Next Week in KUMITE - Volume #1

KUMITE is still young, but already its ring has become a crucible where stories collide. Some fighters arrive carrying the weight of expectation, others chasing second chances, and others still dreaming of that first taste of greatness. In the coming week, two events will deliver battles across divisions — from tactical duels on the mat to heavy-fisted storms that could shake the very foundations of the Shinjuku Indoor Arena. The stakes are high, the stage is set, and destiny waits inside the ropes. This is Volume #1 of Next Week in KUMITE, a glimpse into the wars to come.

 

 

 

Fans should expect an extended ground battle between two specialists when Poyzan Cloud (6-2-0) steps into the ring to face Kabob Magomedabdulmanapsharipovich (4-2-0). Kabob’s record at KUMITE speaks for itself: both of his appearances thus far have ended in submission of the night awards. He has the heart to tough out an opponent who refuses to join him on the ground, and the finishing to end it in an instant when he does force them to the floor. Even so Poyzan is the bigger name; a larger streak of submission victories only broken by a mismatch with a world level fighter, and now he looks to start his streak anew after his victorious KUMITE debut at KUMITE #7 against Paul Sanchez. Chin is likely not to be a factor but he's got one, as well as an aggressive submission-hunting style on the floor. Or perhaps they will both defy all expectations and box it out in the middle of the ring?

 

 

This fight sees two Nordic warriors make their debut in the KUMITE ring. Malig Hunt (8-1-0) collected the scalps of Dario Juan Pablo and Ciro Tavernelli before disappearing from the spotlight for an extended period of time – both big names in today's KUMITE welterweight division. Their 8 win streak has remained unblemished in the time since, and they'll have to shake off the rust quickly if they want to extend it further as Laban Alfredsson (6-3-0) promises to be a tough opponent for a return fight. With a solid chin and a 100% KO rate, Laban is a knockout machine — his stubbornness, flexibility and explosiveness making him a constant threat on the feet, giving him every chance of breaking the streak before it can even be resumed. Once the leather starts flying between these two, the only question will be whose chin will hold.

 

 

The super heavyweight division takes center stage at KUMITE #20, and few matchups promise as much raw striking danger as Igor Drago (7-1-0) versus Erik Synderrgard (3-1-0). Drago’s calling card is immediacy: every victory a knockout, always blitzing opponents before they can even find their rhythm. His size, reach, and crushing right hand create a perilous opening minute for anyone who dares to stand with him. Across from him stands Synderrgard, Norway’s late-blooming powerhouse who only began fighting at 25, yet has already proved he belongs with sheer will, sharp elbows and a knee that promises to sever the soul of those whose chin it touches. A win for Igor would cement his status as the best in the division, while a Erik upset would thrust the Norwegian further into the spotlight – and create a chaotic situation where neither Igor, Erik or Rex Amwano can truly claim to be the biggest man in the biggest division, with a victory over one and a loss against the other.

 

 

 

This matchup is the textbook definition of striker versus grappler. Harrison Rose (7-3-0) relies on his world-class boxing and endless gas tank, flicking a jab sharp enough to win fights on its own. His weakness has always been the takedown but so far at KUMITE he has proven slippery, escaping back to his feet before Ramazan Adaev or Jack Manion could lock in their submissions tight. Rhett Beltran (3-1-0) will be aiming to be the first man to make Harrison tap in the KUMITE ring, and in the past he's proven to make quick work of strikers. He minimizes damage in standup before leveraging his powerful shooting takedowns, in particular being able to bring down Blake Guerrero before finishing that fight early with a kimura in just 1 minute 29. If Rose keeps it standing, he wins. If Beltran grounds him early, Rose may not find daylight this time.

 

 

Douglas Clark (9-5-0) is the archetype of a modern heavyweight: dangerous in standup with his fists, yet equally comfortable finishing fights with a deep ground game. He had a chance to become KUMITE’s first heavyweight champion but in his way stood previous adversary Vanderley Ferreira – who once against bested him to take the honour. Michele Albertini's (9-7-0) road has been longer, harder: a proud Italian striker with 8 knockouts to his name, who clawed his way to a title eliminator fight with Jordin St. John – who sensationally knocked him out in just under a minute, taking his place as Vanderley's first challenger. Both men have stood on the edge of greatness, both have slipped, and now both seek to prove they deserve that second chance. There's only room for one on the road back to the mountain’s peak – this fight will be framed by redemption and opportunity.

 

 

Vanderley Ferreira (10-2-0) has styled himself as "King," his recent coronation at KUMITE #12 backed by a lethal blend of mat wizardry and world class striking ability. The inaugural champion speaks with the confidence of destiny, daring the MMA world to stop his march into the annals of legend. Parisian Jordin St. John (7-1-0) however lets his hands do the talking, and they can talk fast — with every one of Jordin's victories being a quick and violent finish, they're equally capable of knocking someone's lights out as they are dimming them with a choke. One man is building a kingdom, the other plans to tear down the walls. Will Ferreira's reign survive it's first challenge? Or will a new order be installed before the last could even take root? Ten minutes are on the clock, but this fight may not even last one.