Five (Slightly Smaller) Questions for the Grand Prix

Following up on yesterday's questions, we look at five more, slightly smaller, but still important questions for this weekend.

1. Is Jerome Le Banner done?

Le Banner is one of the most durable, popular, and long-standing fighters in K-1, but you have to wonder just how much he has left in the tank.  There have been rumors that this could be his final Grand Prix, and Le Banner has made statements that encourage these rumors.  With a greater focus on his boxing career, Le Banner seems to be planning his K-1 exit strategy.  And, sadly, maybe that's not such a bad idea.  A great fighter in his prime, Le Banner can no longer pose a serious threat to any higher level opponents, and while I love seeing him fight, his days may be up at this level.  On the off chance we don't see him next year, take a moment to enjoy seeing him fight now.

2. Can Sergei Kharitonov pull an "Overeem"?

Kharitonov defeating Ghita in his kickboxing debut would certainly be a huge upset.  But would it be any more shocking than Dynamite last year, when 3 MMA fighters came in and humiliated K-1?  Conventional wisdom says this is Ghita by leg kicking destruction all the way, but track records in the past year say don't count the MMA fighter out.

3. Will Gokhan Saki be back at 100%?

Saki's 2009 has been very disappointing.  A semi-finalist at the 2008 GP, Saki started the year with a ton of momentum.  But after an upset loss to Kyotaro it all went downhill, with canceled fights, a major loss to the unknown Pavel Zhuravlev, and an injury that put him out for months.  He's coming back now, but being thrown into the fire against Aerts.  Win or lose, let's hope Saki puts in a strong showing and makes it clear that he will be all the way back in 2010.

4. Can Tyrone Spong compete at this level?

One of the hottest talents outside of K-1 a year ago, Tyrone Spong has also had a rough 2009, with a forgettable K-1 debut loss to Saki and a huge KO at the hands of Nathan Corbett.  He's since moved camps to train with Ernesto Hoost and makes his Hoost-led debut at the GP.  Like Saki, he's not getting an easy fight here, but Spong desperately needs a win, or at least a very strong showing, if he wants to stay anywhere near the top.

5. Just how well will this show draw?

For both Japan and the US, this is a question I really want answered.  K-1 sister company DREAM has seen horrible numbers lately in Japan, leading to questions about the strength of Japan's MMA/kickboxing market.  With a lot of the big names of the past now out, will Japanese fans tune in?  And what about American fans?  This is the second Grand Prix that will be broadcast on HDNet, but with a full year of K-1 action shown in 2009, one would hope US interest would be higher this year than in 2008. 

Answers to these questions and more following the Grand Prix, this Saturday.