The finale to the K-1 Grand Prix 2010 (featuring Alistair Overeem and Semmy Schilt) is set to air live from Tokyo, Japan at 2:00 AM EST (on HDNet). Before you come back to Inside Fights for the live coverage, join Jon Kirschner as he previews the upcoming fights and gives his predictions.
(K-1 Grand Prix 2010 Quarterfinals Bout)
Mighty Mo vs. Peter Aerts
Mighty Mo originally served as a replacement to Andrei Arlovski who couldn’t compete in the tournament due to a broken nose. Everyone was quick to dismiss Mighty Mo as a viable replacement, giving him no chance in the first round against Raul Catinas. Mo proved the naysayers wrong after squeezing out a decision victory. Peter Aerts is definitely showing signs of wear and tear at 40 years of age, but I don’t believe that will hold him back from out-striking Mighty Mo inside the distance. In their last meeting, Aerts completely dominated Mo, literally chopping him down with leg kicks until the fight was stopped due to Mo’s inability to stand up. The only shots that Mighty Mo connected with were a couple leg kicks (which were checked by Aerts) and a low-blow in the first. Unless Mo can connect with one of his powerful hooks, I see Peter Aerts walking out of the ring as the winner in this one.
(K-1 Grand Prix 2010 Quarterfinals Bout)
Semmy Schilt vs. Kyotaro
There is no doubt that Semmy Schilt is the best heavyweight kickboxer in the world. A four-time K-1 Grand Prix winner, he will try to become the first man to win the tournament five times tonight. The only men who have proven to be troublesome against Schilt in kickboxing are Badr Hari (who is not competing in the tournament this year) and Peter Aerts, who Schilt will likely meet in the next round. Though you can never truly count out Kyotaro, he struggled finishing an aging and (recently) inconsistent Jerome Je Banner. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kyotaro lands a punch and pulls off the upset against Schilt because he has the ability to do it, but I just don’t see that happening tonight. I’m taking Semmy Schilt in this one.
(K-1 Grand Prix 2010 Quarterfinals Bout)
Gokhan Saki vs. Daniel Ghiţă
Expect to see a LOT of leg kicks from Gokhan Saki in this fight. Daniel Ghita’s status in the tournament was up in the air after the media found out that he suffered a leg injury, but Ghita announced he will compete anyway and didn’t comment of the severity of the injury. I’m fully expecting this bout to be a fireworks show with Saki trying to kick Ghita’s leg off, and Ghita trying to reserve what health he has left in his leg by trying to end the fight early. In the end, Ghita’s leg will likely get the best of him giving Saki a unanimous decision in what’s guaranteed to be an exciting fight.
(K-1 Grand Prix 2010 Quarterfinals Bout)
Alistair Overeem vs. Tyrone Spong
Alistair Overeem has improved a lot since his appearance in the 2009 Grand Prix. One thing that he displayed in his fight against Ben Edwards was his patience and his ability to be selective with his shots, composing his energy. Even though Tyrone Spong is a skilled striver, he hasn’t finished a fight by knockout since January 2009. Overeem’s previously mentioned evolution in his striking game and his size advantage will give him enough momentum to make it to the semi-finals.
K-1 Grand Prix Semi-Finals and Final
With age setting in on Peter Aerts, the tournament-structured lifestyle of fighting probably isn’t best for him. He clearly isn’t the same fighter he used to be, and with Mo likely throwing tons of bombs, I have to give the advantage to Semmy Schilt in the semi-finals. Once again, Alistair Overeem has to be selective and keep his composure in his bout against either Saki or Ghita. If he can do that, he will meet Schilt in the finals for the big showdown everyone was expecting when this tournament started.
Alistair Overeem has not only evolved as a K-1 fighter in terms of striking; his defense has improved tenfold since his fight with Badr Hari in December of 2009. In that fight, he would do one technique right and another horribly wrong when blocking strikes: He would block them with his forearm and cover his face, but would increase the distance between him and his opponent by walking away. In his bout against Ben Edwards, he was selective, kept a close distance and blocked all the strikes perfectly. The Overeem that is walking into the ring tonight is a totally different one than last year’s K-1 Overeem. He has made it his mission to finally win the K-1 Grand Prix… and I think 2010 is his year.
(Prediction) K-1 Grand Prix 2010 Winner: Alistair Overeem defeats Semmy Schilt in Round 2.
