Andy Ologon vs. Yuya Yamamoto

Yuya has had some great outings in both Shootboxing and AJKF. He even beat second fight entry Ozaki a few months ago. He is a game fighter and should put on a solid performance. However Andy is a physical phenom that is ready to burst. He has a big win over Kohiruimaki last year, and then he built on it by going the distance against two MAX Legends. He gave Buakaw a good showing despite the vast gap in experience, and he even dropped the reigning champion, Andy Souwer, in Shootboxing. Despite the loss, he put himself on the map as a solid prospect even though he has less than 10 professional fights.

Ologon's only flaws are his inexperience and that he doesn't know how to win. I feel this field is prime for him to get some experience getting those wins, and despite Yuya's experience, Ologon should come out on top.

Ologon by knock out in round 2

Kenji Ozaki vs. Yasuhiro Kido

Ozaki has shown great heart and he has stood strong to his taekwondo style. He has been caught and dropped, but he usually gets right up and back to work. He also has a win over Shishido in last years tournament and he took Yoshihiro Sato (eventual champion) the distance.

Kido will have his hands full with the spinning punches and kicks of Ozaki. Kido has shown he can finish a guy in last years J-Max, when he took out Kenji in the first round. He, like Ozaki, has a loss to a fighter in the first fight of a grand prix, when he lost a decision to Yuya 3 years ago. He has looked strong since and should put on a solid performance.

This fight is tough to call, but I will give Ozaki the edge based on his experience against tougher guys.

Ozaki by extra round majority decision

TATSUJI vs. Hiroyuki Maeda

There is no greater example of knocking on the door, but not coming in, than Tatsuji. He has great hands and he has some good victories over Kraus and Ologon.

Along with Ologon, he has beaten 3 of the 7 opponents in the tournament and one of the reserve fighters. He has been runner up twice in a row and he is primed to get through this year.

Maeda is a game fighter with good hands and a good chin. To this point his resume reads 2 K-1 Max losses to Virgil Kalakoda. In the first fight he had things all in hand, having scored some early knockdowns. Virgil then landed a punch that cut Maeda above the eye and ended his night. In the second fight it was all Virgil, and there have been no Maeda fights since.

Tatsuji is strong and he is ready to make a run at the tournament crown. Maeda just hasn't done enough yet to suggest he has the ability to beat him..

Tatsuji by unanimous decision

HAYATO vs. Ryuji

HAYATO is an enigma to say the least. He started of his Max career with a 6 fight losing streak. He then managed a big KO win over Black Mumba. He also won an extra round decision over up and coming MAX star Artur Kyshenko. Then he lost twice to fellow field member Tatsuji in the last two J-Max tournaments. He has shown some great skills and heart, but he has never shown the ability to get to the next level.

There isn't much I can say about Ryuji as I haven't seen him fight. I do know he holds　victories over Tatsuji, Koichi Kikuchi and Nobumitsu Sudo so he has not been put in to give HAYATO and easy opening match.

Having said that, HAYATO is a confusing fighter to get a read on and I think he will be the one getting his arm raised at the end of the fight.

HAYATO by knockout in round 2

Looking at those four winners, I cannot see how there could be a final made up of anyone other than Tatsuji and Ologon. Tatsuji is the more skilled of the two, and Ologon is the more athletic. In the end I have to take Tatsuji's big wins and main-stage-experience over the phenomenal talent of Ologon.

Tatsuji wins by unanimous decision in the J-Max final

Superfights:

Buakaw vs. Sato

Buakaw is a legend and a complete fighter. He had a great year again last year, despite having a bad tactical 3rd round against Masato in the WGP. As long as he is fighting, he is a favorite to win it all. When he and Sato met before he finished him with hands and went on to win his second WGP title.

For Sato, what you see is what you get. The MAX version of Semmy Schilt, he is a tough opponent for anyone. He sticks to his style and he is more active than any fighter in MAX now. Even in defeat, I don't think anyone has ever had the offensive attack work rate that Sato constant brings to the table.

Sato's strength is he is so active, however he doesn't really score. And Buakaw scores big. I expect a repeat of last time, but Sato gets to make it until the final bell this time.

Buakaw by unanimous decision

Shingo Garyu vs. Artur Kyshenko

There is really very little I can say about this one. I feel that Artur is a rising star and I want him to fight as often as possible. He has far too much skill, particularly working the body, for Shingo to be able to keep up with him. I expect it will be another short night for Shingo.

Artur by knockout in round 1