With the conclusion of the K–1 World GP 2010 Final 16 producing eight winners, the K – 1 finals features a mix of veterans and newcomers vying to be the 2010 K–1 tournament world champion. Semmy Schilt looks to repeat as champion while former champion Peter Aerts and the surging Alistair Overeem provide formidable challenges. Young guns Tyrone Spong and Gokhan Saki look to make their marks in what should be a night of thrilling matchups.
Preview K–1 Finals in Japan, December 2010
A single elimination tournament, the K–1 champion must win three matches in one night, which requires a mix of durability, strategy, and luck. The tournament draw produces interesting first round match ups which favor defending champion Semmy Schilt while creating what should be a series of gritty and exciting fights. Alistair Overeem, who dominated Ben Edwards in his last fight, has a difficult road to the final fight, but his run to the title could be the story of the tournament.
Approaching the age of 40, Peter Aerts was a multiple K–1 World GP champion in the 1990s while producing several strong showings since then. Meeting Mighty Mo in the quarter finals, Aerts is the crafty veteran with a sizeable advantage in experience, but also a lot of wear and tear on his body. He looked great in his victory over Eweton Teixeira, while the larger Mighty Mo carries devastating power in his punches. Look for Aerts to ride his punching combinations followed by kicks as he outpaces Mo to a decision victory.
Semmy Schilt meets the Kyotaro, the surprise representative from Japan who gutted out a victory over the dangerous Jerome LeBanner. Schilt's massive reach and high knees have effectively shut down opponents, and while representing the home crowd, a game Kyotaro will not have much to offer against Schilt. Look for Kyotaro to work on the outside before darting in to score points as Schilt stalks him down taking little damage on his way to a second round knockout.
Gokhan Saki and Daniel Ghita will see Saki try and swarm his opponent, setting a quick pace while looking for a knockout. Ghita showed solid defense in his knockout win over Errol Zimmerman, and if he weathers Saki’s storm, he is good enough to puncture Saki’s defense. Saki will come out aggressively and a quick hook or cross may send him to the floor, but look for him to throw and score more blows than Ghita to take the decision.
Tyrone Spong versus Alistair Overeem has the potential for fight of the night. One of the smaller fighters in the tournament, Spong is an explosive fighter who was Overeem’s sparring partner for several years. Knowing each other’s style and game means they know each other’s weaknesses and how to exploit them. The massive Overeem has less kickboxing experience and has had mixed success against K–1’s elite fighters. Look for Spong to land a variety of combinations, damaging Overeem, who has the ability to land the more powerful shots. Overeem takes a decision, but in doing so takes a considerable amount of damage from the wily Spong.
Semmy Schilt and Peter Aerts should meet in the quarterfinals with Schilt being the more rested fighter. They have fought four times with each winning twice against the other and fighting to a decision three times. As veterans of K–1, they know how to pace themselves for the tournament, and look for a slower paced first and second round as they measure each other through exchanged combinations. Schilt’s reach advantage remains the difference and while Aerts may try to stage a third round rally, the fresher Schilt will shut him down and take the victory to move into the finals
Gokhan Saki versus Alistair Overeem has the potential for fireworks although both fighters should be sporting damage from their first round match ups. A smaller fighter, Gokhan Saki has bite, but will not be able to take Overeem’s power. If he can successfully use his leg kicks and cross to keep Overeem at range, he could pull the upset of the tournament. Look for Saki to try and play the outside as Overeem stalks him down and knocks him out in the second round.
K – 1 World GP 2010 Finals Predictions
While it is quite possible Peter Aerts has a Cinderella run, taking a decision over Semmy Schilt before avenging a previous loss against Overeem in the finals, he will be severely damaged from the quarter- and semi – finals, and will likely fall before Overeem in that scenario. Overeem has the easiest route to the finals, facing smaller fighters that he can overpower although Spong may surprise him.
Alistair Overeem and Semmy Schilt is the match that many fans wanted to see in the quarterfinal round when the tournament brackets were drawn. They should meet in the finals with Semmy Schilt being the fresher fighter. Overeem has power while Schilt has the reach to keep him at bay. Schilt can use his high knees when Overeem closes in with his hooks. Schilt has shown himself to be a durable fighter with an advantage in experience. Look for these attributes as Schilt slows the pace of the fight towards a lackluster but deserved repeat as the K–1 World GP 2010 champion.
The K–1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final will be held in Japan on December 11, 2010.
Brian Jungwiwattanaporn - Living an eclectic life, Brian has found online writing a great way to share and explore his interests. Having recently complete a ...
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