First of all people needs to understand one thing: K-1 is an org defunct in 2010 that came back last year with a lot of cans and only a few good fighters. Just imagine that Mirko won last HW GP (with one robbery on the way). K-1 is NOT a sport.
90% of elite kickboxers are fighting for Glory nowadays.
Second... back in 2009 there was two weightclasses in K-1: MAX (up to 70kgs/155lbs) and Heavyweight (no limit).
That tournament had solid competition including the winner Giorgio Petrosyan, who is the #1 p4p kickboxer in the world. Also Buakaw and Souwer were there.
As a big K-1 fan and muay thai practitioner.. do I think that Pettis is a solid kickboxer? No doubt he is solid... specially on the kicking department. Do I think he could hang with the elite? No, unless he become a full time kickboxer and not a mixed martial artist and then we will have to see.
People (starting with Joe Rogan) needs to GTFO with all the "K-1 level striker" bullsh..