K1 GP Final Picks!

[AKA]

Sem-JLB: Tough match-up. I can see JLB by Dec.

Hoost-Chalid:The winner of that one will be exausted imo. Chalid after 1 or 2 extra round dec.

Karaev-Feitosa: Karaev by dec
Remy-Leko: Leko by extra round dec.

Lol, I dont see any KO....

Then if no injuries:

JLB-Chalid: JLB by 1st rd KO
Leko-Karaev: Leko by Dec

JLB-Leko: Hopefully JLB by Dec!

Tell me.....

[il.puparo]

Semmy - Jerome, i hope JLB by KO, if not semmy by decision
Hoost - Arrab, low kicks - punch, i think arrab by decision
Feitosa - Karaev, Feitosa by KO, r2 or 3
Leko - Bonjasky, Bonjasky extraround

Jerome - Arrab - Jerome KO r2
Bonjasky - Feitosa, Feitosa extraround

Jerome - Feitosa, Jerome KO r1

would be nice.

[MZN]

Semmy - Jerome. I think Sem will win by decision
Hoost - Arrab. After the fight against Fujimoto I think Arrab can KO Ernesto :(
Feitosa - Karaev. In a superfight I'd pick Feitosa by low kicks but this is the first round of the tournament so it'll get stretched and both will use more punches which could be better for Karaev. Erm perhaps somewhere along the line Feitosa could score a knockdown so Feitosa by dec.
Leko - Bonjasky. Leko will take this, he'll launch tons and tons of bodyshots pinning Remy up against the ropes scoring a win in the same way Mirko won years ago.

Schilt - Arrab. I don't think Arrab will be able to get through to Sem without eating knees so I'd say Sem by KO
Leko - Feitosa. Interesting and hard to predict. Wishfull thinking leads me to a brazillian high kick landing.

Schilt - Feitosa. There we go again Sem will win.

Hmm, eh second gp win for Sem? Predicting fight by fight leads me to think this but somehow I just don't see it happening.

He'll face two impressive punchers in a row which increases the chanses of him getting caught. I nominate the first round with JlB and so will Sem so expect a lot of physical bullying there.

[Janosch]

A 108kg JLB as a WGP-Winner by 3 Knocksouts in a row would be real great and he would also deserve it! But we will see what happens, may the best fighter win!

[alexey]

Sem-JLB: Tough match-up. I can see JLB by Dec.

Hoost-Chalid:The winner of that one will be exausted imo. Chalid after 1 or 2 extra round dec.

Karaev-Feitosa: Karaev by dec
Remy-Leko: Leko by extra round dec.

Lol, I dont see any KO....

Then if no injuries:

JLB-Chalid: JLB by 1st rd KO
Leko-Karaev: Leko by Dec

JLB-Leko: Hopefully JLB by Dec!

Tell me.....

JLB vs Schilt JLB by Ko 1R or Schilt dec JLB KO 1R
Hoost - Arrab Arrab dec
Feitosa - Karaev Feitosa Ko 3 R
Leko - Bonjasky Remy dec extra
JLB - Arrab JLB by Ko 2 R
Feitosa - Bonjasky Remy dec
JLB - Bonjasky Remy dec extra round !stamina!

My fav - Feitosa, Bonjasky, LeBanner

[Lone Wolf]

I think Semmy will most definately get a win over JLB. I`d like to see a KO but it`ll probably be a decision.

I also seem to be one of the few to think Ernesto will beat Chalid. Call it a hunch. I think Hoost will either TKO him with legkicks in the third or grab a decision but I`m sure it will be Hoost.

Feitosa should be able to overcome Karaev.

As much as I`d love to see Remy win seeing as I`m not the biggest fan of Leko, I think Leko might grab a decision.

Semmy will beat the reserve fight winner ( Hoost won`t compete in more than 1 bout) and Glaube will KO Leko.

The final fight should see Semmy beating Glaube though I`d love to see Glaube win (he`s my favorite fighter).

[AKA]

No love for Karaev???
Why?

[alexey]

No love for Karaev???
Why?

I like Karaev, but for me Feitosa and Remy - better. All 4 fights are very difficult for perdiction.

[MZN]

No love for Karaev???
Why?

In my case the same as Alexey, I do like him. I think he's exciting and a great addition to the k-1 circuit. So loads of love for Karaev but the particular fight is also quite a tossup for me. I just think Feitosa is too slick to crumble under Karaevs workrate but one could make a case the other way around that Karaev will pin Feitosa down as Glaube tends to lock up a bit in a double guard when attacked ferociously, not many people were able to capitalize on that but Karaev could just as well do it.

[tarley01]

JLB - Semmy - Semmy ko

Arrab - Hoost - Hoost Decision

Feitosa - Karaev - Karaev ko

Leko - Bonjasky Bonjasky Decision



1/2 Final Semmy - hoost - Semmy KO

1/2 Final Karaev - Bonjasky - Bonjasky Decision

Final Semmy - Bonjasky - Semmy Decision

[pirespece]

*** correction after checking on japan k1 website :):):) ***

[Mago]

In my case the same as Alexey, I do like him. I think he's exciting and a great addition to the k-1 circuit. So loads of love for Karaev but the particular fight is also quite a tossup for me. I just think Feitosa is too slick to crumble under Karaevs workrate but one could make a case the other way around that Karaev will pin Feitosa down as Glaube tends to lock up a bit in a double guard when attacked ferociously, not many people were able to capitalize on that but Karaev could just as well do it.

As far as work rater goes, remember Paul Slowinsky is a underated machine, and he never gave Feitosa any time to rest and breath, also used loads of boxing combos mixed with HEAVY low kicks, and still Feitosa was able to answer everytime, with his own techniques and smart counters.

Karaev is great but I don't think his style is any more dangerous, in it's own uniqueness, than Slowinsky's, plus Karaev sadly doesn't use his legs, he focuses 99% on boxing and being "short", it isn't exactly the greatest tactic against expert kickers like Glaube. The one thing I fear though is the spinning heel to the ribs, he hasn't used that in a while, might surprise Feitosa.

I was excited when I first heard this matchup for Vegas, but Feitosa injured his foot. Now they are up again and this will be a great fight, for sure, a nice GP debut for Karaev.

[MZN]

As far as work rater goes, remember Paul Slowinsky is a underated machine, and he never gave Feitosa any time to rest and breath, also used loads of boxing combos mixed with HEAVY low kicks, and still Feitosa was able to answer everytime, with his own techniques and smart counters.

Karaev is great but I don't think his style is any more dangerous, in it's own uniqueness, than Slowinsky's, plus Karaev sadly doesn't use his legs, he focuses 99% on boxing and being "short", it isn't exactly the greatest tactic against expert kickers like Glaube. The one thing I fear though is the spinning heel to the ribs, he hasn't used that in a while, might surprise Feitosa.

I was excited when I first heard this matchup for Vegas, but Feitosa injured his foot. Now they are up again and this will be a great fight, for sure, a nice GP debut for Karaev.

Very true indeed but in the case of the workrate I was referring to the punches whereas Slowinski kicks more.

It has happened that when punched Feitosa pulls up a double guard and stands straight up.

[heckyl]

the second bracket there is the workout bracket. i can totally see the winner of JLB/Schilt having the best shot at the GP. Hoost/Arrab wont pose a threat to JLB or Schilt, and i feel the second bracket is going to have to work alot harder, due to the swifter guys involved. so they might be a bit more tired in the finals. just please, no injuries. no Musashi as the reserve fighter coming in plz.

schilt jd 3
arrab jd 3
feitosa jd 3
leko jd 3

schilt ko 1
leko jd 3

schilt ko 1

[LethalSassonic]

Schilt by impressive decision
Arrab by come from behind victory JD
Feitosa easily over Karaev by KO
Leko by JD extra round over Remy

[Big Sleep]

JLB-Shilt by Decision
Hoost-Chalid by TKO
Glaube-Ruslan by KO
Leko-Remy by Decision

JLB-Hoost by KO
Leko-Glaube by Decision

JLB-Leko by KO to finally win a WGP

[RiceIlari]

schilt dec
hoost dec
glaube 2 rd KO
remy 2 rd KO

schilt dec
remy 1 rd ko

schilt dec

[Lone Wolf]

No love for Karaev???
Why?

I love Ruslan but he tends to open up a bit too much. Against Feitosa he might eat a few kicks and maybe even get downed.

I keep liking Ruslan more and more after each fight though, he is a great young hope and I`m really happy that we get to see him in the GP again.

[Lone Wolf]

Also, I`ve notised many of you guys are underestimating old Ernesto...I expect a big surprise from the sly fox.

[Cracked_Knuckle]

I got

JLB-Sem: JLB JD
Hoost-Die: Die JD

Karaev-Feitosa: Glaube KO
Remy-Leko: Remy KO

JLB-Chalid: Die JD
Remy-Glkaube: Glaube JD

Glaube-Die: Glaube KO

Hell,I just thought as I went and didnt think I'da end up with Glaube as a champ. :lol:

[tonypol]

1.Sem-JLB--the big fight ...and i hope (if Jerome will fight smart) Jerome by decision

2.Hoost-Chalid: Chalid by decision ..no extra rounds

3.Karaev-Feitosa: Feitosa by ko/tko round 2/3

4.Remy-Leko: Leko by extra round dec.

semifinal1
Jerome vs Chalid-Jerome by KO round 1

semifinal2
Feitosa vs Leko-Feitosa by decision after 1or 2 extra rounds

FINAL
JEROME LE BANNER VS FEITOSA-JEROME BY KO IN ROUND 2

THE WINNER JEROMEEEEE LEEE BANNEEERRRRRRRRR......i hope

[Anjew]

1. If it goes to decision, I think it should be JLB...
2. I think Chalid has a chance to outpoint Hoost, but I say Ernesto by late KO
3. Glaube should defeat Ruslan by dec
4. Remy is coming back to form, but Leko has just defeated Sefo... difficult, but I say Leko by dec

semis: not sure if they won´t need to find 2 replacements for JLB and Hoost... ;) if they fight though, I pick JLB by dec
Glaube will defeat Stefan by dec

Final:
barely walking JLB will lose the decision to Glaube, unless judges really want him to win and will score it in manner 'Glaube has still some time to win the GP´ ;)

[unicorn]

JLB vs. Schilt :

Jerome has to prepare in heaps for terrible kicks, to break reach and to spoil distance when Semmy throws knees.

Hoost-Chalid

Hoost looks worn-out but has good defensive and I don't see Chalid making such small work of him as anticipated here. Chalid is the smallest guy in the tournament and the single weapon he can rely upon is to outbox Hoost (which is a hell of a task).

Feitosa vs. Karaev

Feitosa has improved a lot his defensive against punches and with all respect Karaev is no match about kicks, he also tends to be sometimes negligent about defensive. Feitosa will try to sneak the head kick to get a KO (and more rest). Karaev needs to score an early knockdown, in the long run Feitosa has much more arsenal to rely upon.

Bonjaski vs. Leko : Leko did outspeed Bonjaski once. Bonjaski has nevertheless a high workrate and is aggressive and stubborn. Leko needs to rise to perfection the distance game and to obstruct any attempt to strike on series. If Bonjaski has the distance spoiled, he tends to become confused and defensive.

I think chances are to have one of the following :

Semmy vs. Leko in the final (that'd be sweet)
Semmy vs. Bonjaski in the final (this risks to be a rehearsal of the former meeting, I don't think Bonjaski can hurt or stop Semmy)

JLB can pass above Semmy but chances are that he reaches the final quite exhausted and worn-out.

[RedHawk]

Wow, no one gives Hoost a chance to win it all?

[AKA]

Wow, no one gives Hoost a chance to win it all?
There is no way Hoost can win imho....
....or maybe if he is KO'ed in the first fight.....fuck.

[LethalSassonic]

There is no way Hoost can win imho....
....or maybe if he is KO'ed in the first fight.....fuck.

Hoost is my all-time favorite, but I really do wonder about his age, he's over 40 now, so it's not likely he can win the whole tourney.

[heckyl]

Hoost was easily losing a decision against Fuji until he lit him up with lows. the reflexes and speed werent there it seemed. Chalid is gonna be more a challenge than Fuji, but im sure Hoost is in preparation. i still say Chalid takes a decision.

[sparkles]

Too bad Schilt is there, he destroyed 3 of the participants already and he is the man to beat. His size/workrate gives him a huge edge and makes him very hard to beat. I would have given JLB a very good chance of winning it, if Schilt would not have been there. Therefore I would have taken the opposite bracket, thus avoiding Schilt. Let other people hurt Schilt and maybe Schilt has to drop out due to injury, who knows?

[LethalSassonic]

Too bad Schilt is there, he destroyed 3 of the participants already and he is the man to beat. His size/workrate gives him a huge edge and makes him very hard to beat. I would have given JLB a very good chance of winning it, if Schilt would not have been there. Therefore I would have taken the opposite bracket, thus avoiding Schilt. Let other people hurt Schilt and maybe Schilt has to drop out due to injury, who knows?

Yes, I implore everone to disregard Schilt's two losses this year to Choi and Aerts, they were questionable in terms of judging. It's WGP time, and I expect Schilt to take no prisoners like last year, Schilt is the World Champion, and he's without question the favorite and the man to beat.

[El Presidente]

Schilt-LeBanner
-
Tough fight. But I see LeBanner taking it. LeBanner could rock Choi and land some pretty clean shots. And from my observations Choi has a VERY underrated chin. Definitely a harder chin that Semmy. I remember Semmy getting dropped by a very lethargic punch from a half-asleep Ignashov. If LeBanner can land clean and hard he can put Sem down. I dont see a KO happening but LeBanner will be pressuring and getting in his shots while trying to dodge Sem's jabs and fron kicks. JLB will be all fists here and will get in a decisive down to secure a tough win.
-
JLB via Extra Round Decision



Hoost-Arrab
-
3 years ago Hoost wouldve put on an embarrasing demolition of Chalid. Now he is too rusty. Make no mistake he is still Hoost and he still has more than what it takes to beat mediocre fighters, but Chalid is young and hungry and beating Musashi without any dodgy extra round is something to make you sit up and take note.

I think Hoost will finally feel his age in this fight and Chalid will pressure him and put technique off balance. I dont see a KO... Chalid may almost have too much respect for Hoost in this one but that wont stop him from making Hoost look old.
-
Chalid via 3R Decision


Feitosa v2.0 - Karaev
-
Feitosa has been razor sharp lately. The way he beat Slowinski was uber impressive. Out kicked a very good kicker and showed some serious conditioning in taking those mechanical low kicks without being too bothered. In my opinion had Slowinski fought Karaev he wouldve destroyed him - Karaev for all his flashiness can not take a proper low kick. Badr was unsettling him in their non-event fight with low kicks and Im pretty sure Feitosa can kick a lot harder than Badr.

Karaev is becoming predictable: Come in bouncing, Throw a spinning punch/kick, get a pop out of the crowd, and work from there. His arsenal of attacks is also becoming obvious - the spinning stuff, the jumping punch to name a few.

Glaube has the height advantage and will pretty much dictate this fight and can probably end it whenever he wants. As I mentioned in their matchup for Vegas: Glaube can hurt Karaev at any range with high kicks, punches and knees. At close range Karaev is screwed. At long range, Karaev is FUCKED. He will probably get stung with some low kicks and just when he is worried about his legs Glaube will send one over the top to put him to sleep. This one ends with a Punch or a kick or knee from Glaube. Karaev needs a lucky punch or an off-form Glaube to win.
-
Glaube via 2R KO (Brazilian Mawashi)


Leko-Bonjaski
-
Very very hard to call. Probably the hardest. If Leko's concentration is flawless he can beat Remy easy. But if he slips up and does something stupid Remy will take the opening and floor him with a jumping knee.

So I think this fight depends on Leko. If he can pressure Remy and jam his range and take away his tools he will force him to become defencive. This is typical of Remy - covering up when things dont go his way. He cant trade punches with Leko as Leko will slam him from all angles and maybe in sneak in that heavy straight right for a vital knockdown. Leko will be ready for the kicks and knees so this really could go anywhere.

Leko has a good team behind him and will be fired up like never before so...
-
Leko via Extra Round Decision



After that....


LeBanner-Arrab
-
Arrab gets KTFO in R1. LeBanner's presence and fists will just be too much. Chalid ends the day having beaten a legend and getting a beat down from another.
-
JLB via 1R KO (Flogging)




Feitosa v2.0 -Leko
-
Feitosa comes in with the height advantage again and the tools to punish Leko. Leko will need to be in top form to beat Feitosa as his has very little hair on his head to soften the impact of Glaube's ankle/shin.

Leko cant outkick Feitosa. Very few can. The old Feitosa gave Andy Hug one of the hardest fights of his life. Only Peter Aerts has bothered Feitosa with kicks. So Leko has to use his hands wisely and try and get his right hand in for a down. Glaube has shown to clam up when flustered - but even from here he tends to throw some lethal straight up knees which pose a threat to Leko.

I see Glaube playing a safe game here and keeping Leko at long range and frustrating him for the full 3 rounds... maybe even dropping him along the way. But some high kicks WILL connect and that will score big points on the cards.
-
Feitosa via 3R Decision



FINAL


JLB vs Feitosa
-
I'll leave this one in the lap of the Gods. I hope it comes down to this one. I hope JLB wins it all... I also want Feitosa to win it all. So may the best man win.


my 2 pence

[Mago]

Hehe, your 2 pence is worth a lot more than I have to offer, so I'll simply add "pretty much agree with everything". ;)

The only point in which I have a funny feeling (of course the GP is always so unpredictable that probably NOTHING our colective minds can come up with will happen according to the plan) is about the Hoost - Die Faust fight, I simply cannot see Hoost loosing this.

Let me remind everybody that Chalid got out-powered and out-boxed by Abidi (yes, couple years ago, but still) and he is perfect for Hoost's style, being small didn't count for much in the elims as Musashi isn't big either, but the serious lack of reach, punch oriented style and not so good leg movement makes this a very tough match for Chalid, plus he has nothing in his arsenal Hoost hadn't seen before (same thing I said 'bout Fuji), aside from youth and hunger obviously. Don't get me wrong I like Chalid and was cheering for him since first time I saw in the Paris 03 gp, but I just CANNOT picture Hoost being surprised or bothered by his punching, in fact I think it'll be a lot like the Fujimoto fight, with Chalid always going foward but never being able to connect solid strikes, while Hoost picks points and stings his legs and go for the hook combos when needed...

This would also introduce a new variable as I think Hoost was much better agaisnt Fuji (little details) than the famous 2004 fight against Bonjasky (his last "real" competitive fight). Still I don't believe he can make it through more than one fight, specially if he's going to fight either Semmy or Jerome next (it is clear he doesn't have an answer to solve Semmy, and Jerome is still more than ferocious enough to get him at this point). So Hoost dropping after the quarters seems like a realistic factor, and a chance for one of the big stars like Sefo and Aerts to get in in case they get the reserve matches...

[( o Y o )]

in fact I think it'll be a lot like the Fujimoto fight, with Chalid always going foward but never being able to connect solid strikes, while Hoost picks points and stings his legs and go for the hook combos when needed...

So are you predicting that if Hoost cannot stop Challid with lowkiks, that he will lose via JD? ;-)

I actually can see things playing out just as El has said. The only thing I worry about is that while JLB is now making movies, GG is already hard at work making a plan for Sem to stick to in order to beat JLB.

If Sem wins that one, and he and Glaube end up in the finals {2003 and 2004 repeats ;-)} then Sem must have the advantage mentally.