K-1 Oceania 2006

[shoshin]

Below is the dates and new pool fighters for the 2006 qualifing year in the Oceania region. Taken from Dixons Post on Ax Kickboxing.

K-1 Oceania 2006 Circuit

Heres the participants and match ups for the 2006 Kings of Oceania Series

Pool A Peter Graham (Aus)
Doug Viney (NZ)
Andrew Peck (NZ)
Mat Samoa (Aus)

Pool B
Jason Suttie (NZ)
Reuben De Jong (NZ)
Ben Edwards (Aus)
Peter Sampson (NZ)

Pool C
Pola Mataele (NZ)
Steve McKinnon (Aus)
Jay Hepi (NZ)
Chris Chrisopoulides (Aus)

Trusts Stadium, Auckland June 24th 2006
Peter Graham (Aus) v Mat Samoa (Aus)
Doug Viney (NZ) v Andrew Peck (NZ)
Jason Suttie (NZ) v Reuben De Jong (NZ)
Peter Sampson (NZ) v Ben Edwards (Aus)
Pola Mataele (NZ) v Chris Chrisopoulides (Aus)
Jay Hepi (NZ) v Steve McKinnon (Aus)

Trusts Stadium, Auckland September 16th 2006
Peter Graham (Aus) v Andrew Peck (NZ)
Doug Viney (NZ) v Mat Samoa (Aus)
Jason Suttie (NZ) v Ben Edwards (Aus)
Reuben De Jong (NZ) v Peter Sampson (NZ)
Pola Mataele (NZ) v Jay Hepi (NZ)
Chris Chrisopoulides (Aus) v Steve McKinnon (Aus)

Trusts Stadium, Auckland November 18th 2006
Peter Graham (Aus) v Doug Viney (NZ)
Andrew Peck (NZ) v Mat Samoa (Aus)
Jason Suttie (NZ) v Peter Sampson (NZ)
Reuben De Jong (NZ) v Ben Edwards (Aus)
Pola Mataele (NZ) v Steve McKinnon (Aus)
Jay Hepi (NZ) v Chris Chrisopoulides (Aus)

Paul Slowinski already qualifies for the 2007 Oceania Grand Prix therefore he does not have to fight in the circuit. Paul will be used for Superfights on the Oceania Cards where applicable.

[( o Y o )]

No Rony?

[shoshin]

Good point I didn't actually notice that until you mentioned it, will do some homework into that!
Some good match ups on the cards though, and look forward to seeing what Doug Viney can do after a break.

[Michael Schiavello]

Hey Boobs

Ronzo retired after his last fight in the K-1 Oceania GP... sad that we won't see him any more, as you know he is a great fighter and an even greater bloke.

Excellent to see some new blood, such as Steve McKinnon. McKinnon is a class act who has only recently moved to heavyweight, so it will be interesting to see how this pin-up boy of New South Wales handles the bigger weighted fighters.

I'm excited to see former K-1 New Zealand champion Doug Viney back in the mix. It's about time.

Going to be another big year for the Oceania methinks!

"The Voice" Michael Schiavello

[( o Y o )]

Thanks for that news mate.....a bit of a shocker though as I had no idea. Damn. It really is sad, and sadder that he didn't go out on a win.

Thanks again.

[Dado]

Hey Mike, can you give us some info n McKinnon? I never heard of him before lol.

Im rooting for my man Peter Graham this time round!

[Michael Schiavello]

Steve McKinnon... well what can I say... this man has for years been one of the most talented light heavyweight kickboxers in Australia. The only problem is that we just haven't seen enough of him. His only loss was to Slowinski as a light heavy many moons ago. The guy has movie star looks, an awesome physique, plenty of charisma and sublime skills... but like I said, the major criticism of him is that we haven't seen enough of him. He was meant to fight Nathan Corbett in a huge grudge match a month ago but it didn't eventuate thanks to that bikie shoot up that broke out on the night during the fights...

How Steve will carry the weight will be interesting... he will struggle to get near 100kg... in fact he may struggled to get to high 90s... he has exceptional kicks, I mean wicked roundhouse kicks and he moves well. Good hands. Excellent all rounder really.

So yes, all of Australia is keen to see how he will go as he is immensely talented, but once again we just dont see enough of him.

"The Voice" Michael Schiavello

[Dado]

That sounds interesting!

Was his loss to Slowinski when he couldnt continue due to a cut/blood nose? I think I may have seen that match.

Its good for some new faces in the circuit.

[( o Y o )]

Undercard

Prince Hamid v Spike Chamberlain
Chopper v TBC

[Michael Schiavello]

I think Slowinski KO'd him or TKO'd him with a head kick. I remember it was at Star City Casino in Sydney on a Solak show... was quite a few years ago however.

"The Voice" Michael Schiavello

[davidk]

How old is Rony? Isnt he younger than Ray?

[( o Y o )]

2 or 3 years younger.

[Matasorapit]

I think Dixon has set up another great year. Like Voice and shoshin said, its interesting to see Doug back, and I will add Andrew Peak also. He has been asking for fights for the past 12 months so I hope he is hungry. Sad news that Ronny has left the sport, well taken his gloves off anyways. Like voice said, he is a true gentleman and more man than most of us. Spike and Prince is interesting, I am looking foward to seeing more of Spike in the Max weight. I think I have only seen him the once at hat weight but many times earlier against Jordan Tai in the lighter divisions.

Good luck to all of the fighters and those involved with 2006.

[Michael Schiavello]

If I had to rank my favourites overall at the moment, I would list them as such:

1. Peter Graham - hungry, technically gifted, durability, knows how to win these things

2. Jason Suttie - extremely hungry, fast, durability, knows how to win these things, intimidating, master of psychology

3. Pola Mataele - has the power, is durable, is improving with each fight, size a facor

4. Chris Chrisopoulides - enormous heart, heavy leg kicker, tough-as-nails chin

5. Doug Viney - incredible speed, stamina, knockout power

6. Steve McKinnon - huge kicker to legs, body and head, moves well, great hands, might have trouble against some of the big boys however

7. Matt Samoa - on his day can KO anyone (see Mataele, Chrisopoulides) but those days are too infrequent to be at the top

8. Andrew Peck - has he still got what it takes? Awesome kicker to all areas, is hungry

9. Jay Hepi - improving rapidly, needs more experience at top flight, durable, iron chin

10. Ben Edwards -can take a beating, can throw a big punch, tremendous heart, needs more experience at top

11. Pete Sampson - gifted all round, questionable chin after seeing him in Adelaide last year, on his day is great but when he's off he's off. Could be a surprise packet if he has matured.

12. Reuben deJong - I have never seen him fight before

[( o Y o )]

^ I am hoping for a finals between your #1, 2 and 3 guys.

Graham deserves it. Suttie to after his showing last time. Pola looks to me to be the future of Oceania.

[Michael Schiavello]

Yep, I think the three guys I have listed as 1, 2 and 3 are the cream of the crop, though Chrisopoulides if he is "on" can certainly join them. Chrisopoulides fought Suttie a few weeks ago in Sydney and was very unlucky to lose by decision with many thinking Big Chris did enough to win. And dont forget he is the only man to ever make Suttie throw in the towel. But for sure Peter, Jason and Pola are the "big three" to watch now, with Doug Viney as my darkhorse.

"The Voice" Michael Schiavello

[( o Y o )]

Was the towel throw the time when Sutties father threw it in?? I read something about Suttie getting pissed at his father about it. Or....am I embarrasing myself by mixing up my Oceania fighters here??

[Michael Schiavello]

No you are correct... not sure if it was Suttie's dad or his brother, but yes one of them threw in the towel as Jason was getting badly banged up by Chris's leg kicks. Yes Jason was peeved about it, but fact is that Big Chris got the better of him toward the end of that fight -- it was an awesome contest.

"The Voice" Michael Schiavello

[( o Y o )]

I love the fact I get all the K-1 stuff (Like Holland tonight) live, but it pisses me off no end I cannot see the stuff from back home as easily. I know less about guys from my own region than anywhere else I think :-0 LOL

[Michael Schiavello]

Vice versa down here my friend. LOL. Wish I was in Amsterdam calling the shots tonight!

"The Voice" Michael Schiavello

[( o Y o )]

I hear ya mate...wish I was there too!

The only thing in your favour down there is it is easier to...ah....aquire K-1/etc events on the net than local Aussie shows are for me. ;-)

[Michael Schiavello]

Ah yes, this would be true... not that I condone such "acquisition" :-P

Hopefully K-1 will further get behind what Dixon is doing down here and the tremendous pool of talent the region has and start showing Oceania events more regularly as we are the ONLY region to have such frequent events.

"The Voice" Michael Schiavello

[( o Y o )]

True mate, and from the progress Dixon has made so far, I think it has quite a decent chance of happening!

[Dado]

Not commentating on the Holland GP? Guess it wont be on TV here. But I can "acquire" it anyways hahaha.