Stefan Leko wins the K-1 European Grand Prix

FletchBlog wrote:K-1 European Grand Prix 1998

Invitees Peter Aerts, Stefan Leko and Petar Majstorovic were favourites to win the European Grand Prix, with the other participants being Xhavit Bjarami, Ray Hoffman, Rob Van Esdonk, and Achille Roger. Aerts did not compete however, as he received a shot at Andy Hug's WKA World Heavyweight Muay Thai title, to take place on the same card. He was replaced in the EGP by Italian heavyweight Matteo Minonzio.

Hug defeated Aerts via 5 round points decision, to retain his world title.

The tournament winner was Stefan Leko. He drew joint-favourite Petar Majstorovic in the quarter final, whom he beat via points decision. In the semi final, he knocked out Ray Hoffman, and surprisingly met Rob Van Esdonk in the final, who had beaten another notable fighter in a semi-final surprise upset, Xhavit Bajrami. He could not pull off a second surprise however, and Leko knocked him out cold with a flurry of punches to take the tournament title.

Peter Aerts:

3x K-1 World Grand Prix champion
4x K-1 World Grand Prix runner-up
WMTA World Heavyweight Muay Thai champion
WMTA World Super Heavyweight Muay Thai champion

Andy Hug:

K-1 World Grand Prix 1996 champion
WKA World Heavyweight Muay Thai champion

Stefan Leko:

K-1 European Grand Prix champion
K-1 Dream '99 champion
2x K-1 World Grand Prix USA champion
WMTA World Heavyweight Muay Thai champion
IKBO World Heavyweight Muay Thai champion
WKN World Super Heavyweight Kickboxing champion

Petar Majstorovic:

WFCA World Heavyweight champion
WPKC World Heavyweight champion
K-1 World Grand Prix qualifier in Germany champion

Xhavit Bajrami:

ISKA World Heavyweight Full Contact champion