[K-1 Post-Event Report] Brazilian Fighters Dominate Three Major Title Matches! "World's MONA" Moana Kimura Wins K-1 Debut in Style

K-1 Executive Committee, which operates K-1/Krush and manages gyms, held "K-1 GENKI 2026" on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium in Tokyo. Of the 18 matches held, 8 ended in KO, keeping the venue in a state of constant excitement.

Match Results: https://www.k-1.co.jp/schedule/16666

＜Match Summary＞

Under the slogan "Energize Martial Arts" promoted by producer Genki Sudo, this event featured a diverse lineup centered around three major title matches. The winners of the title bouts were exclusively Brazilian fighters, making it a historic night that could be called "A Night in Brazil."

In the Heavyweight Title Match, champion Ariel Machado (Brazil) successfully defended his title for the first time by knocking out Claudio Istrate (Italy) with a right calf kick. In the Middleweight Championship bout, Deng Silva (Brazil) became the third champion by defeating Alfonseno Camara (Senegal) via unanimous decision (3-0). In the Super Welterweight Championship bout, "The Giant of Brazil" Jonas Salsicha (Brazil) secured the sixth championship title by defeating Darryl Verdonk (Netherlands) with an overwhelming performance, scoring two knockdowns.

Furthermore, Moana Kimura, who is currently attracting global attention, won her K-1 debut by unanimous decision. Yuuki Egawa, a former Featherweight champion returning after approximately two years, lost to Yamato Nishimoto by unanimous decision (0-3). Rui Okubo, who challenged the Featherweight division one class up, defeated former Featherweight champion Takashii Niimi by split decision (2-0), marking a victorious debut in his new weight class. In the Super Lightweight division, Alassan Camara, one of the "Strongest Twins," defeated former Krush Super Lightweight champion Daizo Sasaki by TKO due to doctor stoppage in the first round.

---

▼Match Highlights

■Part 2, Match 1 / Super Featherweight (-60kg) Class: Yuuki Egawa vs. Yamato Nishimoto

Yuuki Egawa (POWER OF DREAM), a former Featherweight champion returning after approximately two years, faced Yamato Nishimoto (K-1 GYM SAGAMI-ONO KREST). Nishimoto controlled the pace with calf kicks and knee strikes, scoring a knockdown in the second round. Nishimoto secured the victory by unanimous decision (3-0).

■Part 2, Match 2 / Featherweight (-57.5kg) Class: Takashii Niimi vs. Rui Okubo

Rui Okubo (K-1 GYM WOLF TEAM ASTER), who moved up one weight class from Super Bantamweight, dominated the match with a combination of front kicks and punches. The 21-year-old, who declared he will "carry the future of K-1," defeated former Featherweight champion Takashii Niimi by split decision (2-0), marking a victorious debut in his new weight class.

■Part 2, Match 3 / Women's Flyweight (-52kg) Class: Moana Kimura vs. Eunji Choi (South Korea)

"Strong & Cute Chun-Li" Moana Kimura (K-1 GYM MEGURO TEAM TIGER), making her K-1 debut, proved her skills, with her fight videos garnering 14 million views on K-1's official YouTube channel (for overseas viewers). She consistently outmaneuvered Eunji with her signature "Mona Front Kick," even knocking Eunji down with a front kick in the second round. Kimura celebrated her K-1 debut with a dominant unanimous decision (3-0) victory.

■Match 12 / Super Lightweight (-65kg) Class: Daizo Sasaki vs. Alassan Camara

Daizo Sasaki (DyR studio), former Krush Super Lightweight champion, faced Alassan Camara (Senegal), one of the "Strongest Twins." Sasaki was knocked down by Camara's left straight in the first round. Immediately after, during a jab exchange, Sasaki suffered a cut above his right eye. The fight was stopped by the doctor, resulting in a TKO victory for Camara.

---

■Part 2, Match 8 / K-1 WORLD GP Heavyweight Title Match: Ariel Machado (Brazil) vs. Claudio Istrate (Italy/Romania)

Result: Machado wins by KO (Round 2, 1:42, right calf kick) to successfully defend his title.

In the K-1 WORLD GP Heavyweight Title Match, champion Ariel Machado (Brazil) faced challenger Claudio Istrate (Italy) in his first title defense. Machado, a powerful striker, won the K-1 WORLD GP Openweight Tournament in December 2024 with three consecutive KOs and captured the K-1 WORLD GP Heavyweight title by knocking out Roel Mannaart in November 2025, riding a wave of momentum to the top. Istrate, on the other hand, aimed to clear his name from being called "the foul king" after a stunning one-punch KO victory in his previous fight against Babacar in February of this year.

In Round 1, Machado began by targeting Istrate's legs with calf kicks. Istrate pressed forward, maintaining pressure with jabs, low kicks, and right hooks. As Istrate threw a flurry of right hooks against the ropes, the referee momentarily stopped the fight, and Machado landed another right hook during this pause. After Machado recovered, Istrate was issued a yellow card and a one-point deduction. Following the restart, Istrate continued his fierce assault with hooks, while Machado responded with body shots to end the round.

In Round 2, Machado took the initiative with calf kicks and middle kicks. As Istrate looked for a right hook, Machado landed a precise right calf kick, scoring a knockdown. Even after Istrate stood up, Machado continued to target his legs with calf kicks, ultimately knocking Istrate down again with a right calf kick for the KO victory.

Machado successfully defended his Heavyweight title for the first time.

■Part 2, Match 9 / 3rd K-1 WORLD GP Middleweight Championship Tournament: Deng Silva (Brazil) vs. Alfonseno Camara (Senegal)

Result: Silva wins by unanimous decision (30-28 x3) to become the 3rd Middleweight Champion.

The bout for the 3rd K-1 WORLD GP Middleweight Championship featured Deng Silva (Brazil), the second Krush Middleweight champion, against Alfonseno Camara (Senegal), one of the "Strongest Twins" trained by K-1 legend Jérôme Le Banner. Silva, a formidable fighter, showed his resilience in his previous match in February, coming from behind after being knocked down to secure a comeback KO victory against Kacper Muszynski. Camara, on the other hand, made a strong impression in his previous bout by knocking out Basso Pires in the first round.

In Round 1, Camara initiated with low kicks. Silva calmly observed, evading Camara's punches and steadily accumulating low and middle kicks while switching stances. Camara attempted to counter with flying hooks and combinations including high kicks, but struggled against Silva's long reach and skillful evasion.

In Round 2, Camara increased his entry speed to aim for hooks. Silva narrowly evaded while responding with low kicks and hooks. As Silva, who orchestrated the fight with his long-range punches, gained the upper hand, he scored a knockdown against Camara with a combination of knee strikes and punches. Camara managed to stand up, but the round ended.

In Round 3, Silva repeatedly used low kicks to wear down Camara's legs. Camara attempted a comeback with leaping punches, low kicks, and uppercuts, but Silva effectively countered with right-hand strikes. The fight concluded with both fighters exchanging punches, and Silva won by unanimous decision (3-0) to claim the 3rd K-1 WORLD GP Middleweight Championship title.

■Part 2, Match 10 / 6th K-1 WORLD GP Super Welterweight (-70kg) Championship Tournament: Jonas Salsicha (Brazil) vs. Darryl Verdonk (Netherlands/Indonesia)

Result: Salsicha wins by unanimous decision (28-25 x3) to become the 6th Super Welterweight Champion.

The 6th K-1 WORLD GP Super Welterweight Championship bout featured a rematch of the finals from the 2025 "K-1 WORLD MAX 2025 -70kg World Grand Prix" tournament, this time for the championship title. "The Giant of Brazil" Jonas Salsicha (Brazil), standing at 191cm, is a former WGP Kickboxing Super Middleweight champion. He won the previous tournament by consecutively knocking out strong opponents, including Verdonk. Verdonk, on the other hand, advanced to the finals by knocking out Stoyan Koprivlenski in the semifinals of the previous tournament and was determined to get revenge against Salsicha.

In Round 1, Verdonk launched a fierce offensive with hooks. However, Salsicha landed a precise right straight, scoring an early knockdown. Against the standing Verdonk, Salsicha went for the finish with body shots and knee strikes. Verdonk attempted a comeback with left hooks and backfists, but Salsicha's knees landed consecutively to the body and head. Verdonk endured the onslaught to the end of the round.

In Round 2, Verdonk attempted to counter with left and right low kicks, but was sent flying by Salsicha's front kick. Salsicha scored another knockdown with a short right hand, followed by an additional knockdown with a left hook. Despite suffering two knockdowns, Verdonk stood up and continued to throw right hooks, showing his unwavering determination until the end of the round.