K-1 Fight Week

Edition closes K-1 Fight Week this Saturday, the 24th, at the BRB Nilson Nelson Arena in Brasília; Guto Inocente, Ariel Machado, and Anderson Braddock are the main names in the Absolute Weight GP that gives the winner a spot to compete in Japan 

The time for the most awaited moment of K-1 Fight Week is approaching. After the 77th edition of the WGP Kickboxing opened the week in great style, it is now time for the special edition of the K-1 World GP, which features a super Absolute Weight GP with eight athletes to ignite the BRB Nilson Nelson Arena in Brasília. The attractions also include seminars with legends of the sport like Pedro Rizzo, Peter Aerts, and Semmy Schilt, which are happening throughout this week at the same location. The Absolute Weight GP pits great names in Brazilian Kickboxing against each other. Highlighted are the top seeds Guto Inocente, Ariel Machado, Haime Morais, and Anderson Braddock. The other participants are Abner Ferreira, Jefferson Salviano, Wesley Cottas, and Jhonny Klever. The grand winner of the tournament secures a spot in the K-1 World GP in Japan this December. The event starts at 7 PM and has free tickets available on Sympla with links on the social media of K-1 Brazil and WGP Kickboxing. The Canal Combate broadcasts everything live across Brazil.

The K-1 Fight Week is being held in partnership with the Sports and Leisure Secretariat of the Federal District Government. The agency has long been a great ally in promoting and supporting martial arts and athletes in the state and has been transforming the federal capital into the main hub for martial arts in Brazil.

Absolute Weight GP brings together eight athletes and excites fans

The main attraction of the Brazilian edition of the K-1 World GP is precisely the absolute weight tournament with eight athletes. The winner, who will need to win three battles in one night to claim the trophy, guarantees the chance to represent Brazil in the K-1 World GP in Japan, traditionally held in December. And all the fights promise to be thrilling. The first matchup of the quarter-finals will be between Ariel Machado, the current WGP heavyweight champion, and Abner Ferreira. The two are in distinctly different phases of their careers. While Ariel, even at 37 years old, is in great form, Abner is trying to make a comeback after being defeated in his last appearance at WGP about two years ago.

The winner of this first duel will face the winner of the match between Guto Inocente and Jefferson Salviano, which pits two distinct generations against each other. At 38 years old, Guto, despite being in good shape, is nearing the end of his career and wants the GP title to head to Japan in pursuit of another achievement. Meanwhile, Jefferson has a great chance of his life facing an athlete he considers an idol and who is nearly ten years more experienced.

On the other side of the bracket, the also experienced Haime Morais, with a great history in WGP, faces the gaucho Wesley Cotta, a standout in the national scene after winning the title at Attack Fight. This is the matchup with the least favoritism for the top seed since Haime hasn't fought in two years while Wesley is active. Even with this difference, Haime's experience could make up for it, and the duel is an open book.

The winner of this fight will face the winner of the clash between Anderson Braddock and Jhonny Klever. One of the main names in Brazilian Kickboxing, Braddock made history abroad, especially in Asia, where he lived for many years and built his career. He now returns to compete in his country after 20 years and hopes that the fight rhythm won't hinder him, as he too has not fought for over two years. On the other hand, Jhonny Klever is an underdog, but he relies on a positive track record in the national and amateur scenes to surprise and advance to the next round.

WGP title fight, international duels, and much more on the card

And the K-1 World card is not limited only to the Absolute Weight GP. There are plenty of notable attractions for Kickboxing fans. In the co-main event of the night, WGP champion Petros Cabelinho puts his Welterweight title (71.8 kg) at stake against André Martins, champion of the last Challenger GP in the category. Another WGP champion on the card is Cabelo Monteiro, who faces Paraguayan Teodoro Ruiz Diaz, but the duel does not count for the WGP belt. Teodoro joined the K-1 card at the last minute after his fight against Mateus Pakitoo at WGP 77 was canceled due to Mateus being 3.2 kg over the lightweight limit. Another highlight is the fight between Bolivian Renzo Martinez and Argentine Facu Suarez in the lightweight division (up to 60 kg).

The event also features unmissable matches on the Undercard, such as the clashes between two of the best Super-Middleweight (up to 78.1 kg) fighters in Brazil, Marcos Carvalho and Lucas Rafael, both former WGP champions, with Suarez being an interim champion. Another highlight is the women's fight between Maria Samurai, one of the biggest Brazilian names on the world stage, and Argentine Lucia Apdelgarim in the up to 48 kg division. Additionally, there will be the clash between Cicero Evangelista and Edson Pânico in the Super-Middleweight (up to 781 kg) division and the international match between Brazilian Bruno Perna and Dutch Sakvan Arab in the Super-Lightweight category.