Winning three heavyweight kickboxing bouts in one night to claim the K-1 World Grand Prix Final title may be the most physically demanding endeavor in combat sports. As a four-time World Grand Prix champion, Semmy Schilt knows that well.
The physical demands of the K-1 World Grand Prix are the reason that the 36-year-old Schilt is making a point of preserving himself this year. Schilt has stepped into the ring just once since winning the 2009 title on December 5, and he says he doesn’t expect to fight again until it’s time to begin the path toward defending his title in a Final 16 bout in September.
“The last time I fought was on the fourth of April, and now I am waiting on my next fight, in the Final 16 this year,” Schilt told MMAFighting.com. “I don’t have many injuries so its not necessary to preserve myself, but now I am training without pressure, and that feels good.”