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PART 2: K-1 FIGHTERS~
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Cyril Abidi
Country: France
Club: "Team Romeas" Boxing Planet/Kickboxing
Date of Birth: February 15, 1976
Height: 190 cm
Weight: 98 kg
Comments: Wild brawler with little or no defense. His biggest win was Aerts by KO. This year he got to the finals of the Paris tournament, and recently lost a superfight against Hoost after an accidental groin to Hoost's knee caused a premature decision to be made. Competed under MMA rules at the first Inoki Bom Ba Ye.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Peter Aerts "The Dutch Lumberjack"
93, 94, 98 Grand Prix Champion
Country: Holland
Club: Meijiro Gym/Kickboxing
Date of Birth: October 25, 1970
Height: 192 cm
Weight: 106 kg
Comments: The legendary three-time GP Champion. Aerts was deadly when he was younger, always looking for the KO with deadly hands and feet. He is getting older but still showed strength in the 2002 GP.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Mike Bernardo
Country: South Africa
Club: Steve's Gym/Boxing
Date of Birth: July 28, 1969
Height: 193 cm
Weight: 108 kg
Comments: Bernardo is a power punching monster, who was feared when he first showed up in K-1 in 1995. His skills seem to have decreased with age as he had some tough losses throughout 2001-2002. After a bad performance in his last superfight against Filho, he probably will not be invited to this year's GP Eliminations.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Remy Bonjansky
03, 04 Grand Prix Champion
Country: Holland
Club: Meijiro Gym/Kickboxing
Date of Birth: January 10, 1976
Height: 191 cm
Weight: 100 kg
Comments: A young mixture of Aerts and Hoost. This guy is good and has only lost against the cream of the crop so far in K-1. Won the 2003 Las Vegas GP with two KO's, and a decision win over McDonald in the thrilling final match.
K-1 Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Shane "Choppa" Chapman
K-1 MAX Fighter
Country: New Zealand
Club: ?/Muay Thai
Date of Birth: July 4, 1978
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 69.4 kg
Comments: Tough Oceania Muay Thai style fighter who can hang with the best in the league. 2001 Oceania MAX Champion.
K-1 Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Branco Cikatic "The Croatian Tiger"
93 Grand Prix Champion
Country: Croatia
Club: Tiger Gym/Muay Thai
Date of Birth: October 3, 1954
Height: 189 cm
Weight: 101 kg
Comments: Entered K-1 past his prime and still won the first ever GP. Hasn't done much in K-1 since 1993 though, and he is now retired.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Fransisco Filho
Country: Brazil
Club: Kyokushin Kaikan/Karate
Date of Birth: January 10, 1971
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 104 kg
Comments: Filho has completed two 100-man Kumites. He exploded into K-1 in 1997 but has been too defensive lately. In his recent superfight against Bernardo he was extremely passive and unimpressive but he has agreed to fight Mirko Filipovic, if Mirko signs, at the Osaka Eliminations this year.
K-1 Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic
Country: Croatia
Club: Cro Cop Squad/Boxing
Date of Birth: September 10, 1974
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 97 kg
Comments: Mirko is one of the top K-1 fighters right now because of his deadly speed and power, a great all-arounder. Recently defeated Bob Sapp by KO in K-1. He has stated that his dream is to become a champion in PRIDE and K-1. He's never been KO'd by punches to the head.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
"Big Daddy" Gary Goodridge
Country: Canada
Club: ?/?
Date of Birth: January 17, 1966
Height: 191 cm
Weight: 112 kg
Comments: Big slugger, former champion armwrestler who began his fighting career in UFC. Exploded into K-1 in 2002 with a controversial win over Bernardo. He now trains kickboxing with Maurice Smith, and was impressive even in his defeat at the hands of Mark Hunt by decision earlier this year.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Sam Greco
Country: Australia
Club: Team Greco/Karate
Date of Birth: May 3, 1967
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 107 kg
Comments: Greco is huge, powerful and aggresive. When he thinks he has damaged opponent he goes nuts with really long combos. He started to get injured a lot and is now retired from K-1.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Martin Holm "The Sniper"
Country: Sweden
Club: Vallentuna Boxing Camp/Muay Thai
Date of Birth: October 27, 1976
Height: 187
Weight: 98
Comments: Holm is new to the K-1 scene but has so far done very well. He lost a very close decision to Sefo at the 2002 GP Semi Finals. Very exciting fighter with good kicks and flying knees. Unfortunately he will not appear in this year's Elimination round because he injured his foot and is out for the rest of 2003. He's never been KO'd in Muay Thai competition.
K-1 Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Ernesto Hoost "Mr. Perfect"
97, 99, 00, 02 Grand Prix and K-2 Champion
Country: Holland
Club: Vos Gym/Kickboxing
Date of Birth: July 11, 1965
Height: 195 cm
Weight: 104 kg
Comments: Hoost is a four time K-1 GP Champion and the K-2 Champion...they don't call him Mr. Perfect for nothing. Hoost is a great strategic and intelligent fighter, making him the ideal threat in K-1's tournament format. Recently defeated Cyril Abidi by decision after being kicked in the groin twice.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Andy Hug "Mr. K-1"
96 Grand Prix Champion
Country: Switzerland
Club: Seido Kaikan/Karate
Date of Birth: September 7, 1964
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 98 kg
Comments: Hug was the perennial Kyokushin fighter in K-1, a very exciting guy to watch and a great sportsman. He won the GP in 1996. The Japanese fans loved him and adopted him as their own. Unfortunately Andy passed away from Leukemia in 2000.
K-1 Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Mark Hunt "Super Samoan"
01 Grand Prix Champion
Country: New Zealand
Club: Liverpool Kickboxing/Kickboxing
Date of Birth: March 23, 1974
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 114 kg
Comments: Mark Hunt won the GP in 2001 and shocked the world. This guy came up from fighting on the streets straight to the K-1 ring and did it with more class and success than Tank Abbott, needless to say. A great chin combined with heart and immensely powerful punches. There are rumors that his knees are injured and he will not be fighting for the rest of 2003. He has yet to be KO'd.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Jason Chen Profile
Alexei Ignashov "The Scorpion"
Country: Belarus
Club: Chinuk Gym/Muay Thai
Date of Birth: January 18, 1978
Height: 195 cm
Weight: 104 kg
Comments: Ignashov is young, tall, and has killer knees and kicks. He will shine in the future and has already made an impact in K-1 defeating stars like Aerts. Won the Paris GP 2003 by defeating Abidi in the finals, and KO'd Nortje recently with lowkicks in the first round of their superfight.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Albert Kraus
K-1 MAX Fighter
2002 K-1 MAX World Grand Prix Champion
Country: Holland
Club: ?/Kickboxing
Date of Birth: August 3, 1980
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 70 kg
Comments: K-1 MAX fighter and last year's MAX GP Champion. A very strong puncher and a European kickboxing champ. Lost in the finals of the MAX GP 2003 to Masato.
K-1 Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Jerome "Geronimo" LeBanner
Country: France
Club: Boerboel & Tosa Gym/Kickboxing
Date of Birth: December 26, 1972
Height: 190 cm
Weight: 120 kg
Comments: LeBanner is huge and mean. One of the more aggressive fighters and always looking for a KO, he sometimes lacks in defense. More KOs in the 1st round than anybody else in K-1. Returned from the injured list to win his fight at the Paris GP by KO.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Stefan Leko "The Master"
Country: Germany
Club: Master's Gym/Kickboxing
Date of Birth: June 3, 1974
Height: 187 cm
Weight: 97 kg
Comments: Leko is a good all-rounder, a natural light heavyweight. He shines at times but can also be inconsistent. Recently defeated Bernardo at K-1 Basel.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Masato "Silver Wolf"
2003 K-1 MAX World Grand Prix Champion
Country: Japan
Club: Silver Wolf Gym
Date of Birth: ?
Height: 174 cm
Weight: 70 kg
Comments: K-1 MAX 2003 GP Champion. Stylish MAX fighter, one of the top strikers in the K-1 MAX league. Very popular in Japan. Super fast.
K-1 Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Michael McDonald "The Black Sniper"
Country: Canada
Club: Freelance/Kickboxing
Date of Birth: February 6, 1965
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 96 kg
Comments: McDonald is a solid fighter but like Leko is built to be a light-heavyweight. He used to train with Hug but feels he was left in Hug's shadow and never received the attention he deserved. Made it to the finals of the Las Vegas GP 2003 with two impressive KO wins, but lost a decision in a war against Bonjansky.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Musashi
Country: Japan
Club: Seido Kaikan/Karate
Date of Birth: October 17, 1972
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 98 kg
Comments: Ahh, Musashi. He's got good, fast low kicks but he's too small to trade with the bigger guys of K-1. He looks good when fighting lower ranked opponents but gets overmatched anytime he makes it to the GP Finals.
K-1 Profile
Jan "The Giant" Nortje
Country: South Africa
Club: Steve's Gym/Boxing
Date of Birth: April 11, 1975
Height: 211 cm
Weight: 143 kg
Comments: Jan "The Giant" Nortje is a big guy and has some raw power but lacks quite a bit in technique and defense. He has the height and reach advantage of Schilt but doesn't have the finesse to capitalize using these.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
"John" Wayne Parr
K-1 MAX Fighter
Country: Australia
Club: ?/Muay Thai
Date of Birth: May 25, 1976
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 72 kg
Comments: Dangerous Muay Thai fighter with KO power in his hands, feet and knees. Lost to Zambidis in a bad decision.
K-1 Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Nicholas Pettas
Country: Denmark
Club: Kyokushin Kaikan/Karate
Date of Birth: January 3, 1973
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 103 kg
Comments: Pettas is a standard Kyokushin fighter. He is a smaller guy. He has been to the GP mainly because he fights at the Japanese GP qualifier. Now retired from K-1.
K-1 Profile
Rick "The Jet" Roufus
Country: United States
Club: ?/Kickboxing
Date of Birth: June 3, 1966
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 92 kg
Comments: A full contact kickboxing champ. I've only seen him lose in K-1, but those fights were against the very best.
K-1 Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Bob Sapp "The Beast"
Country: United States
Club: Maurice Smith's Kickboxing
Date of Birth: September 22, 1972
Height: 190 cm
Weight: 159 kg
Comments: Sapp has exploded onto the K-1 seen with strength, power, and...well, force? Bringing little to the table other than tremedous size, Sapp had bulldozed his competiton until his loss at the hands of Filipovic this year. Sapp is a PHENOM in Japan.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Masaaki Satake
Country: Japan
Club: Seido Kaikan/Karate
Date of Birth: August 17, 1965
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 106 kg
Comments: Satake was able to get to the finals of the GP in 1994, and that's the best he's ever done. In his prime he was pretty good, and his "invisible kick" has become a running joke here on Sherdog. Satake fought in PRIDE numerous times but was generally unsuccesful. He recently retired after Inoki Bom Ba Ye 2002.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Semmy Schilt "Hightower"
Country: Holland
Club: Team Golden Glory/Karate
Date of Birth: October 27, 1973
Height: 208 cm
Weight: 116 kg
Comments: Semmy has fought in K-1 on a few occasions and done well. His height and reach are huge advantages and it seems as though his body was built for K-1 competition. He has a background in Karate. Semmy was supposed to fight in the 2002 GP but was injured and replaced by Hoost.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Ray Sefo "Sugarfoot"
Country: New Zealand
Club: American Present Boxing Gym/Kickboxing
Date of Birth: February 15, 1971
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 105 kg
Comments: Ray is fast, powerful, and skilled. A huge fan favourite, he showboats and almost always gives an entertaining fight. One of the favourites to win the 2002 GP, he hurt his ankle and had to withdraw. He's never been KO'd.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
Maurice Smith
Country: United States
Club: Maurice Smith's Kickboxing/Kickboxing
Date of Birth: December 13, 1961
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 103 kg
Comments: Smith was an average level K-1 fighter who succesfully transitioned to MMA in the early days of the UFC. He is the trainer of Bob Sapp.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Jerrel Venetiaan
Country: Holland
Club: Vos Gym/Kickboxing
Date of Birth: March 9, 1971
Height: 195 cm
Weight: 99 kg
Comments: Hailed as the successor to Hoost's legacy in K-1; training at the same gym, his technical style is reminiscent of Hoost's. May have a slight tendency towards injury. He has competed in some MMA events as well. Recently won the K-1 GP in Basel but was later stripped after testing positive for steroids.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fight Finder Profile
Adam Watt
Country: Australia
Club: Shore Boxing Gym/Karate
Date of Birth: October 10, 1967
Height: 192 cm
Weight: 98 kg
Comments: Good kickboxers who debuted in K-1 later in his career. KO'd Bernardo badly a couple years back.
K-1 Profile
MMA Fun Profile
"Iron" Mike Zambidis
K-1 MAX Fighter
Country: Greece
Club: ?/Kickboxing
Date of Birth: ?
Height: 167 cm
Weight: 69.8 kg
Comments: K-1 MAX fighter. One of the top guys at the MAX weight level, he is basically the man to beat right now. Fights like a mini Vanderlei Silva.
K-1 Profile
Silver Wolf Profile
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