Errol “The Bonecrusher” Zimmerman with a comeback KO victory.

On June 13, 2024, “K-1 FIGHTING NETWORK ROMANIA 2024” was held in Galați, Romania. This first re-installment of K-1’s “FIGHTING NETWORK” drew attention for the talented fighters discovered.

The main event featured Errol Zimmerman, 38, who participated in his first K-1 event in 14 years. He faced Greece’s Mike Karamousketas.

Zimmerman started the match with a right low kick, immediately causing Karamousketas to lose his balance and fight off the back foot. Although Karamousketas attempted to ward off Zimmerman’s onslaught, nothing he threw left a mark.

The Bonecrusher landed multiple low kicks to Karamousketas’ left leg, causing the Greek fighter to lean heavily against the corner post, signaling his will to fight had been broken. The referee stopped counting and declared Zimmerman’s victory by 1st round TKO.

From Japan, AKIRA Jr faced the Netherlands’ Leandro Dikmoet. AKIRA, who had suffered back-to-back losses against Hoshi Ryunosuke and Seiya Tanigawa, aimed to make a comeback here. However, Dikmoet, who had faced the likes of Sergej “The Sledgehammer” Maslobojev in Romania’s “King of Kings” this March, was a formidable opponent with dangerous hands. The cards were stacked against AKIRA in this away game.

As predicted, the match turned into an intense exchange. Although AKIRA inflicted damage with right calf kicks, Dikmoet quickly closed the distance and landed flurries of punches. Despite AKIRA’s tenacity and counter rights, Dikmoet rocked the Japanese fighter late in the 1st round, causing a cut over AKIRA’s left eye.

The situation only got worse for AKIRA Jr from there. In the 2nd round, the Japanese fighter chose to go headlong into a brawl, but unable to withstand Dikmoet’s assault, he was dropped by a series of left hooks. Although AKIRA got up and continued the fight, he was soon knocked out by another flurry of Dikmoet’s punches. Despite landing a couple of strong punches, AKIRA was unable to make a dent in the Dutch fighter.

In another shocking turn, the highly anticipated match between local Romanian Adrian Maxim and Ukraine’s Serhii Adamchuk ended in a no-contest. During an intense exchange, an accidental headbutt between Adamchuk and Maxim caused a deep cut on Maxim’s forehead. With doctors unable to stop the bleeding, the fight was declared a no-contest.

In the middleweight (83kg) match between Stefan Orza (Romania) and Dionisis Serifi (Greece), Orza’s strength and ability stood out. Orza, who had been competing at 77kg in GLORY, had a record of 21 wins (8 KOs) and 2 losses.

Orza lived up to the hype. He constantly pressured Serifi from a southpaw stance, and although Serifi tried to counter, he was knocked to the canvas by a straight left. Orza then delivered a powerful combination of punches that ended with a body blow, sealing Serifi’s fate and securing a KO victory for Orza.

Despite a last-minute venue change causing some chaos, the event ended successfully. The first installment of “FIGHTING NETWORK” saw a comeback KO victory for Zimmerman, a disappointing loss for AKIRA Jr, and the discovery of new talent in Stefan Orza.