showed good stamina, closing repeatedly with the punches, while Teixeira delivered a number of punishing kicks to the legs and midsection, tagging, as he had in the first, LeBanner's left arm with some of the blows. A draw on all cards prompting a tiebreaker round.

In the extra frame Teixeira again fired the right kicks, while LeBanner responded aggressively, scoring late with straight punches. The Frenchman thought he had the win, and did get the nod from one judge -- but the others called it a draw. In the fifth round, an indefatigable Teixeira again went with right kicks, while LeBanner fought past the blows to send fists to the face. Good effort from both fighter, a rare split decision going to Teixeira.

"My arm and ankle are a little sore, but no more than after any other fight," said Teixeira in the winner's circle. "I planned to move to my right and kick to the body as much as possible. If I aimed for his arm, then I could hurt his body at the same time. The fight went pretty much as I expected, though I didn't think it needed to go to an extra round. When LeBanner made a scene after the first extra round, it was the judges' decision that got him upset, it had nothing to do with me. LeBanner's punches are very strong, and they get no weaker as he tires. He's a dangerous fighter!"

Brazilian kyokushin star Glaube Feitosa met spirited Japanese kickboxer Junichi Sawayashiki in a thriller. The start was all speed and aggression, Sawayashiki in with the punches, Feitosa firing kicks galore. Wide-open action through the first frame, Feitosa's experience trumping the reckless Sawayashiki, as a left straight punch got through the guard to score a down. Sawayashiki beat the count but was shaken, and Feitosa soon scored a second down, this time with a right straight.

Sawayashiki was saved by the bell, but in the second the Japanese fighter's go-to style was his undoing against Feitosa's superior positioning and timing. It was a Feitosa left straight punch, a repeat of the first down, that proved the decisive blow. Sawayashiki went to the mat, and wanted to get up, but his corner wisely threw the towel. A dominating performance by Feitosa for the KO win.

"It was a great fight," said Feitosa in his post-bout interview. "At first it was tough to find my distance, but once I did the result was perfect. Sawayashiki is a young guy, but still has experience. I think he has a bright future if his team chooses his opponents. I want to say one more thing. I want to show my appreciation to my family, friends, kyokushin, Francisco Filho and my boxing gym for in Brazil for helping me come back successfully this year after losing twice and having a tough time last year. Thank you!"

In undercard action, Mitsugu Noda took a decision over Yang Rae Yoo; Takumi Sato thrice downed Hiraku Hori in the third for a victory; and big Yutaka Sakuma made short work of Takashi Tachikawa, winning by KO just 29 seconds into the first.

All bouts were conducted under K-1 Official Rules -- 3Min. x 3R; Ext.2R (Ext. 1R in the tournament semifinals).

The K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 in Yokohama attracted 10,328 fans to the Yokohama Arena. It was broadcast in Japan on the Fuji TV network. For international broadcast information, contact local providers. Visit the K-1 Official Website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp) for comprehensive coverage and official results of this and all other FEG productions.