page_title: Gökhan Saki
section_title: 2008
hierarchical_section_title: Gökhan Saki / Kickboxing career / 2008
caption_attribution_description: Español: Combate de cuartos de final del World GP Final 2008 entre Saki y Karaev.
context_page_description: Gökhan Saki is a Dutch-Turkish mixed martial artist and former kickboxer. Fighting out of the Netherlands, he is two-time Dutch and European Muay Thai champion, K-1 World GP 2006 in Amsterdam tournament finalist, K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Hawaii champion and former Glory Light Heavyweight Champion. On May 25, 2017, it was announced Saki had signed a multi-fight contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship to compete in their Light-Heavyweight division.
context_section_description: On February 16, 2008, Saki won the World Full Contact Association (WFCA) World Thaiboxing Super Heavyweight (+95 kg) Championship by defeating Englishman Chris Knowles via TKO (left low kick) in his hometown of Schiedam. Following this, his next significant bout came in a super fight at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Amsterdam on April 26 where he knocked out Paul Slowinski with a left cross in the first round.
  Following these impressive victories, he was invited to take part in the sixteen-man tournament at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Hawaii on August 9. Saki was able to win the tournament in devastating fashion by knocking out all three of his opponents, Deutsch Pu'u, Rick Cheek and Randy Kim. This victory earned Saki a place in the 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix final sixteen, and also marked the first time a Turkish fighter had won a K-1 Grand Prix.
  Later that year at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Seoul Final 16 on September 27, he was drawn against legendary New Zealander Ray Sefo. After three rounds, the judges had scored the fight a decision draw so it went to an extra round to determine the winner, after which Saki was announced the victor by unanimous decision. Advancing to the final eight at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 Final on December 6, Saki defeated Ruslan Karaev in the quarter-finals before being knocked out by the eventual champion, Remy Bonjasky, in the semis  by a jumping kick to the rib cage.
caption: Saki facing Ruslan Karaev at the K-1 World GP 2008 Final
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