 In this year's elimination tournament the defending WGP champion was given a bye straight to the final eight but still had to fight a superfight match.For Remy Bonjasky the K-1 directors decided to match him up with Akebono who again lost.Musashi just won against Cyril Abidi, and Francois Botha beat Jerome Le Banner when after the match was called a draw, the Le Banner could not continue the fight for the fourth round and instead gave up.