The past few weeks have provided a bounty of weird rumors and happenings regarding the upcoming K-1 Grand Prix 2010. These updates and rumors keep swirling back around three names: Schilt, Gerges, Hari. After today's update on Hesdy Gerges, the rumor mill kicked into high gear. So let's take a moment to sort it all out and figure out exactly what is going on here.
First up, here's what we know. After the Final 16, Hesdy Gerges's team filed a protest against Semmy Schilt, claiming the reigning champ had illegally taped an injury between rounds, and calling for his removal from the GP. Then yesterday, It's Showtime announced that Gerges would be fighting on the GP card. Speculation started, and the typically reliable Nightmare of Battle reported (from k-1.nl) that Schilt had indeed been axed from the GP and that Gerges would take his spot.
After speaking to Schilt's management at Golden Glory we can confirm that this is NOT true. Golden Glory reps spoke to FEG officials today and Semmy Schilt will not be disqualified, and will take part in the Final 8 as planned. No word if that means the protest is thrown out, but if there is some penalty stemming from that incident, it will not be Schilt's removal from the tournament. K-1.nl has since retracted their original statement, and also are reporting that Schilt remains in the GP.
So where does that leave Gerges? As we first reported, he will be in either a super fight or a reserve fight. And here is where a new wrinkle comes in. Because when K-1 was first putting together the Final 16, one of the fights they wanted was Gerges v. Badr Hari in a rematch from their controversial It's Showtime fight in May. When Hari declined to take part in the Grand Prix, that idea was obviously tossed out, and Gerges was paired with Schilt.
Now, K-1 has approached Hari about competing at the Grand Prix finals, and Hari has taken the needed steps to make this happen. As I type this, Badr Hari sits in jail. He's in custody for 14 days stemming from his alleged involvement in an assault outside an Amsterdam nightclub earlier this year. Once those days are served, Hari will no longer be a wanted man, and will be cleared to fight in Japan in December. Later today, Badr Hari will be visited by It's Showtime reps, so, in their own words: "More news on his situation will follow."
So K-1 wants Hari at the GP. Hari is clearing up the legal mess that kept him out of the GP. Gerges is confirmed for the event. K-1 already tried to run Hari v. Gerges II once before. It's no great leap to guess that K-1 is likely eying this as a reserve fight. There definitely are hurdles to getting there, but as of now, that certainly looks to be the intended destination.
Source: http://www.headkicklegend.com/2010/11/2 ... &width=850
