January 23^rd, 2025

On Sunday, February 9, the K-1 WORLD MAX 2025 event will take place at Yoyogi National Stadium 2^nd  Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. The highlight of the event will be the 3^rd K-1 WORLD GP Woman Atomweight Championship Tournament, a one-day, four-fighter tournament to determine the new champion after Miyuu Sugawara vacated the title following her retirement from K-1.

Kira Matsutani (Japan/ALONZA ABLAZE), who will face 15-year-old Muay Thai prodigy Mafia Petchmongkoldee (Thailand/Petchnongki Gym) in the semifinals, shared her thoughts in a recent interview.

---

“KUNOICHI” Experience and Reflections

— Earlier this month, you appeared on TBS TV’s “KUNOICHI,” the women’s version of “SASUKE.” How was that?
“I was eliminated in the first stage, and it was frustrating.”

— “KUNOICHI” is a competition where clearing all three stages allows you to challenge the final stage, but 34 out of 50 participants failed in the first stage.
“I fell into the pond during the Dragon Glider. Most participants failed their landings and fell on their backs, but I overshot and ended up falling face-first into the pond—it was embarrassing (laughs).”

— The Dragon Glider involves gripping a bar with both hands and gliding over a pond. It’s quite challenging. How did you find it?
“I had fun talking with Kanna Asakura (Rizin Fighter), who participated as well. I didn’t know many people there, but chatting with her helped ease my nerves.”

— Does martial arts experience help in competitions like this?
“It’s all about athletic ability and experience. It’s completely unrelated to martial arts. No matter how strong your muscles are, it doesn’t make a difference. Plus, since there was no chance to practice beforehand, it was tough. I’d love to try again if I get the chance.”

— It’s a variety sports show, but everyone seems to take it seriously.
“If I were a comedian, I might think about falling dramatically for laughs, but I was in the athlete category (laughs).”

---

Rigorous Physical Training

— Your toned physique, especially your abs, is always a topic of conversation. Do you do specific physical training?
“Yes. I have personal training sessions with Ryogaku Wada.”

— Wada’s training is rumored to be intense.
“It is. I work on barbell squats, starting with 40kg, then 60kg, 70kg, and finally pushing to my limit with 100kg for three reps. For deadlifts, I go from 60kg to 80kg and finish with 100kg. My bench press also increases gradually, maxing out at 80kg. I also do clean snatches and other exercises.”

— You also train at a boxing gym?
“Yes, once a week at Kadoebi Jewel Boxing Gym. I focus on mitt work to improve punching techniques and defense. For sparring, I either have partners come to ALONZA ABLAZE or spar with male kickboxers.”

— You wrote on social media about losing confidence during boxing sparring.
“Sparring with male fighters made me realize how much I lack power, which was discouraging (nervous laugh).”

— Sparring with men would be challenging.
“It was, but that frustration drives me. I’m working on building more power now.”

---

Past Achievements and Upcoming Tournament

— Last November at Krush, you secured your first KO victory against Gabrielle De Ramos.
“Yes. In that event, all the female fighters before me won by KO, including Noriko Ikeuchi in the match before mine. That pressure motivated me as the Krush champion to deliver a KO as well.”

— In February’s K-1 MAX event, you’ll face Mafia Petchmongkoldee in the semifinals of the women’s atomweight title tournament.
“Mafia is just 15 years old. As a 21-year-old 3^rd year university student, if I lose to a middle schooler, it’s the end of my martial arts career.”

— Mafia is a Muay Thai prodigy with a record of 42 wins (3 KOs), 4 losses, and 1 draw.
“Of course, I’m not underestimating her at all. A prodigy is a prodigy, regardless of age. I’ll give everything I have and aim for a decisive victory.”

— What’s your take on the other participants?
“Suematsu is young and has impressive punching skills. Watching her fight against Hiyori Onishi, I could see she’s very technical. As for Lucille, she’s previously lost to Miyuu Sugawara in K-1, so it’s a fight I can’t afford to lose either.”

— Miyuu Sugawara’s name keeps coming up despite her retirement.
“We never got the chance to have a rematch, so if I lose to Lucille, who lost to Sugawara, it would indirectly feel like losing to Sugawara. People might think I was weak. If I lose to Suematsu, my career might really be over. This tournament is one I simply cannot lose.”

---

Facing Pressure and Future Aspirations

— It seems like the theme isn’t about wanting to win, but about not being able to lose. At the press conference, you mentioned RISE fighter Koyuki Miyazaki’s name.
“That was because I heard there was a possibility of RISE fighters joining. I mentioned Miyazaki because she’s the strongest, but honestly, I feel strange about facing fighters from another organization in a K-1 tournament. I used to be in RISE, and my match with Miyazaki ended in a draw.”

— So it was more of a lip service comment?
“Exactly. But this tournament is full of must-win fights. It’s not about the opponents; I have to win and become the K-1 champion. Everything starts from there.”

---

Fighter Profile

Kira Matsutani made her pro debut in June 2019. In June 2022, she entered the inaugural K-1 Woman Atomweight Title Tournament but lost in the semifinals to Miyuu Sugawara, marking her first pro defeat. In July 2023, she defeated former champion Phayahong via an extra-round decision. She became the 4th Krush Women’s Atomweight Champion in November by defeating Nana Okuwaki. In 2024, she secured victories over Korea’s Jung Yujung and a KO win against Gabrielle De Ramos.

Mafia Petchmongkoldee is a skilled and versatile Muay Thai fighter known for her precise teeps, sharp knees to the body, and aggressive punches. With a record of 42 wins (3 KOs), 4 losses, and 1 draw, she has a high winning percentage. If she adapts to K-1 rules, she has a strong chance of claiming the title.

[K-1 WORLD GP Women’s Atomweight Title Tournament (2) / 3 min × 3 rounds + 1 extension round]

Kira Matsutani (Japan / ALONZA ABLAZE)

• Born: June 1, 2003
• Hometown: Nerima Ward, Tokyo, Japan
• Age: 21
• Height: 152 cm
• Stance: Orthodox
• Record: 14 fights, 11 wins (1 KO), 1 loss, 2 draws
• Major Titles:
  • 4th Krush Women’s Atomweight Champion
• X: @kira20030601
• Instagram: @kira_.61

Mafie Petchmongkoldee (Thailand / Petchnongki Gym)

Record: 47 fights, 42 wins (3 KOs), 4 losses, 1 drawAnnounced Bouts

Born: July 25, 2009

Hometown: Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

Age: 15

Height: 147 cm

Stance: Orthodox

[K-1 WORLD GP Women’s Atomweight Title Tournament (1) / 3 min × 3 rounds + 1 extension round]

Lucille Deadman (Australia / Taylormade Muay Thai)

• Born: March 19, 1999
• Hometown: Brisbane, Australia
• Age: 25
• Height: 158 cm
• Stance: Orthodox
• Record: 18 fights, 15 wins (3 KOs), 3 losses
• Major Titles:
  • WBC Muay Thai World Minimumweight (-45.35kg) Champion
  • WBC Muay Thai Australian Mini Flyweight (-47.62kg) Champion
  • MTL Women’s Minimumweight (-45kg) Champion
• Instagram: @lucilleta7ylormade

Aki Suematsu (Japan / K.I.K Team Blade)

• Born: November 12, 2005
• Hometown: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka, Japan
• Age: 19
• Height: 159 cm
• Stance: Orthodox
• Record: 6 fights, 5 wins (1 KO), 1 draw
• X: @sue_aki1112
• Instagram: @sue_aki12

Announced Bouts

[K-1 WORLD GP Super Lightweight Title Match]

• Yodkhunpon Weerasakreck vs. Hayato Suzuki

[K-1 WORLD GP Featherweight Title Match]

• Takumi Terada vs. Takahito Niimi

[K-1 WORLD GP Super Bantamweight Title Match]

• Akihiro Kaneko vs. Manolis Kallistis

[-77kg Catchweight]

• Shintaro Matsukura vs. Park Chungil

[K-1 Super Lightweight]

• Daizo Sasaki vs. Shu Inagaki

[K-1 Cruiserweight]

• Thian Tarzan vs. Carlos Budiao

[K-1 Super Welterweight]

• Mohammed Boutasaa vs. Riku

[K-1 Super Welterweight]

• Darryl Verdonk vs. Jomthong Strikergym

[K-1 Super Welterweight]

• Dengue Silva vs. Jinku Oda

[K-1 Super Welterweight]

• Abiral Himalayan Cheetah vs. Yasuhito Shirasu

[K-1 Super Lightweight]

• Viktor Akimov vs. Kensei Kondo

[K-1 Lightweight]

• Yuzuki Satomi vs. Tomas Aguirre

[K-1 Featherweight]

• Shoki Kaneda vs. Shuhei Kumura

[K-1 Featherweight]

• Ryota Ishida vs. Lyra Nagasaka

[K-1 Women’s Flyweight]

• Noriko Ikeuchi vs. Vesela Rogaska

[K-1 WORLD GP Women’s Atomweight Championship Tournament]

• Kira Matsutani vs. Mafia Petchmongkoldee
• Lucille vs. Aki Suematsu
• Jung Yujung vs. Hiyori Onishi

Preliminary Fights

[K-1 Lightweight]

• Akihiko Kawagoe vs. Hiroki Nakano

[K-1 Super Bantamweight]

• Ryuto Uchida vs. Daichi

[K-1 Super Bantamweight]

• Ryuki vs, Haruto

[K-1 Super Lightweight]

• Masato Ishikawa vs. Hayato Hamana

[-51kg Catchweight]

• Seri Okubo vs. Ryuki