K-1 Grand Prix '96

K-1 Grand Prix '96
PromotionK-1
DateMay 6, 1996
VenueYokohama Arena
CityJapan Yokohama, Japan
Attendance17,850
Event chronology
K-1 Grand Prix '96 Opening Battle K-1 Grand Prix '96 K-1 Fight Night II

K-1 Grand Prix '96 was a kickboxing event promoted by the K-1 organization. It was the fourth K-1 World Grand Prix final involving eight of the world's best heavyweight fighters (+95 kg/209 lbs), with all bouts fought under K-1 Rules. The eight finalists had all almost qualified via elimination fights at the K-1 Grand Prix '96 Opening Battle event. The only absentee was Stan Longinidis who was unable to participate in the tournament due to injury - he was replaced by reservist Duane Van Der Merwe. As well as tournament bouts there were also two 'Super Fights' fought under K-1 Rules. In total there were twelve fighters at the event, representing seven countries.

The tournament winner was Andy Hug who defeated Mike Bernardo in the final by way of second round knockout. This would be the popular Hug's first and sole K-1 World Grand Prix title, although he would be the runner up in two more finals. Mike Bernardo would be taking place in his first and only K-1 final, causing a considerable upset by defeating defending champion Peter Aerts by knockout in the quarter-finals. The event was held at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan on Monday, May 6, 1996 in front of 17,850 spectators.

K-1 Grand Prix '96 Tournament

K-1 Grand Prix '96 Opening Battle Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
        
Netherlands Peter Aerts KO
United States Jean-Claude Leuyer  
Netherlands Peter Aerts  
South Africa Mike Bernardo KO
South Africa Mike Bernardo TKO
United States Jeff Roufus  
South Africa Mike Bernardo DEC
Japan Musashi  
Australia Sam Greco DEC
Suriname Perry Telgt  
Australia Sam Greco  
Japan Musashi TKO
United States Kit Lykins  
Japan Musashi KO
South Africa Mike Bernardo  
Switzerland Andy Hug KO
Croatia Mirko Cro Cop DEC
France Jérôme Le Banner  
Croatia Mirko Cro Cop  
Netherlands Ernesto Hoost KO
England Stuart Green  
Netherlands Ernesto Hoost KO
Netherlands Ernesto Hoost  
Switzerland Andy Hug DEC
Switzerland Andy Hug TKO
United States Bart Vale  
Switzerland Andy Hug KO
South Africa Duane Van Der Merwe *  
Thailand Sadau Kiatsongrit  
Australia Stan Longinidis DEC

* Reserve Fight winner Duane Van Der Merwe replaced Stan Longinidis in the quarter-finals as Stan Longinidis was injured

Results

K-1 Grand Prix '96 Results[1][2]
K-1 Grand Prix Quarter-finals: K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.1R
South Africa Mike Bernardo def. Peter Aerts Netherlands
Bernardo defeated Aerts by KO (Left Hook) at 0:13 of the 3rd round.
Japan Musashi def. Sam Greco Australia
Musashi defeated Greco by TKO (Doctor Stoppage, Broken Toe) at 3:00 of the 1st round.
Netherlands Ernesto Hoost def. Mirko Cro Cop Croatia
Hoost defeated Cro Cop by KO (Right Low Kick) at 1:27 of the 3rd round.
Switzerland Andy Hug def. Duane Van Der Merwe South Africa
Hug defeated Van Der Merwe by KO (Left Hook) at 0:40 of the 1st round.
Super Fight 1: K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R
Japan Masaaki Miyamoto def. Ron Smoorenburg Netherlands
Miyamoto defeated Smoorenburg by KO (Right Punch) at 0:13 of the 1st round.
K-1 Grand Prix Semi-finals: K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.2R
South Africa Mike Bernardo def. Musashi Japan
Bernardo defeated Musashi by 3rd round Unanimous Decision 3-0 (30-28, 29-28, 30-28).
Switzerland Andy Hug def. Ernesto Hoost Netherlands
Hug defeated Hoost by 2nd Extra Round Split Decision 2-1 (10-9, 9-10, 10-9). After the 1st Extra Round the judges scored it a Majority Draw 1-0 (10-10, 10-9, 10-10) in favour of Hoost, while after the first 3 rounds the judges had scored it a Decision Draw 1-1 (30-29 Hug, 30-30, 29-30 Hoost).
Super Fight 2: K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R
Netherlands Rene Rooze def. Jean-Claude Leuyer United States
Rooze defeated Leuyer by KO (Punches) at 1:50 of the 1st round.
K-1 Grand Prix Final: K-1 Rules / 3Min. 3R Ext.2R
Switzerland Andy Hug def. Mike Bernardo South Africa
Hug defeated Bernardo by KO (Left Spinning Low Kick) at 1:18 of the 2nd round.

See also

References

  1. ^ "K-1 Grand Prix '96 Final Results". K-1 Official Website. Archived from the original on 2009-12-08.
  2. ^ "Results: K-1 WORLD GRAND PRIX 1996 FINAL". K-1sport.de - Your Source for Everything K-1.