no1 jobber
12-27-2005, 08:59 AM
Might as well offer the other (in Japan more popular) New Years eve show....
HEROS Rules (MMA rules) Fights:
HEROS FINAL: Norifumi "KID" Yamamoto vs. Genki Sudo
This is the finals for the Heros GP Lightweight tournament final and to be honest it couldnt come down to two better Lightweight fighters in the Heros' ranks. Both Kid and Sudo are amazing fighters to watch and this match should be action packed. It can go either way but I give it to KID in either a submission or decision win...doubt for the KO.
Peter Aerts vs. Shungo Oyama
Although Peter Aerts is Mr. K-1, this fight will be under MMA rules which would give Oyama a slight advantage as Aerts has only been in 1 official MMA fight in his career (a easy win over overweight Wakashoyo and that was by TKO after a furry of punches). BUT Oyama hasnt had a very successfull MMA career suffering losses to Sam Greco, Ryan Gracie and Sean O Haire!!! It will still be a tough challenge for Aerts as Oyama has very good submission skills but the key point is that he has a glass jaw suffering numerous losses by KO. I think Aerts can win it if he keeps to the striking game...but if he tries to go ground or if Oyama takes him down...it maybe a tougher fight.
Jerome Le Banner vs. Alan Karaev
Le Banner is another K-1 legend who is relatively new to the MMA style of fighting. Le Banner is revered for his punching power but also known for his glass jaw. Karaev hasnt had much MMA experience himself and has suffered losses to both Sapp (KO) and Goodridge (submission) so it would be relatively even fight. Karaev has strenght in his punches but I doubt he could go toe to toe with Le Banner in a slugfest unless he can get that one lucky shot that has put Le Banner down numerous times in the past. If it goes to the ground...its anyone's game.
Akebono vs. Bobby Ologun
Sigh...the less I say about this match the better. On one hand you have a former Sumo Yokozuna who has been completly dominated in the K-1 world (he is 1-6) and I dont think he has had a MMA fight. On the other u have a tv host who has gained quite a following in Japan, who just happens to know some martial arts. Put them together and I guess in Japan it makes money. Whoever wins I just hope its quick.
Katsuhiko Nagata vs. Remigijus Morkevicius
Nagata is the brother to NJPW superstar Yuji Nagata and is a established amateur wrestler (even competed for the Japanese in the Olympics) but this will be his first MMA style fight. WHile Morkevicius is a nigthmare, the guy is a young Alexy Ignashov IMO. This will be a very very tough fight for Nagata. Morkevicius by KO.
Royce Gracie vs. Hideo Tokoro
The man who started it all, not only for MMA in the states and in Japan but for the Gracie name to become worldfamous, Royce Gracie is going to showcase his skills yet again on NYE. This time he will face a very talented youngster in Tokoro who has had a very successfull MMA career in the ZST promotion and now in the K-1 hero's. This will come down to the age old battle of youth vs experience...with my money going to experience. Royce by submission or decision.
Yoshihiro Nakao vs. Heath Herring
Many PRIDE fans will know the power (and wacky hairstyles) of Heath Herring, who is without a doubt one of the best fighters in PRIDE (though he can just never beat the top three in PRIDE...Fedor, Nog and Mirko). Coming off a knee injury suffered earlier in the year during a fight with Sam Greco, Herring wants to prove that he is coming back stronger then ever. On the other side is Yoshirio Nakao who boasts a 4-0 record with 2 of those wins being on back to back K-1 NYE shows, the last one being a decision victory against Don Frye. Nakao is use to bigger opponents so that wont be an issue, in the end it will be Nakao's speed vs Herring's power...to me its a toss up but I am pulling for Herring as he has always been a favorite of mine.
K-1 RULES matches
Semmy Schilt vs. Ernesto Hoost
This is the marquee match for the K-1 world. Semmy won the 2005 K-1 GP in rather dominant fashion (taking out defending two time champion Remy Boyjasky) while Hoost (who is the only 4 time K-1 WGP champion and dubbed Mr. Perfect) bowed out of this year's GP due to nagging injuries. Hoost later annoucned he will retire soon and will limit himself to only one match fights (no more tournaments for him). So this is a match many cant wait to see. Semmy has the power and a HUGE size advantage (the guy is 6'11") and can very well be one of the most dominant fighters in K-1 (he boasts a 10-0 record with one draw being against Hoost three years ago). It can be said that Hoost (who just turned 40 this year) has lost a step or two but still holds some of the most accurate punches and devestating combos that gave him the name Mr. Perfect. It should be an great fight! Even though Im rooting for Hoost, I think Semmy can take this one by KO, if it goes to the judges I think Hoost can win it.
Bob Sapp vs. Musashi
Another "marquee" match in the eyes of the Japanese fans. Though lacking in real fighting talent, other than pure brute strength, Sapp is still loved by the Japaense fans while Musashi is the "heir" to the Seido Kaikan throne in Japan. Musashi hasnt been very dominant in K-1 and has problems with stronger opponents (losses to Le Banner, Schilt, Mirko, hoost and Aerts) but has the ability to go the distance with most fighters as most of his wins are by decision. I would say if Sapp cant KTFO Musashi than Musashi will easily win it by decision as he would get more points than Sapp could ever hope to.
Masato vs. Akira Ohigashi
One of K-1's golden boys Masato is a HUGE crowd favorite for his fighting style and good looks (women are al over this guy) but back to the fighting, this former 2003 K-1 MAX (K-1's lightweight division) GP champion only has 3 losses to his record. Ohigashi is new to me but I heard he is an acomplished boxer but many are easily favoring Masato to win this one by KO.
HEROS Rules (MMA rules) Fights:
HEROS FINAL: Norifumi "KID" Yamamoto vs. Genki Sudo
This is the finals for the Heros GP Lightweight tournament final and to be honest it couldnt come down to two better Lightweight fighters in the Heros' ranks. Both Kid and Sudo are amazing fighters to watch and this match should be action packed. It can go either way but I give it to KID in either a submission or decision win...doubt for the KO.
Peter Aerts vs. Shungo Oyama
Although Peter Aerts is Mr. K-1, this fight will be under MMA rules which would give Oyama a slight advantage as Aerts has only been in 1 official MMA fight in his career (a easy win over overweight Wakashoyo and that was by TKO after a furry of punches). BUT Oyama hasnt had a very successfull MMA career suffering losses to Sam Greco, Ryan Gracie and Sean O Haire!!! It will still be a tough challenge for Aerts as Oyama has very good submission skills but the key point is that he has a glass jaw suffering numerous losses by KO. I think Aerts can win it if he keeps to the striking game...but if he tries to go ground or if Oyama takes him down...it maybe a tougher fight.
Jerome Le Banner vs. Alan Karaev
Le Banner is another K-1 legend who is relatively new to the MMA style of fighting. Le Banner is revered for his punching power but also known for his glass jaw. Karaev hasnt had much MMA experience himself and has suffered losses to both Sapp (KO) and Goodridge (submission) so it would be relatively even fight. Karaev has strenght in his punches but I doubt he could go toe to toe with Le Banner in a slugfest unless he can get that one lucky shot that has put Le Banner down numerous times in the past. If it goes to the ground...its anyone's game.
Akebono vs. Bobby Ologun
Sigh...the less I say about this match the better. On one hand you have a former Sumo Yokozuna who has been completly dominated in the K-1 world (he is 1-6) and I dont think he has had a MMA fight. On the other u have a tv host who has gained quite a following in Japan, who just happens to know some martial arts. Put them together and I guess in Japan it makes money. Whoever wins I just hope its quick.
Katsuhiko Nagata vs. Remigijus Morkevicius
Nagata is the brother to NJPW superstar Yuji Nagata and is a established amateur wrestler (even competed for the Japanese in the Olympics) but this will be his first MMA style fight. WHile Morkevicius is a nigthmare, the guy is a young Alexy Ignashov IMO. This will be a very very tough fight for Nagata. Morkevicius by KO.
Royce Gracie vs. Hideo Tokoro
The man who started it all, not only for MMA in the states and in Japan but for the Gracie name to become worldfamous, Royce Gracie is going to showcase his skills yet again on NYE. This time he will face a very talented youngster in Tokoro who has had a very successfull MMA career in the ZST promotion and now in the K-1 hero's. This will come down to the age old battle of youth vs experience...with my money going to experience. Royce by submission or decision.
Yoshihiro Nakao vs. Heath Herring
Many PRIDE fans will know the power (and wacky hairstyles) of Heath Herring, who is without a doubt one of the best fighters in PRIDE (though he can just never beat the top three in PRIDE...Fedor, Nog and Mirko). Coming off a knee injury suffered earlier in the year during a fight with Sam Greco, Herring wants to prove that he is coming back stronger then ever. On the other side is Yoshirio Nakao who boasts a 4-0 record with 2 of those wins being on back to back K-1 NYE shows, the last one being a decision victory against Don Frye. Nakao is use to bigger opponents so that wont be an issue, in the end it will be Nakao's speed vs Herring's power...to me its a toss up but I am pulling for Herring as he has always been a favorite of mine.
K-1 RULES matches
Semmy Schilt vs. Ernesto Hoost
This is the marquee match for the K-1 world. Semmy won the 2005 K-1 GP in rather dominant fashion (taking out defending two time champion Remy Boyjasky) while Hoost (who is the only 4 time K-1 WGP champion and dubbed Mr. Perfect) bowed out of this year's GP due to nagging injuries. Hoost later annoucned he will retire soon and will limit himself to only one match fights (no more tournaments for him). So this is a match many cant wait to see. Semmy has the power and a HUGE size advantage (the guy is 6'11") and can very well be one of the most dominant fighters in K-1 (he boasts a 10-0 record with one draw being against Hoost three years ago). It can be said that Hoost (who just turned 40 this year) has lost a step or two but still holds some of the most accurate punches and devestating combos that gave him the name Mr. Perfect. It should be an great fight! Even though Im rooting for Hoost, I think Semmy can take this one by KO, if it goes to the judges I think Hoost can win it.
Bob Sapp vs. Musashi
Another "marquee" match in the eyes of the Japanese fans. Though lacking in real fighting talent, other than pure brute strength, Sapp is still loved by the Japaense fans while Musashi is the "heir" to the Seido Kaikan throne in Japan. Musashi hasnt been very dominant in K-1 and has problems with stronger opponents (losses to Le Banner, Schilt, Mirko, hoost and Aerts) but has the ability to go the distance with most fighters as most of his wins are by decision. I would say if Sapp cant KTFO Musashi than Musashi will easily win it by decision as he would get more points than Sapp could ever hope to.
Masato vs. Akira Ohigashi
One of K-1's golden boys Masato is a HUGE crowd favorite for his fighting style and good looks (women are al over this guy) but back to the fighting, this former 2003 K-1 MAX (K-1's lightweight division) GP champion only has 3 losses to his record. Ohigashi is new to me but I heard he is an acomplished boxer but many are easily favoring Masato to win this one by KO.