10.4.2024

Kickboxing icons Jerome Le Banner and Errol Zimmerman are set to make K-1 comebacks in Osaka, vying for a coveted spot in the K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 Final in December.

K-1’s return to Osaka, Japan on October 5, will host the World Grand Prix 2024 Qualifier Asian Round, fighters’ last chance to secure a place in the K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 Final in Tokyo this December. Making a surprise return to K-1 are 2 living legends from kickboxing golden age, Jerome Le Banner and Errol Zimmerman.

K-1 WORLD GRAND PRIX 2024 QUALIFIER ASIAN ROUND

At the age of 51, Le Banner could become the oldest participant in the Grand Prix Final. A powerhouse in the old K-1 era made his comeback earlier this year by knocking out Yuki Kaneeda. A living legend known for his devastating KO power, he holds wins over many K-1 champions, with KOs over names like Ernesto Hoost, Peter Aerts, and Mark Hunt.

Though Le Banner had won multiple world titles in kickboxing, the highly coveted K-1 World Grand Prix Title remained elusive throughout his years in the old K-1. He came agonizingly close to winning the K-1 crown twice—first losing to Peter Aerts when he first joined the promotion in the 1995 final, and again to Ernesto Hoost in 2002. Now, he has a golden opportunity to beat father’s time and claim the ultimate prize in kickboxing.

However, to do so, he must first overcome K-Jee, the former K-1 Cruiserweight champion. In a headlining match-up of old VS new K-1, Le Banner will need to get put a fighter from the new generation, who is hungry for redemption after having gone through a series of recent defeats.

Another familiar face from K-1’s golden age is Errol “The Bonecrusher” Zimmerman. Zimmerman returned to K-1 in June with an emphatic KO win over Michail Karamousketas in Romania, extending his KO streak to 3 fights. Despite never winning the K-1 title, Zimmerman was a semi-finalist in 2008, defeating Glaube Feitosa and Ewerton Teixeira before falling to Badr Hari. With KO wins over top fighters, including GLORY’s reigning champion Rico Verhoeven, Zimmerman is a dangerous force in this tournament.

In another old VS new showdown, Zimmerman will be facing undefeated WKO World champion, Shota Yamaguchi. After transitioning to K-1 under Krush’s banner in September 2022, the rising karateka has shown great potential with a string of 7 straight victories. Looking to make a name for himself, Yamaguchi has sent a bold message to Zimmerman “Don’t underestimate the new generation.”

The event will also feature a highly-anticipated rematch between heated rivals, Sina Karimian and Claudio Istrate. Their first encounter in the semi-final of the K-1 30th Anniversary Openweight Tournament became infamous for its chaotic and foul-ridden nature, with illegal strikes to the back, low blows, and even the referee being knocked down. Fans can expect another intense showdown between the two as they vie for the spot to the final.

In the final matchup, Seiya Tanigawa will face off against South Korean fighter Kwon Jangwon. Standing at 191 cm and weighing in at 127 kg, Kwon brings a significant physical advantage, but Tanigawa will rely on his superior K-1 experience to navigate the fight.

RETURN OF K-1 WORLD MAX 2024 PARTICIPANTS

The reigning K-1 World MAX Champion, Stoyan Koprivlenski, returns to action against Krush Super Welterweight champion Jinku Oda. Koprivlenski is riding momentum from the biggest win of his career in July over the legendary Buakaw Banchamek. He followed that victory with wins over Dengue Silva and Viktor Akimov to capture the K-1 title. Meanwhile, Oda has been perfect in Krush’s ring with 4 straight victories.

Dengue Silva and Jordann Pikeur are both looking to bounce back for their recent losses. The towering Brazilian has his eyes set on a rematch against Koprivlenski. But first, he will need to get past his teammate, Pikeur, who is eager to return to his top form and make a strong statement in Osaka.

Hiromi Wajima is determined to get back on the winning track after suffering two consecutive losses—first losing his title to Ouyang Feng and then facing an upset defeat to Darryl Verdonk. Wajima will be facing South Korean contender Kim Joon Hwa in a must-win bout.

Darryl Verdonk, the dark horse of the July tournament, will face off against Zhora Akopyan in a match that could easily turn into a strategic battle of styles, with Verdonk’s bull-like aggression clashing against Akopyan’s tactics.

WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN & MORE

Also featured in the event is SAHO, the K-1 Women’s Flyweight Champion, making her long-anticipated return against WAKO champion, Erivan Barut.

Krush champion Daina will also make his K-1 debut in this event against Toranosuke Higashi with both looking to make an immediate impact on the K-1 stage.

K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 Qualifier Asian Round will be available live on October 5 on ABEMA TV with subscription of ABEMA PREMIUM. The first 10 fights will be available for free on both K-1 YouTube Channel and ABEMA TV.

FULL FIGHT CARD

Openweight                     K-Jee vs. Jerome Le Banner (K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 Qualifier Asian Round)

Openweight                     Shota Yamaguchi vs.  Errol Zimmerman (K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 Qualifier Asian Round)

Openweight                     Iran Sina Karimian vs. Italy Claudio Istrate (K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 Qualifier Asian Round)

Openweight                     Seiya Tanigawa vs.  Kwon Jangwon (K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 Qualifier Asian Round)

Super Welterweight 70 kg              Stoyan Koprivlenski vs.  Jinku Oda                                                                                         

Super Welterweight 70 kg              Dengue Silva vs.  Jordann Pikeur                                                                                             

Super Welterweight 70 kg              Hiromi Wajima vs.  Kim Joon Hwa                                                                                         

Super Welterweight 70 kg              Darryl Verdonk vs. Zhora Akopyan                                                                                            

Intermission

W.Flyweight 52 kg       SAHO vs. Erivan Barut                                                                                             

Super Lightweight 65 kg                  Kenta Hayashi vs.  Kensei Kondo                                                                                           

Featherweight 57.5 kg                      Shoki Kaneda vs.  Toma                                                                                      

Featherweight 57.5 kg                      Tatsuya Tsubakihara vs.  Shuhei Kumura                                                                         

Featherweight 57.5 kg                      Haruto Matsumoto vs.  Ginji                                                                          

Intermission

Catchweight 95 kg       Philippines Akira Jr vs.  Shota Takigami                                                                              

Lightweight 62.5 kg    Yuto Shinohara vs.  Haru Furumiya                                                                                     

Super Featherweight 60 kg             Ryoga Matsumoto vs.  Naoki Takahashi                                                                            

Catchweight 51 kg       Daina vs.  Toranosuke Higashi                                                                        

Featherweight 57.5 kg                      Kengo Murata vs.  Yuto Kuroda                                                                                             

Preliminary Card

Super Lightweight 65 kg                  Ryo Kikkawa vs.  Kensuke Ori                                                                          

Super Bantamweight 55 kg            Ryusho vs.  Ryoga                                                                           

Super Featherweight 60 kg             Toki Harada vs.  Tatsuma                                                                                   

Featherweight 57.5 kg                      Kaito Horii vs.  Iwa King                                                                                     

Catchweight 51 kg       Yusei Yuoke vs.  Masato Arai