K-1 World MAX 2024 is returning this year with a stacked tournament taking place at -70 kg. For most of the fight event the matches had already been revealed, and now we know who will face whom in the opening round of the tournament.
K-1 World MAX 2024 Tournament Matches
This will be the opening round matches for this K-1 MAX grand prix.
Hiromi Wajima vs. Darryl Verdonk
Ouyang Feng vs. Pascal Schroth
Umar Semata vs. Rei Nakajima
Davit Kiria vs. Thananchai Sitsongpeenong
Zhora Akopyan vs. Taras Hnatchuk
Stoyan Koprivlenski vs. Kacper Muszyński
Dengue Silva vs. Riku Yamano
Japan’s Hiromi Wajima is the former K-1 world champion in this weight division and has a background in karate. He will face the former Enfusion world champion Darryl Verdonk, of The Netherlands.
Germany’s “The German” Pascal Schroth has experience in GLORY Kickboxing and has held world titles in Muay Thai. The German-born striker will meet the current K-1 and WLF world champion Ouyang Feng, of China, in the opening round.
Umar Semata, of Uganda, is an experienced fighter in Muay Thai and Lethwei. He will be making his K-1 debut against the professional boxer Rei Nakajima, who is from Osaka, Japan.
Davit Kiria is a former titleholder in GLORY and Kunlun, with experience in ONE Championship. He will face RWS world champion Thananchai Sitsongpeenong in the opening round of this tournament. Thananchai is a highly experienced Muay Thai fighter.
The Belarusian-Armenian athlete Zhora Akopyan has won multiple kickboxing titles all across Europe and now will look to earn K-1 gold. The Ukrainian “Baba Yaga” Taras Hnatchuk is standing in his way. Hnatchuk has held titles in ISKA and WAKO.
The Brazilian Dengue Silva is a Muay Thai-based striker who is always looking for the KO finish. Japan’s Riku Yamano has fought in Shoot Boxing, KRUSH, and K-1 boasting an impressive record.
Poland’s Kacper Muszyński will face the biggest challenge of his career as he takes on the GLORY and RISE veteran Stoyan Koprivlenski. The Bulgarian Koprivlenski has lost narrow title matches in both organizations and now is looking to pick up gold in K-1.
K-1 World MAX 2024 – World Tournament Opening Round is booked for Mar. 20 live from Tokyo, Japan, hosted at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium. This fight event will also feature two title matches and several K-1 vs. RISE bookings.