Bad news for us K-1 fans this year. K-1, or more specifically FEG, look to be in bad shape. They don't even have the next MAX card booked. This years MAX could be very different. Fortunately they still have the WGP going, but these are ominous signs nonetheless. http://www.headkicklegend.com/2010/8/25/1650763/feg-programming-update-dream-17-is http://www.headkicklegend.com/2010/8/25/1649646/where-art-thou-k-1-max-in-2010-the
****! :twisted: It's just too bad there isn't a way for us to directly support the organization and the fighters, short of having HDNet in my cable line-up. All their events are free to air, non-PPV - and it isn't as though we can go see them live (they're actually banned in many states in the USA) and to my knowledge they don't distribute any DVDs over here. :conf
I remember watching a little while ago and some drag queen won the thing. His record was pretty **** and I think he faced an undefeated fighter. I was over the moon.
We just have to hope that this deal with that Chinese investment bank PUJI Capital actually reaps some rewards and the company is pulled out of their financial troubles. They apparently have not paid some fighters as well, in both MMA and K-1. You guys are lucky you even get the events. Nothing whatsoever over here in the UK. I don't think they even show it on Eurosport anymore.
It's not even available to all US cable subscribers - you have to have an HDTV-enabled set to get HDNet (and only a minority yet do). Knowing Mark Cuban, he'll likely branch out to the UK market soon enough if the ball's not already rolling. Do you have any HD-dedicated stations?
Don't think so. Don't watch too much tv though. ESPN has just come over though and have done a fairly good job with football, some boxing and UFC. In fact I love that we get the UFC events at no extra cost other than the subscription to the channel and I forget that they are PPV over there in the US. I couldn't pay $50 for an event. TBH I'm not surprised that K-1 and DREAM isn't widely available anywhere outside Japan. They are very insular in that they cater to the Japanese only and care little for the global fans, although that could be changing.
HDNet does a good job of trying to promote it, with commercials almost every day and at all different times (they even advertise K1 and MMA programming during "Girls Gone Wild: America's Sexiest Girl" marathons :good). Michael Schiavello, despite being something of an acquired taste, is also an iconic personality and calls several different promotions for HDNet including K1. He's able to really push the brands with his passion and knowledge (and his...unique style & sense of humor). He's a huge MMA fanboy but something in the tone of his delivery tells me that K1 is nearest and dearest to his heart).
Not having K-1 Max is a huge blow, few events/fights in combat sports are better. I don't think anyone watches K-1 on HDNET tbh, its badass that they do show it but few are aware of it. I don't think there is much money from N.America for FEG.
bad news, hopefully somehow a k1 max tourney will happen. I was so exited for this year too. anyway being a fan of boxing, muay thai/kickboxing, and mma thier is always an event in the near future. but I still will feel a little empty inside if I dont get to see this years max finals.:dead I also wish I had HD net!
I love Schiavello. Goes a bit overboard but he is a good commentator imo. I'd agree he seems to love K-1 more. Just look at the way he reacted to Badr Hari stopping Overeem in the GP last year. He looked like he'd just won himself. One of my favourite quotes of his is when someone gets KO'ed. He just repeatedly shouts 'AND IT'S GOODNIGHT IRENE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'
Yo, the schedule of the rest of the year has been released. Overeem is gonna participate in the K-1 again and who will get the remaining wild cards will will be influenced by the votes of the fans ( which I think is a great option ). http://www.k-1.co.jp/en/news/2010/0827_wgp_01.html Last 16 => October 2 Finals => December 11 Regarding the state of K-1, well obviously their product is great so I'm not worried too much.
He would like to fight in UFC, but it's almost impossible for him as a contract with UFC would mean he can't compete in K-1 anymore. Overeem has the same issue with UFC. Anyways Lebanner is close to retiring, so it wouldn't mean that much anymore ...
I'm glad that they've announced their cards now, but there's some good and bad news in there. For the GP Hari and Overeem are in, but Bonjasky is out which is a shame but understandable considering the eye surgery. As for the MAX GP, Petrosyan, Kyshenko etc are in but at the moment Buakaw and Souwer aren't. Massive blow if neither are in it, especially seeing as I'm a fan of Souwer, who has a fight booked in a Shootboxing event for September sometime and so is unlikely to be ready for the MAX Final 16. We all know about Buakaw's relationship with K-1.
