K-1 WORLD GP final matchups. Hunt of special attention fights against Banner in the first match.

ARUZE K-1 WORLD GP 2001 final (Saturday, December 8th, Tokyo Dome, Japan) matchups selection
was held in Fuji TV (Tokyo) on Tuesday, October 9th.
It was announced before it that Peter Aerts was a promoter selection fighter. Fan ballot was
23,197 and it was also considered. First was Aerts, second Abidi and third Bernardo, and each of them
secured 4000-4500 votes. Filho of forth was about 2,200 votes and fifth Sefo, sixth Mirko and
seventh Musashi. Abidi refused the final for himself because he wanted to train from the basics again.
Bernardo failed to be selected due to a complete defeat in the repechage tournament.
Then Aerts was admired for past achievements and second place in Las Vegas tournament of August,
and he was named as a promoter selection fighter. He had an operation on his right elbow
in the end of September and has been mainly treated through oriental medicine. He seems to be able
to train after one or two weeks.

The way to confirm tournament matchups is as usual. Hoost who won first place last year
takes a ball with a number from a box at the start, and fighters who decided to advance to the final
get it in turn. They selected their order of their bouts in numeric order.
Stefan Leko who took number one ball selected a red corner of the first match, break time is the
longest to the semifinal here, and Ernest Hoost of number two selected Leko as his opponent.
The first match is Leko vs. Hoost. I expect how fast-growing Leko will attack Hoost.
Nicholas Pettas of number three selected a red corner of the third match. He said, "This position
is same as K-1 Japan GP. It's lucky for me." Alexy Ignashov of number four selected next to him.
The third match is Pettas vs. Ignashov. It is highlight how Pettas will throw down the gauntlet against Ignashov who is taller than Pettas by 15 cm.
Jerome Le Banner of number five selected a red corner of the second match. Mark Hunt of number six
took beside Banner without hesitation. They fought in Nagoya, Japan last year July 30th. Hunt who
lost on points said to want to pay him back. Banner who saw his matches of the repechage tournament
appreciated him, "He is a man." K-1 President Ishii said, "I'm surprised two prime men fight in the
first match." and he told their match would be the most attractive card.
The forth match is Francisco Filho vs. Peter Aerts. The match that they were due to have in the
repechage tournament comes true in Tokyo Dome.
President Ishii commented, "A-block fighters will have heavy matches. Filho may be of great
advantage in matchups." The final that has unexpected matches every year is held after two months.

ARUZE K-1 WORLD GP 2001 the final
Saturday, December 8th, 2001
Gate open 2:30 p.m. Fight start 5:00 p.m.
Place: Tokyo Dome, Japan
Promoter: Fuji Television / K-1 Co.,Ltd.
Project and production: K-1 Co.,Ltd.
Special sponsor: Aruze Corp.
Sponsors: Matsumotokiyoshi Co., Ltd. / Sapporo Breweries Limited / Schick /
SS Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. / Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. / Konami Co., Ltd.


The first match 3 minutes 3R
Stefan Leko (Germany/August 11th Las Vegas tournament first place) vs.
Ernest Hoost (Holland/June 16th Melbourne tournament first place)

The second match 3 minutes 3R
Jerome Le Banner (France/Boerboel & Tosa Gym/April 29th Osaka tournament first place) vs.
Mark Hunt (New Zealand/Tony Mundine Boxing Gym/October 8th Fukuoka repechage tournament winner)

The third match 3 minutes 3R
Nicholas Pettas (Denmark/Kyokushin Kaikan/August 19th Japan GP first place) vs.
Alexy Ignashov (Belarus/Chinuk Gym/July 20th Nagoya tournament first place)

The forth match 3 minutes 3R
Francisco Filho (Brazil/Kyokushin Kaikan/October 8th Fukuoka repechage tournament winner) vs.
Peter Aerts (Holland/Mejiro Gym/promoter selection fighter)

The semifinal
The first match 3 minutes 3R
winner of the first match vs. winner of the second match

The second match 3 minutes 3R
winner of the third match vs. winner of the forth match

The final 3 minutes 3R
winner of the semifinal first match vs. winner of the semifinal second match

Last Update : 10/15 21:31