K-1 World MAX completed the semi-final round of it’s four-man tournament in Azerbaijan this passed weekend.  Along with a list of superfights, the tournament featured Buakaw Banchamek, Sung-Hyun Lee, Enriko Kehl, and Shane Campbell.  Both bouts ended in decision, as Buakaw outpointed the Korean Sung-Hyun Lee and Enriko Kehl of Germany defeats North American Shane Campbell, also by decision.

The K-1 World MAX Finals is set now for Buakaw vs. Enriko Kehl.  Be sure to follow Muay Thai Authority for the latest updates on K-1.

Results:

K-1 World MAX Semi-Final Four:

Buakaw Banchamek def. Sung-Hyun Lee via Unanimous Decision

Enriko Kehl def. Shane Campbell via Unanimous Decision

Superfights:

Ruslan Kobzev def. Dennis Ippema via Decision

Zakaria Zougarry def. Amil Shakhmarzade via TKO in Rd. 2

Miodrag Olar def. Babek Rustamov via Decision

Cedric Manhoef def. Ismat Agazade via Decision

Alim Nabiev def. Chad Sugden via Split Decision

Ziya Bayramov def. Omar El Amrani via TKO in Rd. 3

Tural Bayramov def. Marco Groh via Unanimous Decision

Samet Keser def. Daniel Lazar via Decision

George Colin def. Samir Kazimov via TKO

K-1 is set for its World MAX Final Four event, in which Buakaw, Sung Hyung Lee, Shane Campbell, and Enriko Kehl will compete in the February 23rd to qualify for the finals. The event is set for Azerbaijan where 12 fights are slated to take place with 24 fighters from across the globe.

Fight Card:

63kg: Amil Sahmarzade vs. Zakaria Zougarry
83kg: Ruslan Kobzev vs. Dennis Matthew
72kg: Babek Rustamov vs. Miodrag Olar
71kg: Alim Nabiev vs. Chad Sugden
70kg: Ziya Bayramov vs. TBA
70kg: Ismat Agazade vs. Cedric Manhoef
85kg: Samet Kesser vs. Lazar Daniel
72.5kg: Tural Bayramov vs. Mukai Maromo
70kg: Maximo Suarez vs. TBA
+100kg: Agalar Sadikhzade vs. George Colin
K-1 World MAX Final Four: Shane Campbell vs. Enriko Kehl
K-1 World MAX Final Four: Buakaw Banchamek vs. Sung Hyung Lee

The first part of the K-1 World Max Quarterfinals took place yesterday in Foshan, China. Buakaw Banchamek defeated Zhou Zhi Peng in an extra round decision. Peng did a good job turning the fight into somewhat of a brawl, although it seemed Buakaw did enough to win the decision the judges sent it to an extra frame. Buakaw suffered a cut from a headbutt, however, he made sure to establish dominance in the extra round to take the fight and advance in the tournament. 

In the other quarterfinal bout Shane Campbell defeated Christopher Mena by decision. Campbell knocked Mena down in the second round after connecting with a knee to the body and then once again with only ten second left in the third round after connecting with a big over hand right. With the win Campbell ends a fantastic year in which he has gone 5-0.

In other action Kong Hong Xing scored a big win by decision over Thai powerhouse Saenchai.

Results:

K-1 Max World Max Quarterfinals:

Buakaw Banchamek def. Zhou Zhi Peng via Extra Round Decision

Shame Campbell def. Christopher Mena via Decision

Kong Hong Xing def. Saenchai PKSaenchaimuaythaigym via Decision

Han Kai Hu def. Chengrob via Decision

Zhang Kai Yin def. Rachen via KO in Rd. 2

Li Ning def. Suthin via (T)KO in Rd. 3

Xie Lei def. Pasol via Decision

The K-1 Max Quarterfinal bout between Andy Souwer and Enriko Kehl scheduled for this weekend’s K-1 event will not longer be taking place. Both Souwer and Kehl were forced to withdraw from the event, Souwer after having surgery due to appendicitis and Kehl because of a cut he received from his recent fight with Buakaw that will not be healed in time. 

Shane Campbell will now fight the winner of the tournament reserve bout Christopher Mena at this weekend at the K-1 event in China instead of Mazimo Suarez at the the January 11th K-1 event in Spain. Due to the shuffle Suarez will now fight Enriko Kehl at the January 11th event, while it seems that Souwer is no longer in the tournament.

 

Fight Card:

World Max Tournament Quarterfinals

Buakaw Banchamek vs. Zhou Zhipeng

Shane Campbell Christopher Mena

China vs. Thailand Series

Kong Hong Xing vs. Saenchai

Li Ning vs. Sutin

Han Kai Hu vs. Chengrob

Zhang Kai Yin vs. Rachen

Xie Lei vs. Pasol

The K-1 MAX quarterfinal bouts have been broken up into two events. The first of the two events has already been announced for December 28 in Foshan, China which will feature the quarterfinal bouts of Buakaw Banchamek vs. Zhou Zhipeng and Andy Souwer vs. Enriko Kehl. The remaining quarterfinal bouts of Shane Champbell vs. Maximo Suarez and Elam Ngor vs. Lee Sung-Hyun will take place on January 11, 2014 in Gran Canaria, Spain. 

Campbell will look to build on his current six fight win streak since returning to Muay Thai and Kickboxing after a break to focus on MMA. He has defeated Remy Bonnel, Troy Sheridan, Justin Greskiewicz, and Wallace Lopez during his current win streak.

Fight Card:

World Max Tournament Quarterfinals

Shane Campbell vs. Maximo Suarez

Elam Ngor vs. Lee Sung-Hyun

Damian Garcia vs. Alcorac Caballero

David Calvo vs. Chad Sugden

Moises Baute vs. Razvan Floria

Alejandro Rodriguez vs. Tural Bayrmov

Aitor Alonso vs. TBA

Not too many changes to the middleweight rankings this time around. Spots one through three remain the same. 

Former number four Chaz Mulkey falls off the rankings after not having competed in over a year, he last fought at K-1 against Kit Cope in early September of 2012. Troy Sheridan moves up to number four and Cyrus Washington shifts from the super welterweight rankings to take the number five spot in the middleweight rankings.

1. Ky Hollenbeck (16-2-1) (@KyHollenbeck)

Hollenbeck made an unexpected return
to action after having undergone ACL surgery. Captain America returned to
action on short notice at Glory 10 to take on Kickboxing veteran Albert Kraus
and as we have become accustomed, Hollenbeck added another top name to his win
list. He defeated Kraus by unanimous decision in what is a huge win on his
fight back. His next bout is currently unknown but will likely be under the
Glory banner.

2. Shane Campbell (50-10) (@ShaolinStyleMMA)

Shane Campbell has gone 6-0 since
returning back to active Muay Thai competition a little over a year ago. Most
recently he defeated Wallace Lopez in the opening round of the K-1 World Max
2013 tournament with a body kick. With the huge win he advances in the
tournament and there are some interesting potential match ups for him in the
tournament with Buakaw and Andy Souwer both part of the tournament. It will be
interesting to see who Campbell is matched up with next.

3. Jesse Miles (15-3)

Miles returned to action after a
year long layoff with an impressive knockout over Guiseppe D’amuri at Challenger 7 “Heavy Duty”. Miles has not fought often
in the last few years, but is still one of the top middleweights in North
America. His next bout is currently unknown.

4. Troy Sheridan (7-2) (@SheridanMMA)
Sheridan most recently competed in the Road to Glory USA tournament. He made it
to the tournament final where he dropped a close decision to Michael Mananquil.
He won’t have to wait long, however, to try and avenge the loss as he will
re-match Mananquil on the under card of Glory 11 in Chicago. The Canadian
fighter is one of North America’s top up and coming fighters and someone you
should keep an eye on.

 5.
Cyrus Washington (54-23-1) (@BlackDynamiteMT)
Washington had a three fight winning streak stopped by Moses Tor Sangtiennoi at
Push Kick Promotions “World Stand Off 5”. Washington looked solid in the fight,
but Moses was just a step ahead in the bout. Washington is one of the most
active fighters from the U.S. and is a stiff challenge for anyone that steps in
the ring with him. His next bout is currently unknown but don’t expect
Washington to have a long layoff.

The K-1 World Max Final 16 took place this Saturday in Mallorca, Spain and some big names were in action including Buakaw and Andy Souwer. As expected both fighters won their bouts to advance in the tournament. Buakaw defeated David Calvo by knockout in the first round after connecting with a big punch to the body. Souwer defeated Yasuhiro Kido by decision, although he was cut open in the bout and the doctor’s did take a close look at the cut before allowing him to finish the bout.

Two North American fighters were also in action on the card. Canada’s Shane Campbell scored and impressive first round knockout over Wallace Lopes with a body kick and America’s Joey Pagliuso dropped a competitive decision to Zhou Zhipeng.

You can read the full results from of the K-1 World Max Final 16 below.

Results:

Final 16 Bouts

Andy Souwer def. Yasuhiro Kido via Decision

Buakaw Banchamek def. David Calvo via KO in Rd. 1

Maximo Suarez def. Miodrag Olar via Decision

Lee Sung-Hyun def. Charles Francois via Decision

Shane Campbell def. Wallace Lopes via KO in Rd. 1

Enriko Kehl def. Henri van Opstal via Decision

Zhou Zhipeng def. Joey Pagliuso via Decision

Elam Ngor def. Ismat Aghazade via KO in Rd.3

Reserve Bout

Christopher Mena def. Chad Sugden via Decision

Qualifier Bout 

Frank Munoz def. Damien Garcia via Decision

K-1 has release the opening round draw for the World MAX Final 16 tournament. Some big names are in the tournament including Buakaw Banchamek as he makes his return to K-1, Andy Souwer, and Mike Zambidis. North America will also be represented as America’s Joey Pagliuso and Canda’s Shane Campbell will be looking to make their mark.

The World MAX Final 16 will take place September 14, in Mallorca, Spain. The event will be available for streaming online. 

Fight Card:

Andy Souwer (Netherlands) vs. Yasuhiro Kido (Japan)

Buakaw Banchamek (Thailand) vs. David Calvo (Spain)

Shane Campbell (Canada) vs. Wallace Lopez (Brazil)

Lee Sung-Hyun (South Korea) vs. Francois Alexande (France)

Zhou Zhi-Peng (China) vs. Joey Pagliuso (USA)

Maximo Suarez (Spain) vs. Miodrag Olar (Romania)

Henri Van Opstal (Netherlands) vs. Enriko Kehl (Germany)

Mike Zambidis (Geece) vs. Elam Ngor (Spain)

The 2013 K-1 World MAX Final 16 is set for September 14, 2013 in Mallorca, Spain. Some of the biggest news to come from K-1 recently is that Buakaw Banchamek will be fighting in the tournament alongside fighters like Andy Souwer and Abraham Roqueni. 

Two North American fighters will also be active in the tournament. Canada’s Shanes Campbell and America’s Joey Pagliuso will look to stun the Kickboxing world when they step into the ring on September, 14. A win for either fighter would be huge, but a solid showing in the tournament would also help raise their stock.

Expected Fighters for K-1 World MAX Final 16:

Andy Souwer (Holland)
Mike Zambidis (Greece)
Abraham Roqueni (Spain)
Joey Pagliuso (USA)
Wallace Lopes (Brazil)
David Calvo (Spain)
Shane Campbell (Canada)
Lee Sun Hyun (Korea)
Buakaw (Thailand)
Enriko Kehl (Germany)
Chad Sugden (UK)
Maximo Suarez (Spain)
Elam Ngor (Spain)
Kido Yasuhiro (Japan)
Henri Van Opstal (Holland)
Charles Francois (France)

Some changes to the pound for pound rankings since the last update. Spots one though six go unchanged, Andrew Tate and Shane Campbell each move up one slot to take the seven and eight positions. Joseph Valtellini and Michael Mananquil re-enter the pound for pound rankings at nine and ten. After a three fight losing streak Romie Adanza slides off the rankings, and after a 1-3 stretch Joe Schilling falls off the rankings as well.

1. Simon Marcus
(34-0) (@SimonMarcusNo1)
After jumping becoming the number one light heavyweight in the world Marcus has
fought twice. He first defeated Dmitry Valent in China
by decision and most recently Suriya Prasathinphimai by decision in Thailand. The “Bad
Bwoy” is rumored to be fighting on the next Push Kick Promotions card in
September, but no opponent has been named for him as of yet. The match up fans
want to see is Simon Marcus vs. Steven Wakeling, but other interesting matches
would be against Damian Bujan of Argentina, or L’houcine “Aussie”
Ouzgni

2.
Ky Hollenbeck (15-2-1)
Hollenbeck has clearly established himself as the top name from the United States.
Most recently he lost to Giorgio Petrosyan in the Glory Final 8 when he
suffered a knee injury in the second round. Aside from a knockdown in round
one, Hollenbeck was going toe-to-toe with Petrosyan. His unique style has
served him well in his career, earning (T)KO victories over Michael Corley and
Cyrus Washington earlier in the year. When he will be back in action is unknown
yet as he had to undergo surgery to repair his ACL, but you can be certain that
Hollenbeck will only be involved in big fights.

3.
Gregory Choplin (55-10)
Now based out of Miami,
Choplin was riding a nice four fight win streak before being knocked out by
Yodsanklai at Lion Fight 8 this past January. Since then Choplin got back on
the winning track with a decision victory over Gil Silva. Choplin is expected
to fight Thai fighter Duochonlek at WBC World Muay Thai Millennium Championship
this upcoming September in France. 

4.
Matt Embree (23-4) (@MT_Matics)
Embree saw his first action of 2013 at Push Kick Promotions “World Stand Off”
where he defeated Ben Yelle by unanimous decision. Known for his technical
style, “Matics” has expressed interest in fighting only the best. Embree will
battle Kevin Ross at Lion Fight 10 to end the debate of who the best 140lb
fighter is in North America. The fight will be
televised on AXS TV.

5.
Kevin Ross (19-8) (@DaSoulAssassin)
Ross returned from ACL surgery in January to take home a unanimous decision
over Chris Kwiatkowski at Lion Fight 8. In his most recent at Lion Fight 9 he
went the distance against Bernie Mendieta and pulled out a razor thin split
decision. With two fights under his belt now Ross will take on Matt Embree in a
fight that fans have been asking for. The winner will undoubtedly be considered
the best 140lb fighter in North America.

6.
Chike Lindsay (19-4)
Lindsay is currently riding a five fight win streak which includes wins over
Muay Thai legend Somluck Kamsing and Christophe Pruvost. Lindsay scored a (T)KO
over James Martinez at Bangkok Fight Night “Shockwave” in his most recent win.
Lindsay is one of America’s
best talents and will be put to the test when he faces Yodsanklai Fairtex at
Lion Fight 10 on July 26^th. If Lindsay can pull out a victory over a
legend like Yodsanklai his stock would rise tremendously.

7.
Andrew Tate (17-3-1) (@CobraTate)
American Andrew Tate has been based out of England for quite some time now and
has made his name fighting internationally. After losing in the finals of the
Enfusion tournament this past December, Tate has now won back to back fights. His
most recent win coming
 at the Enfusion London event in which he defeated Marlon Hunt in a
decisive unanimous decision. His next fight is currently not known, but should
continue to be a main stay for Enfusion.

8.
Shane Campbell (49-10) (@ShaolinStyleMMA)
Shane Campbell has gone 5-0 since returning to Muay Thai after a three year
hiatus. In January he defeated Remy Bonnel by unanimous decision at Lion Fight
9, he then defeated Sean McKinnon by unanimous decision to win the Journey
Fight Series 160lb tournament in March. His most recent win came over Justin
Greskiewicz at the K-1 qualifiers in Calgary,
Alberta, Canada.
He stopped Greskiewicz with knees in the first round. Campbell’s next bout is currently unknown.

9.
Joseph Valtellini (9-1) (@BazookaJoeV)
Valtellini is currently on a three fight win streak and is 2-0 since joining
the Glory ranks. After earning an impressive stoppage of veteran Murat Direkci
at Glory 6 in Istanbul, Valtellini scored a
stoppage over Francois Ambang due to leg kicks at Glory 9 in New York. One of the sports brightest young
talents, Valtellini is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with and a fan
favorite. His next bout is currently unknown but is expected to be for Glory.

10.
Michael Mananquil (19-4)
Michael Mananquil is now 5-0 since moving to the 154lb division. He most
recently won the Road to Glory USA
154lb tournament. Despite being known as a technical fighter, Mananquil has
shown that he is not afraid to let the leather fly and get involved in an all
out war. One of the most intriguing fights at 154 would be against Chike
Lindsay. Currently Mananquil’s next fight is unknown but will take most likely
take place for Glory when he makes is official debut for them.

Rankings qualification – Muay Thai and Kickboxing bouts are all taken into
consideration for the rankings. These rankings are not only based on Muay Thai
Fights as many fighters compete in both full rules Muay Thai and Kickboxing
bouts. Fighters are not to be inactive for any period longer than 12 months or
they will be dropped from the rankings unless a fight is schedule within a
month from the date they become ineligible. Fighters must be born in North
America or permanently reside in North America
and are active in the North American fight circuit are eligible for the
rankings.