K-1 have announced the line-up for their forthcoming 70kg K-1 World Grand Prix on June 18, 2017 which will be hosted at the Saitama Super Arena Community Arena in Japan. The 8-man tournament will see four Japanese kickboxers matched-up against, four non-Japanese fighters.
Yasuhiro Kido is a former K-1 Max 2008 champion who had lost by first round knockout against Sanny Dahlbeck in a super fight on, the K-1 World GP in November 2016. The 34-year-old “Golden Hitman” faces Yokkao world champion, Jordan Watson in the first quarter-final.
Interestingly, a potential second rematch could unfold in the Grand Prix between, Dahlbeck and Jordan Watson – two men who, have a victory over each other and have exchanged the 70kg Yokkao world title in recent years.
However, both men will have to beat their quarter-final opponents in order for the trilogy to happen which, is something that Dahlbeck had recently spoken about wanting but under full Muay Thai rules. So, Dahlbeck will have to defeat Hiroyuki Hirono in the second quarter-final before securing a much-anticipated trilogy with Watson.
Nakajima Hiroki is a former runner-up in the 2010 K-1 Max having lost in the final to Albert Kraus. However, he will have to overcome the Belarusian dark horse of the tournament in Chingiz Allazov who, has a notable victory over, former 2014 K-1 Max champion, Enriko Kehl by fifth round knockout.
Norita Hinata has won titles for both Japanese kickboxing promotions, RISE and REBELS in Japan and in the fourth quarter-final, will be welcoming the current KRUSH champion, Jordann Piker who, fights out of Mike’s Gym in Amsterdam.
70kg K-1 World Grand Prix on June 18 2017 – Quarter-Finals:
(1) Yasuhiro Kido vs. Jordan Watson
(2) Hiroyuki Hirono vs. Sanny Dahlbeck
(3) Nakajima Hiroki vs. Chingiz Allazov
(4) Norita Hinata vs. Jordann Pikeur
70kg K-1 World Grand Prix on June 18 2017 – Semi-Finals:
Winners of quarter-finals (1) vs. (2)
Winners of quarter-finals (3) vs. (4)
