Masato... King of Kick

[Razor Bump]

Okay not only should the title of this thread be the beginning of a Movie about Masato's life, but it's an actual truth and honor that he has earned. I would like to see more fighters in Japan challenging for his thrown. Masato could make a living off of banging with just Japanese fighters at this point. I would like to see match ups with him x these names...... HAYAT0, Yoshihiro Sato, Tatsuji, Satorvoshikoba, Amara (though a mongolian), and any other worthy challengers.

He is the King of Kick..... Stay off his D... (psyche lol)

I would like to see this come into fruition though. It's time to give him a crown until a young buck can knock it off his head.

[Kobayashi]

I don't think his body could hold up, a lot of the guys mentioned have great low-kicks and that leg is getting pretty fragile.

[Lord Gaul]

I don't think any of those names kick as well as Kohi and he has been served twice. I think it would be entertaining to see him fight one of those names rather then see him fight a boxer or a unknown Muay Thai fighter.

[Kamatari]

Like Kobayashi stated his leg is getting fragile as hell, if they keep throwing Kohi at him a couple more times he could realistically beat Masato if he doesn't start throwing those wild hooks for whatever reason. Masato's reaction to those sporadically thrown low kicks was awkward. But you also get the feeling that if Masato just jumped in there he would have knocked his head off, but those teeps were an obstacle for him that he couldn't overcome.

Satoruvashikoba would lose because of the difference of power. I'm mentioning that because Masato has an iron-chin and is more accustomed to fighting at 70 Kg. If he can't overwhelm fighters he's going to run into a lot of problems.

HAYAT0 could do it I think. But he leaves himself way open for counters and unlike with Kyshenko the judges will probably not side with him in a close fight. Masato's combinations are better, but HAYAT0's relentless and as long as he doesn't allow Masato to fire up he would be fine. But Masato's defense is superior and I can hardly imagine him getting outworked like that. And he CAN win by KO unlike HAYAT0.

It's too early for TATSUJI, the way he punches sets him up for Masato to pick him apart. But if he attacks up and downstairs repeatedly with combinations Masato's body might not be up for it. Masato wouldn't quit so that's another unlikely scenario.

Poor Sato, I'll wait for his next fight to come up with a real answer. On one hand I can imagine him kneeing and kicking Masato across the ring, on the other I picture him getting caught with numerous punches and fighting with a lack of conviction like in the Kraus fight. And unlike Kohiruimaki (or Kozo - see fight against Souwer) for instance his low kick isn't nearly as powerful. The one thing he has working for him is that his workrate is insane, when he's on that is. Masato would have to fight in and out and he'd win a decision. Hopefully Sato and his camp are working on some issues and he can get over the Buakaw KO.

Kikuchi knocked SHINOBU down, doubt that Masato couldn't do it either. He could give him a hard time but I just don't want to see him at super-welter. No power, half the stamina and a gut - there's certain things you can't sacrifice in the ring.

This is all assuming he doesn't return in considerably better shape and starts kicking ass all over the place.

Be on the look-out for AJKF welterweight champion Daiki. He's ranked 8th at Rajadamnern is undefeated and comparisons between Masato and him have been made. I wish I could list some other names but the national divisions aren't strong enough for that. It's a shame really - Matsumoto has to kill himself to make weight, Goto's career is in limbo, Shishido has to focus on regaining the confidence of the fans in the S-Cup and so forth.

As MAX becomes more of a priority and the fighters and most importantly the trainers adapt to it I can see a bright future. MAX has become kickboxing on European rules almost with close to no clinching and the focus on combinations and high volume of strikes.

[Kamatari]

Oh and Razor, Satoshi Kobayashi is going to be fighting Jalernchai in November. Jalernchai "defeated" Hiroki Ishii last year at the TITANS event and defended his Rajadamnern title. Daiki and Haruaki Otsuki will also be on the card.

I should probably start a new thread.

[Kobayashi]

Like Kobayashi stated his leg is getting fragile as hell, if they keep throwing Kohi at him a couple more times he could realistically beat Masato if he doesn't start throwing those wild hooks for whatever reason. Masato's reaction to those sporadically thrown low kicks was awkward. But you also get the feeling that if Masato just jumped in there he would have knocked his head off, but those teeps were an obstacle for him that he couldn't overcome.

Precisely and great post. As for jumping in aggressively against Kohi... one has to be a very brave/stupid man to do that. I can imagine you get as frustrated as I do when Kohi doesn't at least give his 1-hit-KO-power flying knee a chance in some fights such as that one. Unlike Masato, Souwer left far more openings for that knee strike and yet Kohi barely went for it... shame.

As for Masato's awkward reactions to Kohi's kicks... I'm glad you can see them, because to me it's blatently obvious and to many it's invisible. Too many people keep talking about Masato as if this left leg injury isn't there and hasn't been there for nearly 2 years now (which it has and it's only worsened). Watch any Masato fight since Im Chi Bin, guys... watch that lead leg.

[Kamatari]

Precisely and great post. As for jumping in aggressively against Kohi... one has to be a very brave/stupid man to do that. I can imagine you get as frustrated as I do when Kohi doesn't at least give his 1-hit-KO-power flying knee a chance in some fights such as that one. Unlike Masato, Souwer left far more openings for that knee strike and yet Kohi barely went for it... shame.
I don't even think it's that, but he was doing well with the teeps and low kicks. He should stop twitching and start kicking so to speak. Masato was trying to conserve some energy but he still went three rounds in the end.

It would be nice to know your (and anyone else's) take on these fights though.

As for Masato's awkward reactions to Kohi's kicks... I'm glad you can see them, because to me it's blatently obvious and to many it's invisible. Too many people keep talking about Masato as if this left leg injury isn't there and hasn't been there for nearly 2 years now (which it has and it's only worsened). Watch any Masato fight since Im Chi Bin, guys... watch that lead leg.
Yeah, unless he returns rejuvenated and ready to take on the world I'm thinking the glory days are over for him. Who knows?

[Razor Bump]

Bout time Otsuki got back in the mix. I think Jalernchai will take Koboyashi. I think unless Koboyashi re dedicates himself he will retire after this year. Why does Daiki sound so familiar? I'm curious about Masato's leg to. It seemed when he got kick he immediatley when to throwing hands almost with a jerking of his body that said to me, "I've got to finish this now". In that same breath Kohi just stopped Im Chi Bin Lim in a fight he was loosing with some nice leg kicks. I dont know. Maybe this little lay off Masato is taking will help him get back to health.

I still think his boxing is so much better than the other competitors tools.... it will make him difficult to beat.

[Kobayashi]

I'm curious about Masato's leg to. It seemed when he got kick he immediatley when to throwing hands almost with a jerking of his body that said to me, "I've got to finish this now".

That's also what I saw, either as you said "I've got to finish this now" or just a burst of rage/anger "Damn you for kicking my injury!". Perhaps it was his plan to make Kohi fearful of throwing low-kicks? Low-kick = Aggressive burst in return = No more low-kicks from Kohi.

I still think his boxing is so much better than the other competitors tools.... it will make him difficult to beat.

Indeed, and he's having to rely on it more and more lately due to his crippled leg. I still think he's capable of beating poor low-kickers as if his injury isn't there, although even Remigijus and Zambidis caused him a lot of pain with low-kicks. If Buakaw fights one of his no low-kick fights against Masato, I believe Masato will win--however, Buakaw's been using his low-kick more and more frequently lately.

[Sudoraba]

To be truthful I see MAX fighters expiring a lot more quickly then the K-1 HWs. Hoost at his age now can still own all but maybe like 5 people. The MAX fighters though, are in a more competitive field throw twice the workrate and as a result absorb twice the strikes per fight.

That plus even the top fighters are top fighters by a margin of inches. The K-1 HW elite have been there and are so far ahead of everyone else that its almost ridiculous at times, but there is always talk that a non MAX fighter can easily beat whatever top fighter holds the MAX crown at the moment.

That being said, when one fighter gets injured or a crack in his armor appears, there are 10 new more hungry fighters looking for that spot in MAX.

[Razor Bump]

Yeah there fight expectancy (is that a stat for life expectancy) is a lot shorter. Rougher fights man it takes the toll. Eventually they will be like boxers. They already have that same status in Japan and Thailand.

[WOLVES AT THE DOOR]

I watched the max battlescramble on youtube yesterday. It had alot of behind the scenes info that's real rare. I did notice after the fight with Kohi Masato's leg was banged up pretty bad. The old masato use to take those kicks with no problem" The Takeda fight as a matter of fact". Maybe thats why he uses more movement now than before.

[Razor Bump]

Honestly.... I just think Kohi kicks extremly hard. He's under rated that's a fact, but remember he just stopped Im Chi Bin Lim with.... low kicks. Im Chi is a Muay Thai fighter and if anyone can handle low kicks it would be him. I think it's just tough to win a tournament. The Psyche is so different from opponent to opponent. The old Masato would have sucked it up, but damn... who do you know that can beat Kohi and Souwer in one night? The list is probably on one hand.