Kaoklai (spoiler)

[Dado]

After beating Mo yesterday im strarting to think that maybe he does deserve to be in K-1. People were being really tough on him saying that he couldnt do shit to a large k1 fighter and i guess he is better than most of us thought.

If we consider his accomplishments:

Won K-1 Korea

Beat Ignashov

Drew Bernardo

KTFO Mo

Lost a decision to Musashi ( might have beaten )

This isnt all that bad, considering that he is 21 years old and only 180cm and 78kg.

Im giving him a lot of respect and i believe that he deserves it. Im not saying that hes still one of the best or anything as he still hasnt fought many of the best.

What are youre thoughts on him? Do you want to see him continue to fight in K-1? Is he actually better then we all predicted?

[DND]

He's amazing... he deserves to be in K-1 for sure and he deserves lots of respect for his bravery and skills. He's only 21, he has years and years to perfect his giant-slaying tactics, however I'd much prefer him to drop 8kg and go to MAX. There are much taller fighters in MAX than him so I'm sure he can do it. Personally, I think the really fast MAX fighters can beat heavyweight K-1 fighters.

[El Presidente]

Some people say that Musashi is too small to make a difference against the bigger fighters in a convincing way.

Kaoklai proved that size does not matter.

When I first read his stats for the K-1 Seoul i didnt think that with size and weight he'd last against the more solid grapppler Dennis Kang. But BOOM - he flattened Kang with a monstrous overhand right. He then went on to beat veteran Nakasako and then the wiry Koyasu.

When matched agaisnt Ignashov I thought - "Damn, no way in hell will he get past THIS one". But he surprised us again despite a questionable Extra Round and took it to Ignashov who was until that point the guy we all expected to win the GP this year. (the guy 10+ fights in the year - KOed Schilt, beat Diabete, DeWitt, KOed Carter...).

The fight with Bernardo... though most say that Bernardo shouldve won that fight the mere fact that Kaoklai SURVIVED against one of the biggest sluggers in K-1s history says enough.

Again most of us wrote him off against Mo. Again he suprised us - in a shocking way. I really wish that he had made it to the finals. A match between him and Bonjasky couldve been exhilirating. Both lean agile figthers with tons of heart and determination. If the judging was as suspect as people are suggesting we may have been cheated of a potentially legendary encounter in a Grand Prix final.

Kaoklai is ALL heart. Small as he is he took it to those fighters we never gave him a hope against. And I hope to God he continues to do so.

Respect to Kaoklai Kaenorsaeng!

[Kamatari]

I'd much prefer him to drop 8kg and go to MAX.
He said he can't make weight and fight properly in that division. I also think he feels he has accomplished as much as he can at that mark (Rajdamnern welter and super welterweight stadium champion). He's an amazing fighter and it's incredible that I thought he could've walked away with the championship yesterday. There might be people who'd say that Remy would blast him away, but how many more times do we have to hear that? Now instead of questioning if his opponent can catch him we also saw that if he catches you it might potentially be lights out.

[El Presidente]

Good future matchups for Kaoklai:

vs Aerts (give Aerts a real Muay Thai opponent)
vs Hoost (How will he fare against the best technician in K-1)
vs Bonjasky (this wouldve been a great Final as mentioned)
vs Filho (Pure Muay Thai vs Pure Kyokushin)
vs Feitosa (dunno why - but this seems like it could be good)
vs Tomihira (could be a wild one)

[Titan]

He's a warrior. The little guy is my hero after knocking down Mo yesterday. That was just brutal. Kaoklai's got heart.

[Amron]

Good future matchups for Kaoklai:

vs Aerts (give Aerts a real Muay Thai opponent)
vs Hoost (How will he fare against the best technician in K-1)
vs Bonjasky (this wouldve been a great Final as mentioned)
vs Filho (Pure Muay Thai vs Pure Kyokushin)
vs Feitosa (dunno why - but this seems like it could be good)
vs Tomihira (could be a wild one)


or vs an in-shape and healthy Ignashov, (no excuses here for Iggys loss) if Alexey would be in shape and hence faster, this could be an interesting matchup

[smacktime]

I think he should bulk up a bit more he's only 21. Last night saw pics of musashi ten years ago and he was about 85kg.
I would like to see him fight some more too.

[( o Y o )]

This is a direct quote from his pre fight interview in the brouchure

"I want to be the first K-1 GP Champion AND MAX Champion"

Yes, he is amazing, and he is growing on people. His running IS very entertaining, though somewhat annoying.

He did all that zanzoken said in his first post except draw with Bernardo though IMO and most if not all that were there that night. Even that takes little away from the splash he has made though.

[Kamatari]

This is a direct quote from his pre fight interview in the brouchure

"I want to be the first K-1 GP Champion AND MAX Champion"
No doubt he'd take the opportunity if pushed in MAX but I think he'll do better at heavyweight and he himself does as well by the looks of it. His preference as of right now is definitely heavyweight K-1.

[( o Y o )]

Agree completely. I think the quote is more media grabbing attention than reality.

[Dado]

Pettas was also the same height as him and managed to get to around 100 kg. I think Kaoklai could probably add another good 10kg's, but i think he is in good shape now. For MAX he doesent need to do much, just loose 6 or 7 kg's.

EDIT: Im just talking about the physical aspect, im not saying that he will be in MAX or anything as this is the first time ive read that quote.

[Grant Ellis]

Well, I secretly wanted him to win.

Muay Thai was the first martial art I was ever interested in and I have a great deal of respect for the Thai Boxers.

He put on a good show and impressed me.

[Tommy_Arashikage]

I'm gonna be devil's advocate here and say Kaoklai doesn't belong in K-1. He's at a size disadvantage every fight he is in, so it forces him to fight a hit and run, running fight, which are almost always boring. He should stick to his weight class where he can actualyl go toe to toe with his opponents, instead of relying on hit and run tactics to win every time.

I did like the KO on Mighty Mo, though. Bro, yo, you know.

[TheDude]

But if hit-and-run is effective, he should be allowed to use it and fight in K-1. The more you emphazise the "entertainment" values of the sport, the more you move closer to bullshit decisions and fixed fights.

And you mean Kaoklai not Buakaw, right?

[Tommy_Arashikage]

Yeah, I changed it.

I only meant that that strategy can only get him so far. He really needs to fight his own fighters at his own weight class.

[LeftHookKO]

I think Kaoklai is the K-1 HW fighter of the year. The mans so tiny and he's kicking ass out there. Power to the underdogs! That'd be great if he captures both belts.

[-=[DM]=-]

His KO of Mo has to be the greatest upset in K-1 this year. Who would have predicted that ending?

[Tommy_Arashikage]

This will be my last thought on the matter: If you can't fight your opponent without running a marathon than you may need to consider fighting at a smaller weight.

Props to him for beating Ignashov and Mo, but I think the fighter that was even more impressive was Botha. He came damn close to beating Remy, and he fought a great fight against Le Banner all while standing toe to toe and fighting like a real HW should.

[davidk]

Good future matchups for Kaoklai:
vs Filho (Pure Muay Thai vs Pure Kyokushin)



Filhos had boxing training so he isnt pure kyokushin

Kaoklai vs Sapp would be awesome

[LeftHookKO]

Filhos had boxing training so he isnt pure kyokushin

Kaoklai vs Sapp would be awesome
You're joking about Sapp right? lol.

[smacktime]

I think he did a great job against MO. He made Mo chase him and brought him into his game plan then BOOM!

That has got to be one of the best KO's in recent times, especially with Mo struggling to stay up and dribbling everywhere!
K-1 is going to get alot of play out of that, all from a guy that it seemed they didn't want in the GP in the first place.

Though from an fighters point of view his style of running in and out is one that pisses me the most, usually I stand there and get them to come into my game rather than chase them which is the mistake that Mo made in my opinion.

[El Presidente]

Filhos had boxing training so he isnt pure kyokushin

Kaoklai vs Sapp would be awesome

Im talking their fighting backgrounds. Those are the style's they come from. Obviously under K-1 rules it wouldnt be Pure anything.