By Eugene Sirota
Looking to bolster its combat sports offerings, Viacom owned Spike has entered into an agreement with premier Kickboxing organization, K1.
Although the ownership of the company has changed twice in a little over a year, the near future, at the least, looks bright for K1, with top-tier level of fighters filling its roster, and a TV broadcast deal that will bring it into 98.7 million households in the US.
Before it makes its TV debut, Spike.com will stream four of K1’s events live, starting with this Saturday’s U.S. Grand Prix Los Angeles. K1’s typical show format varies from boxing, UFC and most other combat sports organizations in that an 8-man single elimination tournament will be featured, with the winner securing a spot in the final tournament at the end of the year.
Highlighting the Grand Prix tournament are San Bernardino’s Mighty Mo, 46-year old legend Rick Roufus and one-time UFC The Ultimate Fighter contestant Seth Petruzelli, who is perhaps most well known for being the first to KO Kimbo Slice.
Also on the docket for Spike.com is an October 8 return to K1’s birthplace of Tokyo, a December 8th stop in Athens, Greece and the Grand Prix Finals in New York on December 16.
Tickets are available for purchase through www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-866-448-7849. Tickets are also available at the LA Sports Arena Box Office located at 3939 S. Figueroa Street in Los Angeles or by calling (213) 748-6131.
Doors for the K-1 Rising U.S. Grand Prix Championships on Saturday, Sept. 8 will open at 4:00 p.m. PT; first bout starts at 5:00 p.m. PT. Main card goes live at 6:00 p.m. PT.