September 27, 2026

On Saturday, September 26, 2026 (local time), the “K-1 WORLD GP 2027 -90kg World Championship Tournament South American Qualifier” was held in São Paulo, Brazil, where Joao Victor (Brazil) claimed his first tournament victory after knocking out defending champion Marco Black Diamond in the semifinals.

The qualifier featured an eight-man, one-day tournament. The winner will compete in the “FINAL 16,” scheduled to take place in Tokyo in February 2027. The eight winners from the FINAL 16 will then advance to the “FINAL 8・Final Tournament,” to be held in Tokyo on May 9, where they will compete to determine the world’s strongest -90kg fighter.

The results and details of each bout are as follows.

[K-1 WORLD GP 2027 -90kg Brazil Qualifier Tournament Quarterfinal (1)/3 min. x 3R・1 Extra R]
〇Marco Black Diamond (Brazil/LOUTUS MMA)
KO, R1 ※Right calf kick → Referee stoppage
●Guilherme Schneider (Brazil/Escola de Kickboxing/Team Schneider)

Marco won last year’s South American Qualifier. In February this year, he faced Ibrahim El Bouni in the quarterfinals of the K-1 WORLD GP 2026 -90kg World Championship Tournament, but was unable to land his trademark powerful right hand. This year, he is looking to win the qualifier for a consecutive year and launch his comeback. Schneider, meanwhile, is the CBKB Cruiserweight (-91kg) Champion with a record of 7 wins (4KO) and 2 losses. With Schneider specializing in kicking techniques and ;’klffdknee strikes, this matchup was expected to produce an intriguing battle between Marco’s punches and Schneider’s kicks.

In Round 1, both fighters feinted while using low kicks and jabs to test each other. Marco disrupted Schneider’s balance with a right calf kick. Schneider fought with his back to the corner, but another right calf kick sent him down. Marco then followed his punches with another calf kick to score a second knockdown. Schneider got back to his feet, but the referee stopped the fight.

[K-1 WORLD GP 2027 -90kg Brazil Qualifier Tournament Quarterfinal (2)/3 min. x 3R・1 Extra R]
〇Joao Victor (Brazil/TEIXEIRA TEAM)
KO, R1 ※Punch combination → Referee stoppage
●Joao Pedro Simao (Brazil/Impacto Team)

Victor is the CBKB Light Heavyweight (-86kg) and Cruiserweight (-91kg) Champion and entered the tournament undefeated with a record of 11 wins (4KO). His highly aggressive style and ability to finish opponents with combinations make him a natural fit for K-1. Simao, meanwhile, has a record of 19 wins (10KO) and 6 losses, demonstrating a high knockout rate. In last year’s South American Qualifier, he suffered a KO loss to Marco in the semifinals. He was undoubtedly hoping to earn a rematch with Marco in the final.

In Round 1, Victor opened with a sharp jab followed by a low kick. He countered Simao’s low kick with a right hand. Victor pressed forward with a one-two combination, although there were moments when he nearly walked into Simao’s counter. Victor remained the more aggressive fighter, while Simao responded with sharp attacks of his own. Victor then dropped him with a left followed by a right. After Simao got back to his feet, Victor unleashed a barrage of punches to score a second knockdown, prompting the referee to stop the fight. Victor took the victory.

[K-1 WORLD GP 2027 -90kg Brazil Qualifier Tournament Quarterfinal (3)/3 min. x 3R・1 Extra R]
〇Matheus Nogueira (Brazil/TEIXEIRA TEAM)
Decision
●Angel Bogado (Paraguay/Poderoso Team)

A matchup between Brazil and Paraguay. Nogueira is the WGP Kickboxing Cruiserweight (-85.1kg) Champion with a record of 17 wins (2KO) and 4 losses. In addition to his powerful body punches, he possesses sharp middle kicks and knee strikes, giving him the impression of a highly technical fighter. Bogado is a WAKO Paraguay Champion who is also known for his body punches and sharp middle kicks. Their styles appeared to match up well, raising anticipation for how the fight would unfold.

In Round 1, Nogueira aggressively applied pressure, connecting with a jab to the body followed by a right high kick before attacking with a left to the body. Bogado kept a tight guard and fired back with his right hand, but found himself on the back foot. Bogado then switched stances and landed a left kick to the body, followed by a left counter to the face. It was a round characterized by technical exchanges.

In Round 2, Nogueira continued to apply pressure and attacked with combinations. Bogado defended while looking for opportunities to counter. Nogueira continued to chase him down, while Bogado also stepped forward at times, leading to exchanges in the pocket. Nogueira followed his punches with a knee strike, while Bogado countered with a straight left. Nogueira then put together combinations with Bogado against the ropes. Neither fighter allowed the other to land a decisive blow, but Nogueira appeared to have the advantage.

In Round 3, Nogueira aggressively attacked with a low kick followed by punches. Bogado stepped forward and fired back, leading to a fierce exchange, but Nogueira appeared to have the greater pressure. Nogueira once again trapped Bogado near the corner and unloaded with punches. Bogado seemed fully occupied with defending himself. Nogueira continued attacking with punches followed by knee strikes, refusing to let up. Bogado appeared to have few answers. The fight went to the judges, with Nogueira earning the decision victory.

[K-1 WORLD GP 2027 -90kg Brazil Qualifier Tournament Quarterfinal (4)/3 min. x 3R・1 Extra R]
〇Agnaldo Cruel (Brazil/CET Sports/CLAM Agnaldo Arruda)
KO, R1 ※Left uppercut → Referee stoppage
●Cleiton Ferreira (Brazil/Winner Kombat Team)

Cruel is a Brazilian boxing champion with a kickboxing record of 20 wins (12KO) and 2 losses, giving him a high knockout rate. A versatile fighter who also competes in MMA and Sanda, his sharp left jab followed by his right hand poses a serious threat. Ferreira is the DOMINIUM FITCH Kickboxing & MMA -84kg Champion, making him another fighter who competes in multiple disciplines. In addition to his powerful right hand, he possesses an unconventional spinning back kick reminiscent of capoeira, a style that could also make him popular with Japanese fans.

In Round 1, Cruel applied pressure and attacked with punches from both hands, but Ferreira responded with powerful strikes of his own. Ferreira’s calf kicks also caused Cruel to momentarily stop moving. Cruel looked for his right hand after attacking the body before dropping Ferreira with a left uppercut. The referee stopped the fight, giving Cruel the KO victory.

[K-1 WORLD GP 2027 -90kg Brazil Qualifier Tournament Semifinal (1)/3 min. x 3R・1 Extra R]
●Marco Black Diamond (Brazil/LOUTUS MMA)
KO, R3 ※Left hook
〇Joao Victor (Brazil/TEIXEIRA TEAM)

The first semifinal featured Marco, who finished Schneider with calf kicks, against Victor, who knocked out Simao with powerful punches.

In Round 1, both fighters started cautiously, exchanging jabs. Marco threw a right hand, but Victor evaded it. Marco then disrupted Victor’s balance with a low kick and followed up with a one-two combination. Victor blocked a low kick with his shin. Marco attacked with a left low kick and left and right hooks, looking for the KO. Marco also looked to counter Victor’s punches with hooks. The round ended even.

In Round 2, Victor threw a one-two combination and Marco fired back. Victor’s punches caused Marco to lose his balance at one point. Marco then countered Victor’s kick with a punch, drawing a reaction from the crowd. Marco timed Victor’s jab with a calf kick, but Victor responded by going on the offensive with left and right hooks. Marco continued to damage Victor with calf kicks. When Victor unleashed a combination of punches, Marco stood his ground and traded with him.

In Round 3, Victor opened with a one-two combination while Marco doubled up on his calf kicks. Victor looked for the KO with his right hand, but Marco responded with a long right hook. Marco then followed a right hand with a left hook. Victor answered with a one-two-three combination. The two exchanged punches fiercely, with Victor continuing to press forward. Victor unleashed a barrage of punches and dropped Marco with a left hand. Marco fell backward onto the canvas, giving Victor the KO victory.

[K-1 WORLD GP 2027 -90kg Brazil Qualifier Tournament Semifinal (2)/3 min. x 3R・1 Extra R]
●Matheus Nogueira (Brazil/TEIXEIRA TEAM)
KO, R1 ※Right hook → Referee stoppage
〇Agnaldo Cruel (Brazil/CET Sports/CLAM Agnaldo Arruda)

The second semifinal saw Nogueira, who had dominated Bogado, face Cruel, who had stopped Ferreira with an uppercut.

In Round 1, Nogueira applied pressure while Cruel moved backward and used a front kick. Cruel then fired a one-two combination before dropping Nogueira with left and right hooks. Nogueira got back to his feet and circled away before throwing a high kick, but Cruel’s power continued to overwhelm him. Nogueira attempted to fight back, but despite taking a low kick, Cruel landed a right hook to score a second knockdown and secure the KO victory.

[K-1 WORLD GP 2027 -90kg Brazil Qualifier Tournament Final/3 min. x 3R・1 Extra R]
〇Joao Victor (Brazil/TEIXEIRA TEAM)
Decision 2-1
●Agnaldo Cruel (Brazil/CET Sports/CLAM Agnaldo Arruda)

The final featured Victor, who knocked out the defending champion and tournament favorite Marco in the semifinals, against Cruel, who defeated Nogueira.

In Round 1, Victor kept a tight guard while firing a sharp jab. Cruel extended his left before throwing a right hand. As Victor applied pressure, Cruel responded with a right, but when Victor landed his own right hand, Cruel lost his balance. Victor moved in to follow up, but Cruel regained his composure. Victor’s punches were more accurate, while Cruel possessed the power to turn the fight around with a single shot.

In Round 2, Victor switched to southpaw and extended his left hand. Cruel came over the top with a right before landing a right hook. Cruel then pressed forward with a high kick, putting Victor in trouble. Despite finding himself in a dangerous position, Victor showed his determination by firing back with punches. Cruel appeared to be tiring, however, as his movement began to slow.

In Round 3, Cruel opened with a low kick. Victor advanced with left and right straights before following up with a knee strike. Victor then unleashed a barrage of left and right hooks. Cruel fired back with hooks of his own, but his punches lacked power. Victor disrupted Cruel’s balance with a low kick before attacking with a flurry of punches followed by a spinning backfist. There was still little separating the two fighters. Both men then swung full-power hooks at each other until time expired.

The fight went to the judges, with Victor earning a 2-1 decision victory to claim his first tournament championship.