King of Kings is nothing new to fans of kickboxing and MMA or for regular viewers of FightBox HD. However, what is new is the rapidly expanding female division in KOK. Over the years King of Kings has always held a few female bouts here and there, but in April of 2017 the very first women’s WGP was held in Chisinau, Moldova. Below are the four women who competed in the tournament.
Both Esma Hasshass, a Moroccan fighter from Hemmer’s Gym in Holland, and Nadejda Cantir of Moldova won their semi-final matchups and were set to square off again in what would have been a rematch from October 2016. In that matchup, Hasshass was the winner by split decision. To see the full fight video, click here.
Over time both women compiled a number of big wins in KOK, proving themselves to be the top female fighters in the promotion. So it came as a shock and a disappointment when the news broke that Esma Hasshass was injured and would not be competing in KOK for some time.
In the meantime, several new faces have appeared in the King of Kings female division including the heavily touted Donna Cheli of Moldova who not only won her KOK debut, but also found success in MMA winning her fight at Eagles FC 8 in February of this year. We also saw the debuting Ella Grapperhaus defeat Liudmila Pilipceak in one of the most entertaining bouts of the night at KOK 53.
Now, almost exactly one year after the inaugural KOK Women’s WGP tournament, the two semi-final winners will finally meet, but this time it will be for the championship. I had the opportunity to speak with both girls before the fight and asked them both the same six questions. Here is what they had to say.
You know your opponent well. You have fought her before. What are your thoughts on the previous fights with Esma?
She's a good fighter with good skills and it will be a very interesting fight. She's a Moroccan girl, and I am a Moldavian girl, what more do you need to have a toe to toe fight :) ?
In your first fight, you lost a split decision against Esma. Tell me about that moment.
After that fight the KOK promoters decided to start a women’s WGP. The fight was very close and I don't want to complain, because the referee raised her hand up, and she was declared the winner. But for me it was a good lesson that you don't have the right to come and fight without a 100% preparation camp.
How do you think this fight is going to be different that your previous fight with Esma?
First of all it is a title fight. It is a big opportunity to make people all around the world know that I am a top level fighter. I have been fighting for 8 years in the sport, and I cannot lose this fight. I made a lot of sacrifices to get in this position, so I will have a huge motivation to win. The second difference is it will be 5 rounds. It is a very big difference. And the third thing, now I have more experience. I became smarter.
How do you feel physically and mentally before this fight?
As I said, mentally I am very well, I have a huge motivation. Physically, the same, because you can't take this kind of fights if you are not prepared and I have 1 week more to become better :)
A lot more women are now competing in KOK. What do you think about the current state of the women’s division?
It is great. I can say more because I am also a coach in my gym, Bercut Fight Club, and there are a lot of girls inspired by my fights and my way, and they came here to start a fighter career :) So it is great when you can look back in time and understand that you helped somebody to come in this sport.
What would you like to say to your opponent before the fight?
I can say only one thing: Esma, be very well prepared, because this time I am much better than in our first fight. The belt will remain in Moldova.
You know your opponent well. You have fought her before. What are your thoughts on the previous fights with Nadejda?
Yes I know her. We fought before. I think I am the more skilled and technical fighter. I will show that again next week!
In your first fight, you won a split decision against Nadejda. Tell me about that moment.
Yes I won!! I loved it! It was a very nice moment. I want to win again!!
How do you think this fight is going to be different than your previous fight against Nadeja?
I think Nadeja has prepared very well for this fight. I did too. We know each other, so it will be different. I also had a very bad car accident and I had to recover from some very bad injuries. So we will see what will change in the fight.
Tell me about the car accident and how you are feeling now.
Yes I had a very bad car accident and I was lucky to survive it. I had a lot of injuries and could not train for 4 months. Now my recovery is going good and I am ready to fight.
A lot more women are now competing in KOK. What do you think about the current state of the women’s division?
I think Nadedja is good and me. The rest I think are not so good and I will beat them all!
What would you like to say to your opponent before the fight?
Good luck to you! But I will show that I am better and I will beat you AGAIN. The Fight Queen is coming to Moldova again!! I love Moldova and I love to come!! See you next week!
Esma Hasshass vs. Nadejda Cantir will be the main event of FightBox’s KOK Hero’s World Series which you can watch LIVE, this Saturday 24.03.2018 from Chisinau, Moldova on the FightBox HD channel. The event will also be streaming online at www.fightboxlive.com for only €3.99.
The fight is five rounds of three minutes under KOK kickboxing rules and the weight limit is -51 kilos. It is the finals of the first ever KOK Women’s WGP and the winner will become the first ever KOK Women’s Champion. Good luck to both ladies!!
- Daniel Austin (Don Roid)
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