The event featured all World Max Champions, top contenders past and present and a number of exciting emerging fighters keen to stake their claim to a spot at this year's World Max Final Elimination, set for June 28 at the Nippon Budokan.

TOKYO, April 3, 2007 -- With the best of the best scheduled to face-off in 11 bouts, tomorrow's K-1 World Max Elite Showcase event promises to be a night to remember. The Defending and Former World Max Champions will be joined in the ring by the best Max fighters from the past and a number of exciting emerging fighters. The one-match format is an opportunity for these elite warriors to stake their claim for a spot at the World Max Final Elimination, set for this June 28 at the Nippon Budokan.

Middleweight Japanese mixed martial arts sensation Hideo Tokoro confirmed his status as an elite Hero's fighter by submitting Kazuya Yasuhiro in the Main Event tonight at the Hero's 2007 in Nagoya.

Yokohama, March 4, 2007 -- Defending K-1 World Grand Prix Champion Sammy Schilt of Holland KO'd veteran slugger Ray Sefo of New Zealand tonight to become the first fighter to wear the new K-1 Super Heavyweight Title Belt. Schilt further distinguished himself as the first K-1 fighter to ever knock Sefo out.

Held at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo's seaside district of Odaiba, the event kicked off the '07 World Max season with an abundance of thrilling bouts and a couple of stunning upsets.

pics "Courtesy FEG"

TOKYO, January 25 -- K-1 announced today it will launch its World Grand Prix 2007 season with an All-Star event in Yokohama. The fightsport organization also outlined plans to create a new weight class, as well as a program to kickstart the development of young Japanese fighters.

OSAKA, December 31, 2006 -- Yoshihiro Akiyama defeated Kazushi Sakuraba in the Main Event, Hideo Tokoro upset mixed martial arts legend Royler Gracie, and Defending K-1 World GP Champion Semmy Schilt beat Peter Graham to notch his sixth-straight win tonight at the K-1 Premium Dynamite '06 event at the Kyocera Dome Osaka.

TOKYO, December 2, 2006 -- Seidokaikan karate fighter Semmy Schilt dispatched three challengers at the Tokyo Dome tonight en route to victory in the K-1 '06 World Grand Prix Final.

pics "Courtesy FEG"

Jerome LeBanner: "I Will Win!

Schilt Seen as Favorite in K-1 World GP Final

Pics Courtesy FEG