“Don’t Blink, It Will Be Over in Seconds!” Undefeated Thian ‘Tarzan’ de Vries with 26 Wins and 24 KOs Invades K-1! Underdog RUI Vows an Upset – December 14 at Yoyogi
December 5, 2024
In a K-1 Cruiserweight (90kg) match, reigning Enfusion Light Heavyweight (-93kg) and Cruiserweight (-88kg) champion Thian ‘Tarzan’ de Vries (Netherlands/ Luc Verheije Fight Club) will make his K-1 debut against RUI (Japan/K-1 Gym Fukuoka Team Beginning) at K-1 WORLD GP 2024 in TOKYO FINAL.
Tarzan, a natural athlete with a background in track and field since childhood, conquered both the Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight divisions in Enfusion just five years after starting kickboxing. In July 2024, he competed in LEGEND vol.1 in Japan, where he secured a KO victory over Yuya. After the fight, Tarzan garnered further attention by provoking Mahmoud Sattari. Now, Tarzan is poised to cause chaos in K-1.
RUI, standing at an imposing 193 cm, rose through the ranks in the Super Welterweight division after turning pro. He made his K-1 debut in December 2017. In 2019, he advanced to the finals of the inaugural Krush Cruiserweight Championship Tournament after defeating Ryo Aitaka and Shinya Uemura, but lost in an all-Kyushu showdown against K-Jee. RUI bounced back with a KO win over Takumi Nakahira in January 2020 at Krush.
He defeated Seiya Tanigawa in March 2021, but fell to Mahmoud Sattari in the 2nd Krush Cruiserweight Championship Tournament in July. In December of the same year, he narrowly lost to Satoshi Ishii. In April 2022, he suffered a KO loss to Ryunosuke Hoshi, followed by another KO loss to Seiya Tanigawa in August 2024. RUI made his comeback with a KO win at KPKB in Fukuoka on November 3.
—Many Japanese fans have been waiting for you.
“Oh, me too! I love Japan. It’s a beautiful country, and I really love the culture of respecting your opponents. But, in my first fight in Japan this July, the opponent was too easy, and honestly, I couldn’t fully show my abilities. That was disappointing.”
—You felt the difference in skill in the ring?
“Exactly. I realized it as soon as the fight began. I could have finished it faster, but I was too focused on showing a good KO and ended up unnecessarily prolonging the fight. That’s my only regret.”
—This time, you’ll make your K-1 debut.
“It’s a beautiful opportunity. The promotion I mainly compete in, Enfusion, is, of course, a big event in Europe like K-1 or Glory. I’ve already proven myself as the king of the jungle there. Now, I’ll prove it in K-1!”
—What’s your impression of K-1?
“It’s one of the best of the world. It created a lot of legends. It’s an honor for me to fight for K-1. I started kickboxing 3 years ago. I didn’t think I will join K-1 this early.”
—Do you have any fighters you admire?
“Of course, legends like Badr Hari, Peter Aerts, and Semmy Schilt. Competing in the same organization like them feels like a dream. I’m very thankful to Peter Aerts for bringing my name to Japan. We’re going to show in K-1 what we are capable of.”
—Do you think you’re as skilled as they are?
“Not yet. I’m currently training with the world’s top-class elites, so I’m definitely getting closer. But there’s still so much to learn. To reach the true top, I have to stay humble, keep learning, and deliver results.”
—You have a shorter career than other fighters. What were you doing before?
“From 8 years old to around middle school, I did track and field, especially shot put. I trained 3–5 times a week and I even became a champion in regional tournaments that were held twice a year. I was also into weight training like pull-ups and push-ups and was very strict with myself. But from around 13 or 14, I turned into a bad boy, did a lot of wrong things, and ended up in juvenile detention for a year at 17.”
—A year in juvenile detention?
“I can’t say what I did, but I was in detention for a year. My mom was actually a therapist who rehabilitated bad boys like me, but even so, I ended up in trouble. After that, a friend of my mom who owned a kickboxing gym took me in. I had always wanted to do kickboxing, and when I first trained, I even asked the gym owner, ‘When can I fight?’”
—Where did your power come from?
“First of all, genetics. I think knockout fighters are not made; they are born. Of course, it’s also technique. So much power comes from your hips and if you know how to use it and capitalize on it, you will get way harder punches. And timing and precision are also very important.
—You learn to use the power of your hips from track and field? “For sure, Javelin throwing is exactly the same technique as punching. It’s using your hips to generate power.”
—Why did you choose the ring name ‘Tarzan’? “My friends said I look like a monkey (laughs). I guess I’m more wild than human. Plus, it’s cool—being the strongest of the primates. I’m the king of the jungle. Tarzan really fits well.”
—What’s your impression of your opponent, RUI?
“Not really. Just that he’s a southpaw. We’ll make a gameplan and then we’ll see what happens.”
—Many fans are looking forward to your matchup with Mahmoud Sattari.
“No problem. I’ll take him out in an instant.”
—What is your specialty over other people?
“Firstly, my power for sure. I just need to hit one or two good shots and my opponent will be already pretty scared. So that’s the big factor for me. Also, I have a very elusive style. Also, my mentality. I am never scared and my opponent, they see that. I make my opponent insecure and then I can start playing with him.
—What are your plans for next year?
“Of course, after winning this fight, I want to fight as much as possible in K-1. I’m young and recover quickly, so I want to gain as much experience as I can. A tournament or a title fight, I’m ready for anything. I want to get all the belts in K-1. Take over the world and take over Japan.”
—Finally, a message for the fans.
“I really like Japanese people. They are really kind, really respectful. I am grateful that I can fight again in Japan. I’m really to make a beautiful show for them. Don’t blink, it will be over in seconds.”