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[Martin H]

There is a new kickboxing organization, around (from this 2008). The KO world series.
It works roughly like k-1, with a event champion advancing to a final event to crown a final champion for the year.
It is intended as a rival to k-1 (although not quite yet on their scale), with the main advantages being:

1. No politics. Any fighter with a international record is welcome -no matter his organization.
2. Fighters only. No freakshows. Like K-1 used to be.
3. No exclusive contracts. Fighters are allowed to fight outside of the series as they please -up to and including k-1.
4. 3 different weighclasses (not 2 like in k-1) middleweight (-72kg), cruiserweight (-86 kg) and heavyweight (86+). All fought in each event.
5. 4-man tournaments instead of 8-man tournaments = less chance of injuries stopping fighters from advancing.

So far the following events are official:
# Auckland , New Zealand - February 8, 2008 Sky City Casino (this btw is the old "Kings of Oceania")
Tournament Overview - KO World Series 2008 in Oceania | K-1sport.de
# Macau , China - April, 2008 (the former Xplosion event??) Tournament Overview - KO World Series 2008 in Asia | K-1sport.de
# Europe , Yet to be confirmed - July, 2008
# Las Vegas or Los Angeles, USA - August, 2008
# Europe, Yet to be confirmed - November, 2008

It appears that every event will have 3 4-man tournaments. one in each of the weight classes. And then they add a few superfights.
Not completely sure about the rules yet.

They have attracted some well known names, known from k-1
Alexey Ignashov, Xhavit Bajrami (from team Andy), Alexander Ustinov, Lloyd van Dams, Andrew Peck, Tony Gregory, Jason Suttie, Dewey Cooper, John Wayne Parr to mention a few

KO WORLD SERIES KICKBOXING

Basically it is a reaction to the politics, and BS regularly surrounding k-1, and the fact that several top fighters cant seem to get fights there.
I hope they do well. If only to get k-1 to realize that the way to go is not more freaks and celebrity non-fighters (baseball players and shot-putter), but proven and experienced elite kickboxers.

[vapor]

Interesting indeed. This will be nice to watch how it takes off, and if it can keep to the standards they have set out with the establishment of this new organization

vapor

[jcbel]

Yes I hope so too - I remember hearing Peter Graham (Australia) was having issues fighting in K-1 because he did not belong to IKO1.

[Kamikaze]

The Red Scorpion is back!
Here comes the pain for the Frenchie.

[Olrac]

Also Tyrone Spong is mentioned.
can't wait to see it!
osu

[Bloke]

Sounds interesting if it can match its promise