanged punches with intensity, but neither managed to knock the other down.

Round 3:
Faraoni kept circling the ring, while Feng targeted him with low kicks and straight punches. Faraoni showcased his kicking skills. Then, Faraoni landed a rolling thunder kick, momentarily sending Feng to the ground. However, no count was given, and the fight ended.

Feng Rui advanced to the seminal by majority decision.

Faraoni’s post-fight comment: “Today’s fight, I wanted to win for Japanese fans. I have done Karate and used my Karate techniques today. I really regret that I couldn’t win today.”

Ariel Machado vs. Rhys Brudenell

Round 1:
Machado started aggressively, applying pressure, but Brudenell responded by walking him backward with punch combinations. Both fighters exchanged leg kicks, but Brudenell gained the upper hand with straight punches and hooks that visibly hurt Machado, forcing him to retreat. Brudenell cornered Machado and continued landing punches. Suddenly, Machado countered with a short right hook, dropping Brudenell. Unable to recover, Brudenell was knocked out, giving Machado a one-punch KO victory.

Ariel Machado advanced to the semifinal.

Brudenell’s post-fight comment: “Machado is the favourite to win this tournament. He’s tough. He’s experienced. I knew I have to put it on him early, but it backfired.”

K-Jee vs. Errol Zimmerman

Round 1:
Zimmerman opened with powerful leg kicks, keeping K-Jee on the defensive near the ropes. K-Jee circled and landed a leg kick, but Zimmerman’s 1-2 combinations pushed him back. K-Jee responded with a straight punch that temporarily halted Zimmerman, who countered with a hard knee to the body. Toward the end of the round, K-Jee found success dodging strikes and landing leg kicks from the outside. He also hurt Zimmerman with punch combinations but couldn’t secure a knockdown.

Round 2:
Zimmerman recovered during the break and started the round with hard body kicks. He landed a flying knee to K-Jee’s head, which sent K-Jee to the canvas. Unable to rise, K-Jee was counted out, and Zimmerman secured the stoppage victory.

K-Jee’s post-fight comment: “I want to continue to challenge the world.”