K-1

One of the most iconic brands in the history of striking combat sports is stepping onto Bulgarian soil, in Burgas, thanks to the Bulgarian Fight Agency (BFA). On December 12, 2026, K-1 will hold an event at the Mladost Hall, and tickets are already on sale. The program includes kickboxing fights between Bulgarian and foreign fighters, as well as opening MMA fights. The big surprise, however, is another: a famous top MMA fighter will fight under K-1 rules for the first time in his career. His name will be announced soon. What is a K-1? K-1 was founded in Japan in 1993 and has transformed kickboxing into a global spectacle. Legends such as Ernesto Hust, Peter Aerts, Semi Schilt, Andy Hug and Buakao have competed in the ring, and its tournaments in Tokyo have filled arenas with tens of thousands of spectators for years. Today, the brand is managed by M-1 Sports Media Co., Ltd. k-1 K-1 officially returned to Europe at the end of November 2025 in Ostia, Italy, at OKTAGON ROME, where the European version of the historic K-1 WORLD MAX was also revived. The circuit picked up the pace in 2026. The World MAX qualification system in the 70kg category includes eight tournaments in eight countries, leading to the main stages in Japan, including Bucharest, Athens, Utrecht and the Canary Islands. The 2026 final is scheduled for December 29 at Yokohama BUNTAI, where the new 70kg champion will be crowned. In parallel, K-1 launched the global project K-1 FIGHTING NETWORK, with which the brand expands its presence outside of Japan, to which the event in Burgas also belongs. Bulgaria already has its place in the modern history of K-1. Stoyan Koprivlenski won the K-1 World MAX tournament in 2024, winning three matches in one day, which made him one of the most successful Bulgarian kickboxers. Now K-1 comes directly to the Bulgarian audience.