[mls]

Just what I saw, it's in Japanese and well I can't read that but that is what is being reported it says. Shall keep this updated.

But it does bring up the point of, will he or won't he compete in the tournament. If he doesn't there is another spot open.

http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/n...01-477555.html

[plazzman]

[mls]

If he is going out I still would like to see him finish the trilogy off with Buakaw and/or get one more crack at Souwer to see if he can get a win.

[bbjd7]

O well with another spot open maybe they can bring in another young gun to fight because this GP looks loaded with future names.

[plazzman]

I'd love to see another fight with Buakaw, I'm sure he'd beat him again, and I wouldn't doubt if he pulled the 3rd off with Andy.

Fuck, I'll miss the guy when he retires

[Thaispider]

me sad hope he reconsiders

[mls]

This just keeps getting weird and if this is an april's fools joke it is very elaborate.

But K-1 has put up on their website that Masato will fight HIROYA in an exhibition match at the Final 16 so no tourny this year for Masato.

And then this

Masato, who recently turned 30, announced at a press conference in Japan today that he has decided that he will retire after Dynamite!! this year. He will fight in July and December and that will be it. Masato said that he wants to fight with this years K-1 MAX champion in his retirement fight on NYE. He also wants it to be a 5 round or even 7 round fight.

It was also announced that Masato will fight K-1 Koshien’s HIROYA in a 3-minute exhibition match in the K-1 World MAX FINAL16 event in April.

http://nightmareofbattle.wordpress.com/

Hopefully it's Artur/Masato 3 at Dynamite!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mls]

Maybe this is legit

Tanikawa

"The Dynamite!! Event will be the last match. Also, I want to make a match on the MAX event on July 13th, in the Tokyo Budokan where Masato won the champion."

Masato

"The match on July is going to be against the fighter that the fans want to see me fight against the most. The last one is going to be against the MAX champion this year, the strongest opponent possible. If possible, I don't want it to be 3R of 3 minutes, but 5R, 7 if needed. I don't plan on fighting a lukewarm match, and that would assure a KO."

On who the July opponent will be

Reporter "Kawajiri is asking for a match."

Masato: "I know that from looking through magazines. If that is the card everyone wants to see, I will accept it with pleasure. I'll teach him to never underestimate a striker."

On whether he didn't think about entering this year's tournament.

Masato: "I think I've accomplished one of my goals. I wanted to fight the champion on fresh terms rather than enter the world tournament."

On the future

Masato: "Whether it's K-1 or MAX, I'm not thinking at all about my life from next year. Two more fights, I'm just focusing on putting on the best fight possible."

Tanikawa: "I don't think he's thinking about retiring and becoming a (television) talent or anything. But I think he's going to give everything for MAX, so I don't mind stepping down from the role of MAX producer for him. It doesn't matter if it's Kohiruimaki or Sato. I hope one of them will become Champion and defeat Masato so that he can retire."

On the exibition match

Masato: "Hiroya is a fighter that has the possibility of leading MAX after I retire. I think there is more I can tell him on the ring than through words. I want to pass on some of my experiences through actual fighting."

[bbjd7]

Too bad that the future of K-1 is Artur, and Giorgio not any of the guys they want it too be.

[plazzman]

Wow, Masato sounds pretty serious, and I really like this idea.

And yes bb, Artus IS the future of MAX, and I'll have big big money on him to win it this year.