Today, after weeks of speculation for a big announcement, It's Showtime announced their new "Fast and Furious Five 70MAX Tournament" which will take place on September 24 in Brussels, Belgium. Many fans have expressed the desire for a one night tournament much like the K-1 World Grand Prix and now it's finally here.The winner will have to get through three fights in one night to clam a 50 000 Euro prize on top of their fight salary and win bonuses.

The event features some of the top -70kg fighters in the world with names you'll surely be familiar with. The eight participants are as follows:

1)      Giorgio Petrosyan

2)      Andy Souwer

3)      Artur Kyshenko

4)      Gago Drago

5)      Murat Direkçi

6)      Chris Ngimbi

7)      Harut Grigorian

8)      Pajunsuk Superpro Samui

The quarter finals will be drawn in Belgium by the end of June.

Also on the card will be some of the top fighters from Belgium such as Marat Grigorian who you can catch on It's Showtime Lyon this Saturday vying for the vacant 73MAX title, Marco Vlieger, Sonny Dagraed and Rustemi Kreshnik.

What's also interesting about this tournament is that this is not too far off of the regular schedule for the K-1 MAX World Grand Prix Finals. With the chances looking slim of having a K-1 MAX World Grand Prix this year, this will most likely act as the premier -70kg tournament of the year. Petrosyan, Souwer, Kyshenko and Drago have been mainstays in the K-1 MAX World Grand Prix for a while now and with them set to participate in this tournament, it makes you wonder what they would opt to do if a K-1 MAX World Grand Prix was announced around the same time as this event. Take the guaranteed money you could get for It's Showtime or venture into K-1 where the worldwide glory is, despite numerous fighters having claimed to not have been paid.

The full announcement can be seen on It's Showtime's website here.

Add a comment

As a fan and follower of all three of the major combat sports, Boxing, Kickboxing and MMA, I often find myself anticipating a weekend filled with events from all three. Normally it'll be a few boxing matches or a UFC card/Strikeforce card on a Saturday night that I can look forward to. This weekend for events we're able to watch, we have three on Saturday. Bellator, Andre Ward vs. Arthur Abraham on Showtime in Boxing and the one that'll be happening during the afternoon in North America, It's Showtime Lyon. It's Showtime Lyon is by far the card I'm most anticipated for. Bellator is cool but I don't wait all week anticipating it and I will catch the Andre Ward fight but I can't say I'm a fan of his, especially when Gus Johnson is praising his style the whole fight. I'll likely watch Bellator and PVR Ward vs. Abraham because of Patricky Freire and Hector Lombard. But none of these events even come close to It's Showtime Lyon in terms of how pumped I am for it.

Ever since the show was announced I've been counting down the days. The return of Badr Hari, Giorgio Petrosyan fighting Chahid, two title fights, Daniel Ghita, Tyrone Spong. This is easily the most stacked card of the year so far. It's Showtime Lyon will be available on The Fight Network in Canada. Americans will have to pay for a stream on It's Showtimes' website. Anyway, I'll stop rambling on now so let's get to it.

There are three big kickboxing events this weekend. Yes, three. Our main focus is It's Showtime Lyon but we will definately be providing coverage for the other two.

By now you have to be aware of It's Showtime Lyon so let's get to the other two events. First, we have Thai Fight Extreme on May 14 from Cannes, France. This card has been in the shadows of the monster It's Showtime event. Featuring names like Saiyok Pumpanmuang, Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee, Yodsaenklai Fairtex, Buakaw Por Pramuk and Fabio Pinca, this is another card stacked from top to bottom. All the Thais are facing European opponents in what are sure to be some fierce showdowns. It's not too often we get to see a bunch of top of the line thai fighters on a European card. Unfortunately, we don't know any way to watch this event. We'll just have to wait for videos and results after.

Later that night, Primm, Nevada, USA plays host to Battle in the Desert 2 an event featuring Cosmo Alexandre and some of the best current crop of American fighters. Well known Brazillian Cosmo Alexandre takes on American Cyrus Washington in the main event at 160lbs. Make sure to follow Cyrus on Twitter and support one of the best American Thai fighters. Two Americans face off in the co-main event as Kevin Ross takes on Marc Deluca. Kevin Ross is a name to look out for coming out of the US. Coming off a win overhighly regarded Vuyisile Colossa last month, Ky Hollenbeck takes on Frenchman Gregory Choplin. A win will be sure to give Hollenbeck some worldwide recognition, as that would be two highly regarded names in a row. What's even better is all the fights are full Thai rules. Again, unfortunately there won't be a way to watch live unless you attend.

A great weekend for stand up fighting and the start of what will surely be a great month of May with Mike Zambidis vs. John Wayne Parr coming up at the end of the month, Super Kombat on May 21st and another It's Showtime event on May 21st.

Add a comment

Big event at Lumpinee going on right now! Former fighter of the year Rungruanglek Lukprabart is slotted in the co-main event slot, but most of the focus is on Sam-A Thor Ratonakiat vs. current fighter of the year, Kongsak Sitboonme. The Muaythai2000 site has the results as they happen. http://www.muaythai2000.com/muaythai2000/showresultEn.php?sdate=10/05/2011 Video of Sam-A vs. Kongsak will likely be up on the siamsport website later today, so stay tuned. Sorry if this looks discombobulated, posting from my phone. :) Add a comment

Badr Hari's return to the ring comes this weekend at It's Showtime Lyon, and many fans are excited to see Badr Hari back in action. Many have taken note to Badr Hari's much-improved physique. Mike's Gym does a great job of keeping fans updated on their Facebook page; Facebook.com/MikesGym. Here is a photo of Badr Hari training for his comeback fight, showing how he got himself into tip-top condition.

Add a comment

Imagine having a chance to fulfill what many have called your destiny, and to do so in dominant fashion. The only thing in your path is an obstacle that you were able to easily overcome mere months before, imagine you are Badr Hari in the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009. In 2008 the insanity, the rage that came over Badr Hari cost him a chance to actually fight and possibly win the K-1 World Grand Prix when Remy Bonjasky just wouldn't go down or stop throwing those flying kicks. In 2009 Badr Hari did everything right; he kept his cool, he destroyed everything that lay in his path, he put down old rivalries, avenged past losses and showed the world that he can be a mature, composed fighter.

Then imagine stepping into the ring to face Semmy Schilt for a second time in the same year, a Semmy Schilt who within the confines of fighting in one night tournaments was just about unstoppable. Badr went inkto the fight with two first round knockouts under his belt for the night, as did Semmy Schilt. One man was going to emerge with a third first round knockout and the most prestigious title in Heavyweight kickboxing, and in the mind of Badr Hari, it had to be him.

It wasn't Badr Hari's night, and the look on his face after the fight said it all; that he had failed. That once again, he got to the top of the mountain, and just when he was about to plant that flag and declare victory it was snatched from him. That photograph was captured by Daniel Herbertson for us at the time, and a picture says a thousand words.

Badr Hari returns from a one year layoff on May 14th for It's Showtime in Lyon, where he will fight Gregory Tony. We will continue to run down Badr Hari's journey that led to his one year hiatus from the world of kickboxing and why fans are excited about his return.

Add a comment