|
K-1 is a combat sport that combines standup techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Kickboxing and traditional boxing among others. The recently formed division called K-1 MMA promotes fights based on mixed martial arts rules where techniques from grappling sports such a wrestling and Brazilian jiu jitsu are permited as well.
There is a lightweight division in K-1 called K-1 MAX.
The sport was first formed in 1980 by Kazuyoshi Ishii in Japan. In 1982, a K-1 fight was televised for the first time.
Tactics
The principal object of K-1 is to win by either knockout or by decision. Fights are fought inside a ring, like in boxing, and they are fought for up to three rounds, of three minutes each. Victories are usually achieved by hurting the opponent with kicks to the legs or the head, or using traditional boxing punches, such as the jab, cross or uppercut.
Classic defensive boxing stance is rather ineffective against leg kicks, and fighters are more or less forced to constantly move and counterattack, which is certainly one of the reasons why K-1 fights are seen by many as more dynamic and exciting than boxing fights.
No major K-1 tragedies have been reported; nonetheless, the risk of sustaining a serious injury still exists.
History
History of K-1 can be called history of Seido-kaikan which is a school of karate started K-1.
Kazuyoshi Ishii found his own karate organization "New Japan Karatedo Federation Seido-kan" (新日本空手道連盟正道館) in 1980 after he resigned "Kyokushin-kaikanAshihara dojo"(極真会館芦原道場)which he had belonged.
Mr.Ishii began to send his student to other organizations competitions to show their ability since 1986.
Mr.Ishii held "K-1 GRAND PRIX 93" in 30 April 1993. It was a dream meeting because of its concept which was to decide the strongest martial artist in a night. Branco Cikatic won the touranament after he knocked out Changpuek kiatsongrit,Masaaki Satake and Ernest Hoost.
There was "K-2 GRAND PRIX 93" which was a tournament of Light heavyweight class. Ernest Hoost knocked out Changpuek kiatsongrit in a final match was a winner.
Popularity
The sport is popular principally in Brazil, Japan, and the United States, where it is banned in most states. Most K-1 contests in the United States take place in Las Vegas. The sports events are frequently shown on Pay Per View television or ESPN 2 in the United States.
K-1 Grand Prix
Each year, the countries where the sport is not banned hold a tournament that ultimately determines who will represent their country in the K-1 Grand Prix, held in Japan during November. Representation is similar to qualifying for the Olympic Games in that many participants fight for the right to represent their country each year, but only one (the winner of each country), goes on to the Grand Prix tournament, where one contestant emerges as the world champion.
K-1 Grand Prix champions to date
- 1993 - Branko Cikatic
- 1994 - Peter Aerts
- 1995 - Peter Aerts
- 1996 - Andy Hug
- 1997 - Ernesto Hoost
- 1998 - Peter Aerts
- 1999 - Ernesto Hoost
- 2000 - Ernesto Hoost
- 2001 - Mark Hunt
- 2002 - Ernesto Hoost
- 2003 - Remy Bonjasky
- 2004 - Remy Bonjasky
Other notable K-1 fighters
Traditional boxing stars at the K-1 tournament
Late in 2003, Bob Sapp challenged Mike Tyson, the former world Heavyweight boxing champion, to a K-1 fight. While Tyson did not accept the offer immediately, he was signed as a K-1 fighter in 2004. Others who have made the transition from traditional boxers to K-1 fighters include:
| 
