On October 5, K-1 returned to Osaka, Japan, with a card centered around the final qualifier for the K-1 World GP 2024. The event delivered thrilling performances and unexpected twists, while fans were treated to a surprise appearance from ONE Championship champion Chingiz Allazov.

Holding his K-1 belt, Allazov greeted the Japanese fans, stating, “Hello all K-1 fans in the world. Chingiz is back to Japan.” Allazov said that he was there to support his sparring partner Zhora Akopyan and took the opportunity to call the living legend Masato into the ring, paying his respects to him.

K-1 WORLD GRAND PRIX 2024 QUALIFIER ASIAN ROUND

Two returning legends, Jerome Le Banner and Errol Zimmerman, were among the fighters competing for the last 4 spots to qualify for the K-1 World GP event in December.

K-JEE VS. JEROME LE BANNER

Father Time remains undefeated as K-Jee scored a decisive victory over the 51-year-old Le Banner. It took only one head kick to end the fight. The former K-1 Cruiserweight champion delivered a perfectly timed high kick that, combined with a punching combination, knocked Le Banner out cold. An end to Le Banner’s comeback dreams, sending a message that it is now a new era of K-1.

In the post-fight press conference, Le Banner announced his retirement and expressed gratitude to K-1 for giving him his final fight.

SHOTA YAMAGUCHI VS.  ERROL ZIMMERMAN

Returning legend Errol Zimmerman overcame a tough test in Japan’s Shota Yamaguchi, snapping the rising prospect’s undefeated streak. Zimmerman came out aggressive but struggled early as Yamaguchi landed strong calf kicks and sharp straight punches. Yamaguchi’s low kicks and pressure kept Zimmerman on the back foot, but the veteran turned things around in the final round with a dramatic flying knee that shifted the momentum. Zimmerman sealed the victory by knocking Yamaguchi down with a punch, ending the fight.

In the press conference on the day after the event, Zimmerman asked K-Jee to fight him in the K-1 World GP Quarterfinal. K-Jee responded that he is ready if K-1 greenlights the matchup.

SINA KARIMIAN VS. CLAUDIO ISTRATE

The heated rivalry between Sina Karimian and Claudio Istrate continued with more controversy. Karimian controlled the pace early with low kicks, but Istrate retaliated with heavy right hooks, eventually dropping Karimian. But Istrate’s repeated illegal shots to the back of Karimian’s head caused chaos. Unable to continue after these strikes, Karimian was stretchered out of the ring. The match ended prematurely, leaving fans without a clear resolution to their rivalry.

The controversy of the fight’s ending led to Istrate’s post-fight fiery comments: “Maybe he can win some Oscar. He’s a very good actor. I think after he felt my punch, I am a strong puncher…and he’s afraid of me, he doesn’t want to wake up again, because [it] will finish very bad.” He added about the illegal shot that “this was not a punch for KO”, doubling down on his belief that Sina was not truly hurt. When asked what he think about the fact that Sina got sent to the hospital by ambulance after the fight, he said “Sina’s team are also actor, not very nice, because his trainer understands this is not true what he does.”

The official result of the fight will be announced later following deliberations of K-1 referees and staff.

SEIYA TANIGAWA VS.  KWON JANGWON

Seiya Tanigawa could not overcome the size and power of South Korea’s Kwon Jangwon. Despite utilizing leg kicks and clinches to slow down the towering Kwon, Tanigawa was dropped by a powerful right straight early in the fight. The match became scrappy, with both fighters being warned for excessive clinching and fouls. In the end, Kwon’s sheer physical dominance proved too much for Tanigawa, resulting in a victory for the South Korean.

WARS AMONG THE K-1 WORLD MAX 2024 VETERANS

STOYAN KOPRIVLENSKI VS.  JINKU ODA

K-1 World MAX champion Stoyan Koprivlenski faced a tough challenge from Krush Super Welterweight champion Jinku Oda in a hard-fought contest. Koprivlenski used feints and low kicks to gain an early advantage, but Oda’s resilience kept him in the fight. Both fighters exchanged knockdowns in the dramatic 3^rd round, and the match went to an extra round after a split decision. Koprivlenski outworked Oda in the final moments, narrowly winning the fight with a split decision victory.

Oda’s performance greatly impressed K-1 producer Carlos Kikuta, who believes that the Krush champion is now ready for K-1 stage.

DENGUE SILVA VS.  JORDANN PIKEUR

Pikeur returned to form, outlasting the aggressive Dengue Silva in a back-and-forth battle. Pikeur used body kicks to control the distance, while Silva relied on low kicks and knees. Silva hurt Pikeur several times with punches but couldn’t finish him. Pikeur capitalized in the extra round, dropping Silva with a straight punch to secure the win. The knockdown was enough to secure Pikeur a win.

HIROMI WAJIMA VS.  KIM JOON HWA

In front of his hometown crowd, Wajima ended his losing streak with a dominant KO victory over Kim Joon Hwa. A vicious low kick set the tone early, followed by a crescent kick that floored Kim. Wajima finished the job with a brutal knee to the body, ending the fight and securing a much-needed win.

DARRYL VERDONK VS. ZHORA AKOPYAN

In a closely contested match, Verdonk edged out Akopyan after an extra round. The fight saw both men took turns pressing forward. The bout went into overtime, where Verdonk’s superior volume and aggression earned him a unanimous decision.

SAHO VS. ERIVAN BARUT

In her first fight since becoming K-1 Women’s Flyweight Champion, SAHO proved why she’s at the top. She dropped Barut early with a flash knockdown and controlled the remainder of the fight with sharp low kicks and clean punches. Despite Barut’s best efforts, Saho cruised to a clear decision victory.

FULL FIGHT RESULT｜K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 Qualifier Asian Round

K-Jee def. Jerome Le Banner – KO at 1:22 of Round 1

Errol Zimmerman def. Shota Yamaguchi – KO at 1:16 of Round 3

Sina Karimian vs. Claudio Istrate – Official Result will be announced later

Kwon Jangwon def. Seiya Tanigawa – UD (30-28×2, 30-27) 

Stoyan Koprivlenski def. Jinku Oda – SD (10-9×2, 9-10) of Extra Round             

Jordann Pikeur def. Dengue Silva – UD (10-8×3) of Extra Round                             

Hiromi Wajima def. Kim Joon Hwa – KO at 1:19 of Round 1                                     

Darryl Verdonk def. Zhora Akopyan – UD (10-9×3) of Extra Round

–Intermission-

SAHO def. Erivan Barut – UD (30-27×2, 30-26)                                         

Kensei Kondo def. Kenta Hayashi – KO at 1:36 of Round 2                                                                 

Shoki Kaneda def. Toma – KO at 1:11 of Round 1                                                                                   

Shuhei Kumura def.Tatsuya Tsubakihara – SD (30-28×2, 29-30)     

Haruto Matsumoto def. Ginji – TKO at 2:16 of Round 2                                                                      

–Intermission-

Akira Jr def. Shota Takigami – UD (10-8×3) of Extra Round                                         

Haru Furumiya def. Yuto Shinohara – KO at 2:08 of Round 2           

Naoki Takahashi def. Ryoga Matsumoto – KO at 2:05 of Round 2  

Daina def. Toranosuke Higashi – TKO at 1:34 of Round 3                                                                    

Kengo Murata def. Yuto Kuroda – KO at 1:31 of Round 2                                            

–Preliminary Fights–

Kensuke Ori def. Ryo Kikkawa – KO at 3:01 of Round 2                                                 

Ryusho def. Ryoga – KO at 2:15 of Round 1                                                 

Toki Harada def. Tatsuma – UD (30-28×2, 30-29)

Kaito Horii def. Iwa King – UD (30-27×3)                                                                               

Masato Arai def. Yusei Yuoke – UD (30-29×3)