K-1 Inks Television Deal With Spike TV

Spike TV and K-1 have agreed to a strategic partnership that will begin this fall with live fights streamed on Spike.com beginning Saturday, September 8 at the U.S. World Grand Prix Championships in Los Angeles.  There will be a total of four events that will be streamed live in 2012.  In 2013, the K-1 events will move from Spike.com to Spike TV to coincide with the network’s extensive coverage of Bellator Fighting Championships.

“We are thrilled to be in business with the world’s preeminent kickboxing organization,” said Jon Slusser, Senior Vice President, Sports and Multiplatform Events, Spike TV. “Spike has the most passionate and knowledgeable fans of combat sports and we are confident that they will enjoy the high-action of K-1, which serves as the perfect complement to our Bellator coverage next year.”  

"K-1 is excited to join forces with Spike TV, a powerful and highly experienced cable network known nationally for its combat sports programming, presenting our live K-1 events," said Doug Kaplan, CEO, K-1. "Spike is the perfect television home and stage to introduce our K-1 warriors and the fast-paced, aggressive style of K-1 fighting to fight fans across America."

Spike.com’s 2012 coverage will include access to K-1 events, from live streaming of the weigh-ins the day before the bouts, to locker room interviews, to live coverage of every fight on the card, including all the prelims.

The four K-1 events in 2012 include:

September 8 - Los Angeles - U.S. Grand Prix Championship

October 14 - Tokyo, Japan - World Grand Prix Final

December 8 - Athens, Greece - MAX Final

December 26 - New York - World Grand Prix Final

In addition to K-1 moving to Spike TV in 2013, Bellator will also jump ship to the cable network beginning next year.
 
Since 1993, K-1 has presented professional live martial arts events in 38 countries, featuring the best and most accomplished athletes in the sport.

World Grand Prix Champions of K-1 include Alistair Overeem, Mark Hunt, Ernesto Hoost, Peter Aerts, Remy Bonjasky and Semmy Schilt.