K-1

For other uses, see K1 (disambiguation).
M-1 Sports Media Ltd.
Company typePrivate
IndustryMartial-arts entertainment planning and promotion
Founded1993
FoundersKazuyoshi Ishii
Headquarters
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
,
Japan
OwnerM-1 Sports Media Co., Ltd
Websitek-1.co.jp

K-1 is a professional kickboxing promotion established in 1993 by karateka Kazuyoshi Ishii.

Originally under the ownership of the Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG), K-1 was considered to be the largest Kickboxing organization in the world.[1] The organization was known for its heavyweight division fights and Grand Prix tournaments.[2] K-1 also promoted mixed martial arts events, with some events having both kickboxing and MMA matches on their cards (such as their Dynamite!! series). The promotion has also held several tournaments under K-2 and K-3 banners from 1993 to 1995.

FEG would later face financial issues in the 2010s, and eventually went bankrupt in 2012.[3] That same year, K-1 Global Holdings Limited, a company registered in Hong Kong, acquired the rights to K-1. In 2023, global rights to the K-1 brand were acquired by M-1 Sports Media.[4][5][6]

The letter K in K-1 is officially designated as a representation of words karate, kickboxing and kung fu. Nevertheless, some reports suggest that it represents the initial K found in competing disciplines such as karate, kickboxing, kung fu, kempo, kakutougi (the generic Japanese term for "combat sports"), and taekwondo.[7] Another theory claims that the K simply comes from kakutougi and the "1" component pertains to the single weight division (in earlier competition) and the champion's unique position.[8]

K-1 has its own unique ruleset different from other styles of Kickboxing. Because it has become so popular, K-1 is also seen as its own style of kickboxing and sometimes is erroneously considered as a standalone martial art/combat sport.[9] Kickboxing governing bodies such as the ISKA and WKN have also crowned their own "K-1 rules" champions.[10][11]

  1. ^ "K1 Kickboxing | What Is K1 Kickboxing? | K-1 Rules Kickboxing". Sidekick Boxing. 2020-09-12. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  2. ^ "Black Belt". August 2002. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
  3. ^ Coffeen, Fraser (2011-12-25). "2011 The Year in MMA: The Death of the K-1 Grand Prix". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2022-01-01.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference kif was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ License | K-1 OFFICIAL SITE | Martial Arts Event
  6. ^ Operating company | K-1 OFFICIAL SITE | Martial arts event
  7. ^ Tashiro, H., & Tyrangiel, J. (2001): Turning the martial arts into mondo mayhem TIME (September 3, 2001). Retrieved on March 4, 2010.
  8. ^ Maylam, J. (2001): K-1 hits the spot: Ultimate fighters pack a punch The Japan Times (October 21, 2001). Retrieved on March 4, 2010.
  9. ^ "What Is K-1 Kickboxing? The Beginner's Guide to K-1". MMACHANNEL. Retrieved 2022-07-05.
  10. ^ Network, World Kickboxing. "Kickboxing K-1 Rules World Champions". WKN. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  11. ^ "Kickboxing Champions – ISKA World Headquarters". Retrieved 2022-01-01.