Author Topic: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6  (Read 2806 times)

BlueDevil

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FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« on: November 06, 2008, 10:01:15 AM »

excellent card !


SinCitysmallGUY

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2008, 11:36:05 AM »
Remmy vs. Le Banner will be a fucking great fighter.. I still think Remmy is one of the best ever in K-1. Minus Andy.

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #2 on: November 06, 2008, 07:59:41 PM »
Badr all the way this year. I mean Aerts vs Hari in the first round! Does it get any better? With Aerts coming off a huge win, this is definitely going to be the best final in a good long while. Zimmerman has looked really great in his past few fights and is someone you should keep your eye on. And yes Le Banner vs Bonjasky will be an amazing amazing fight! Also with Schilt presumably in the reserves anything could happen!

BlueDevil

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2008, 11:01:39 AM »
aerts - hari will be a great fight

i'm actually looking forward to the karaev - saki fight, both explosive fighters with great technique

Bluto

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2008, 02:37:27 AM »
I'm impressed that Aerts still got it... he's no spring chicken! Talk about experience...
I'm disappointed with Le Banner though...
Z

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2008, 08:19:41 AM »
I'm impressed that Aerts still got it... he's no spring chicken! Talk about experience...
I'm disappointed with Le Banner though...

Yeah, I agree with both points. Le Banner hasn't looked like his old self at all in his past few fights, but he is still one tough mofo. I can see Bonjasky taking that fight by decision.  I really think that if Badr can get past Aerts which I think he will, that he will wind up taking the whole thing. He is definitely the man in K-1 right now. I'm surprised they still haven't announced the reserve fights yet...

BlueDevil

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2008, 12:23:44 PM »

Interview with Peter Aerts

Peter Aerts, kwon as "Mr. K-1” has beaten Semmy Schilt in Seoul, an. proceeds to "FieLDS K-1 WORLD GP 2008 FINAL". He has talked about his feeling of striving for his 4th champion.
        

I was confident to beat Semmy

-- You have beaten Semmy Schilt at -FINAL 16-. How do you feel now by looking back the fight?

Aerts : I knew it would be a tough fight. It was my tactic to change the fighting structure by using my every technique. The point was how to prevent his knees so that I moved around from the beginning.

-- What was your strategy which as a result, brought you a victory?

Aerts : I was trying to keep a pressure on him all the time. It was actually difficult, yet, I was well prepared for the fight.

-- The reason you could keep your confidence was because you fully prepared beforehand?

Aerts : I was confident all the time even from the beginning, otherwise, I didn’t challenge to him.

-- Have you never frightened fighting against him?

Aerts : He is a good fighter so that he is a difficult opponent to fight with, because of the size. He is very tall. Therefore, some fighters are afraid of fighting against him. Yet, I rather wanted to challenge him.

 

K-1 needs a new champion

-- Didn’t you have a moment of loosing your momentum when received his powerful front kicks.

Aerts : No, never. I did as much as I could do at that moment by keeping my strategy. The game could be ended in a moment I gave him a slight chance.

-- Do you think you were took an initiative during the match?

Aerts : He tried to give me powerful front kicks a few times, but I managed to avoid receiving them. I thought the best way for the victory was to stop his special skills. Of course, any fighter could do that, but..........

-- But....?

Aerts : You have to take a big risk to do that, and I did by the time I got on the ring. The only way for the victory is to take a risk and fight hard. The result would be always depending on the willingness to take a risk.

-- Then the result explains that you were well prepared to take a risk. By the way, Semmy is not proceeding to the FINAL. It seems that any one has a chance to be a champion.

Aerts : I think it would be good for K-1. Semmy is a great fighter, but he does not have a charismatic character as a champion. It is good time to have a new hero with good charisma.

 

I can fight at least 20 more times

-- You are going to fight against Bad Hari. How do you think about that?

Aerts : I am always unlucky in the drawing so that I was ready to fight with anybody. Yet, I was planning to chose either Remy or Badr this time.

-- Is fighting against Badr just what you have wished for?

Aerts : Of course, especially his name is getting big now.(ha ha)

-- Fighting against Badr means that you need to be able to tolerate his incitement.

Aerts : He can say whatever he wants to say. I do not care how he talks about me.

-- Doesn’t his big mouth irritates you?

Aerts : Let’s see what he is going to do in the ring. Talking does not help his performance.

-- You do not let new generation to come in K-1?

Aerts : My carrier has just started (ha ha ha). I will make twenty more of K-1 fights.

-- Wow! How old you will be then since you are now 38 years old ?

Aerts : Ha ha ha. This is my 16th year of fighting for K-1. I want to keep fighting 4 more years to achieve 20 years of my fighting career. If I can keep my good condition, and my doctor approves, I will keep fighting until then. I am not going to let new generation to take over my position.

BlueDevil

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2008, 12:25:56 PM »

Interview with Badr Hari

Bada Hari who is known as "Devil Prince" has beaten Hong-Man Choi in Seoul at the K-1 WGP Final 16, advancing to the FieLDS K-1 WORLD GP 2008 FINAL where he will face non other then 3 time K-1 WGP Champion. Peter Aerts. He will show his true colors in taking on one of the most experienced fighter in K-1!!
        

I was down, but it was nothing.


-- You defeated Hong-Man Choi, who had a big support from his home country, at the "WGP Final 16" in Seoul. How was the fight?

Badr : It went well. He is a big guy. It made it a little bit hard for me to reach him, but you know. I did what I could do.

-- Was it difficult to fight against him?

Badr : I tried to knock him out in the first two rounds, but he had very strong chin. At one point, I realized that it was almost impossible to get to his jaw.

-- It must be hard to knock out such a tall guy.

Badr : Well, yes. I changed my tactics during the 3rd round to concentrate on his body. I think that became the key to winning the match.

-- He put knocked you down in the 2nd round. Did that affect your fight?

Badr : If a fight has a lot of actions, you have to take a risk, you know. He is very heavy with about 150 kg With heavyweights anyone can be finished with one punch.

-- Yes, we can understand that…

Badr : If you want to fight, you know that you can be taken down or knocked down once in a while. That was one of the things could happen during a fight. So, it was nothing to me.

 

I will beat Peter before he retires.


-- You could not knock down Hong-Man Choi this time. Is that a problem to you?

Badr : My fans believe that I can make a miracle all the time. Of course, I go for a knock out always but it does not happen in a fight all the time. If my opponent had a normal chin and normal posture, I am sure that I could have knocked out. Well, he was very big.

-- Did you know that Hong-Man Choi never lost his fight by KO except once against Mighty Mo?

Badr : I change my strategy during a fight if necessary. I always do my best. As you know, I always try to knock out my opponent and I tried the same with Hong-Man Choi.

-- We know your spirit very well. By the way, could you please tell us how you feel about fighting Peter Aerts in the up coming K-1 WGP Final?

Badr : I always hoped to fight against Peter and Ernesto before they stop fighting. There would be no chance to fight against Ernesto any more. Peter was always on my list.

-- Are you trying to bring in a new generation?

Badr : The chance to fight with Peter will be probably soon, end of this year or the next year. I want to beat him before I loose the opportunity.

-- Are you saying that you will be able to dominate such an experienced fighter?

Badr : Peter is a good guy and I respect him as a fighter. Yet, he cannot stand my aggression and my speed. I will knock him out in the FINAL.

-- Are you confident that you will win the first match against Peter?

Badr : Of Course, I am. This will be a good chance for me to win the Grand Prix and be the champion.

 

Jerome asked me at the drawing...

-- Semmy Schilt lost against Peter Aerts at the Final 16 in Seoul. How did you feel about that?

Badr : I was just surprised at the outcome of the fight.

-- Were you expecting Semmy to win?

Badr : No, I did not care which would win. Semmy fought very badly the night. It seems that he was too cautious so that he was stuck a little bit.

-- Did the outcome disappoint you?

Badr : Well, it is going to be a positive for K-1 and for the fans, because more actions will give more excitement in the FINAL. But personally, I did not care which was going to win the fight. Every fighter deserves to win, but, only one can win. This time, Peter won the fight. That is why I will be able to fight Peter at the first match in the FINAL. I feel that it was like fate, since I wanted to fight  Peter. I am satisfied with the result of the drawing.

-- Have you ever thought about choosing a spot next to Jerome Le Banner whom you always wanted to fight with?

Badr : To tell you the truth, Jerome came to me before choosing his spot.

-- Really?

Badr : Jerome told me "I am going to fight with Remy, is that OK?" I said, "You have to choose what you want to choose. I do not care whom you fight with and whom I fight with". Thus, Jerome went to stand next to Remy and Peter stayed there waiting for me.

-- That is a very interesting story.

Badr : I will be a champion by beating Peter at the first bout, and then Jerome. Don’t you think that is the best scenario for the FINAL?

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2008, 04:06:52 PM »
I was a little disappointed that they didn't put Semmy in one of the reserve bouts. I mean he is the reigning champion 3 years running. They are probably saving him for the big new year's eve show.  I believe the reserve bouts are Melvin Manhoef vs Paul Slowinski & Hong Mon Choi vs Ray Sefo. Either way you really can't complain too much as this looks like one of the best GP in a long time. And I still think that Badr takes the whole thing!

Bluto

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2008, 04:57:29 PM »
yeah maybe it was out of respect they didnt put him there? would seem a little lame to put the champ as reserve
Z

BlueDevil

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #10 on: December 01, 2008, 11:30:29 AM »

bump

just 5 more days  8)

BlueDevil

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #11 on: December 02, 2008, 01:32:49 PM »
Aerts the Favorite at K-1 World GP 2008 Final

TOKYO, December 1, 2008 -- In the book "Principles and Practice of Sports Management," University of Massachusetts Professor Lisa P. Masteralexis estimates the career of a professional athlete at less than five years. Apparently, Dutch kickboxer Peter Aerts has not read that book.

Aerts, 38, has participated in each and every K-1 World Grand Prix Final in a glorious career spanning the sport's 16 year history. The "Dutch Lumberjack" has taken the crown three times, and in Yokohama on December 6, will endeavor to do it again. Incredibly, Aerts is not coming into the grueling eight-man elimination tournament as a nostalgic icon, but as the clear favorite -- a position he cemented by eliminating 2007 World GP Champion Semmy Schilt at the September 27 Final-16 tournament in Seoul.

The K-1 World GP Final is the world's most prestigious fightsport event. Culminating 12 months of qualifying and regional elimination tournaments, it kicks off with the year's top eight fighters clashing in quarterfinal bouts. Winners there advance to the semis, from which a pair of warriors emerge for the final showdown, the victor earning the K-1 World GP Championship.

In advance of the event -- which will be broadcast live on five continents -- we circumnavigated the globe to get the predictions of international sportswriters and K-1 experts.

The first quarterfinal matchup pits Aerts against K-1 Heavyweight Champion Badr Hari. Many believe Aerts' toughest challenge of the night will be getting past the 23 year-old Moroccan dynamo.

"The first match will be crucial for the tournament, says Jeroen Winters of Holland's Mat Magazine. "But the 'Old Master' Aerts is in great shape and will never allow a 'newcomer' like Hari to keep him from his 4th title."

"The favorite is clearly Peter Aerts," says Alexis Del Castillo of Spain's K-1Fans. "Aerts was the only fighter able to defeat Semmy Schilt and he is again at one of the best moments in his K-1 career."

"Peter Aerts has an 80 % chance to win against Hari," says Kasra Ashhami of K-1 Scandinavia. "Aerts is too experienced, heavy and strong for Hari, an upcoming fighter who could be tomorrow's champ but is still not strong enough and not heavy enough to defeat an opponent such as Aerts today. If Peter is not inured after the semifinals, he will win the Grand Prix for the 4th time!"

"Taking out the defending champion Semmy Schilt is one of the top stories in combat sports this year," says California-based 'Webmaster Gumby' of Brazil's On The Mat. "If Peter Aerts manages to win the K-1 Final this year it would truly make him a legend." Of a similar mind is Brazilian sportswriter Marcelo Estrella, who predicts Aerts will KO Hari and go on to also win the final by KO.

The concentration of talent in the first quarterfinal was emphasized in many of our experts' predictions, and reflected by Hari finishing second in the straw poll.

"As Hari himself has mentioned he has the 'best scenario' for this year’s championship, at least if he can get past Aerts." says Jens Habermann of Germany's K-1sport. "Although Aerts has experience and strength on his side I choose Hari as he's had the more convincing fights this year, with KO victories over Feitosa and Sefo, and also because of his youth and technique. I predict that Hari's going all the way this year."

Marko Gyllenland, editor-in-chief of Sweden's Fighter Magazine, concurs. "Hari has evolved as a fighter, he can win this bout by decision and continue through to win the championship."

Takao Matsui, who writes for the martial arts magazine Kakutogi Tsushin, is one of more than a few Japanese sportswriters picking the Moroccan. "Hari's speed, technique and aggressiveness are his big weapons," says Matsui. "I believe he'll beat Aerts and go on to become the new champion."

The second tournament quarterfinal pits 22 year-old Surinamese-Dutch kickboxer Errol Zimmerman against 26-year-old kyokushin karateka Ewerton Teixeira of Brazil. Most respondents have Zimmerman taking this bout, and although none figure either fighter will go all the way, Gyllenland pegs Zimmerman as the dark horse; while Stuart Tonkin of Japan's Kakutogi website and Australia-based K-1 television commentator Michael Schiavello do the same for Teixeira.

The next matchup is between a couple of go-to kickboxers -- Gokhan Saki of Turkey and Ruslan Karaev of Russia.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see Karaev take the upset tournament victory," says Andreas Bruzelius, also weighing in from Sweden's Fighter Magazine. "This year has been amazing for Karaev, he still takes a lot of risks, and leaves himself unprotected at times, however his timing and precision are better then ever, and with the power in his punches, he's a hard man to stop."

Karaev also picks up a dark horse vote from Ashhami.

Saki, meanwhile, has captured the imagination of our experts. Del Castillo, Winters and Mark "Hammer" Castagnini of Australia's International Kickboxer Magazine all select Saki as their dark horse; while Fred Varcoe of Japan's Metropolis Magazine exudes even more confidence in the young Turk's chances.

"Saki fights to win," says Varcoe. "Karaev is good at taking punishment, but there are limits. I think Saki will win the tournament, he just seems to have too much firepower: he's got the skills, the focus, the desire, tactical awareness and the knockout punch."

The last of the quarterfinals features two-time K-1 World GP Champion Remy Bonjasky of Holland and French veteran Jerome LeBanner. After Aerts and Hari, Bonjasky and LeBanner finished best in our experts' survey, making this another critical contest.

"This is Remy's fight," says Schiavello. "He has too many tools, he is too quick and his work rate is too consistent. Look for Bonjasky to outscore LeBanner. He has a new lease on his fighting life and the prerequisites for success are all aligned for him: physically in shape, mentally ready and a new hot girlfriend to hang off his shoulder alongside the Grand Prix belt! He hardly ever loses, his defense is tighter than Fort Knox, he moves like a middleweight and his workrate is the highest of any fighter in the top eight. The winner of the GP will be Remy Bonjasky."

"Bonjasky has proven time and time again that he is just about impossible to hurt -- unless you go for the family jewels that is" says Tonkin. "He also manages to win just about every judges' decision he fights to, so unless LeBanner manages to put him away early in the first fight, it is going to be very tough to beat him."

"Bonjasky has put a recent slump behind him and should edge past LeBanner," says Tim Leidecker of Germany's GroundAndPound. "I think Bonjasky and Aerts are poised to meet in the final, with the "Flying Gentleman" getting revenge for last year's semifinal exit at the hands and feet of Aerts, to win his third K-1 World GP Final."

Castagnini sees it another way: "LeBanner very hungry and aggressive and based on Bonjasky's last performance, LeBanner should be too strong. Could this be Jerome's year?"

According to Brice Hoarau of France's MuayThaiTV, it definitely is: "I think this could be 'LeBanner Time'! Not because he's a better fighter, not because he has more power, not because his skills are better -- because objectively Bonjasky is the best technician in the tournament. It will be 'LeBanner Time' only because he wants it more! In Aerts' bracket I don't think the finalist will finish two fights without injuries, but if LeBanner fights in the final he will be at 130%! His iron mind will give him the victory this year!"

And there we have it. Significant support for Hari, Bonjasky and LeBanner, but a clear majority predicting the indefatigable veteran Peter Aerts will battle through the field to victory in the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 Final.

Also strongly in Aerts' favor is an ongoing fan poll on the K-1 Japanese Website. At time of writing, Aerts has garnered a commanding 47% of votes for pick to win; while Bonjasky, LeBanner and Hari trail with 13-15% each and the other four hopefuls share the remaining 10%.

But no matter how many dozens of sportswriters or thousands of fans believe Aerts will win the K-1 World GP; there remain seven men possessed of very different opinions. And at the Yokohama Arena on December 6, those seven men will lace up their gloves and step into the ring determined to prove a lot of people wrong.

For comprehensive coverage of the K-1 World Grand Prix Final visit the K-1 Official Website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp)

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #12 on: December 02, 2008, 01:39:47 PM »
I'm so excited for the Aerts-Hari fight. I'm a huge Aerts fan and I was going crazy when he beat schilt ( I was in Amsterdam at the time too no less) but I think Hari will be too much for him. I think after he beats Aerts he's going to go on and take the whole thing. I'm predicting a Hari vs Bonjasky final but it's really anyones game. Should be one of the best Grand Prixs in recent years..

BlueDevil

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #13 on: December 02, 2008, 01:47:48 PM »
I'm so excited for the Aerts-Hari fight. I'm a huge Aerts fan and I was going crazy when he beat schilt ( I was in Amsterdam at the time too no less) but I think Hari will be too much for him. I think after he beats Aerts he's going to go on and take the whole thing. I'm predicting a Hari vs Bonjasky final but it's really anyones game. Should be one of the best Grand Prixs in recent years..

definitely the best most exciting line up in years, no more freaks just skilled fighters !

BlueDevil

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #14 on: December 03, 2008, 08:16:40 AM »


BlueDevil

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #15 on: December 05, 2008, 07:03:14 AM »
PRESS CONFERENCE PICTURES




AERTS - HARI


BONJASKY - LE BANNER


SAKI - KARAEV


ZIMMERMAN - TEIXEIRA





UGMT

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Re: FieLDS K-1 WOLRD GP 2008 FINAL: december 6
« Reply #16 on: December 05, 2008, 09:19:14 AM »
Cool pics, thanks for posting!