Daniel Herbertson/Sherdog.com
Melvin Manhoef will take
to the K-1 ring.
The storied K-1 World Grand Prix finals will broadcast live for the first time in the United States on Dec. 6, as HDNet announced it has added the kickboxing promotion, which for over a decade has often eclipsed the MMA promotions in Japan in interest, to its "HDNet Fights" series. The 16th inaugural grand prix from Yokohama, Japan, features several K-1 luminaries in a final four-fight bracket, including Peter Aerts, Remy Bonjansky and Jerome LeBanner. Aerts faces Badr Hari, who is considered the future of K-1 heavyweights. The event will also feature MMA contender Melvin Manhoef in an alternate bout. In addition to the grand prix finale, HDNet will also broadcast K-1 Max fights, which are contended at lighter weights.
HDNet also announced this week it will air six Dream MMA cards next year. Both K-1 and Dream fall under the Fighting & Entertainment Group banner. Unlike last year, it does not appear that HDNet will air a New Year's Eve event from Japan. K-1 "Dynamite" goes off live on network television in Japan on Dec. 31, and sports media in Japan reported this week that Dream middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi and Tatsuya Kawajiri will compete in K-1 rules kickboxing fights on the show.