Andy Souwer
Artur returned to K-1 action the next year defeating Jordan Tai and Yasuhiro Kido at elimination fights to make the final 4 in Tokyo. He met reigning MAX champion Andy Souwer in the semi finals outworking the heavily favoured Dutchman to claim an extension round victory and face the previous year's finalist Masato in a rematch. Artur performed excellently in the final bout dropping Masato in the second but as he was unable to press his home his advantage the match went into an extension round which the local fighter won by a unanimous decision – a result some felt should never have gone into an extra round as the Ukrainian may have done enough over three rounds to have claimed victory. He entered the final again the following year destroying Aalviar Lima in the final 16 before losing to Andy Souwer in the quarter finals.