The eight finalists had all qualified via elimination fights at the K-1 Grand Prix '97 1st round. Also on the card was a four-man tournament for featherweight kickboxers (57 kg/126 lbs) based in Japan and a local 'Super Fight', with all bouts fought under K-1 Rules.
The eight finalists had won their preliminary fights at the K-1 Grand Prix '97 1st round, and the card featured a four-man tournament for featherweight kickboxers (57 kg/126 lbs) based in Japan and a local 'Super Fight', all bouts contested under K-1 Rules.