So K-1 Rising have announced they will be holding open try outs at Venice beach California (of all places) July 19th – for a spot in the K-1 Grand Prix and Max event.
Venice beach is obviously a ploy to try and tap into the MMA market that has been built in the USA (not a bad move)
But i somehow doubt most of Eastern Europe, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Australian and many others – will be able to make the flight- in order to try out for this event.
America is a place that K-1 could potentially do well, Bloodstain Lane (along with many others) such as liverkick.com crew… have been representing the US fan base well, and wishing that the US would take K-1 serious enough to hold world class events. I do though doubt the overall level of US talent – Kevin Ross, Joe Schilling, Shark and a handful of others.
K-1 Rising is an interesting promotion, as always i remain optimistic that K-1 will be a success and once again grow close to or level with the K-1 that we all loved and adored.
K-1 is offering this unprecedented opportunity for K-1 hopefuls to fight in a 2012 event and the chance to compete for $2 Million in prize money.
$1 million will be awarded to the 2012 K-1 Heavyweight Grand Prix winner along with $300,000 for second place, as well as $300,000 for the winner of the 2012 K-1 MAX tournament.
“K-1 would like to invite all talented stand-up fighters to come to Muscle Beach in LA on July 19 and show us what you have, and why you belong in the K-1 family,” said Doug Kaplan, Chief Executive Officer, K-1. “K-1 is the gold standard in stand-up fighting, and we are searching for the best new athletes out there to represent K-1 and possibly become one of kickboxing’s newest icons.”
Also announced is Alistair Overeem, and Masato will be in attendance alternating as judges, for the 200 fighters pre-registered for the tryout.
Other fighters scheduled to be in attendance are Mighty Mo, Tyrone Spong, Dewey Cooper, Rick Roufus, Joseph Valtellini, and more.
We hear the try outs will be pad work, shadow boxing and bag work…
Now – i have seen some STUDS on the bags and pads, who have never had a fight or have had plenty and done terribly. So im a little confused with this setup. No sparring, no ring ?
Anyways – seems like a fun promotional and marketing tool and i hope they get something from it.
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