K-1 MAX A GREAT SHOW... Buakaw`s KO Loss!

K-1 MAX FINAL 8 last night at the Budokan in Tokyo was a phenomenal show! Thank you to all who tuned in for the live PPV.

A lot of people are emailing me about Buakaw`s KO loss asking what the hell happened?

The way I see it, if you watch the fight, watch the KO round, with 1 minute and 23 seconds remaining in the round Yoshihiro Sato lands a FLUSH KNEE to the liver of Buakaw. A liver shot is devastating, the impact usually has a delayed reaction but it causes your whole body to go into shock and close down.

I believe this is what happened to Buakaw.

The knee to his liver lands perfectly and after this Buakaw seems to go into slow motion as his body just closes down. Thus he drops his hands and leaves his jaw totally exposed for Sato to KO him.

Have a look at it, see the knee I am talking about and watch how it effectively ends Buakaw before the right hand finishes him off.

Proof in point as to the devastation of a perfect liver shot.

K-1 GP in FUKUOKA TIPS & PREDICTIONS for the TITLE MATCHES

I will be in Fukuoka, Japan this weekend to call the shots on the K-1 GP show in Fukuoka at the Marine Messe.
This venue holds some dear memories for me as it was at the Marine Messe that I commentated my first ever K-1 show back in 2001 on that memorable night when Ray Sefo fought Mark Hunt in a fight still voted by fans today as the best K-1 GP fight of all time.
This weekend's card is stacked by way of TWO title fights being on the line, making for some very hard predictions.

World Super Heavyweight Title
Jerome LeBanner vs Semmy Schilt

It's almost impossible to tip against Semmy Schilt. Arguably the most dominant fighter in K-1 history, the 6'11" monster continues to lay waste to all in front of him with apparent ease and shatter K-1 records.
A win for Semmy this weekend will see the champion break the longest winning streak record in K-1 history, set by Peter Aerts between 1993 and 1996 when Aerts went on an amazing 13 fight winning streak. Semmy is currently on the same winning streak, having come off a crushing KO of former K-1 champion Mark Hunt last time out in Yokohama when he caught Hunt with a spinning back kick to the liver.
I caught up with Semmy's manager, Bas Boon, of Golden Glory Gym two weeks ago at DREAM. Bas said to me "Look out for a new and improved Semmy in Fukuoka. He has lost weight and he has a whole new bag of tricks."
A new and improved Semmy? How do you improve on someone who is near perfect? And why would you try to fix something that isn't broken? To think that Semmy could be "new" and "improved" is just a scary, scary thought.
Schilt is the most dominant fighter on the planet right now bar none. Yes, that's right. You can keep your Floyd Mayweather Juniors and your Anderson Silvas and your George St Pierres, for mine you can't go past Semmy as ring sports' most dominant figure. Time and time again he has obliterated top opposition, including Peter Aerts, LeBanner, Feitosa, Sefo, Hunt... and the list goes on.
What makes Semmy so effective is more than just his monstrous height. Fans who quickly dismiss Semmy as a mere "freak" and only effective because of his size are ignorant. Yes Semmy's size is a MAJOR factor but there are bigger or just as big men in K-1 who have had nowhere near the impact Semmy has had. The difference is that Semmy KNOWS how to use his size. Being that big is useless if you don't know how to FIGHT TALL -- and Sem knows how to fight tall. He knows how to sit behind a beautiful jab, how to use his long front kick and how to work his knees.
Even more impressive, perhaps, is Semmy's cardio. He works like a middleweight, seemingly never tiring, always throwing techniques and never letting up. And just when you think he's all about the jab / front kick / knee, he pulls out spinning back kicks as we saw against Hunt and against Feitosa in the GP 08. His workrate is sublime.
Word is that LeBanner has been training like a demon for this world title fight, but will that be enough? Yes LeBanner put up a great effort in the GP semi final before blowing out his knee and you've got to think that a fresh Jerome with nine minutes of animal in him can cause some damage to Semmy if he can get on the inside. Ray Sefo was the one who found the chink in Semmy's armour last year: work your angles, get on the inside and go for the jaw. It's easier said than done but that's how you have to fight Semmy. The Dutchman only fights in straight lines and doesn't like being on the back foot. Jerome has to step off, quarter turn, come in from angles and not head-on and work the body then head of Semmy.
On paper this is a great match and once again I believe a fresh Jerome can hurt Semmy, but I don't think Jerome will have enough to go three rounds and get the nod against Semmy's constant workrate. I see Semmy's jab frustrating Jerome; I see Semmy using his straight right to effectively tag the southpaw Frenchman; I see Jerome being at his wit's end once Semmy winds up the front kick.
Ring Sport's most dominant champion will prove once again why he is, quite simply, the best in the world.

SEMMY SCHILT VIA UPD.


WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
BADR HARI vs GLAUBE FEITOSA

On paper this fight has all the makings of a true classic. Speed, power, aggression and technique, these two awesome athletes have it all.
I'm really torn on this one as I am a huge fan of both fighters. Let's look at Hari first.
You either love Hari or you hate him. Personally I love him. Sure he's a smack talker and sure he's got attitude, but I find his ego refreshing and I love to listen to the guy talk shit because more often than not he backs it up in the ring in devastating fashion.
I've followed Hari's K-1 career since the start. In fact I have been lucky enough to have commentated EVERY SINGLE Badr Hari fight in K-1 live, starting from the time in 2005 when he put one of the single greatest knockouts ever on Stefan Leko at the Tokyo Dome.
I have always said that Hari is one of the most naturally gifted fighters I have ever seen -- and trust me, I've seen them all. There is seemingly nothing this tall beanpole can't do and he does it all with amazing power. His hands are fast and powerful, his kicks are something else and he is deceptively tall. Just ask Ray Sefo who told me after his loss to Hari in Yokohama in April that he was surprised at just how tall Hari is when squared off against him in the ring.
Other than his sublime technique, Hari is an incredibly hungry fighter. He's tenacious and he likes to hurt opponents. He doesn't just want to beat you, he wants to tear your soul from your body.
However coming into this fight I don't know what to expect of Hari. You've all heard the stories about Hari's allegedly spending time in jail in Holland and his legal problems. I won't comment on those but I will ask the question as to how these personal issues have affected Hari's training and may affect his concentration both in camp and in the ring?
On the other side of the coin you have Feitosa. You talk about aesthetically beautiful fighters to watch and you talk about the master of the Brazilian Kick, Glaube Feitosa. Over the past three years Feitosa has become a favourite of just about every K-1 fan who appreciates the aesthetic beauty of his technique combined with vicious knockout power. That power used to be solely focused in his legs, but of late, thanks to the tireless training of Faii Falamoe and Jayson Vemoa at Team Ichigeki, Feitosa's boxing skills are now up there with some of the best in K-1 and his defence is rock solid.
However, I know that Feitosa HASN'T been training at Team Ichigeki in Tokyo for this one but instead has been training with Francisco Filho in Brazil. To me that spells danger. Taking nothing away from Chico, but I don't see how he can prep Glaube as effectively as Team Ichigeki, where Feitosa would be sparring the likes of Alexandre Pitchkounov, Takumi Sato and Ray Sefo every day.
If Feitosa was training in Tokyo, I'd have him winning this contest by decision. But he's not so I am torn with my prediction.
I see Hari -- possibly with limited training due to his personal issues -- starting out like a house on fire from the opening bell and blazing with EVERYTHING he has in the first round. If Feitosa can weather than storm, I see Hari running out of steam in the latter part of the fight and Feitosa bringing it home by oustcoring the volatile Hari.
So many variables. Such a great match up!

How to Book K-1 MAX LIVE on Australian and New Zealand TV, July 7

Hi Guys

Here's how to book K-1 MAX on MAIN EVENT:

AUSTAR

1. Go to www.austar.com.au and click on “Manage My Account”.
2. Login using your AUSTAR account number, surname, postcode and phone number, than click on the “Login” button.
3. Once Logged-in, click on the “Pay Per View” button, where a new screen will display. Tick the box of the event you would like to order and then click “Continue”.
4. You will then be taken to a confirmation screen (where you can choose your payment method).
5. You will receive a receipt.

Order by phone:
6. Switch on your set top unit before you call to book.
7. Call 132 492 to purchase the event.
8. Have your eight digit account number ready. You'll find it on your monthly statement or the address panel of your AUSTAR Magazine.


OPTUS

1. Optus Digital Subscribers press the Box Office button on your remote.
2. Main Event programmes can only be ordered 3 Days out from the event using your remote and set top box.
3. Optus Digital subscribers unable to order through your Digital remote, call 1300 300 666 and follow the prompts to order.
4. Analogue subscribers call 1300 300 666 and have your account details ready.


FOXTEL

1. To order press the Box Office button on your remote or call 1300 783 833 and follow the prompts to order.
2. Main Event programmes can only be ordered 3 days out from the event using your remote and set top box.
3. Main Event programmes can be viewed on channel 518.


SKY in New Zealand

Contact your SKY provider or check www.skytv.co.nz a week out from the event. Also available to pubs and clubs, so ask your local to book K-1 MAX LIVE if you dont have residential SKY access.

Another Cool As K-1 MAX Fight

Here's a link to a very underrated, cool as K-1 Max fight between ALBERT KRAUS and YOSHIHIRO SATO at the Budokan last October.

Check out Kraus's stunning third round -- just nuts.

If you like fights like these don't forget you can watch K-1 MAX FINAL 8 live on MAIN EVENT pay per view on Monday July 7. Contact your Foxtel, Austar, Optus provided for details.

Enjoy the ringside commentary by myself, Ray Sefo and Mike Bernardo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXQQBE_bKFE

K-1 GP Fukuoka -- K-1 TITLES ON THE LINE

K-1's Fukuoka GP card is looking awesome with the K-1 heavyweight and the K-1 super heavyweight straps on the line.

Badr Hari defends the heavyweight title against Kyokushin ace Glaube Feitosa.

Semmy Schilt defends his super heavyweight title against Jerome LeBanner.

I'll be there in Fukuoka calling the action... stay tuned for my predictions of both fights COMING SOON.

DREAM.4 PREDICTIONS Part II

REMAINING DREAM.4 PREDICTIONS

Here are the rest of the predictions by DREAM official commentator, "The Voice" Michael Schiavello.

GEGARD MOUSASI vs DONG SIK YOON

This is another "wow" match up on Dream's totally stacked card. Two submission specialists both with excellent ground game and very solid stand up skills. For me this is one of the harder fights to pick.
Let me say this first. I love Dong Sik Yoon. If I thought it would work, I would name my first born son Dong Sik Schiavello ... hell, a nice Korean/Italian mix. This guy is a total pimp, super smooth. It's little wonder he has become one of Asia's most popular MMA fighters in recent times.
After a slow start to his MMA career in which the Dong couldn't catch a break, he turned his luck around at Dynamite 2007 in the USA when he armbarred Melvin Maenhoff, a move that would later be dubbed the Dong Bar as he used it three fights in a row, winning via Dong Bar against Zelg Galesic and Fabio Silva.
In his first DREAM fight the Dongster took Shungo Oyama the distance. The match wasn't a barn-burner but it was highly entertaining and really showed how the Dongster's all-round game has improved in leaps and bounds. The former Judo superstar is now a fully fledged MMA monster - great defence, solid and active guard, good takedowns, solid stand up game and the much-feared Dong Bar all put him in good stead. As I have said since the start, The Dong is my darkhorse for the Middleweight GP.
Taking on Mousasi will be no easy task. Afterall, Mousasi is the man who eliminated one of the pre-tourney favourites Denis "I'll walk into a triangle" Kang from the running. Mousasi's triangle finish of Kang last time out was simply sublime and signalled to the watching world that yes, Mousasi is a major threat.
So how do I see this one panning out? Again, this fight is harder to pick than a broken nose. Mousasi is on an eight fight winning streak. He's red hot. His stand up is good, he can knock you out on your feet, he can sub you on the ground and he's cool under pressure. But so too is The Dong. I think this fight ends on the ground and will depend on who makes the first mistake and leaves himself exposed. Yoon will go for his Dong Bar and I think he may just get it, if not he will outwork Mousasi for the two rounds and win via high cardio and workrate.
In fact, that's the prediction I'll go by.

DONG SIK YOON by DEC


KAZUSHI SAKURABA vs MELVIN MAENHOFF

Have you ever wondered what would happen if God fought The Devil? Well you will find out who wins in the form of this incredible match up.
Now I know that most people think this will be a win for Maenhoff by way of murder. Many of you are writing off Sakuraba as too old, having taken too much punishment, and think he'll be busted up like a two dollar pinata come next weekend. I for one don't think this will be the case. Yes Melvin will inflict more bruises on Sakuraba than a trailer-park bride, but let's not forget the calibre of Sakuraba. His genius. His resiliency. His ability to produce miracles in the ring against opponents who, on paper, should maul him.
In the stand-up game this should be all one-way traffic to Maenhoff, even though I believe Sak has heavily underrated stand-up game, in particular his terrific leg kicks. But Melvin is a K-1 striker. He hits hard, he hits often and he hits heavy. On its feet, Melvin is too strong and will attack Sak with relentless head and body blows.
Sakuraba HAS TO take Melvin down or clinch him in the stand up, negate Melvin's knees (Melvin is a former Muay Thai champion dont forget) and look for one of his old-style stand-up submissions.
But the ground is where Sakuraba wants this as that is where Melvin is susceptible to the subs. Take out Melvin's stand up game, put the Dutchman on his back and Sakuraba will go to Submission-ville looking for armbars, kimura's, knee bars, the works. If Sak's sub game is on, Melvin is in trouble big time.
The key to this match up will be whether Sak can take Melvin down and just how much punishment he will receive in trying to do so. Can Sak get his famed single leg on Melvin? Can he afford to clinch with Melvin and work a trip takedown or a sacrifice?
Most fans are predicting Maenhoff by destruction on this one, but I'm a believer that God will beat The Devil in this one. I still believe Sakuraba can produce miracles. So turn my water into wine Sakuraba, my money is on you.

SAKURABA by SUBMISSION.

DREAM.4 -- Hits and Predictions

DREAM official commentator "The Voice" Michael Schiavello gives his predictions for DREAM.4 at the Yokohama Arena on June 15.

Dream.4 on paper looks to be another ridiculously action-packed offering for all MMA fans. The first three Dream cards were crazy. Admittedly Dream.1 was a little slow out of the gate, as can be expected, but Dream.2 and Dream.3 were among the best MMA shows of the year, with fights like Alvarez vs Dida, Alvarez vs Hansen and Aoki vs JZ among the best fights of the year. What we're seeing in Dream so far is a very high level of fighting in which fighters are transitioning well between the three levels of MMA and providing us with some aesthetically beautiful contests as well as some hair-raising moments.

Dream.4 sees the second round of the Middleweight Grand Prix and the last remaining match of the Light Weight Grand Prix second round. Some of the match-ups in this round are truly surprising. Here's my thoughts on who the winners will be:

SHINYA AOKI vs KATSUHIKO NAGATA

I'm actually a fan of both of these guys, even though Aoki took my pimpin' favourite JZ Calvan out of the tournament in no uncertain terms. In beating JZ, Aoki seemed to earn everyone's respect. His negation of JZ's attacks, his use of the rubber guard, his jumping takedowns to pull guard and his constant pressure and workrate was very impressive. People will continue to underestimate Aoki but let's not forget that he has now won 10 fights in a row and you have to go back to August 2006 to find the last blemish on Aoki's record. In this day and age of such high level competition, especially at this stacked weight class, that's pretty freakin' impressive.
Next weekend Aoki finds himself against former Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler Katsuhiko Nagata. I like Nagata. He's not flash, he's not one of DREAM's pin-up boys, but he's a solid workhorse with good takedown ability, solid GnP and can wear punishment. How will he deal with Aoki's seemingly elasticised body and constant submission attempts? The answer lies in Nagata's ability to put Aoki on his back, avoid the rubber guard and work the ground and pound ad nauseum. This is the only way I can see Nagata possibly beating Aoki -- ground and pound all night baby.
While I think Nagata won't be the easy lunch a lot of people anticipate, I do see Aoki winning this one via submission. It wouldn't surprise me if Nagata leaves an arm out there a moment too long while working some ground and pound and Aoki throws those rubber legs up and puts on a triangle my high school geometry teacher would be proud of!

AOKI by SUBMISSION

ZELG GALESIC vs TAIEI KIN

You can't believe how much I'm looking forward to this contest. In fact this could easily be top candidate for fight of the night as you have two brilliant strikers with rapidly improving ground game and a never-give-up attitude.
First let's look at Taiei Kin. This guy is a stud. I've been watching him since 1993 when he competed in the first ever K-1 promoted tournament. He was a Seido Karate Champion, World Muay Thai champion long-standing, one of Japan's most successful ever kickboxers and made a successful transition very late in his career (he's 36) to MMA.
Taiei Kin is a true martial artist and a true athlete. He's challenged himself constantly at the highest level in various combat sports for the better part of 15 years and he's still a potent force who flies the flag of Karate proudly in the MMA arena.
I was ringside commentating his fight at Dynamite two years ago when he knocked out Ishizawa with a kick to the head -- if you havent seen it then youtube it because it was one of the greatest MMA knockouts I have ever seen (yep, better than Yvel vs Goodridge).
In his last fight Kin defeated the crafty veteran Minowaman - a decent scalp to claim in this tournament. While it was expected that Kin would out-strike Minowaman -- I believe I said in the commentary "it would be suicide for anyone in this tournament to try to outstrike Taiei Kin" -- what really impressed me was Kin's takedown defence. As hard as Minowaman tried to take down the veteran, Kin sprawled sprawled sprawled and when back against the ropes stuffed Minowaman's takedown attempts constantly. He also had a very active guard from which he constantly punched and looked for submission attempts.
Across the ring you have Galesic, a Croatian Muay Thai specialist who has a win on his record already over Taiei Kin due to a doctor's stoppage in Korea last October. Galesic impressed all and sundry at DREAM.2 when he put Sultanakhmadov (you know how hard that name is to pronounce on air!) in an arm bar for the win in the first round. After losing to Dong Sik Yoon in Hero's from the same technique (yes sherdog fans, I refer to it in commentary as the DONG-BAR), Galesic said he went away and learned the submission and used it successfully against Sultanakhmadov.
What intrigues me about this fight is that you have two Muay Thai guys who have solid improving ground game. Will this be a stand-up fight or will it go to ground? And if it is a stand-up fight who has the upper hand? Experience and power goes to Taiei Kin; Galesic is younger and quicker.
It's a hard fight to call and I believe that Galesic will only be able to take so many of Taiei Kin's leg kicks before it really starts to take a toll. Galesic has to take Taiei Kin down and take those vicious leg kicks and potential decapitating head kicks out of the equation. Taiei Kin meanwhile will look to keep it on its feet. His distancing and his anticipation is incredible -- the mark of a true world class striker. I have said all along that Kin is the best natural striker in this Middleweight Grand Prix and watch him prove it again next weekend.

TAIEI KIN by TKO

JACARE vs JASON MILLER

Did anyone else wet their pants with excitement when they saw this match up? Come on... you know a little bit of pee came out. Hell, I was drenched!
Jacare versus Miller is going to be a crazy fight. I see it as one of Dream's best submission stylists in the Alligator against a guy who is waaaaaay off the reservation and has the mad ground and pound in Miller.
On their feet Miller wins the striking battle, no questions asked. Will he want to keep this fight on its feet and try to out strike Jacare or will he want to put his Jits to the mettle and go to the ground?
As for Jacare, you know the Alligator is going to want to take Miller down and look to submit him in any number of ways. Jacare has more subs than the US Navy and if Miller gives the Brazilian an opening, Jacare will tie him up and take him out.
That said, this will be a major test and gut check for Jacare as Miller is probably the hardest guy (and most resilient) Jacare has faced in his MMA career. In his first DREAM fight against Ian Murphy, Jacare wasn't tested. Murphy, the 22 y.o. wrestler, was really a gift for the Brazilian.
Miller wins in on the feet, Miller wins it in aggression, Miller wins it in ground and pound... BUT... I foresee Jacare taking a LOT of punishment on the ground and being busted up as he attempts and eventually GETS the submission against the long-limbed Miller.
I don't want to see either of these guys eliminated yet. Both are entertainers and highly skilled athletes. I love Miller's whole "few fries short of a Happy Meal" schtick and Jacare's Alligator Dance is the best move since the Macarena. But one of them has to be eliminated...

JACARE by SUB



PART TWO COMING SOON...