October 1, 2024
On October 5, at the Edion Arena in Osaka, Errol Zimmerman, will face off against Shota Yamaguchi in the K-1 WORLD GP 2024 Openweight Asian Round. Zimmerman, a veteran of the sport, is determined to secure a spot in the K-1 WORLD GP 2024 Openweight Tournament in December.

Nicknamed “The Bonecrusher” for his history of breaking opponents’ arms and skulls, Zimmerman has long been a fan favorite in Japan, where he is a widely recognized name. He made a strong impression in the old K-1 circuit, defeating Kyokushin champion Ewerton Teixeira in 2008 and later knocking out GLORY champion Rico Verhoeven with a left hook in 2012. In June 2024, after a 14-year absence from K-1, Zimmerman returned with force, dispatching Greece’s Michail Karamousketas via first-round KO at “K-1 FIGHTING NETWORK ROMANIA 2024.”

Yamaguchi, Zimmerman’s opponent, has built his own impressive career in karate, earning multiple titles. He made his Krush debut in September 2022, securing a decision victory over Daichi Kimura. His rise continued with a KO win over Isami Sano in K-1 later that year. Yamaguchi has since gone undefeated with seven straight victories, including KO wins over Ryunosuke Hoshi and a recent decision victory over Kazuki Irita at the Hoost Cup, “KINGS OSAKA 6” in July.

—How does it feel to be coming back to K-1 after 14 years?
“I feel incredibly lucky and honored. I can’t wait to meet the Japanese fans again. The tournaments in Japan are always fantastic, and they really take care of the fighters. I’m thrilled to be back with the K-1 team! I’m the last of the old generation, and I was very young when I first fought in K-1, so I’m grateful to be invited back.”

—Any special memories of Japan?
“Every time was amazing. When I woke up in the morning and went for breakfast, there would be 30 to 40 people in the lobby, waiting for autographs, photos, and handshakes. It was truly surprising. They woke up early just to meet me, waiting to shake my hand or get my autograph. And they were always polite and kind. It’s very different from the Netherlands. I love those amazing people. They really love this sport and treat you like a movie star. Everything was filled with respect, and I have nothing but great memories.”

—What’s the first thing you want to do when you return to Japan?
“I want to walk around. I’ve been to Osaka before, but I don’t know many places. But if I go to Tokyo, there’s a place… a party area. What’s the name of the street…?”

—Are you thinking of Roppongi?
“Yes, Roppongi! It’s the first place foreigners go to. I have a lot of memories of going there with my team. I’ve also been to Electric City (Akihabara) in Tokyo. Japan is such an amazing place. There’s so much to see, and I love visiting those spots. This time, I want to explore Osaka like a tourist.”

—What are your thoughts about your opponent, Shota Yamaguchi?
“To be honest, I don’t know much about him. I usually don’t watch my opponents’ fights. My coach, Nicky Hemmers, studies my opponent and creates the strategy for how to fight. I trust him completely, so I’ll just follow what he says. I’ll go into the ring, give it my all, and knock my opponent out.”

—You recently had a K-1 Super Fight at the K-1 Romania event in June.
“My opponent was a bit weak and gave up in the middle of the fight. I wanted to dance more, my partner didn’t give me the chance. Not many people can withstand my kicks, so it can’t be helped. But I was disappointed I couldn’t get a KO. I’ve done a bit of MMA too, but when I fight, I only focus on knocking out my opponent. That’s the only goal and what I offer to the audience. I don’t want to leave it in the hands of the judges. That’s why I always aim for a KO, to knock my opponent out. That’s what people come to see when they buy tickets. I’m an explosive fighter, and I’m going to show that.”

—You said you don’t study your opponents, but what do you think your opponent should watch out for?
“Everything. Because I’m a dangerous fighter. My legs, my fists—everything is dangerous. He needs to watch out for it all. He won’t last a minute.”

—You never study your opponents…?
“Even when I fought Peter Aerts, I didn’t watch his fights. That’s because no one fights the same way twice. I have my coach, Nicky Hemmers. He’s related to Cor Hemmers, and used to train with Ramon Dekkers. He studies the opponent, finds their strengths and weaknesses, and creates a training program for me based on that. I just train and, when the bell rings, listen carefully to my coach and follow his instructions.”

—Has your fighting style changed over the years?
“Not much has changed. One thing that did happen was about eight or nine years ago, when I had a serious injury in my championship fight against Rico Verhoeven. It took a long time for me to walk again. The only real change is that I’m a bit slower. But with time and after many fights, I’ve grown, becoming smarter, stronger, and faster. Now, I feel like I’m back to my old self.”

—That must have been tough.
“And recently, I’ve dropped about 10kg since my last fight. I used to be around 125-123kg, but now I’m around 112-113kg. I’ve been working hard, so he better be careful.”

—Your opponent Yamaguchi said, “Don’t underestimate the new generation.” What would you say to the younger fighters?
“He’s young and believes in himself. That’s a good thing. When I was young, I also went after the veterans, so I understand how he feels. But I know who I am. When the spotlight is on me, no one can stop me—except God. So I want him to do his best and not disappoint me.”

—A win in this fight puts you in the final tournament in December. You’ll be fighting 3 fights in one day…?
“Nothing changes. I just have to fight three times. I love fighting, and it’s an amazing challenge. K-1 is making a comeback, and they’ll do many amazing things from now on. I want to help take K-1 to new heights. K-1 is the real fighting network where the best fighters from around the world gather. It’s not about politics or anything else—it’s about fighting and showcasing your skills. Fighters from karate, boxing, kickboxing, and MMA come together to show their style. That’s the beauty of K-1, and I’m happy to be part of it again.”

—Any message for the fans?
“Thank you, Japan. The Bonecrusher is back! I’ve missed all of you. I’m going to show you an amazing fighting style, so look forward to it. I’m so happy to be back in my second home, Japan. There are going to be many great shows to come. And finally, when I’m fighting, don’t go to the bathroom. Don’t go buy drinks. If you’re holding food, you might drop it in surprise! Japan and the rest of the world, the Bonecrusher is back!”