K-1 World Max

The largest and most traditional Kickboxing organization in the world, K-1 is back in Brazil. After the success of its return to the country with K-1 Fight Week in August 2024, the Japanese event returns in grand style. On June 28, the city of São José dos Pinhais, neighboring the capital Curitiba, will host the K-1 World Max South American Round, featuring the main attraction: a GP of eight athletes up to 70kg, with all fights on the same night, giving the winner a chance to compete in the tournament's final stage in Japan at the end of the year. This will be the event's second appearance in Paraná, a cradle of stand-up fighting in Brazil, 22 years after its first edition. The K-1 World Max card also includes several electrifying matchups, such as the WGP Kickboxing title fight in the women's lightweight category (up to 60kg) between Brazilian and reigning champion Jennifer Maia and Uruguayan Marylin Contin. The bout between Curitiba-native Jordan Kranio and Argentine Ignacio El Fino also promises excitement. The event will be broadcasted on Canal Combate throughout Brazil.

K-1 and its history with Kickboxing

For many years, the trajectory of Kickboxing has been directly linked to K-1, considered the largest event of the sport on a global level. Founded in 1993 in Japan, K-1 gained notoriety for its tournaments (GPs) that have marked over two decades of history. At the height of its popularity, around the year 2000, it impacted an entire generation of striking enthusiasts, promoting memorable confrontations featuring the top names in world sport. With unforgettable performances from legends like Peter Aerts, Semmy Schilt, Andy Hug, Ernesto Hoost, Mirko Crocop, Andy Souwer, Badr Hari, Buakaw Banchamek, among other icons, K-1 established itself as the ultimate reference in Kickboxing until 2012, when it underwent a restructuring process. 

The Japanese event has always been recognized for its two main tournament formats: the K-1 World Max, aimed at athletes weighing up to 70kg, and the K-1 World GP, contested in an open category, without weight restrictions. In 2023, the organization returned with a new proposal and an ambitious international expansion project, and since then several events have been held, including a special edition of the K-1 World GP in Brasília, in August 2024, which crowned Ariel Machado, who would later win the finals of the GP in Japan, taking the K-1 championship title.

The largest event in the world returns to the Curitiba region in traditional format

K-1 has visited Brazil on other occasions, the most recent being last year. But it was 22 years ago, in 2003, that the event last took place in the Curitiba area, considered a cradle of stand-up fighting in the country. At the time, names like Vitor Miranda rose, one of the participants of the historic card, along with established names such as Eduardo Maiorino, Carlão Barreto, and Jefferson Tank. The latter became the heavyweight tournament champion, winning three fights in one night. And more than two decades later, the region is welcoming back a special edition of K-1 in a very traditional format. The K-1 World Max is one of the two main tournaments of the organization, had its first edition in 2002, and has already crowned more than 10 champions. In 2024, the format returned to being part of the events calendar, and Bulgarian Stoyan Koprivlenski was the first winner in the final stage, contested in Japan at the end of the year.

And in search of that spot, the eight best athletes from Latin America in the up to 70kg category are pursuing that goal. The event in São José dos Pinhais features the main attraction: a GP of eight fighters facing off in a knockout format with all fights on the same night. Petros Cabelinho, Jones Coliseu, Marcio de Jesus, and André Martins are the four top seeds for holding the top positions in the WGP Kickboxing category ranking. They will have the right to choose their opponents, starting with champion Petros Cabelinho. On the other side of the bracket will be Junior Luiz, Heliazir Estefani, Metralleta Torino, and Jonas Salsicha, the latter being a former WGP champion in the higher category. It is expected that on June 3, via Instagram from K-1 Brazil and WGP Kickboxing, the matchups and complete bracketing will be defined. 

WGP women's title fight and Brazil vs Argentina showdown shake up the main card

The K-1 World Max South American Round card also features some confirmed matchups. In the main card, Brazilian Jennifer Maia defends the women's lightweight title of the WGP against Uruguayan Marilyn Contin. Jennifer was the interim champion, but the then-linear champion, Julie Werner, can no longer compete in WAKO Pro events as she surpassed 40 years of age; therefore, Jennifer will defend the linear belt against the Uruguayan. The WGP organization also reinforces that they have filed a request for a review of this rule with WAKO Pro.

The event also includes a fight between Brazil and Argentina that promises to be exciting. One of the hosts of the night, Jordan Kranio, faces Argentine and former WGP title challenger Ignacio El Fino. The fight takes place at a combined weight of up to 66kg. Another confirmed matchup is between Brazilian Gabriel de Lima and Paraguayan Ariel Villalba, in the up to 70kg category. This fight has also been defined as a reserve for the GP that headlines the night.

K-1 World Max 2025 South American Round

Date: 06/28/2025

Location: Max Rosenmann Sports and Leisure Center – São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil
Time: 6 PM
Broadcast: Canal Combate throughout Brazil starting at 8:30 PM
Tickets: bit.ly/3S3qOA4

Main Card

Main Event: K-1 World Max South American Round - Final

Super Welterweight (70kg)
Winner of Semifinal 1 vs Winner of Semifinal 2

Co-Main Event: WGP Title Bout
Women´s Lightweight (60kg)
Jennifer Maia (Chute Boxe Monstro - BRA) vs Marilyn Contin (Bears Team - URU)

K-1 World Max South American Round – Semifinal 2
Super Welterweight (70kg)
Winner of Quarterfinal 3 vs Winner of Quarterfinal 4

K-1 World Max South American Round – Semifinal 1
Super Welterweight (70kg)
Winner of Quarterfinal 1 vs Winner of Quarterfinal 2

Super Fight

Catchweight (66 kg)
Jordan Kranio (Teixeira Team - BRA) vs Ignacio El Fino (Picante Fight Club - ARG)

K-1 World Max South American Round – Reserve Fight
Super Welterweight (70kg)
Gabriel de Lima (Santa Fé Team - BRA) vs Ariel Villalba (Brazilian TKO - PAR)

K-1 World Max South American Round – Quarterfinal 4
Super Welterweight (70kg)
Marcio de Jesus (Equipe Alvaro Aguiar) vs Jonas Salsicha (TFT Team/CT Alan Popeye)

K-1 World Max South American Round – Quarterfinal 3
Super Welterweight (70kg)
Jones Coliseu (Coliseu Team/União ABC/Fight Gym) vs Heliazir Estefani (Ponto 1 Fight)

K-1 World Max South American Round – Quarterfinal 2
Super Welterweight (70kg)
André Martins (R8) vs Junior Luiz (Rizzo RVT)

K-1 World Max South American Round – Quarterfinal 1
Super Welterweight (70kg)
Petros Cabelinho (Teixeira Team - BRA) vs Metralleta Torino (PFC - ARG)

Preliminary Fights

Cruiserweight (85.1kg)
João Victor (Teixeira Team - BRA) vs Carlos ‘El Mohicano’ (La Guarida Kickboxing - ARG)

Preliminary Fight
Super Lightweight (64.5kg)
Denis Jr (Coliseu Fight Club) vs Matheus Pinokio (Altamiro Fight Club)

Preliminary Fight
Light Middleweight (71.8kg)
Gustavo Bolino (Teixeira Team) vs Luciano de Paula (Killer Bees)

Preliminary Fight
Super Middleweight (78.1kg)
Vitor Formigão (Killer Bees) vs André Dedé (CM System)

Preliminary Fight
Lightweight (60kg)
Fernando Mineiro (Team Krull) vs Uederson Macabro (Altamiro Fight Club)

Preliminary Fight
Women´s Catchweight (63kg)
Leticia Orchel (World Strong Fight Team) vs Dani Antonelli (CM System)