Combat sports fans waiting for Bellator to start on Spike TV in 2013 will have something to hold them over in the interim.
On Monday, the cable network announced a partnership with K-1, which will bring the world’s largest kickboxing organization to Spike.
While the deal to run live fights on the network doesn’t kick in until 2013, there will be four events streamed on Spike.com over the remainder of the year.
This includes events in Los Angeles on Sept. 8; Tokyo on Oct. 14; Athens on Dec. 8 and New York on Dec. 26.
“We are thrilled to be in business with the world’s preeminent kickboxing organization,” Spike TV senior vice president Jon Slusser stated in a news release. “Spike has the most passionate and knowledgeable fans of combat sports and we are confident that they will enjoy the high-action of K-1, which serves as the perfect complement to our Bellator coverage next year.”
K-1 CEO Doug Kaplan concurred. “K-1 is excited to join forces with Spike TV, a powerful and highly experienced cable network known nationally for its combat sports programming, presenting our live K-1 events,” he stated. “Spike is the perfect television home and stage to introduce our K-1 warriors and the fast-paced, aggressive style of K-1 fighting to fight fans across America.”