Two championship bouts and non-title fights have been announced for the upcoming K-1 MAX event, which will take place on March 20 and will feature the return of the renowned K-1 MAX tournament.

Three-time K-1 Super Bantamweight (-55 KG) title challenger Masashi Kumura faces Luca Cecchetti, arguably Europe’s best fighter below 56 kilograms.

Kumura has long been considered one the best fighters at the lower weights, with this fight being a step toward proving he is indeed the very best, as he himself stated: “I definitely want to grab the 55 KG belt. It’s only a matter if it comes next or later down the line. Taito Gunji is racking up wins, but he hasn’t exactly impressed me, so I’d also like to go up to Featherweight and grab the Featherweight belt as well”. 

The opposite is true for Cecchetti as well, should he win here he would immediately position himself for a shot at the belt and the opportunity to become king of the division. The Italian fighter was last seen at ONE Friday Fights 31, where he picked up a win against Huo Xiaolong.

The remaining fights are likewise great additions to the event. Antonia Prifti will make her first K-1 Atomweight title defense against the streaking SAHO, while Liu Ce will look to continue his breakout season as he takes on K-1 Cruiserweight champion Sina Karimian and the former two-weight K-1 champion Koya Urabe will return from a three-year layoff to face Hayato Suzuki.