K-1 2010 Grand Prix Reserve and Super Fights Set

K-1 has announced 2 & 1/2 new fights for the December 11 Grand Prix event.

In the first Reserve Fight, it will be Errol Zimmerman v. Ewerton Teixeira.  A lot of comments I've seen online so far are against this fight, but I don't see why.  Both have been in the final 8 for the past 2 years, and both were knocked out this year.  Both are top 10 fighters, and are absolutely deserving of reserve status.  This is also a rematch from a 2008 GP quarter-final.  That first encounter was a good, close fight until Zimmerman pulled ahead in the 3rd to take the win.  This time, I'm not sure I see it playing out the same way.  Teixeira has improved since 2008, while Zimmerman looked out of shape and unimpressive at the Final 16.  If he comes in against Texeira in the same shape he did against Ghita, I expect to see the Bone Crusher on his back once again.

The other Reserve Fight features It's Showtime championHesdy Gergesv. an as of yet unidentified opponent.  As we reported earlier this week, the plan was for this to be Gerges v. Badr Hari, however Hari declined the fight, opting to train more so that his return to the ring could be more focused.  With Hari out, Gerges still gets the reserve call, and just awaits an opponent. 

Two men who definitely won't be facing Gerges are Sergei Kharitonov and Singh "Heart" Jaideep, as they meet in a Super Fight.  Jaideep made a splash in K-1 in 2009, winning the Asia GP tournament to qualify for the Final 16.  But after putting on the notoriously awful fight with Teixiera that year, he's been mostly silent.  K-1 definitely has plans for him as their representative from India, so it's no surprise to see him in a featured bout.  As for Kharitonov, he looked like he would be a one and done K-1 wash-out after being dismantled by Daniel Ghita last year.  But give him credit - he went back to training, worked very hard to improve, and came back with an impressive win over Takumi Sato at the Final 16 in October.  It's hard to say what kind of future Kharitonov has in K-1 and kickboxing, but the Sato fight says he is taking this seriously.  Jaideep will be a tough match-up for him, and a chance to show just where he stands.  I'm looking forward to this one.