the second, as he repeatedly punched into the guard, then powered under it with uppercuts, tossing in low kicks on the retreat. Drago continued to counter -- a left straight punch making good contact, a couple of axe kicks falling short and a high kick ably blocked. Masato walked in with a terrific kick to Drago's thigh, but otherwise used the legs mostly in quick combinations.

Masato scored with low kicks, body blows and uppercuts in the third. If Drago had figured on letting the Japanese fighter tire himself out that did not transpire, as Masato maintained his gatling gun offense to the final bell. The aggressive strategy and superior stamina delivered Masato a well-deserved unanimous decision, and a spot in the final.

"I knew from the first round that there was no way I'd lose because I could clearly see Drago's techniques and strategy," said Masato afterward. "But still I couldn't hit him cleanly, I think all the Dutch fighters have the same fighting style -- even if they are damaged by low kicks, they keep coming forward. I wasn't totally satisfied with tonight's fight because I was supposed to KO Drago -- I don't consider him a strong fighter so it's not special for me to win a decision against him."

And so on October 1 at the Budokan it will be Souwer vs Kyshenko and Sato versus Masato, the winners in those two bouts fighting, on the same day, for the K-1 World Max 2008 Championship Belt.

Featured among tonight's other World Max bouts was a Superfight showdown between the inaugural World Max Champion, Albert Kraus of Holland, and compact Greek slugger Mike Zambidis.

A speedy Zambidis, light on his feet, darted in repeatedly through the first, peppering Kraus with the straight punches and low kicks, working the body and just missing with a big right overhand. But Kraus had also landed a few, a knee opening a cut over Zambidis' left eye. In the second Kraus was more aggressive, throwing the straight punches and getting the knee up once again, but again Zambidis' speedy strikes, including a barrage of hooks, scored him points in this gritty contest.

In the third, Kraus' low kicks were in short supply, but the Dutch fighter got the knee up again, prompting a doctor's check. Cleared to continue, Zambidis brought aggression and variety -- pumping in body blows, throwing high kicks and launching a couple of flying knees. A close call, going to Zambidis on one judge's card but scored a draw on the other two.

Alas, the cut near Zambidis' eye precluded him fighting the tiebreaker round, and so under K-1 Rules Kraus was given the win.

Andre Dida of Brazil stepped in against Remigijus Morkevicius of Lithuania in another Superfight. Both these fellows do a fair bit of mixed martial arts fighting, but tonight was a test of their striking abilities. It was a test that Dida passed with flying colors.

An early down for Dida came courtesy a right hook. Morkevicius attempted to rally with combinations but Dida was unstoppable, sending the Lithuanian to the canvas twice in quick succession with another right hook and then a right uppercut. The three downs earned Dida a KO victory in just 1:43 -- a simply overwhelming performance by the 25 year-old Brazilian.

Seidokaikan fighter Hiroyuki Owatari of Japan met compatriot Masaki, a kickboxer, in a battle of K-1 rookies. The 31 year-old Owatari, who works at an advertising agency and who Japanese media have dubbed the "fighting salaryman," got his shot in the ring after an impressive performance at a K-1 open tryout event in March.

Nobody better mess with Owatari at the water cooler, because this is one tough paper pusher. From the start he laid into Masaki with the fists, landing a formidable right straight then following with a left hook, a knee and a high kick to open a cut on his opponent's face. The ringside doctor had a look and called it at 1:53. Convenient for Owatari, finishing this early, as he's expected at his desk by 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.

The evening saw the debut of a new 60 kg/132 lbs weight class, which K-1 Event Producer Sadaharu Tanikawa predicted would deliver action "even faster then World Max." Sixty kilograms is a common fight weight in Japan, and tonight three Japanese stepped in against Europeans in this weight class.

Daisuke Uematsu hosted fellow kickboxer Eddy Juozapavicius of Lithuania, both fighters making their K-1 debuts.

Juozapavicius wanted to punch, but Uematsu got an early knee up from the clinch to score a down, and soon afterward pumped up a few more against his closed-up opponent to score another. Juozapavicius looked sorely out of his league, and Uematsu finished him off cleanly with a right straight punch at the clapper.

Japanese karate stylist Susumu Daiguji of Masato's Silver Wolf Gym took on Konstantin Trishin, a Ukrainian muay thai champion fighting in K-1 for the first time.

Superior speed in this dance, both men in motion throughout. Daiguji started with one-two combinations while Trishin was adept with the low kicks, getting a left high kick up and onto Daiguji's head, and making partial contact with a spinning back kick. Trishin was fast and flashy again in the second, scoring with an axe kick and a right straight; while Daiguji was a beat late with most of his stuff. The Japanese fighter pressed with punches to start the third, but Trishin's evasions and blocking were up to task. Tricky Trishin finished with pizzazz, whirling in back kicks -- before getting a bit too jazzy at the clapper and eating a Daiguji right straight punch for it. Nevertheless, a majority decision for the Ukrainian.

Also at 60 kg/132 lbs was Haruaki Otsuki of Japan versus David Douge of France -- two kickboxers making their K-1 debuts.

From the start Otsuki kept his opponent at bay with front kicks. When Douge charged past with punches Otsuki turned these away and was better with counters. Midway through the first Otsuki spun in a back punch to the head, following with a right to the body to score a down. Otsuki cut an intimidating figure in the second, his fists cocked low at the waist, hulking forward as if stalking Douge before exploding with big hooks and closing with body blows. The hapless Douge could not get at Otsuki, and in the third a series of desperate attempts left him dangerously vulnerable. Otsuki mercilessly pounded in the punches, sending Douge to the canvas twice. At the clock wound down, and with the beaten Frenchman now apparently attempting takedowns -- the referee stepped in to call it with one second remaining. A KO win for the dominating Otsuki.

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