Japan Update: Announcing New Years Eve 2011, and the K-1 Grand Prix 2012

by Fraser Coffeen on Nov 6, 2011 12:00 PM EST in Asian MMA News

New Years Eve producer Antonio Inoki. via SportsNavi

At last, some positive news for fans of K-1 and Dream. After various cancellations and postponements, it looks like we finally have some real news about two of Japan's biggest yearly events - the New Year's Eve show, and the K-1 Grand Prix.

First up, New Year's Eve. This week, pro wrestling legend and (arguable) MMA pioneer Antonio Inoki announced that he would be staging a major show on December 31 at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. Inoki will be co-promoting the show with representatives from Dream, and it will be the heir to the Dynamite!! franchise. Because the name Dynamite!! was sold earlier this year, Inoki's show has instead been given the odd name of "Are You Healthy?!! New Year's Eve!! 2011" (Genki Desu Ka!! Omisoka!! 2011 for the Japanese speaking audience).

The card will feature 20 bouts, including a mixture of MMA, K-1 rules kickboxing, and pro wrestling under the banner of Inoki's IGF organization. Initial fight announcements could come any day. The New Year's Eve card is a huge tradition in Japanese MMA, and it's exciting to see it will once again be honored this year.

As for K-1, the news is potentially even bigger. Former K-1 head Kazutoshi Ishii announced the formation of a new organization called FIKA (Federation International K-1 Association) that will serve as a new governing body for K-1. And they are coming out of the gates strong with plans for a full line-up in 2012 culminating in the return of the K-1 Grand Prix.

Plans right now call for a return to the old Grand Prix format of international qualifying events with the winners moving to the finals. Their tentative timeline has the international qualifiers beginning in April 2012, followed by a round of 32 in May or June, a round of 16 in September or October, and the traditional Final 8 in December. They are also planning to keep the same three weight classes last used by K-1 - Heavyweight, 70kg (MAX), and the recently added 63kg.

One final interesting note on FIKA - they are creating their main base of operations in China, not Japan, which has always been home to K-1. It will be interesting to see just what that means for television and sponsorship deals.

Overall, great news all around for fans of the Japanese scene.

HT: LiverKick, Nightmare of Battle

Tweet Comment 31 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

So the K-1 Final 8 for 2011 has been cancelled as well? Last I’d heard, they’d cancelled the Final 16 but were still planning on the Final 8. Bummer.

AKA zakkree. Twitter.
K-1 Level Predictions Team Captain
Conductor and sole passenger on the Fitch bandwagon.

by Zachary Kater on Nov 6, 2011 12:04 PM EST reply actions

Final 8 2011 has yet to be officially cancelled, but, I mean, come on. It’s not happening.

Staff Writer - BloodyElbow.com
Follow me on Twitter: @FCoffeen

by Fraser Coffeen on Nov 6, 2011 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

are you healthy? really?

by nastyem on Nov 6, 2011 12:16 PM EST reply actions

That’s a literal translation. It’s an idiom. It means “How are you?”

by HonorableJudgeIto on Nov 6, 2011 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

Genki is an interesting word to try and translate. A lot of connotations attached to it. Very Japanese.

Personally I think it is an homage to Genki Sudo. Because that would be awesome.

The North remembers...
Would you like Freys with that?

by iiowyn on Nov 7, 2011 10:21 AM EST up reply actions

JMMA is like a zombie

it will never truly die.

Learn JiuJitsu.
Don't believe the hyperbole, it's like a murder spree, get sniped verbally.
Brett Ratner sucks.

by RolloTomasi on Nov 6, 2011 12:24 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

or rather:

it died years ago, but it won’t stop walking around, even though it is visibly moldering before our eyes.

by Clifford J on Nov 6, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Yeah.......that's why I said Zombie.....

Learn JiuJitsu.
Don't believe the hyperbole, it's like a murder spree, get sniped verbally.
Brett Ratner sucks.

by RolloTomasi on Nov 6, 2011 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

Is it still too early to even attempt a Fukushima related joke?

What’s the time line on when it’s acceptable to make light of a national tragedy?

Bloody Elbow Grappling Editor.
Follow me on Twitter @KJGould
Like me on Facebook

by KJ Gould on Nov 6, 2011 12:43 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Its never acceptable and in most cases, you’ll look like a classless douche. But if that’s your goal, I say go for it. Let me hear your 9/11 jokes first.

"Referees, be sure to step in and stop the fight on time tomorrow, because I might get carried away in the moment and my many punches may end up destroying my opponent." - Tatsuya "CRUSHER" Kawajiri

by andrew861 on Nov 6, 2011 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

I think I mentioned around the time of the Janet Jackson nipple slip

At her Superbowl half-time performance and how the whole of America were losing their minds in hysteria that if Al Quaeda really wanted to send a message they should stop flying planes into buildings and start flying giant pairs of tits into them instead.

Bloody Elbow Grappling Editor.
Follow me on Twitter @KJGould
Like me on Facebook

by KJ Gould on Nov 6, 2011 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

Ha!

I am free because I choose to be so-Me

by Kefka on Nov 6, 2011 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

Haha, not too bad. You’re good to go in my books.

"Referees, be sure to step in and stop the fight on time tomorrow, because I might get carried away in the moment and my many punches may end up destroying my opponent." - Tatsuya "CRUSHER" Kawajiri

by andrew861 on Nov 6, 2011 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

So, good for kickboxing forming a new org...

But does this say anything about their finances being better? I don’t think the name was the problem.

Share for share, share alike, you'll get struck each time I strike.

by gzl5000 on Nov 6, 2011 12:34 PM EST reply actions

All fighters should demand payment upfront no later than a week out from the event

If they don’t, they’re morons.

Bloody Elbow Grappling Editor.
Follow me on Twitter @KJGould
Like me on Facebook

by KJ Gould on Nov 6, 2011 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

Liverkick reported that FIKA is funded by this branch of an investment group, Seven Star Entertainment Fund. They own 60% of FIKA. So I assume the World Grand Prix-related matters shouldn’t be hindered financially. But I believe they have no affiliation with DREAM.

by KyroJudo on Nov 6, 2011 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for the info! I super hope this means no more financial worries for K1.

Share for share, share alike, you'll get struck each time I strike.

by gzl5000 on Nov 6, 2011 1:57 PM EST up reply actions

Nice, I am always looking forward the New Year’s card, it usually delivers.

by Carlos Estrada-Ibars Martínez on Nov 6, 2011 12:40 PM EST reply actions

Genki desu ka? (Are you healthy/How are you?)

Is Inoki’s catch-line and virtually any Japanese person would think of him when they here the phrase.

by WanderleiNoooooo! on Nov 6, 2011 12:41 PM EST reply actions

That explains it.

Although he should’ve brought back the Inoki Boom Ba Ye name.

by The Hamburger Pimp on Nov 6, 2011 1:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

here=hear. No points for me.

by WanderleiNoooooo! on Nov 6, 2011 12:41 PM EST reply actions

Inoki has been promoting Aerts, JLB, Suzi, Suzukawa, Mark Coleman, Sylvia and Jienotsu lately so he has acess to some big names

Would be hilarious though if the best fighters on the card wind up in worked pro wrestling matches.

by mikedh on Nov 6, 2011 1:30 PM EST reply actions

To drop some knowledge for those that will grumble about pro wrestling on the card, IGF is very similar to MMA in appearance. The company seems to aim for realistic combat, with a few WWE style spots thrown in on occasion for shock value. It is really entertaining and the mat work is spectacular with guys like Barnett and Hammer. Should be enjoyable to watch these thrown in with some MMA and kickboxing.

Signed, Pick'em Champs 2011-2012: Michael Jordanesque in our picking skills.

by mountaineers101 on Nov 6, 2011 1:53 PM EST up reply actions

I have to ask

Apart from the usual JMMA stalwarts, who’s gonna fight on this?

http://unintelligentdefense.blogspot.com

by MattParker117 on Nov 6, 2011 2:20 PM EST reply actions

This is what I'm curious about

Most of the interesting talent that has been fighting in japan for the last few years has since moved to the US. I’m trying to think of anyone other than sakurabas corpse and caol uno that aren’t under contract somewhere else

by Rabbit915 on Nov 6, 2011 2:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Aoki, Kawajiri, Joachim Hansen, Bibiano Fernandes (actually the DREAM BWGP semi-finals and finals could be put on this card), Masakazu Imanari, Mamed Khalidov (is no longer in Japan but would be available and willing to fight there), Yoshiro Maeda, Jorge Santiago, Jadamba Narantungalag, Satoru Kitaoka, etc.

There’s a fair amount of talent in Japan still at LW and lower. I’m not saying it’s in any way comparable to the UFC but to say it’s damn near bereft of talent is false.

by Chromium on Nov 6, 2011 6:23 PM EST up reply actions

Apart from the usual JMMA stalwarts, who’s gonna fight on this?

Apparently it’s going to have kickboxing (as is normal), women’s fights (I can’t say I’m against this), and, um… pro-wrestling (probably a mistake). The idea is to have 20 matches total, ala Soul of Fight, which was a financial bust but at least Sengoku went out with a bang.

by Chromium on Nov 6, 2011 6:27 PM EST up reply actions