![[K-1 WORLD MAX] Minoru Kimura Shocking Entry into K-1 MAX 70kg World Tournament! “I Want to Show the Comeback of K-1 and Myself”](https://k-1.world/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/k1_logo.svg){kind=logo}
[K-1 WORLD MAX] Minoru Kimura Shocking Entry into K-1 MAX 70kg World Tournament! “I Want to Show the Comeback of K-1 and Myself”
July 30, 2025
A press conference for ‘K-1 WORLD MAX 2025: -70kg World’s Strongest Tournament – Opening Round,’ scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 7 at Tokyo’s Yoyogi Second Gymnasium, was held on July 30 in Tokyo. The conference featured Minoru “Philip” Kimura (Brazil), who will be participating in the tournament.
Kimura won the 6th Krush Welterweight Championship in August 2018. In March 2019, he knocked out Hiromi Wajima, and in March 2020, he won the K-1 Super Welterweight Championship Tournament to become the 3rd champion of the division. That December, he earned a TKO victory over Abiral Himalayan Cheetah. However, in December 2021, he faced Wajima again in a title match and lost by decision.
Afterward, Kimura fought in RIZIN but was disqualified due to testing positive in a drug test. In October of last year, he was arrested on suspicion of violating Japan’s Cannabis Control Law. This February, he announced that he had joined RibelLion—the faction led by Leona Pettas—and declared he would start over from scratch.
Kimura’s comments
—How are you feeling about this opportunity?
“Everyone at K-1, it’s been a while. I’m truly grateful to be given this important tournament slot as a stage for my comeback. I still carry the pride of having been a K-1 champion. I want to dominate this tournament and make it the platform for my return.”
—We understand you were sidelined due to injury. How has your recovery and training environment been?
“It’s been about six months since I recovered from my injury. This has been the most intense period of training and conditioning in my life. I feel fulfilled both physically and mentally. I’ve never felt this strong before. Because there will be doping tests, I’ll be competing in a clean state, and I want people to see that.”
—Will you be able to make the 70kg weight limit?
“I’m currently around 84kg.”
—Can you make the weight in time?
“Please don’t worry about that. I’m not going to let it become a mental burden. Making the 70kg limit and building the best version of my body is my job.”
—The 70kg world tournament has been called a haven for foreign fighters. What’s your take on that?
“The 70kg division has long been dominated by overseas fighters with no Japanese presence. I believe I’m the only one who can truly compete at that level. I watch K-1’s current foreign fighters, and they’re all very strong. There are a lot of exciting and powerful fighters. I see this as a test of my true worth.”
—Anyone in particular you want to face in the opening round?
“I’m fine with anyone in the opening round. The real focus is the final tournament. It’s been a while since I’ve fought, so I’ll study footage of the other fighters and prepare accordingly. Guys like Stoyan, who beat Buakaw, or Verdonk, who knocked out Wajima—there are many fighters with exciting styles I admire. I want to go in swinging and score knockouts.”
—You’ll have to fight three times in the final tournament.
“I’m confident. I’ve fought three times in a day before. I think I still hold the fastest KO record, so I want to go in fully prepared.”
—How have you evolved compared to your past self?
“Since my last fight against Wajima, I’ve had a long, intense journey. I tried boxing, had a comeback fight in Ganryujima under MIX rules against Yachi, fought Daryl Lokoku in RIZIN, and even faced Buakaw. I’ve had a deep career. During that time, I trained in various disciplines like MMA, wrestling, grappling, and BJJ. I’ve added many new weapons and dimensions to my game.
Previously, I was more of a pure kickboxer, but now I feel I can show a new version of myself that combines boxing, MMA-style physicality, rhythm, and more.”
—Do you think you can break the record for fastest KO in the tournament?
“I want to break it—even by just one second. That’s the mindset I’m going in with. My appeal lies in scoring knockouts. That’s what made me a long-time fixture in K-1 and why so many people remember me. I’m just going to do what I do best. I’ve always believed that knockout performances are more important than trash talk. I also take pride in having brought excitement to the sport through KOs during its tough times.
Right now, I’m in a tough spot myself, but I want to show the comeback of K-1 and myself.”
