K-1 Likely to Return in October With World Grand Prix Final 16

As fighters continue to talk more about a potential K-1 World Grand Prix Final 16 event in October, it seems more and more likely that fans really will see the promotion return with its display of heavyweight grandeur.

The October rumor? Well, folks from Mike's Gym have talked about it, It's Showtime head Simon Rutz has indirectly supported the rumor, Tyrone Spong mentioned it in his recent interview with Ariel Helwani, and now Daniel Ghita is posting about it on Facebook.

Per the folks over at LiverKick, Ghita has stated that the primary reason a September bout with Badr Hari has been axed is because of this rumored K-1 event.

Ghita's assertion is sure to bring not only great excitement to fans, but also a number of questions regarding the potential field of competitors. Tyrone Spong, who would be a certain competitor if tradition holds, has indicated he won't be fighting unless K-1 is able to pay him what is owed for his last bouts with the organization. While Spong's assertion may be the strongest seen from any near-guaranteed competitors, it's known that K-1 owes a lot more fighters than just him.

Current debts and other factors considered, a potential K-1 World Grand Prix in 2011 would seem likely to offer as much a glimpse into divisional up-and-comers as a look at entrenched divisional stars.

Expect plenty more in the way of news regarding the resurgent efforts of K-1 in the coming weeks.