he soon made his way back to k-1 to fight in the "k-1 world grand prix 2008 in hawaii" in honolulu on august 9, 2008. he won by tko against kyokushin karate stylist nicholas pettas in the quarter-finals when pettas aggravated a groin injury sustained in training early in the fight. he was then eliminated by the eventual tournament winner gökhan saki in the semis. he was floored with low kicks before being crumpled with a liver punch towards the end of round one.