K-1 will stage its first event in Bulgaria on 12 December 2026 at 5pm at the Mladost Sports Hall in Burgas. Bulgarian Fight Agency (BFA) is the organiser, and tickets are on sale now.

A well-known top MMA fighter will compete under K-1 rules for the first time in his career. The organisers have not yet named him.

The card features kickboxing bouts between Bulgarian and foreign fighters. The night will open with MMA fights.

The Burgas show is part of the K-1 FIGHTING NETWORK project, which takes the brand outside Japan. K-1 is owned by M-1 Sports Media Co., Ltd.

The series began in Japan in 1993 and turned kickboxing into a global spectacle. Ernesto Hoost, Peter Aerts, Semmy Schilt, Andy Hug and Buakaw have all fought in its ring. For years, tens of thousands of fans filled its events in Tokyo.

K-1 returned to Europe in late November 2025, taking part in OKTAGON ROME in Ostia, Italy. The European version of the historic K-1 WORLD MAX also restarted at the same event.

The World MAX qualifiers at 70kg are eight events in eight countries. Hosts include Bucharest, Athens, Utrecht and the Canary Islands. The qualifiers lead to the main stages in Japan. The 2026 final is on 29 December at Yokohama BUNTAI, where the new 70kg champion will be decided.

Stoyan Koprivlenski won K-1 World MAX in 2024, winning three fights in one day.