K-1

K-1
Company type	Private
Industry	Martial-arts promotion
Founded	1993
Founder	Kazuyoshi Ishii
Headquarters	Unit A, 3/F., Queen’s Centre, 58-64 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Key people	Gunil "Mike" Kim (CEO); Douglas Kaplan (COO); Masato (executive producer); Eduard Irimia (matchmaker, SuperKombat)
Owner	K-1 Global Holdings Limited
Website	Official website

K-1 is a world-wide kickboxing promotion founded in Tokyo, Japan by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a former Kyokushin karate practitioner. Its rules are similar to those of kickboxing but they have been simplified to promote exciting matches that may end in a knockout win.^[3] The main difference between K-1 rules and kickboxing is the use of knees, allowed in K-1 but not in international kickboxing.

Name

The letter K in K-1 is officially designated by the organisation as a representation of words karate, kickboxing and kung fu.^[3] Nevertheless, some reports suggest that it represents the initial K found in competing disciplines such as karate, kickboxing, kung fu, kempo, kakutougi (the generic Japanese term for "combat sports"), and [tae] kwon do.^[2] Yet another theory claims that the K simply comes from kakutougi and the "1" component pertains to the single weight division (in earlier competition) and the champion's unique position.^[4] Nevertheless, the promotion held several tournaments under K-2 and K-3 banners from 1993 to 1995.

History

K-1's predecessor Seidokaikan Karate was formed in 1980 by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a former Kyokushin karate practitioner who had formed his own organization to help promote the best stand-up martial artists. Seidokaikan arranged several successful challenge events against other martial arts organizations, originally using rules based on the Kyokushin Knockdown karate rules, but gradually adapting and changing closer to kickboxing rules. In 1993, Mr. Ishii founded the K-1 organization exclusively as a kickboxing organization, closely cooperating with, but independent from Seidokaikan.^[4]

Broadcast deal

On November 21, 2008 HDNet Fights announced its partnership with then owner Fighting and Entertainment Group to air K-1 events in North America.^[5]

On March 30, 2010 K-1 has teamed up with one of their broadcast partners, Fuji TV, to film the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Yokohama in 3D, being the first combat sports show to be filmed fully in 3D.^[6]

On August 2012, K-1 announced a broadcast partnership with Spike.^[7]

Financial Problems

Starting in 2010, multiple stories began to surface regarding the financial troubles of K-1 and their parent company FEG.^[8] Simon Rutz, the owner of the Dutch-based kickboxing promotion It's Showtime, claimed in January 2011 that some fighters from It's Showtime had not been paid for fights in K-1.^[9]

In early 2011, the company publicly announced that they were facing financial problems and would take some months off to restructure. It has been speculated that the financial problems are severe, so FEG can end up losing the ownership of K-1.^[10]

The organization along with most of its trademarks (with the notable exception of K-1 MAX) was sold to Japanese real estate firm Barbizon Co. Ltd. on July 28, 2011.^[11] It was reported on February 1, 2012 that EMCOM Entertainment Inc. purchased K-1 from Barbizon under curious circumstances.^[12]

K-1 Global

In March 2012, It's Showtime announced that EMCOM Entertainment established the new company K-1 Global Holdings Ltd. in Hong Kong. EMCOM/K-1 Global's agreement with It's Showtime made many fighters under It's Showtime promotion sign contracts to appear in upcoming K-1 Global events.^[13]

The first K-1 event presented by K-1 Global Holdings Ltd. and named K-1 Rising in Madrid that featured four K-1 World GP Heavyweight Superfights along with the K-1 World MAX 2012 World Championship Tournament Final 16 entries was held in May 2012.

It was announced in June 2012 that It's Showtime was purchased by Glory Sports International, eventually to be merged in their new promotion GLORY.^[14]

SuperKombat agreement

On August 10, 2012 K-1's co-promotion agreement with Romanian-based kickboxing promotion SuperKombat was announced.^[15]

List of K-1 events

Every year there are dozens of other K-1 qualifying tournaments and preliminaries all over the world.

To date K-1 has held events in 38 countries.

The following is a list of countries that K-1 has held events in chronological order:

Japan (1993–2011)
Netherlands (1994, 2001–2003 and 2006–2010)
France (1995, 2002–2008 and 2010)
Switzerland (1995–1999 2000, and 2003)
United States (1998, 2000–2008 and 2012)
Australia (2000–2005 and 2010)
England (2000, 2002–2004 and 2006–2007)
Italy (2000–2008)
Germany (2000–2008)
Belarus (2000 and 2010)
Croatia (2000, 2002, 2007, and 2009–2010)
South Africa (2000–2002 and 2006)
New Zealand (2000–2006)
Czech Republic (2000–2001 and 2006–2009)
Denmark (2001)
Ukraine (2001–2002, 2006 and 2010)
Spain (2002–2004, 2009, 2011-2012)
Brazil (2002–2006)
Sweden (2003–2010)
Russia (2003, 2006, and 2010)
Bosnia and Herzegovina (2003–2004 and 2009)
Scotland (2004)
Portugal (2004 and 2006)
Poland (2004 and 2007–2010)
South Korea (2004–2010)
Canary Islands (2005–2006 and 2009)
Slovenia (2005–2006 and 2008)
Hungary (2005–2010)
Lithuania (2006–2007 and 2010)
Latvia (2006–2008)
Turkey (2007 and 2010)
Belgium (2007)
Estonia (2007 and 2009)
Romania (2007 and 2009–2010)
Hong Kong (2007)
Austria (2008)
Taiwan (2008)
Moldova (2009–2010)

Tournament format

K-1 Grand Prix

Original K-1 Grand Prix was a single event tournament held in Japan where competitors participated on invitation. By 1998, K-1 introduced the K-1 World Grand Prix format composed of K-1 Regional Elimination Tournaments (theoretically amounting to six), which qualify fighters for the K-1 World Grand Prix Final, along with licensed K-1 Fighting Network events designed to hold national preliminaries for regional qualification. However, given the fact that K-1's popularity differs greatly among six K-1 regions, which may limit the number of actual elimination tournaments or change locations. For example, K-1 attempted to gain popularity in the United States by holding two GPs, however only a few Americans have ever qualified for the Finals. In 2006 one of the American GPs was relocated to Auckland, New Zealand. Additionally the K-1 Paris GP lost its qualifying right in favor of Amsterdam.

K-1 World Grand Prix Final Eliminator ("Final 16") is an event where 16 participants compete for the final eight spots in the Final ("Final 8"). Eight participants from the Final Eliminator meet at the K-1 World Grand Prix Final that was traditionally held at Tokyo Dome. It should be noted that lesser elements in the tournament format have been significantly modified in years.

K-1 World MAX and other

By 2002, K-1 started the K-1 World MAX ("Middleweight Artistic Xtreme") tournament for 70 kg (154 lb) Middleweight division, following a similar scheme to K-1 World Grand Prix (with theoretically four regional eliminators). In 2007, K-1 introduced two new Title belts separate from K-1 World GP Champions, Super Heavyweight World Title for fighters over 100 kg/220 lbs and Heavyweight World Title for fighters under 100 kg/156–220 lbs.

Rules

Each match is three or five rounds in duration, with each round lasting three minutes.
The match can end by Knockout, Technical Knockout, Decision, Disqualification, Draw or No Contest.
Both the referee and the ring doctor have full authority to stop the fight.
The fight is scored by three judges on a ten-point must system (The winner of each round receives ten points, and the loser receives nine or less. If the round is even, both competitors receive ten points).
If there is a draw after three rounds, the judges' scores are thrown out and one or two extra three-minute rounds are contested. The judges' decision will then come from the scoring of each extra round only. If, after the extra round(s), there is still a draw, the judges will decide a winner based on the flow of the entire match, considering even the slightest difference. A fight can only end in a draw if both fighters go down at the same time and cannot get up, or in the case of accidental injury in the late stages of the contest.
The three-knockdown rule is in effect (three knockdowns in a round results in a technical knockout).
The mandatory eight count is in effect (the referee must count to at least "eight" on all knockdowns).
The standing eight count is in effect (the referee has the right to declare a knockdown on a fighter who appears to be in a dangerous condition to continue in the match).
A fighter can be saved by the bell only in the last round.

In K-1 single elimination tournament matches:

Each match is three rounds in duration.
The three-knockdown rule becomes a two-knockdown rule for all matches except the final.
One or two reserve fights are held prior to the single elimination matches. If for any reason a fighter who wins and advances through the brackets is unable to continue, a reserve match competitor, or the fighter's opponent from the most recent match, takes his place. There are certain exceptions to this rule (i.e. a fighter who lost a match by knockout might not be eligible to replace another fighter).

Source: K-1 Website

Fouls

The following actions in K-1 are considered fouls:^[16]

Using the head or elbow to deliver a blow
Attacking the opponent in the groin
Delivering wrestling or judo throwing or submission techniques
Thumbing, choking or biting the opponent
Punching the opponent in the throat
Attacking the opponent while he is down or in the process of getting up
Attacking the opponent after the referee calls a break
Holding the ropes
Using offensive language to the referee
Attacking the back of the head with a punch
Attempting to cause the opponent to fall out of the ring
Voluntarily exiting the ring during the course of a match
Attacking an opponent who turns around and shows his back (if the opponent loses his will to fight)
Delivering a backspin blow in an unauthorized area
Charging inside the opponent's arms with the head held low (inducing a head-butt)
Fighting in a passive manner (without attacking), including continuous holding and clinching
Attacking more than once while holding the opponent's kicking leg, or while holding the opponent's neck with both hands

A fighter is penalized as follows:

Caution – verbal reprimand by the referee
Warning – fighter is shown a yellow card
Point Deduction – fighter is shown a red card

Two cautions result in one warning. Two warnings result in a point deduction, and three point deductions in one round can result in a disqualification.

A red card is shown automatically if a fighter commits a foul with malicious intent.

Reception

The sport is very popular in Japan, Korea, Brazil and in Europe but enjoys only limited popularity in the United Kingdom and the United States. K-1 is rarely broadcast on English television, and the majority of US states does not sanction fight events, therefore K-1 fights are banned. To date, all K-1 tournaments in the US have taken place in Las Vegas or Honolulu (with one exception: Milwaukee 2001).

The events are frequently shown on Tokyo Broadcasting System and Fuji TV in Japan, XTM in South Korea, Combate (channel) and SporTV in Brazil, HDNet ("HDNet Fights") in the United States and on Eurosport in Europe. Reruns of older events are also aired on The Fight Network in Canada and Star Sports in India. Smaller K-1 sanctioned events are also broadcast in other countries by national and local sport channels.

There have been a few alleged nationality biased controversies as well. On May 13, 2006, an all-Dutch judging panel decided in favor of Remy Bonjasky from Netherlands against Jerome Le Banner from France at the K-1 World Grand Prix in Amsterdam. Many thought Jerome Le Banner had won the contest but judges had a slim majority decision in favor of the Dutch fighter Bonjasky (30–30, 29–28, 30–28). Le Banner filed a protest and K-1 officials from Japan and the United States reviewed the match based on current K-1 Grand Prix judging criteria and two weeks later on June 30, 2006, the result was reversed and Jerome Le Banner was officially announced as the new winner.

List of K-1 world champions

Full list of all the K-1 tournament champions see List of K-1 champions.

K-1 World Grand Prix Champions

Year	Champion	Nationality	Runner-up	Nationality
1993	Branko Cikatić	Croatia	Ernesto Hoost	Netherlands
1994	Peter Aerts	Netherlands	Masaaki Satake	Japan
1995	Peter Aerts	Netherlands	Jérôme Le Banner	France
1996	Andy Hug	Switzerland	Mike Bernardo	South Africa
1997	Ernesto Hoost	Netherlands	Andy Hug	Switzerland
1998	Peter Aerts	Netherlands	Andy Hug	Switzerland
1999	Ernesto Hoost	Netherlands	Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović	Croatia
2000	Ernesto Hoost	Netherlands	Ray Sefo	New Zealand
2001	Mark Hunt	New Zealand	Francisco Filho	Brazil
2002	Ernesto Hoost	Netherlands	Jerome Le Banner	France
2003	Remy Bonjasky	Netherlands	Musashi	Japan
2004	Remy Bonjasky	Netherlands	Musashi	Japan
2005	Semmy Schilt	Netherlands	Glaube Feitosa	Brazil
2006	Semmy Schilt	Netherlands	Peter Aerts	Netherlands
2007	Semmy Schilt	Netherlands	Peter Aerts	Netherlands
2008	Remy Bonjasky	Netherlands	No runner-up (Badr Hari disqualified)
2009	Semmy Schilt	Netherlands	Badr Hari	Morocco
2010	Alistair Overeem	Netherlands	Peter Aerts	Netherlands

K-1 World Grand Prix Tables

Fighters	Titles	Runner-up	Third place	Appearance in Finals
Ernesto Hoost	4 (1997, 1999, 2000, 2002)	1 (1993)	3 (1995, 1996, 2006)	11 (1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006)
Semmy Schilt	4 (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009)	0	1 (2010)	5 (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010)
Peter Aerts	3 (1994, 1995, 1998)	3 (2006, 2007, 2010)	2 (1997, 2003)	17 (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010)
Remy Bonjasky	3 (2003, 2004, 2008)	0	3 (2005, 2007, 2009)	7 (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
Andy Hug	1 (1996)	2 (1997, 1998)	0	5 (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
Branko Cikatić	1 (1993)	0	1 (1994)	2 (1993, 1994)
Mark Hunt	1 (2001)	0	1 (2002)	2 (2001, 2002)
Alistair Overeem	1 (2010)	0	1 (2009)	2 (2009, 2010)