Earlier this week FEG announced the semifinal bouts for their middleweight championship tournament. In one match we'll see Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro against American Top Team's Gesias "JZ" Calcanvanti, in the other will be a rematch between Caol Uno and Kultar "Black Mamba" Gill.
Ribeiro vs. "JZ" is a match that alot of fans have wanted to see since this tournament has been announced, so I'm sure this one will please alot of people. "JZ" couldn't appear in the quarterfinals due to an injury. Being that he's the tourney defending champion he got a bye into this round and will now battle the world renowned "Shaolin" Ribeiro. Ribeiro is looking to prove he belongs in the top 5 in 155 lbs. in the world. He had once beaten a string of top lightweights in Shooto that include Joachim Hansen, Mitsuhiro Ishida, and Tatsuya Kawajiri. But, since he's left the organization, he hasn't fought quite the same caliber opponent. This fight will really prove where both fighters stand in the rankings.
Uno will take on the "Black Mamba" for the second time, in a somewhat inti-climatic second semifinal match. Uno submitted Gill the first time around, and I'm sure he'll look to get the much taller fighter to the ground again. If Gill has one weakness, it is his submission defense. I don't really see either of these guys winning in the finals once they advance in this match, but in this crazy sport anything can happen.
Announced in a Super Fight, Ikuhisa Minowa will make his K-1 HERO'S debut against Ralek Gracie. Minowa who now goes by Minowaman, has recently fought for the HEAT organization after PRIDE was bought by the Fertitta brothers. Ralek Gracie comes from the famous Gracie family. He is coming into the fight having just made his MMA debut at the last K-1 HERO'S event, where he defeated Katsuyori Shibata via armbar. He looks to use his BJJ to defeat the much more experience Minowa. This fight should be an entertaining one.
K-1 HERO'S Middleweight Championship Tournament Final
September 17, 2007-Yokohama Arena, Kanagawa, Japan
Middleweight Tournament Matches
-Gesias "JZ" Calvancanti vs. Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro
-Caol Uno vs. Kultar "Black Mamba" Gill
Super Fight
-Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Ralek Gracie
