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Drago: K-1 champ
Armenian Muay Thai fighter beats prohibitive favorite in stunner.
Drago Defeats Sato at K-1 World Max Final 16
K-1 News
MMA News Written by Arnold Lim - The Sushiboy
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
FUKUOKA, Monday, April 21, 2009 -- A late flurry of fists and feet earned Armenian muay thai fighter Drago, 24, an upset victory over two-time World Max Japan Champion Yoshihiro Sato in the Main Event at tonight's K-1 World Max 2009 World Championship Tournament Final-16.
Held at the Fukuoka Marine Messe arena, the talent-rich fightsport extravaganza featured the World Max Final-16 Tournament -- a one-match elimination that halved the field fighting for this year's World Max Championship. The world's top70kg/154kg fighters stepped in knowing that a win would set them on the road to glory, and a loss deposit them in the ditch of also-rans. For these warriors, it was do or die.
The heavy favorite, Sato brought a 10cm/4" height advantage to the ring against Drago. From the start the Japanese kickboxer used his reach and low kicks to keep his opponent at bay. But the Armenian got a right overhand through and closed with an uppercut, and the cards had it even after one. In the second Sato arched forward with fists, but Drago answered with front kicks and got a terrific high kick up and on target. Sato threw plenty of low kicks and made partial contact with a knee to keep the score tied. There was not a lot behind Sato's combinations in the third, but the Japanese fighter continued to advance and fire low kicks and knees. Drago landed a couple of solid hooks here, but could not drop Sato, and after three the judges prescribed a tiebreaker round.
The fourth and final saw Drago doggedly advancing, firing all manner of strikes -- best of the bunch a right straight punch and a spinning back kick. Sato, who was tired, stumbling and bloodied, managed only a couple of anemic knees and low kicks, and at the final bell collapsed, painfully aware that the judges' decision would not go his way. An impressive performance by Drago, establishing him as a favorite for the World Max 2009 Championship.
"I am glad that I showed a good fight and won in front of my Japanese fans," said Drago afterward. "Sato was strong, he's had really good fights recently, and last year when he fought against Masato it went to an extra round. However, it seemed that he got tired in the middle of the fight. Now, I will do my best to become the champion -- I will keep train training hard, and let's see what happens!"
"I have never in my life had so much regret," said a dejected Sato in his post-fight interview. "I lost my stamina, in the middle of the fight I suddenly felt as if my hands became lead, like a devil had descended on me. Of course, it could be said that the reason for my loss was I received a lot of punches. But, I was in good shape and my condition was good before the fight, so I don't want to make any excuses for my loss."
Drago Defeats Sato at K-1 World Max Final 16
K-1 News
MMA News Written by Arnold Lim - The Sushiboy
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
FUKUOKA, Monday, April 21, 2009 -- A late flurry of fists and feet earned Armenian muay thai fighter Drago, 24, an upset victory over two-time World Max Japan Champion Yoshihiro Sato in the Main Event at tonight's K-1 World Max 2009 World Championship Tournament Final-16.
Held at the Fukuoka Marine Messe arena, the talent-rich fightsport extravaganza featured the World Max Final-16 Tournament -- a one-match elimination that halved the field fighting for this year's World Max Championship. The world's top70kg/154kg fighters stepped in knowing that a win would set them on the road to glory, and a loss deposit them in the ditch of also-rans. For these warriors, it was do or die.
The heavy favorite, Sato brought a 10cm/4" height advantage to the ring against Drago. From the start the Japanese kickboxer used his reach and low kicks to keep his opponent at bay. But the Armenian got a right overhand through and closed with an uppercut, and the cards had it even after one. In the second Sato arched forward with fists, but Drago answered with front kicks and got a terrific high kick up and on target. Sato threw plenty of low kicks and made partial contact with a knee to keep the score tied. There was not a lot behind Sato's combinations in the third, but the Japanese fighter continued to advance and fire low kicks and knees. Drago landed a couple of solid hooks here, but could not drop Sato, and after three the judges prescribed a tiebreaker round.
The fourth and final saw Drago doggedly advancing, firing all manner of strikes -- best of the bunch a right straight punch and a spinning back kick. Sato, who was tired, stumbling and bloodied, managed only a couple of anemic knees and low kicks, and at the final bell collapsed, painfully aware that the judges' decision would not go his way. An impressive performance by Drago, establishing him as a favorite for the World Max 2009 Championship.
"I am glad that I showed a good fight and won in front of my Japanese fans," said Drago afterward. "Sato was strong, he's had really good fights recently, and last year when he fought against Masato it went to an extra round. However, it seemed that he got tired in the middle of the fight. Now, I will do my best to become the champion -- I will keep train training hard, and let's see what happens!"
"I have never in my life had so much regret," said a dejected Sato in his post-fight interview. "I lost my stamina, in the middle of the fight I suddenly felt as if my hands became lead, like a devil had descended on me. Of course, it could be said that the reason for my loss was I received a lot of punches. But, I was in good shape and my condition was good before the fight, so I don't want to make any excuses for my loss."
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