K-1 Hasn't Paid Alistair Overeem for the World Grand Prix

[ArmyofDarkness]

You may have noticed the lack of posts about K-1/FEG and have been wondering why a JMMA/Kickboxing site isn't posting about Kickboxing. Well the short answer is that there really isn't much to report. The PUJI deal fell apart when FEG executives refused to step down and leave the company. Kazuyoshi Ishii is the owner of the K-1 brand and he refuses to sell, which means that any potential investor is essentially leasing the name from him. Simon Rutz in the interview below makes the claim that K-1 (FEG) is going through bankruptcy, which essentially would wipe them free of their outstanding debt and allow for another company to promote the events.

Now that you're all caught up, I'll explain what's going on with Alistair Overeem. He's been the face of K-1 for the past year with Remy Bonjasky and Badr Hari away from the sport in 2010. As far as a spokesperson goes, there was no one better than Alistair Overeem. He's a major celebrity in Japan and was extremely sought after for media appearances.

Last week he made an appearance on ESPN's MMA Live to talk about the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix and he dropped a bomb on host John Anik. Anik tosses him a softball question about the state of Japanese MMA and as Alistair is explaining how dire of a situation it is, Anik makes the comment "And they paid you" which Alistair explains with a laugh that he has not been paid for the K-1 GP. Anik's response is incredibly awkward and the subject his quickly changed.

We can add Alistair Overeem to the ever expanding list of fighters who have not been paid by FEG. If FEG/K-1 fails to pay Overeem, we can assume it would mean ties with Golden Glory would be severed which would severely affect the events going forward. I expect him to be paid eventually, but don't have any clue when.

http://www.headkicklegend.com/section/k-1

[broncofan]

Hopefully this isn't the end for K-1.