Kickboxing promotion
M-1 Sports Media Ltd.
|
Company type
| Private
|
---|
Industry
| Martial-arts entertainment planning and promotion
|
---|
Founded
| 1993
|
---|
Founders
| Kazuyoshi Ishii
|
---|
Headquarters
| ,
|
---|
Owner
| M-1 Sports Media Co., Ltd
|
---|
Website
| k-1.co.jp
|
---|
K-1
is a professional
kickboxing
promotion established in 1993 by
karateka
Kazuyoshi Ishii
.
Originally under the ownership of the
Fighting and Entertainment Group
(FEG), K-1 was considered to be the largest Kickboxing organization in the world.
[1]
The organization was known for its
heavyweight
division fights and Grand Prix
tournaments
.
[2]
K-1 also promoted
mixed martial arts
events, with some events having both kickboxing and MMA matches on their cards (such as their
Dynamite!!
series). The promotion has also held several tournaments under K-2 and K-3 banners from 1993 to 1995.
FEG would later face financial issues in the 2010s, and eventually went bankrupt in 2012.
[3]
That same year, K-1 Global Holdings Limited, a company registered in Hong Kong, acquired the rights to K-1. In 2023, global rights to the K-1 brand were acquired by M-1 Sports Media.
[4]
[5]
[6]
The letter
K
in K-1 is officially designated as a representation of words
karate
,
kickboxing
and
kung fu
. 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
taekwondo
.
[7]
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.
[8]
K-1 has its own unique ruleset different from other styles of Kickboxing. Because it has become so popular, K-1 is also seen as its own style of kickboxing and sometimes is erroneously considered as a standalone martial art/combat sport.
[9]
Kickboxing
governing bodies
such as the
ISKA
and WKN have also crowned their own "K-1 rules" champions.
[10]
[11]
History
[
edit
]
Early years
[
edit
]
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.
[12]
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 exclusively as a kickboxing organization, closely cooperating with, but independent from Seidokaikan.
[8]
In 2010, rumours began to surface regarding financial issues with K-1, and parent company
FEG
.
[13]
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.
[14]
In early 2011, FEG publicly announced that they were facing financial problems and that the organization would take some months off to restructure. Many fighters and managers spoke out against FEG, due to unpaid fight purses, as well as objections to the direction that its owner was taking K-1.
[15]
The entire K-1 brand, along with most of its trademarks, with the exception of, 'K-1 Koshien', 'K-1 MAX' and '
Dream
', were sold to Japanese real estate firm, Barbizon Corporation Limited, on July 28, 2011.
[16]
Acquisition and restructuring (2012?2023)
[
edit
]
On February 1, 2012, EMCOM Entertainment Inc. purchased K-1 from Barbizon.
[17]
In March 2012, It's Showtime announced that EMCOM Entertainment established a new company K-1 Global Holdings Ltd. in
Hong Kong
. K-1 Global Holdings, Ltd., became the new official owner of the K-1 brand. K-1 Global's agreement with promotion required that certain fighters signed under It's Showtime appear in upcoming K-1 Global events.
[18]
[19]
The
K-1 World MAX Final 16
took place on May 27, 2012, at the Palacio Vistalegre in Madrid, Spain. After the event, controversy and rumors circulated over fighters not being paid for their performances, unpaid financial obligations of FEG, and the incomplete transfer of ownership of the K-1 name. As a result, the K-1 World Grand Prix scheduled for 2012 would be cancelled if these issues were not resolved.
[20]
The chairman of the new K-1 resolved these issues by paying fighters what was owed and including a 50% bonus.
[21]
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
.
[22]
On August 10, 2012, K-1's co-promotion agreement with
Romanian
-based kickboxing promotion SUPERKOMBAT was announced.
[23]
Though the agreement would eventually end, SK president
Eduard Irimia
stated that while its company will be independent in 2013 it will still continue to have cooperation with any interested promotion, including K-1, by offering fighters.
[24]
K-1 World League
[
edit
]
On May 29, 2014, the launch of a "K-1 World League" in Japan was announced. It is considered to be a separate entity from the K-1 of 2012, with the World League acquiring naming rights and exclusive license for the Japanese region from K-1 Global Holding Ltd.
[25]
"K-1 World League" would focus on fighters in the 55 kg, -60 kg, -65 kg, -70 kg and heavyweight weight classes; and would be structured around professional events, amateur competitions and K-1 gyms. M-1 Sports Media is in charge of planning and production.
[26]
"K-1 World League" was subsequently renamed "K-1 World GP" on September 24, 2014.
[27]
After its formation, "K-1 World League" formally incorporated the
Krush
brand.
[26]
Launched prior to the folding of FEG, in 2009, Krush was a collaboration between K-1 and
AJKF
. It was seen at the time as the second tier of K-1 competition,
[28]
and produced a number of future K-1 fighters such as
Takeru Segawa
,
Tatsuya Tsubakihara
and
Leona Pettas
, among others. K-1 would later add the KHAOS brand, which is seen as the third tier of competition, as a stepping stone between amateur and professional competition. K-1 maintains a number of gyms throughout Japan, from which potential kickboxers can transition from training to amateur competition to professional competition. A fighter can viably spend their entire career under the K-1 umbrella.
[29]
On September 20, 2016, "K-1 World GP" executive producer
Kensaku Maeda
retired,
[30]
and was subsequently replaced by the Krush executive producer Mitsuru Miyata.
[31]
From June 2017 onward, "K-1 World GP" started once again started holding events at the
Saitama Super Arena
. It was further revealed that fighters were signed exclusively to K-1, which wasn't the case previously.
[32]
On December 17, 2018, it was announced that the former Krush and K-1 commentator and martial arts writer Takumi Nakamura would replace Mitsuru Miyata as the executive producer.
[33]
On January 26, 2019, Krush was renamed "K-1 KRUSH FIGHT" to further announce the connection between the two brands.
[34]
However, on December 7, 2019, it was renamed back to Krush. The aim of renaming the competition back to Krush was to dispel the image of the brand as the second tier of K-1.
[35]
2023?present
[
edit
]
On February 10, 2023, K-1 agreed on a mutual exchange of fighters with fellow Japanese promotion
RISE
,
[36]
[37]
after they successfully co-promoted the
Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Takeru
crossover
pay-per-view
event, known as "
THE MATCH 2022
".
[38]
On February 28, 2023, M-1 Sports Media acquired the global licensing rights for the K-1 brand, which was from that point forward managed by K-1 International Federation (KIF).
[4]
On July 17, 2023, Takumi Nakamura stepped down stepped down from the position of producer.
[39]
Former
Glory
Japan General Manager Carlos Kikuta was announced as the new K-1 producer on July 18, 2023. That same day, K-1 announced a collaborative event with
Quintet
called
ReBOOT
, which will be held on September 10, 2023.
[40]
The promotion subsequently announced their intention to re-brand their weight classes (under the "K-1 WORLD GP" and "K-1 WORLD MAX" banners, for heavyweights and fighters weighting -75 kg and under, respectively), that they would hold a heavyweight World Grand Prix, as well as a new partnership with Kyokushinkaikan.
[41]
On August 8, 2023, former executive producer Mitsuru Miyata was appointed as the
Krush
producer.
[42]
On January 19, 2024,
Kazuyoshi Ishii
was appointed as an advisor.
[43]
Rules
[
edit
]
K-1 rules are as follows:
[44]
[45]
- The fights are contested in a ring which is six or more meters square and surrounded by four ropes.
- Only striking techniques such as punches, sweeps, kicks and knees are allowed. Clinching is allowed (Only for 5 seconds)
- Throws, headbutts, any grabbing of the opponent and strikes with the elbow are prohibited. Furthermore, spitting, biting, groin strikes, strikes to the back of the head, striking after the round has ended or the referee has called for a break, striking while the opponent is knocked down and excessive holding are all considered fouls.
- Matches, both regular and title matches, are contested in three three-minute rounds. In case of a draw, an extension round is fought.
- If a fighter is knocked down during the fight, the referee will begin counting to eight until the fighter rises from the canvas. The referee can interrupt the count, or forgo it completely, if he deems the fighter unable to continue competing. Should the fighter remain downed by the time the referee has counted to eight, he is ruled as knocked out and the other fighter will be ruled the winner by knockout.
- Matches are scored based on four criteria:
- (1) Number of knockdowns a fighter has scored, with three knockdowns inside of a single round resulting in a technical knockout (two in tournament bouts)
- (2) Presence or absence of damage to the opponent
- (3) The number clean strikes, with strikes which are thrown with fight ending intention scoring more highly than those thrown with the intent of racking up points
- (4) Aggressiveness
List of K-1 events
[
edit
]
Main articles:
List of K-1 events
,
2015 in K-1
,
2016 in K-1
,
2017 in K-1
,
2018 in K-1
,
2019 in K-1
,
2020 in K-1
,
2021 in K-1
,
2022 in K-1
,
2023 in K-1
, and
2024 in K-1
While under FEG ownership, K-1 events were centred around the K-1 World Grand Prix, including qualifying tournaments and preliminaries held around the world.
Under the "K-1 World GP" brand from 2014 to present, K-1 events almost exclusively took place in Japan. Its event schedule would feature a mix between traditional, single-fight events, and events featuring one-night tournaments to determine the champion in one of its weight classes.
[46]
The following is a list of countries that K-1 has held events in chronological order:
- Japan
(1993?2012, 2014?2020)
- Netherlands
(1994, 2001?2003, 2006?2010)
- France
(1995, 2002?2008, 2010)
- Switzerland
(1995?2000, 2003, 2017)
- United States
(1998, 2000?2008, 2012)
- Australia
(2000?2005, 2010)
- England
(2000, 2002?2004, 2006?2007, 2013)
- Italy
(2000?2008)
- Germany
(2000?2008)
- Belarus
(2000, 2010)
- Croatia
(2000, 2002, 2007, 2009?2010, 2013)
- South Africa
(2000?2002, 2006)
- New Zealand (2000?2006)
- Czech Republic
(2000?2001, 2006?2009)
- Denmark
(2001)
- Ukraine
(2001?2002, 2006, 2010)
- Spain
(2002?2004, 2005?2006, 2012?2014)
- Brazil
(2002?2006, 2013)
- Sweden
(2003?2010)
- Russia
(2003, 2006, 2010)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
(2003?2004, 2009, 2016)
- Scotland
(2004)
- Portugal
(2004, 2006, 2013)
- Poland
(2004, 2007?2010)
- South Korea
(2004?2010, 2013)
- Slovenia
(2005?2006, 2008)
- Hungary
(2005?2010)
- Lithuania
(2006?2007, 2010, 2013)
- Latvia
(2006?2008)
- Turkey
(2007, 2010)
- Belgium
(2007)
- Estonia
(2007, 2009)
- Romania
(2007, 2009?2010, 2024)
- Hong Kong
(2007)
- Austria
(2008)
- Taiwan
(2008)
- Moldova
(2009?2010, 2013)
- China
(2013-2015)
- Greece
(2012)
- Canada
(2013)
- Ireland
(2013)
- Azerbaijan
(2014)
- Thailand
(2014)
- Serbia
(2016)
Tournament format
[
edit
]
K-1 Grand Prix
[
edit
]
The 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.
K-1's popularity differs greatly among six K-1 regions, which may limit the number of actual elimination tournaments or change locations. 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
. Additionally the K-1
Paris
GP lost its qualifying right in favor of
Amsterdam
. Eventually, Amsterdam would lose it in favor of
Łod?
, and then Łod? in favor of
Bucharest
.
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. Other elements of the tournament format would be modified over the years. The final was held at
Tokyo Dome
from 1997 to 2006, while the 2012 final took place for the first time in history outside Japan, in
Zagreb, Croatia
.
K-1 World MAX and others
[
edit
]
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.
Broadcast
[
edit
]
K-1 events have been shown on the
Tokyo Broadcasting System
and
Fuji TV
during FEG ownership.
[47]
Following the reformation of K-1 under the "K-1 World League" & "K-1 World GP" banners, events would air through other broadcasters such as GAORA SPORTS,
BS Sky PerfecTV!
and
TV Tokyo
.
[48]
K-1 events are currently broadcast through
streaming service
Abema TV
domestically in Japan.
[49]
K-1 also operates a
YouTube
channel where fights, press conferences, and general media is uploaded.
[50]
On August 30, 2023, it was announced that
DAZN
would begin distributing future K-1 events in 200 countries, beginning with the
ReBOOT~K-1 ReBIRTH~
event on September 10.
[51]
[52]
[53]
List of K-1 champions
[
edit
]
Current K-1 champions
[
edit
]
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"K1 Kickboxing | What Is K1 Kickboxing? | K-1 Rules Kickboxing"
.
Sidekick Boxing
. 2020-09-12
. Retrieved
2022-01-01
.
- ^
"Black Belt"
. August 2002
. Retrieved
2016-02-20
.
- ^
Coffeen, Fraser (2011-12-25).
"2011 The Year in MMA: The Death of the K-1 Grand Prix"
.
Bloody Elbow
. Retrieved
2022-01-01
.
- ^
a
b
ICHI (11 March 2023).
"K-1 Obtains Global Trademark - Launches International Federation - "I Want to Run the Event as a Global Event"
"
.
beyondkick.com
. Retrieved
11 March
2023
.
- ^
License | K-1 OFFICIAL SITE | Martial Arts Event
- ^
Operating company | K-1 OFFICIAL SITE | Martial arts event
- ^
Tashiro, H., & Tyrangiel, J. (2001):
Turning the martial arts into mondo mayhem
TIME
(September 3, 2001). Retrieved on March 4, 2010.
- ^
a
b
Maylam, J. (2001):
K-1 hits the spot: Ultimate fighters pack a punch
The Japan Times
(October 21, 2001). Retrieved on March 4, 2010.
- ^
"What Is K-1 Kickboxing? The Beginner's Guide to K-1"
.
MMACHANNEL
. Retrieved
2022-07-05
.
- ^
Network, World Kickboxing.
"Kickboxing K-1 Rules World Champions"
.
WKN
. Retrieved
2022-01-01
.
- ^
"Kickboxing Champions ? ISKA World Headquarters"
. Retrieved
2022-01-01
.
- ^
"K-1 | FIGHT! Magazine ? Archives"
. fightmagazine.com
. Retrieved
2014-04-06
.
- ^
"The Showtime May Arena event would possibly be delayed, due to K-1's financial problems"
Archived
2011-01-24 at the
Wayback Machine
, January 21, 2011,
Sports Navi ? Yahoo! Japan
(in Japanese)
- ^
"What is happening with K-1!? It's Showtime owner Rutz talks about the rumor (1/2)"
Archived
2012-09-30 at the
Wayback Machine
, January 21, 2011,
Sports Navi ? Yahoo! Japan
(in Japanese)
- ^
"K-1 could be purchased after a financial problem!? Like Pride?"
, January 23, 2011,
Livedoor Sports
(in Japanese)
- ^
"K-1 Sold to Japanese Real Estate Firm Barbizon"
, July 28, 2011,
MMAFighting
- ^
K-1 announces agreement with SuperKombat
, February 1, 2012, Liver Kick
- ^
It's Showtime Closes Deal with the New K-1 Organization
, March 6, 2012, It's Showtime
- ^
"?社子?社による、K-1 Global Holdings Limited の株式取得(子?社化)および新規事業(MOBILE, ONLINE IT エンタテインメント事業)?入に伴う債??渡契約書締結に?するお知らせ"
(PDF)
.
hd.emcom.jp
. Retrieved
3 June
2021
.
- ^
Simon Rutz: "K-1 World Grand Prix Canceled, FEG 'Technically Bankrupt"
, October 17, 2011, Mmafighting.com
- ^
"Daniel Ghita gives us insight into K-1's future and a fragmented kickboxing world"
. Liverkick.com. Archived from
the original
on 2016-01-07
. Retrieved
2015-10-29
.
- ^
"GLORY World Series"
.
www.gloryworldseries.com
. Archived from
the original
on September 6, 2012.
- ^
K-1 announces agreement with SuperKombat
, August 10, 2012, Liverkick.com
- ^
Liverkick's Exclusive Interview with Superkombat President Eduard Irimia
, February 19, 2013, Liverkick.com
- ^
"【K-1】K-1 WORLD LEAGUEとして11月に旗揚げ?"
.
efight.jp
. Retrieved
September 2,
2023
.
- ^
a
b
"新生K-1「K-1ワ?ルドリ?グ」?足 11.3代?木競技場第二?育館で旗揚げ"
.
sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp
. Retrieved
September 2,
2023
.
- ^
"新生K1、「ワ?ルドGP」に大?名?更"
.
nikkansports.com
. Retrieved
3 June
2021
.
- ^
"【K-1】K-1 WORLD LEAGUEとして11月に旗揚げ?"
.
efight.jp
. Retrieved
3 June
2021
.
- ^
"Takeru vs. Leona: Parallel Lives"
.
thefight-site.com
. Retrieved
3 June
2021
.
- ^
"【K-1】前田憲作プロデュ?サ?が退任"
.
efight.jp
. Retrieved
3 June
2021
.
- ^
"K1の宮田充が退任した理由と新プロデュ?サ?中村拓巳で何が?わる|格?女子の?日キック"
.
kakutougi2017.com
. Retrieved
3 June
2021
.
- ^
"武尊vs那須川天心「夢の?決」が6月東京ド?ムで?現へ!"
.
news.yahoo.co.jp
. Retrieved
3 June
2021
.
- ^
"K-1解?者?中村拓己氏が新K-1プロデュ?サ?就任「今までの方針を受け?ぎつつ、新しいことにも挑?したい」"
.
boutreview.com
. 17 December 2018
. Retrieved
3 June
2021
.
- ^
"2019年4月より「Krush」?「KHAOS」が「K-1 KRUSH FIGHT」?「K-1 KHAOS NIGHT」に名??更"
.
k-1.co.jp
. Retrieved
3 June
2021
.
- ^
"2020年1月より「Krush」「KHAOS」に名?を?し、創成期のロゴも復活!「Krush?KHAOSはK-1の下ではなく、K-1と?ぶ、K-1とは違う魅力を持ったイベント。それぞれの原点に立ち還る」(中村P)"
.
k-1.co.jp
. Retrieved
3 June
2021
.
- ^
"【K-1】K'FESTAでRISEとの?抗?3vs.3、RISE王者?鈴木?彦「看板を背負って」迎え?つ玖村?史「THE MATCHの借りを返す」"
.
gonkaku.jp
. Retrieved
10 February
2023
.
- ^
"【RISE】ELDORADOでK-1との?抗?3vs.3、K-1の佐?木大?「K-1の?さをアピ?ルしたい」迎え?つ白鳥大珠「K-1に?しての借りがある」"
.
gonkaku.jp
. Retrieved
10 February
2023
.
- ^
Riggs, Drake (21 June 2022).
"The Match 2022 does 500K PPV buys, beats UFC all-time attendance record"
.
mmamania.com
. Retrieved
29 July
2022
.
- ^
"K-1中村拓己プロデュ?サ?が退任表明「悔いとかはないです。やりきりました」。18日正午の配信で後任者を?表 #k1wgp"
.
boutreview.com
. Retrieved
17 July
2023
.
- ^
"【K-1】新プロデュ?サ?は元GLORY JAPAN GMのカルロス菊田氏、K-1と?庭和志のQUINTETが初の共同イベント『ReBOOT』を開催=9月10日(日)?浜アリ?ナ"
.
gonkaku.jp
. Retrieved
18 July
2023
.
- ^
"【K-1】ヘビ?級が「K-1 WORLD GP」、中??量級を「K-1 WORLD MAX」に。9月?浜で無差別級世界ト?ナメントを開催、2024年は世界予選?施へ。極??館との提携も"
.
gonkaku.jp
. Retrieved
18 July
2023
.
- ^
"【K-1】宮田充氏がKrushプロデュ?サ?として復?、?面はKNOCK OUTプロデュ?サ?と兼任に"
.
gonkaku.jp
. Retrieved
8 August
2023
.
- ^
"【K-1】創始者?石井館長がアドバイザ?として就任、21年ぶりにK-1電?復?"
.
ゴング格?技 - GONKAKU
. Retrieved
19 January
2024
.
- ^
"K-1WGP公式ル?ル"
.
k-1.co.jp
. Retrieved
3 June
2021
.
- ^
"【K-1】判定基準を?更「K-1はKOを狙って?う競技。倒しに行く姿勢をより評?して判定していきたい」"
.
gonkaku.jp
. Retrieved
3 June
2021
.
- ^
ABOUT | K-1 OFFICIAL SITE | Martial Arts Event
- ^
"Bad Left Hook, Global Boxing News and Commentary"
. Headkicklegend.com
. Retrieved
2014-04-06
.
- ^
"K-1 WORLD GP 2015 IN JAPAN ~SURVIVAL WARS~"
.
bs-sptv.com
. Retrieved
3 June
2021
.
- ^
"K-1特別番組"
.
abema.tv
. Retrieved
3 June
2021
.
- ^
"K-1 【official】YouTube channel - YouTube"
.
YouTube
.
- ^
"K-1 and QUINTET to be live-streamed via DAZN worldwide"
.
MMA Underground
. Retrieved
September 2,
2023
.
- ^
"K-1, Quintet Joint Event 'ReBoot' to Stream via DAZN on Sept. 10"
.
Sherdog
. Retrieved
September 2,
2023
.
- ^
Emmerink, Ron (30 August 2023).
"K-1 Kickboksen nu ook in Nederland live te zien! 'Oude tijden herleven op DAZN'
"
.
vechtsportinfo.nl
. Retrieved
1 September
2023
.
|
---|
Governing bodies
| |
---|
Asian promotions
| |
---|
European promotions
| |
---|
North American promotions
| |
---|
Oceania promotions
| |
---|
Defunct organizations
| |
---|