The heavyweight of all New Zealand kickboxing events is back. King in the Ring 8 Man Eliminator is returning to ASB Stadium on July 13.

Eight contenders in the 72kg middleweight division will come head to head in a survival series of three-round elimination bouts, with one goal in sight ' to be the last man standing, the King in the Ring.

The event is the brainchild of Elite Thai Kickboxing (ETK), who has long been the country's premier kickboxing promoter, headed by former K1 World Champion Jason 'Psycho' Suttie.

New Zealand's top fighters will square off under international K-1 rules, bringing together their own techniques born from kickboxing, boxing, muay thai, kung fu, kyokushin karate, and other martial arts.

As well as the main 8-man event, there's an under-card of super-fights with previous King in the Ring contenders.

The last event in April ' a battle of the cruiser-weights ' was watched by a packed-out ASB stadium, and this explosive event is expected to draw the masses.

It's the second King in the Ring in this weight-class. In 2011 City LeeGar fighter, Joe 'Southpaw' Hopkins battled his way to belt and victory.

The anticipation is brewing as the fighters prepare for their position in the ring next month.

Eight men. One will be King.

Subject to availability, Door Sales on the night will be $40.