K-1 World MAX 2009 semifinal bouts confirmed for Oct. 26

Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG) has officially announced the pairings for the semifinals of its K-1 World MAX 2009 (154 lbs) tournament, which are scheduled to take place from the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan, on Oct. 26.

K-1 MAX Japan Tournament runner-up Yuya Yamamoto will face off against Italian bruiser Giorgio Petrosyan, who managed to outscore the first ever K-1 MAX champion Albert Kraus on the judges scorecards to claim victory in his preliminary bout at K-1 World MAX Final 8.

On the other side of the brackets will be a contest between a pair of former two-time K-1 World MAX Champions, Dutch blitzkrieg Andy Souwer (2005 and 2007 winner), taking on Muay Thai sensation Buakaw Por. Pramuk (2004 and 2006 winner), in what will be the third showdown between the two.

The pair have faced off twice before and are currently one apiece in the rivalry with Souwer winning a decision at the 2005 K-1 MAX Final and Buakaw exacting revenge with a vicious knockout in the 2006 K-1 MAX Final.

Now they will duke it out once more for the upper hand in the rivalry scorecards and also to reach this years tournament final and a chance to win it for a record third time; however, Yamamoto or Petrosyan may have something else to say about that.

The winners of the semifinal bouts will then be given time to rest and will meet later in the same evening in the main event of the show.

The winner of the K-1 MAX World 2009 Final is expected to get the honor of taking on K-1 legend Masato, on new years eve at the annual "Dynamite!!" event, in what will be Masato’s retirement match.

In addition, after both being victorious in their bouts at K-1 World MAX Final 8 this July, Yoshihiro Sato and Yasuhiro Kido will battle it out in a tournament reserve bout.

Here is the current line-up for K-1 World MAX 2009 Final:

K-1 World MAX 2009 Semifinals:
Giorgio Petrosyan (2-0) vs. Yuya Yamamoto (7-5)
Andy Souwer (19-3) vs. Buakaw Por. Pramuk (25-4)

K-1 World MAX 2009 Final:
Giorgio Petrosyan (2-0) or Yuya Yamamoto (7-5) vs. Andy Souwer (19-3) or Buakaw Por. Pramuk (25-4)

K-1 World MAX 2009 reserve bout:
Yoshihiro Sato (14-9) vs. Yasuhiro Kido (9-4)