K-1

K-1 is a Japanese martial arts organization, which for a long time was one of the most important martial arts promotions in the world and whose fighting style is similar to Muay Thai, but without clinching and elbow use. Popularity was gained by the annual K-1 World Grand Prix of heavyweight fighters. The organization developed its martial arts rulebook with the goal of allowing fighters from different martial arts to compete against each other. It was invented by Kazuyoshi Ishii in Japan.

K-1 combines techniques from boxing, karate, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, kickboxing, Savate and many other martial arts. The popularity of this set of rules led to the fact that worldwide many events or individual fights are contested according to K-1 rules, without having anything to do with the K-1 organization. These circumstances, in addition to the fact that K-1 is already difficult to distinguish from Muay Thai or kickboxing for laymen, sometimes lead to misunderstandings. The "K" is derived from the many martial arts that contain a "K" as the initial letter (Karate, Kung Fu, Kempo, Kickboxing; all part of the Kakutogi family, which roughly means martial arts). In addition, it is a play on words with the abbreviation of Formula 1 (F1), hence the tournament name "K-1 Grand Prix".

K-1 is not a martial art in its own right, it is mainly representatives of different martial arts who compete according to the common rules. It is therefore to be classified as a separate type of competition. For example, clinching or the use of elbows (e.g. from Muay Thai) and throws (e.g. from Judo) are not permitted.

K-1 fights are fixed in tournament mode to three rounds of three minutes each, with possible extension up to five rounds. This relatively low number of rounds is related to the tournament rules, which are based on the elimination principle, so that a fighter must complete up to three fights in one evening. Variations are possible, in general the fight time depends on the class of the fighters and if it is a tournament fight. Varied and dangerous attacks, which reduce the chance of a long fight anyway, are one reason for the short fight times compared to boxing or kickboxing.

In recent years, the K-1 organization almost completely ceased its activities, but it still exists formally. A popular successor organization that organizes fights according to the K-1 rules is the Singapore-based promotion Glory.

Regulations and tactics of K-1

Destination

The basic goal in K-1, as in other full-contact sports, is to win by knockout or referee decision. Three judges award points for strikes hit, which determine victory and defeat in a full distance fight.

Rules and associations

In Germany, there are now many associations that offer fights according to the K-1 rules. In the meantime, traditional kickboxing associations such as the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations have also included K-1 in their program. In general, all federations that offer K-1 are based on the Japanese model.

Summary of the rules (highly abbreviated version)

• Boxing gloves to avoid injuries.
• The weight of the fighters must be the same or similar. There are weight classes like in boxing.
• Fighters should have similar level if possible. The number of fights is compared, but it loses value for professionals, while for beginners it is considered very important.
• Each fight goes up to five rounds, with a round length of three minutes for the pros or two minutes for beginners. Variations are possible.
• The fight ends by Knockout, Technical Knockout, "Points", "Disqualification", "Draw", "No Contest" or "Surrender".
• Both the referee and the ringside physician have the authority to stop the bout.
• The bout is scored by three judges on a ten point system: The winner of the round receives ten points, the loser nine or less. In the event of a draw, both fighters will receive ten points.
• If there is a draw after three rounds, the points will be forfeited and an additional round will follow. The judges will then score only the additional round. If after the additional round there is still a draw, the judges will score even the smallest differences and the rhythm of the fight. A fight can only end in a draw if both fighters go down at the same time and do not get up again.
• The "three knockdown rule" applies: Three knockdowns in one round results in a technical knockout.
• The "mandatory eight count" applies: The referee must count to at least eight for each knockdown.
• The "standing 8-count" applies: The referee has the right to declare a fighter beaten if his condition seems too dangerous for the continuation of the fight.
• A fighter can only be "saved" by the "bell" in the last round.

Rule Breakers

The following actions are considered a rule violation in K-1 (highly abbreviated version):

• Blows to prohibited parts of the body, such as low blows or blows to the knee, the back of the head and the back
• Blows with head or elbow
• Litters
• Task terms
• Choking or biting
• Attacks on an opponent lying on the ground or standing up
• Attacking the opponent after the referee has declared a break.
• rope holding
• Insulting the referee or the opponent
• Trying to throw the opponent out of the ring
• Voluntarily leaving the ring during the fight
• Passive combat behavior, including stapling throughout.
• More than one attack while holding the opponent's foot or neck with both hands (one action allowed, then let go)
• Spitting or hair pulling

A fighter is punished as follows:

• "Caution" - Cautions are given for minor offenses only.
• "Warning" - For rule violations
• "Point deduction" - Two warnings will result in a point deduction; hard and obvious intentional fouls may result in an immediate point deduction.
• "Disqualification" - After repeated offences the fight is stopped and the disadvantaged person is declared the winner.

K-1 fighter

Winner of the K-1 World Grand Prix

• 1993: Branko Cikatić
• 1994: Peter Aerts
• 1995: Peter Aerts
• 1996: Andy Hug
• 1997: Ernesto Hoost
• 1998: Peter Aerts
• 1999: Ernesto Hoost
• 2000: Ernesto Hoost
• 2001: Mark Hunt
• 2002: Ernesto Hoost
• 2003: Remy Bonjasky
• 2004: Remy Bonjasky
• 2005: Semmy Schilt
• 2006: Semmy Schilt
• 2007: Semmy Schilt
• 2008: Remy Bonjasky
• 2009: Semmy Schilt
• 2010: Alistair Overeem
• 2012: Mirko Filipović

Winner of the K-1 World MAX Grand Prix

• 2002: Albert Kraus
• 2003: Masato
• 2004: Buakaw Por. Pramuk
• 2005: Andy Souwer
• 2006: Buakaw Por. Pramuk
• 2007: Andy Souwer
• 2008: Masato
• 2009: Giorgio Petrosyan
• 2010: Giorgio Petrosyan
• 2012: Murthel Groenhart
• More fighters:
• Australia: Paul Slowinski, Peter Graham, John Wayne Parr
• Brazil: Faith Feitosa, Francisco Filho
• Germany: Hubert Numrich, Stefan Leko, Chalid Arrab, Enriko Kehl, Alexander Kessler
• France: Jérôme Le Banner, Cyril Abidi
• Greece: Mike Zambidis
• Italy: Giorgio Petrosyan
• Japan: Musashi, Yusuke Fujimoto, Masato, Kyōtarō Fujimoto
• Canada: Gary Goodridge
• Croatia: Branko Cikatić, Mirko Filipović
• Morocco: Badr Hari
• New Zealand: Ray Sefo, Mark Hunt
• Netherlands: Semmy Schilt, Ernesto Hoost, Peter Aerts, Remy Bonjasky, Albert Kraus, Andy Souwer, Alistair Overeem
• Austria: Günter Singer
• Russia: Ruslan Karaev
• Switzerland: Andy Hug, Björn Bregy, Azem Maksutaj
• South Africa: Mike Bernardo
• South Korea: Choi Hong-man
• Suriname: Tyrone Spong, Ismael Londt
• Thailand: Kaoklai Kaennorsing, Buakaw Por. Pramuk
• Turkey: Serkan Yılmaz, Murat Direkçi, Gökhan Saki
• USA: Bob Sapp, Carter Williams, Mighty Mo
• Belarus: Alexey Ignashov