The event will be the first of seven events K-1 plans on holding this year. They are scheduled to make stops in Los Angeles and New York as well. Aside from the tournament fights, K-1 Rising 2012 is expected to feature super fights with some of the sports best.
K-1 has released a list of 12 fighters expected to compete in the Max tournament in hopes of making the Max Final 8. They include the likes of Andy Sower, Mike Zambidis, Artur Kyshenko, Gago Drago and more. The list of the 12 fighters confirmed so far is below.