K-1 Rules

Yesterday, on Saturday, I went to K-1 at the Nippon Budokan. The Nippon Budokan, meaning "Japan Martial Arts Hall" is primarily a Sumo Hall, and very traditional.

So anyway, I went there yesterday for K-1, with my 23,000 yen Ringside ticket. When I got there, I had missed the first 2 amateur fights of the U-20 60kg division.

The show started and the opening ceremony was OFF THE CHAIN. Pyrotechnics and Fireworks ALL OVER THE PLACE. It was electrifying. Another thing I noticed was that most of the audience were girls! In the USA, at MMA or Kickboxing events (I've only been to one pro show, though), the girls are mostly there because their boyfriends are there too. In Japan, it seems like they are at a NSync concert, going crazy over the fighters and most of the cheering is done by girls. This girl next to me ran to find Hayato and Buakaw after their fights.

Another thing is that Japanese fans are relatively quiet. They call out the name of their fighter occasionally, sometimes a chant is done when it's really a big deal, they react to impressive techniques and knockdowns, and at the end of the round, they give a golf clap.

I really felt like I was in the Mecca of Martial ARts. Unfortunately, I didn't meet many of the fighters. I got my picture with Artur Kyshenko, and shook the other fighter's hands (after my camera battery had died).

It was a great event. Now I feel more motivated than ever to train!