New K-1 Weight Class Announced

TOKYO, January 25 -- K-1 announced today it will launch its World Grand Prix 2007 season with an All-Star event in Yokohama. The fightsport organization also outlined plans to create a new weight class, as well as a program to kickstart the development of young Japanese fighters.

Joining K-1 Event Producer Sadaharu Tanikawa in the Imperial Hotel press conference were a couple of K-1's Japanese stars -- Musashi and Yusuke Fujimoto. These fighters will face one another at this year's first World GP event, set for Yokohama Arena on March 4. Headlining the talent-rich card is a bout between defending WGP Champ Sammy Schilt and Ray Sefo of New Zealand. In other action, Korean giant Hong-Man Choi will step in against American Mighty Mo; Ruslan Karaev of Russia will tango with Dutchman Badr Hari; Chalid "Die Faust" of Germany will take on Japanese tough guy Hiromi Amada; and French kickboxer Cyril Abidi will test Japanese fighter Mitsugu Noda.

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