Is K-1’s return to Europe pure nostalgia or a serious rival for GLORY?

Ever since the inception of kickboxing organization GLORY, they have been compared to the K-1. It is understandable, because fans look back on the K-1 with pleasure. Nostalgia is a strong emotion. Fans of the K-1, which had its heyday in the 90s and 00s are excited, because the K-1 is coming back! To be specific; the K-1 is coming back to Europe.

Although the K-1 has flown out of the eye of the general public, the K-1 never really went away. Since the bankruptcy of the “old K-1” in 2011, the former largest kickboxing organization of the world has risen to become one of the most prominent kickboxing promoters in the lighter weight classes. That success tasted like more.

Last year was the 30th anniversary of K-1 where K-1 producer Carlos Kikuta made a big announcement in a press conference that they want to reclaim the No. 1 position as the largest kickboxing organization in the world. Big words for an organization that has been somewhat forgotten in the West. Sounds harsh, but at the same time if you ask the average fan about K-1 they will talk with nostalgia about the heyday of Ernesto Hoost, Peter Aerts and Remy Bonjasky 9 times out of 10. Names of current stars such as Akihiro Kaneko, Hiromi Wajima and Yuki Yoza are not likely to be mentioned. A pity, but at the same time not strange. K-1 in recent years has focused only on the Japanese viewer, but that is about to change.

On June 13, K-1 will launch its campaign to win back the Western fan and thus compete directly with GLORY, as K-1 returns to Europe. They are coming back to Romania with Dutch K-1 veteran Errol Zimmerman in the main event of the evening. This will be the first event under the banner of the also returning K-1 Fighting Network. A concept that once originated in the heyday of K-1 as an event where they partnered with local promoters from around the world. The goal is to find the best heavyweights from each continent, with the endgame being to host the famed heavyweight tournament, the K-1 World Grand Prix in December where the best heavyweight kickboxer of the year is crowned (the concept that GLORY has fully claimed in 2024).

Naturally, the sounds from 90s/00s K-1 fans were incredibly positive. I myself, as a critical fan, was moderately enthusiastic at the time of the announcement. On the one hand because K-1 has worked very hard in recent years to be the number one kickboxing promoter for the lighter weights, I would find it a great shame if these weight classes would get less attention On the other hand; where are they going to get those heavyweights from? GLORY has been struggling for years to find great heavyweights. It's a risk, but a risk they are brave enough to take and perhaps must take if they want to re-engage with the Western audience. Yet K-1 has succeeded, as they have signed none other than K-1 veteran Errol Zimmerman!

With a name like Errol Zimmerman in the main event, it is immediately clear that K-1 is trying to capitalize on nostalgia. Who can't remember his great match with Badr Hari, where despite losing, he made new fans with his spectacular fighting style. He was also successful in GLORY; he won a 4-man tournament by finishing two matches early in one night.

Although I am not much of a nostalgist and I don't like to compare contemporary kickboxing with the “old K-1,” I think it is very good that GLORY is getting a competitor. Competition makes you sharp and makes you work even harder. In addition, K-1 has brand value, or in other words the name alone creates excitement among fans. One thing is certain, GLORY should not underestimate K-1. In other words, we kickboxing fans are enjoying these developments and that's what it's all about: enjoying beautiful kickboxing.

Witness the return of K-1 in Europe and purchase a PPV for K-1 Fighting Network Romania here featuring Errol Zimmerman, Stoyan Koprivlenski and Amansio Parachiv, among others.

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