K-1

K-1 is a professional kickboxing promotion, founded in 1993 by martial artist Kazuyoshi Ishii. It is currently owned and operated by M-1 Sports Media Co, Ltd and based in Tokyo. Ishii, a karateka and founder of the Seidokaikan school, created K-1 with the aim of bringing practitioners of different striking disciplines together in a unified competition, under a common set of rules. The promotion became known for its Grand Prix tournaments: most notably the K-1 World Grand Prix, its flagship tournament for heavyweight and open-weight fighters, and K-1 World MAX, a tournament originally established for fighters at 70 kg. At its peak, K-1 was considered to be the largest Kickboxing and combat sports organization in the world. K-1 also promoted mixed martial arts events, with some events having both kickboxing and MMA matches on their cards (such as their Dynamite!! series). This golden era is generally considered to have lasted from the 1990s through the 2000s, during which K-1 achieved substantial commercial success in Japan and internationally, drawing large audiences to its events, securing major television broadcasting deals, and attracting fighters from around the world. In 2003, K-1 founder Kazuyoshi Ishii was arrested on charges of tax evasion, and subsequently stepped down from his position. Sadaharu Tanikawa established the Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG) in September 2003, which assumed responsibility for K-1's operations. Under FEG, K-1 continued to enjoy considerable success through the 2000s, particularly through its major televised events in Japan. However, financial difficulties faced by FEG disrupted the promotion's operations, while the cancellation and restructuring of events contributed to a loss of K-1's position as one of the world's leading combat sports promotion. FEG ultimately ceased operations and went bankrupt in 2012. The K-1 brand and its associated rights subsequently passed to K-1 Global Holdings Limited, a company...