December 11^th, 2024

On December 14^th, the ‘K-1 WORLD GP 2024 in TOKYO FINAL’, featuring the quarterfinals of the ‘K-1 WORLD GP 2024 Openweight Tournament’ will be held at Tokyo National Yoyogi Studium 1^st Gymnasium. Claudio “Grizzly” Istrate will face Shota Yamaguchi (GENESIS/TEAM3K) in the quarterfinals. Ahead of the fight, Istrate, representing Kombat Gym, shared his thoughts in a pre-fight interview.

Istrate is an Italian citizen originally from Romania. In September 2023, during the K-1 30^th Anniversary Openweight Tournament, he defeated Mahmoud Sattari by KO in the 1^st round. He advanced to the semifinals, where he won a chaotic fight against Sina Karimian, but he ultimately lost to Liu Ce in the final by KO, finishing as the runner-up.

In June 2024, Istrate competed in the Eastern European qualifiers but withdrew from the fight after disputing the judges’ decision in his opening-round bout against Nidal Bchiri. He then participated in the Asia qualifiers, where he had a rematch with Karimian. However, the fight ended in a no-contest due to an accidental punch to Karimian’s back of the head. The judges’ scores up to that point allowed Istrate to advance to the WORLD GP.

Meanwhile, Shota Yamaguchi faced Errol Zimmerman in the Asia qualifiers in October 2024. Despite putting up a good effort, Yamaguchi lost by KO. However, when South Korea’s Kwon Jangwon withdrew due to illness, Yamaguchi was given a 2^nd chance to participate.

Claudio Istrate’s Pre-Fight Interview

—You will face Shota Yamaguchi in the 1^st round of the K-1 WORLD GP.

“I don’t care who I face. This year is my year. I’m very confident.”

—In the Asia qualifiers, your fight with Sina Karimian ended in a no-contest. Karimian has been nicknamed the ‘King of Fouls.’

“(Laughs) That’s the best! The ‘King of Fouls’—I changed his nickname. it’s a perfect nickname!”

—After your fight, Karimian claimed it was unfair and campaigned in the Krush ring to be included in K-1. How do you feel about that?

“I have no idea what he’s talking about (laughs). I won the first time we fought. I won the second time, too. I’d beat him no matter how many times we fight—we fight 365 days, I win. I said before the fight, ‘This won’t be a normal fight, it’ll be like a street fight.’ Anything can happen and that is what happened.”

—Karimian argued that your punch to the back of his head was illegal.

“He got punched, cried, and lied down. I knew he wouldn’t get back up. Why? because if he did, he would get knocked out. I don’t think there will be a third fight, but if K-1 wants it, I’ll beat him again anytime, 365 days a year.”

—Karimian will face Daichi Kimura in the same event.

“Is that so? Well, I don’t care. He should just retire and enjoy time with his family. Leave the fights to real fighters. A fraud like him should just live a peaceful life (laughs).”

—Karimian has been asking for a 3^rd fight with you.

“Of course he has. After I beat him, I expected him to attack me on social media—it’s as I expected. But I’ve got nothing more to say to him. Why? because he’s no longer at my level. If K-1 wants it, if the fans want it, I’ll consider it.”

—You believe he’s no longer at your level?

“That’s right. All he does is whine and cry like a little girl. Wherever I see him, I’ll knock him out. Look like he has quieted down on social media. That makes me happy.”

—Do you follow Karimian’s social media?

“My fans show me what he posts, so I can’t avoid seeing it (laughs).”

—Does it make you angry?

“No, I just look and laugh at it.”

—Do you have a message for Karimian?

“You’re a great actor, but you should spend more time training for fights not acting. Well, be quiet and do your best. I’ll become the K-1 champion.”

—How do you feel heading into the K-1 WGP?

“Winning three fights in one day is tough. There’s no time to recover. But because I went through this last year, I think I have a slight advantage over the other fighters. I’ll focus on my first opponent and aim to win the tournament this time.”

—A final message for your fans?

“Japan is like a second home to me. From when I started my career, becoming a K-1 champion is my dream. I want to make history here.”