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Machado Wins K-1 WGP South American Qualifier!

On Saturday, August 24, 2024 (local time), the K-1 WORLD GP 2024 Openweight South American Qualifier Tournament was held in Brasilia, Brazil, as part of the ‘K-1 WORLD GP 2024 in BRASILIA’. This marked the first time in 18 years that a K-1 sanctioned event was held in Brazil, with the last being in 2006. The event was supported by the Sports Agency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, making it the largest K-1 event ever held in the country.

The tournament champion earned the right to compete in the ‘K-1 WORLD GP 2024 in Tokyo’ Openweight Final Tournament, a one-day event featuring eight fighters, to be held at Yoyogi National Gymnasium on Saturday, December 14. This tournament serves as the final world qualifier.

Machado won by KO in the first round.

In the first quarterfinal of the night, Ariel Machado (Brazil/Hemmers Gym/Madison Team) faced Abner Ferreira (Brazil). Machado reached the semifinals in last September’s K-1 30th Anniversary Openweight Tournament.

From the first round, Ferreira applied pressure with low kicks and sharp punches, while Machado countered with calf kicks and hooks. In the second round, Machado landed a left hook, followed by a calf kick that knocked Ferreira down. Machado finished the fight with another calf kick, advancing to the semifinals.

Inocente Secures a KO Victory in the First Round

In the second quarterfinal, Guto Inocente (Brazil) entered the ring. Inocente, who competes in both MMA and kickboxing, has fought in the UFC and GLORY. He faced Jefferson Salviano (Brazil).

In the first round, Inocente switched stances, constantly pressuring with low kicks and punches. He eventually secured a KO with a single left-leg crescent kick. The fight was the shortest of the night, lasting only 78 seconds.

Braddock Advances Past the Quarterfinals

The third quarterfinal saw Haime Morais (Brazil) clash with Wesley Cottas (Brazil). In the first round, Morais applied pressure using a right overhand punch and left high kicks, while Cottas countered with driving hooks. In the second round, Cottas attacked aggressively, stringing together combinations of punches and kicks, while Morais landed a diving hook that bloodied his opponent’s nose. In the third round, Morais tried to close the distance, but Cottas responded with powerful knees. Morais kept advancing with hooks but was forced into clinches to avoid damage. Cottas delivered powerful counter punches. The match went to a decision, and Cottas won by unanimous decision, 3-0.

In the final quarterfinal, Anderson Silva, also known as Anderson “Braddock” (Brazil), fought Jhonny Klever (Brazil). Braddock, a top contender, is known for having defeated strong opponents such as Hesdy Gerges, Stefan Leko, and Remy Bonjasky.

In the first round, Braddock immediately landed a right hook. Klever exchanged punches with both hands, while Braddock aimed for the body, following with hooks to the head. The second round saw both fighters exchanging blows, forgoing a guard for more aggressive attacks. Klever targeted the body with calf kicks, while Braddock threw hooks despite getting hit. In the third round, both fighters showed signs of fatigue. While Klever landed some solid punches, he focused on more hit-and-run tactics, and Braddock dropped his guard, inviting Klever in, hoping to counter. In the end, the fight went to a decision, with Braddock emerging as the winner by a split decision of 2-1.

Semifinal #1: Machado Defeats Inocente

In the first semifinal, Ariel Machado and Guto Inocente, both of whom won by KO in the first round, faced off. To many watching, this was the true finale of the night.

In the first round, Inocente stepped forward, attacking with straight punches from both hands, while Machado landed a left hook. Machado continued to press with a flurry of punches, knocking Inocente down, who was saved by the bell. In the second round, Machado went on the offensive, landing a left punch and cornering Inocente, whose clinches were a desperate attempt to escape. In the third round, Machado evaded Inocente’s attacks, countering with the left. Although Inocente managed to throw more kicks and regain some momentum, in the end, he couldn’t catch up to Machado. The judges awarded Machado a unanimous decision victory, 3-0.

In the second semifinal, Wesley Cottas faced Anderson Braddock, with both fighters battling for their spot in the final, after coming off quarterfinal decision victories.

In the first round, Cottas used kicks while retreating, while Braddock went on the attack, landing a right hook. The fighters exchanged kicks and punches. In the second round, Braddock pressed forward with a right-left punch combination, while Cottas’s punches appeared to lack power. Braddock aimed for a KO with his right punch. In the third round, Braddock knocked Cottas down with body punches. Despite Cottas’s efforts to counter with kicks, the judges decided the match, with Braddock advancing to the final due to his knockdown.

Final: Machado Dominates and Wins by KO

The final match saw Ariel Machado, who had defeated Guto Inocente in the semifinals, face Jhonny Klever, who replaced Anderson Braddock due to an injury.

In the first round, Klever attacked aggressively with jabs and low kicks, while Machado responded with calf kicks. Klever swung left and right hooks, while Machado countered with hooks of his own. In the second round, Machado continued with calf kicks, mixing up his punches to the body and head, cornering Klever. In the third round, Machado knocked Klever down with a calf kick and landed a left hook for a second knockdown. Machado sealed his victory with another calf kick, winning the tournament.

K-1 World GP 2024 in Brasília, Openweight Qualifying Tournament

Quarterfinal (1):
○ Ariel Machado (Brazil/Hemmers Gym/Madison Team)
KO 2R 1:21
● Abner Ferreira (Brazil)

Quarterfinal (2):
○ Guto Inocente (Brazil)
KO 1R 1:18
● Jefferson Salviano (Brazil)

Quarterfinal (3):
● Haime Morais (Brazil)
Decision 0-3
○ Wesley Cottas (Brazil)

Quarterfinal (4):
○ Anderson Silva (Brazil)
Decision 2-1
● Jhonny Klever (Brazil)

Semifinal (1):
○ Ariel Machado (Brazil/Hemmers Gym/Madison Team)
Decision 3-0
● Guto Inocente (Brazil)

Semifinal (2):
● Wesley Cottas (Brazil)
Decision 0-3
○ Anderson Silva (Brazil)

Final:
○ Ariel Machado (Brazil/Hemmers Gym/Madison Team)
KO 3R 2:09
● Jhonny Klever (Brazil) *substitute for Anderson Silva due to injury withdrawal

All matches: 3 minutes x 3 rounds, 1 extra round