[Preview] FIGHTING ARTS FESTIVAL 2009

The KING OF KINGS, along with sponsor Fighting ARTS present the FIGHTING ARTS FESTIVAL 2009 Monday June 29 from Tokyo Japan. The FIGHTING ARTS FESTIVAL will be a celebration of the fighting craft that is mixed-martial-arts.

In the main event, the KINGS Lightweight Champion will be crowned as the #3 ranked Lightweight in Japan, Takashi Kakihara (4-0-0) will face the #9 ranked Ken Kei Katsuro (4-1-0). Kakihara has won his past two KINGS fights and is looking for fifth straight victory. He is one of the most popular fighters in KINGS today. Katsuro has been climbing the rankings ladder quickly and has also won his past two KINGS fights. The Japanese fight press has been abuzz with the match it should not disappoint.

In the semi-main event, The KINGS Bantamweight Champion will be determined as the #3 Japanese ranked Ryobun Akagi (3-0-0) will meet the #5 ranked Masato Michinoku (2-0-0). Akagi is superior BJJ fighter who has yet to taste defeat but Michinoku is also a master BJJ practitioner. This fight has to the potential to be one the best on the card.

In the Light Heavyweight Top Contender match we'll see Fighter's Pit Ronnie Carlton (4-1-0) taking on American Mikki Hiiri (2-0). The winner will secure a birth to fight for the Light Heavyweight title at a future event. Carlton, who fights with Damage Inc. was 2-1-1 when he fought in D.I.F.O. and his last fight was a Triangle Choke submission victory at KINGS 3rd ADVANCE event. Hiiri debuts in KINGS in what will be his biggest match to date, but he's got a lot of hype and the pressure will be for him to step up.

Two Croatian Heavyweight's collide when Marko Perkovich (3-0-0) faces Mako Voki (3-0-0). This is a Top Contender match so the winner will secure a spot in a future Heavyweight title fight. Perkovich has dominated so far in KINGS, with all wins coming by way of submission. Fellow countryman Voki who fights out of Modern Samurais Gym defeated Hanamichi Ono (2-2) in his last fight and continues to improve after every match.

There will be a second Light Heavyweight Top Contender match as Jamaican Tyson Rios (3-0-0) will meet German Logan Strauss (2-0-0). Rios makes his return to KINGS after a victory at KINGS 2nd ADVANCE. Logan makes his return after his recent decision over Go Okami on 6/22. The winner will advance to a fight against the winner of the Ronnie Carlton/Mikki Hiiri match.

A second Heavyweight Top Contender match will take place between #10 ranked Japanese fighter Shinya Imanari (3-0-0) and Ragna Kisaragi (3-1-1). Imanari looked very impressive in his KINGS debut back on 6/22 winning with a quick armbar submission. Kisaragi makes his third KINGS appearance and will be looking for his fourth consecutive victory. Kisaragi is associated with same management team and as the world best pound for pound fighter in the world YB Sol.

Middleweight Elmeri Koira (1-1-0) from Finland will face Akira Sakurai (1-0-0). This will be Koira's debut in KINGS after a couple well fought QFC matches. Sakurai returns to KINGS after he knocked out
Vakuumi Pussi at KINGS 6/11 event.

In a Welterweight showdown, Freelance fighter from North Africa, Jonas Tesfay (2-2-0) arrives in KINGS and will meet Tazuboku Kayo (2-0-0). Tesfay comes from the now defunct TUOW and will be looking to rebound for a QFC loss in his last fight. Kayo returns to KINGS after a most impressive KO just 14 seconds into his fight back on 6/18. The competitiveness in the Welterweight division is starting to heat up and these fighters will need to jockey for top position.

American Middleweight fighter Aku Ankka (1-1-0) will make his debut against the Japanese fighter Osuka Kasumia (1-1-0). Ankka is coming off a recent QFC victory and will look to establish himself among the best of Middleweights. Kasumia returns to KINGS after a great submission victory at KINGS 6/18 event.