K-1 event producer, Sadaharu Tanikawa, gave an update today on the suspected injury that newly crowned K-1 MAX winner, Georgio Petrosyan, suffered last weekend at the K-1 World MAX 2009 Tournament Final.
Tanikawa subsequently elucidated the status of the main event bout between Petrosyan and the retiring K-1 MAX icon, Masato, for the Dynamite! event on New Year's Eve.
Upon returning to Italy after defeating Yuya Yamamoto and Andy Souwer to capture the K-1 MAX crown, Petrosyan underwent an injury check-up, revealing that he has indeed injured his right fist. Though Petrosyan eagerly accepted Masato's challenge immediately after his tournament victory and holds out hope for his NYE return, his doctor has admonished him against fighting.
Tanikawa commented that he would like to determine the opponent for Masato by the end of the week. If all goes as planned, he will receive a final update from Petrosyan's camp this week and announce Masato's new opponent on Thursday or Friday.
While Masato has the final say in the choice of his opponent for his farewell bout, the top candidate in case of Petrosyan's withdrawal is Andy Souwer. Souwer, the two-time K-1 MAX champion (2005, 2007) has defeated Masato twice in as many encounters.
Besides Souwer, K-1 MAX standouts, Buakaw Por Pramuk and Yoshihiro Sato, are also in consideration. Pramuk has split a fight with Masato, while Sato has lost to Masato in the semi-final round of the K-1 World MAX 2008.
When asked about the possibility of former Pride FC lightweight champion, Takanori Gomi, as Masato's opponent after Gomi sheepishly announced his wish to fight Masato on New Year's Eve, Tanikawa commented:
"If Masato gives the green light, then the fight will happen; however, I think it is unlikely."
Stay tuned to MMAmania for more announcements regarding the K-1 Dynamite! New Year's Eve event as they become available.
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