In an interview for the combat sports outlet Combat Sports Today, ahead of SENSHI’s first-ever Grand Prix tournament this September, Nicholas Pettas shared more about his work with the SENSHI team as well as his expectations for the heavyweight competition. The “Blue-Eyed Samurai” is a Danish Kyokushin karateka, former heavyweight kickboxer, and world champion. Pettas competed in K-1 mainly between 1998 and 2007, winning the Japan Grand Prix in 2001.
Nicholas Pettas’ return to combat sports, after a long absence and two major surgeries, came with an invitation to join SENSHI as an instructor at the international training camps, referee, and host of the professional fight galas. The K-1 legend first came to Bulgaria in 2022, specifically for the titanic clashes at SENSHI 12. During the gala, Pettas took on the challenging task of refereeing and commentating on the fiercely contested bouts inside the SENSHI ring. In 2023, Pettas stepped further into the spotlight, taking over as the main host of the SENSHI fight nights, pleasantly surprising the audience in his new role. Today, he is also a member of the KWU SENSHI board of directors and works closely with the international fight organization, which develops and provides a platform for some of the most promising young fighters on the global stage.
In his special interview with Combat Sports Today, supporting SENSHI’s first Grand Prix format, Pettas drew an interesting parallel with his participation in the Kyokushin World Karate Tournament in the 1990s, where 270 fighters battled over three days in a fierce contest for the title.
“The golden era of K-1 needs continuity and a new revival through tournaments like these in the heavyweight division, and SENSHI 28 Grand Prix provides exactly this opportunity for the development of promising fighters,” Pettas told the international combat sports media. The event, he added, pushes fighters to put in more effort in their preparation than for super fights, as they need to train much harder to deliver in three consecutive matches in a single evening. An 8-man tournament with three rounds each is, according to him, the best combination for both spectacular fights in front of the audience and a reasonable setup for protecting the fighters’ health as they go through this huge challenge.
The conversation also touched upon the return of young fighter Leona Pettas to the K-1 ring, who bears none other than the name of Nicholas Pettas himself. The SENSHI host shared that he strongly supports and is proud of his protégé, his fighting spirit, and the fact that he reached the K-1 lightweight championship title.
The full interview with the “Blue-Eyed Samurai” and more details from his conversation can be watched on the Combat Sports Today YouTube channel.
