The 2012 K-1 Grand Prix will take place in December, in New York City. This is a major move for the organisation, which has always been heavily reliant on the Japanese market. But with the K-1 brand under new management, there is clearly a desire to try some new things.

Taking the company's crown jewel event out of Japan and moving it to the mostly untested US market is a big gamble. But if it pays off, it will open the doors to the thriving US combat sports scene at a time that the scene in Japan is at an all time low.

 

WHERE AND WHEN:
Seven major, worldwide K-1 heavyweight (K-1 World GP) and K-1 middleweight (K-1 World MAX) events are planned for 2012, where the world's top warriors will battle in a survival series of explosive, three-round, single-elimination fights.

• May 27th - K-1 officially rises with a spectacular K-1 Tournament and Celebration at the Palacio Vista Aletre in Madrid, Spain, as we begin the search for the world's best fighters.
• June-October - Tournaments span the globe with events in the US, Europe and Asia.
• Early September - US Regional Tournament takes place in Los Angeles.
• Later October - The K-1 World GP Final16 takes place in Asia.
• November - The K-1 World MAX Final takes place in Asia, with a $300,000 Grand Prize (total prize money for MAX: $500,000).
• December - The K-1 World GP Final in New York City, with a ONE MILLION DOLLAR grand prize (total prize money for WGP: $1,500,000).