i guess we are talking about two things on this thread. 1] the tournament system and 2] mark's eating disorder.

1] the tournament system is going to grow for a few more years then, in my opinion, crack. a fighter is going to be offered a choice to enter the grand prix for a chance at $500,000 or take a 12 round fight for $400,000 guaranteed. it is just a matter of time before the us market recognizes kickboxing as an exciting sport.

the k-1 will hopefully create a standard in kickboxing that boxing doesn't have. the best fight the best. no one ducks anyone.

2] mark fought lebanner the first time at 114kg. i thought that he was a little overweight but didn't make a big deal of it. i was more concerned about him freezing up.

now mark doesn't have a weight. he gains weight for every match. go ahead, for the love of your friend and champion, tell me this is normal and harmless. tell me pacfic islanders can gain up to 50kg and still be in fighting shape. all they need is confidence in themselves.

when musashi gained 5kg. lollo was the first to say "it takes time to adapt to a new weight". well, mark has gained nearly 15kg and he has no time to adapt because he ain't finished.

remember when filho came to the k-1. he knocked everyone out until his bag of tricks was empty. if he could have beaten hoost in 97 he may very well have won the grand prix. now mark did take full advantage of the fact that he was a novelty and became tournament champion. well he is not a novelty anymore and anyone who fights him will have a game plan with mark's name on it. what is mark's response? let's see them prepare when they don't even know my weight.