2024.12.03

An additional bout has been confirmed K-1 WORLD GP 2024 in TOKYO FINAL on Saturday, December 14, at Tokyo National Yoyogi Studium 1st Gymnasium. The fighter profiles and details on how this matchup came about are below.

[K-1 Openweight / 3 Rounds, 3 Minutes + 1 Extra Round]

Sina Karimian (Iran/SINA ARMY)

• Date of Birth: January 23, 1988
• Hometown: Isfahan, Iran
• Age: 36
• Height: 200 cm
• Stance: Orthodox
• Record: 21 fights, 16 wins (8 KOs), 4 losses, 1 no contest

Major Titles:

• 1st and 3rd K-1 WORLD GP Cruiserweight Champion
• 3rd Place, K-1 30th Anniversary Openweight Tournament
• Former WKN Amateur World Heavyweight Champion
• Former WKU Amateur World Heavyweight Champion
• Former IKN Amateur World Heavyweight Champion
• Former WKF Amateur World Heavyweight Champion
• Former IFMA Amateur Muay Thai World Heavyweight Champion

Known as a hero in Iran, Karimian has claimed world championships across many tournaments. He won the inaugural K-1 Cruiserweight Championship Tournament in September 2018. After losing the title to K-Jee, he later regained it in a rematch in 2021 with a stunning spinning backfist KO over K-Jee. Over the years, Karimian has beaten notable opponents like Kyotaro.

In September 2023, during the K-1 30th Anniversary Openweight Championship Tournament, he beat Kerim Jemai by TKO in the 3^rd round but lost to Claudio Istrate by decision in the semifinals. In March 2024, he suffered a KO loss to Liu Ce. In October, during the K-1 WORLD GP 2024 Openweight Championship Tournament Asian Qualifiers, he faced Istrate again. He collapsed after appealing that he was struck on the back of the head. The fight ended in a no-contest.

Social Media:

• X: @sinakarimian90
• Instagram: @sinakarimian_hero

Daichi Kimura (Japan/VRK GYM)

• DOB: September 1, 1997
• Hometown: Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
• Age: 27
• Height: 178 cm
• Stance: Orthodox
• Record: 9 fights, 5 wins (3 KOs), 4 losses

Major Titles:

• 4^th Bigbang Heavyweight Champion
• 12^th K-1 Amateur All Japan Tournament Champion (Challenge A Class, +75kg)
• 40^th K-1 Amateur Tournament Champion (Challenge A Class, +75kg)

Kimura emerged victorious in the K-1 Amateur All Japan Tournament and made his debut at Krush-EX in July 2022 with a KO win over Isami Sano. He went on to capture the Bigbang Heavyweight title from Hidenori Sakamoto in September 2023 by 3^rd round KO. He also beat Yu Fujikura at Krush in March 2024. He lost his Bigbang title in June and a fight in Australia in September this year and is now looking to bounce back from his setbacks.

Social Media:

• X: @dk91aslonepiece
• Instagram: @dd_onepiece

How This Match Was Made

Sina Karimian was originally scheduled to face Shota Yamaguchi, but Yamaguchi is now competing in the K-1 World GP Openweight Championship Tournament on the same day. Kimura expressed his desire to face Karimian on X, leading to the confirmation of this bout.

Note: Fighter lineups are subject to change due to injuries or other unforeseen circumstances.