9.30.2024

At just 1 minute 11 seconds, the semi-final 1 of the K-1 World MAX -65kg Super Lightweight Tournament was incredibly short, and so too must be its recounting—for it was a whirlwind of destruction that claimed but a single victim: Ionut “The Romanian Reaper” Popa (Romania/Team Super Pro Alin Balasa Sibiu).

Coming off a first-round quarterfinal KO win, Yodkhunpon Weerasakreck (Thailand/Weerasakreck Fairtex Muaythai Gym) came into the ring looking supremely confidentーand with good reasonーnot only had his first fight ended just shy of the bell at 2 minutes 50 seconds, Popa, his opponent had been put through the wringer against the do-or-die Hayato Suzuki.

Popa had been given more time to recover than anyone else, with his pole position in Quarterfinal 1. But, the grueling three-round war he had endured, in contrast to Yodkhunpon’s one-round walkover, had stacked odds in the Thai fighter’s favor.

Grim reality set in for the “Reaper” within the first 10 seconds of the fight—following an opening low-kick from Popa, Yodkhunpon slipped inside, dodging a right hook to deliver a devastating left hook of his own, knocking the Romaninan to the mat.

Though Popa found the strength to stand back up, Yodkhunpon showed no mercy, and was abundantly clear the Romanian’s legs could not support his heart. No matter how tightly Popa kept his guard, Yodkhunpon’s brutal strikes pierced through, to drop the Romanian for the second time at the 1 minute 11 second mark.

Yodkhunpon moved on to face the winner of Semi-final 2.