K-1: In Need of a Champion
Posted by Fraser on April 14th, 2009
In the wake of K-1’s mostly successful 2009 kick-off show, much of the talk surrounds reigning Grand Prix champion Remy Bonjasky. Despite defeating Alistair Overeem in the main event, any viewer should have doubts concerning Bonjasky’s position as the current #1 fighter in K-1. Many of these doubts were in place long before the Overeem fight. A highly technical and cautious fighter, Bonjasky has never been a tremendous fan favorite, due both to his fighting style and his reputation as a flopper who exaggerates fouls. After a highly successful 2008, Bonjasky looked to be in a strong position with a number of big wins added to his highlight reel and his 3rd Grand Prix crown. All that may have changed in Yokohama.
To call Bonjasky’s win over Overeem unwarranted or lucky is unfair – Bonjasky used superior defense to avoid trouble and strong technical skill to finally get the knockdown and the victory. But it certainly was not an impressive performance. Bonjasky looked sluggish, tired, and not on top of his game physically or mentally. Watch him get to his feet in the 3rd after yet another Overeem throw and you see a man who looks like a defeated fighter, not a top of the line champion.
As we look ahead to K-1’s 2009 and beyond, it’s clear that the company is missing just that – a champion. Right now, there is no one to definitively take the spot as the top man and maintain that position. The two men with the best chance of winning the 2009 Grand Prix are Bonjasky and former champion Semmy Schilt – both fighters who struggle to find love from the K-1 fans. Meanwhile the most popular fighters – Peter Aerts, Ray Sefo, Jerome LeBanner – are able to have some impact, but likely past the point of a sustained run at the top. While a Grand Prix win would be a fantastic, emotional moment for any of these men (none more so than LeBanner), their time at the top is certainly limited.
Which of course brings to mind the much touted “new guard.” Most of these fighters – Errol Zimmerman, Ewerton Teixeira, Gokhan Saki – have not yet reached that elite level in their skills, and only time will tell if they ever will. Of course, the big name in this new group is Badr Hari, a fighter who has the tools to reach the top, but has a long road ahead if he wants to repair his image with fans – and it’s unclear if doing so is even important to him. It would also be unfair not to mention the surprise Heavyweight champion Keijiro Maeda, a fighter completely off the radar a month ago who absolutely stole the show at Yokohama in the best one night underdog performance in years. The jury is still out on Maeda as a top level fighter, but with the belt and wins over Saki, Manhoef, Musashi, and Mighty Mo, he’s clearly not a fighter to overlook.
So where does this leave K-1? In a time of transition. A time when that top spot is up for grabs and where the company is begging someone to step up and become the new face of K-1. For fighters, this means opportunity. For fans, it means the chance to see hungry fighters competing for that chance. What will come? It’s hard to say for sure, but you can say this – between the new HDNet deal and the flock of talented up and comers striving to make their mark, it’s a great time to be a fan. For anyone interested in jumping into K-1, now is the time to watch this great company takes its next step forward. Where it will go may not be clear, but we can all enjoy the ride.
April 15th, 2009 at 1:01 am
Maeda didn’t even have the best underdog performance on that show. Aerts recovering from the curbstomping he took at the hands of Badr Hari to beat the younger, stronger, faster Errol Zimmerman has a lock on that particular honor. Respect given to Maeda, but he caught Manhoef sleeping and won a decision against an already tired Gokhan Saki partly due to the judges’ pathological hatred of actually rendering decisions in regulation.
April 15th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Sorry, but there’s no way you’ll get me to sign off on Aerts being the underdog against Zimmerman. Yes, Aerts got beat and beat bad by Hari. But prior to that he beat the clear top pick to win the GP in Schilt. That’s a HUGE win, and one big loss does not mean he’s finished and done for, especially against Zimmerman - who has shown a lot for a newcomer, but hasn’t yet defeated any of the top names.
April 16th, 2009 at 2:00 am
One big loss at 39 years old is indeed a strong indication that a fighter is finished and done for. I’m pleased that Aerts bucked the trend, but you couldn’t have given me good enough odds to bet on him pre-fight.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Badr Hari is a guy who is explosive and can knock people out in a spectacular fashion, but I’m not sure if he has the staying power and discipline to stay a top guy. Teixeira has impressed me a lot. He has shown improvement every step of the way and is a very patient fighter.
I can’t write off Aerts because of the Hari loss, either. Like I’ve said, Hari has not proven to be patient and disciplined yet. He could be great given time, but his attitude is making it look like he won’t.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I like Ewerton as well, but I fear that if he makes the top level his demeanor will generate the same level of dislike that Shilt’s does. He’s rather emotionless, which is not generally the recipe for popularity in K-1.
I know what you mean about Hari - his discipline creates a huge question mark. I’d love to see him really focus and take that top spot though. Sort of take the same “young and brash to respected statesman” route Wanderlei took in Pride, if that makes sense.