Hawkman - lol @ Bob Sapp!

It was a terrible time for K-1, was when FEG was just chasing domestic television ratings, and plugging celebrities like Sapp and Akebono the former Sumo fighter, just because he was so popular ( to Sumo fans that is ). K-1 had no rival, and could almost ignore the wider market.

Competition always makes players up the level. In this case, due to the K-1 promotion not being active for approx two years, the Kickboxing promotions that were showing K-1 bouts, simply continued. They continued with the rule format, but could not say K-1, so they simply called their bouts 'KICKBOXING'. This in part is why we are discussing K-1 style Kickboxing.

Television ratings for these promotions have recently really taken off across Europe for ItsShowtime, GLORY etc... Millions of people are following the sport in many many countries across the globe. Most probrably due to the UFC exposing a wide audience to martial art - combat sports, and their being people that like to see Kicking and Boxing, but are not fans of wrestling and groundwork.

Now, after nearly two years, K-1 is back, via K-1 Global with its K-1 Rising events - but now it is having to compete for this new global Kickboxing audience.

There is basically a power struggle between GLORY and K-1 to dominate the Kickboxing market. It is like UFC -vs- PRIDE FC.

If this then benefits top level UK fighters with decent $ for their efforts ( as Dave Croft pointed out earlier ) - I am all for it!

Exciting times for fans of the format!