Tag: Akebono

10 Real-Life Giant vs. Giant Fights In MMA

There have been numerous examples of ‘David vs. Goliath’ fights over the years, as we’ve discussed in previous articles, but the only way to really know for sure what these larger-than-life fighters are capable of is to match them up with someone their own size. That’s no easy task as there’s not exactly a whole

The post 10 Real-Life Giant vs. Giant Fights In MMA appeared first on LowKick MMA.

There have been numerous examples of ‘David vs. Goliath’ fights over the years, as we’ve discussed in previous articles, but the only way to really know for sure what these larger-than-life fighters are capable of is to match them up with someone their own size.

That’s no easy task as there’s not exactly a whole lot of fighters out there that measure up to the kind of jaw-dropping physical dimensions that would result in a worthy, ‘Clash Of The Titans’.

Nevertheless, in this article we’ll delve deep into the sports history to revisit 10 real-life examples of living giants going head-to-head in the cage or ring, from 7′ 2″ wrestlers to 520-pound sumo stars, super-heavyweight boxers to former world’s strongest man champions, all competing under MMA rules.

The post 10 Real-Life Giant vs. Giant Fights In MMA appeared first on LowKick MMA.

12 Times David Beat Goliath In MMA

The notion that a smaller man could take down a giant has always been an appealing one, tapping into our inherent desire to see the apparent underdog come out on top against the odds. It’s a concept that everyone is familiar with, thanks to the classic bible tale of David and Goliath, and that symbolism

The post 12 Times David Beat Goliath In MMA appeared first on LowKick MMA.

The notion that a smaller man could take down a giant has always been an appealing one, tapping into our inherent desire to see the apparent underdog come out on top against the odds.

It’s a concept that everyone is familiar with, thanks to the classic bible tale of David and Goliath, and that symbolism has been revisited many times over the years.

In the early 1970’s, the legendary Bruce Lee explored the idea in a martial arts concept via his movie ‘Game Of Death’, writing a script that would require him to battle a 7ft 2” giant, portrayed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

It’s not just a spectacle that’s consigned to books and movies though, as there have been many real-life instances of courageous martial artists testing themselves against gigantic opponents dating back to the earliest days of mixed martial arts competition.

Better yet, on many occasions it’s the smaller man who has emerged victorious thanks to superior technique, stamina and fighting spirit, and in this article we’ll pick out 12 of the most memorable examples of David defeating Goliath in MMA history.

The post 12 Times David Beat Goliath In MMA appeared first on LowKick MMA.

PRIDE Was Trying to Set Up Akebono vs. Holyfield for Shockwave 2004

("Do not want.")
According to a chapter in the recently translated PRIDE: Secret Files tome, PRIDE came very close to making former WBA and current WBF boxing champion Evander Holyfield into an MMA freakshow.
Fortunately for MMA fans, and for…


("Do not want.")

According to a chapter in the recently translated PRIDE: Secret Files tome, PRIDE came very close to making former WBA and current WBF boxing champion Evander Holyfield into an MMA freakshow.

Fortunately for MMA fans, and for Holyfield who was able to turn his lagging career around the next year, the bout didn’t happen.

The card, which saw Jens Pulver’s chin exposed by Takanori Gomi and Anderson Silva caught by a textbook heelhook by Ryo Chonan turned out to be a pretty entertaining one even without the spectacle of a pro boxer versus a sumo wrestler.

The full story, via MMA-Japan is after the jump:

read more

Who Needs the Heavier Weights? Not Japan

Filed under: DREAM, Sengoku, JapanEvent Producer Keiichi Sasahara made an announcement that will have a profoundly positive long term effect on Japanese MMA after DREAM.15. In 2011, both DREAM and Sengoku will have bantamweight and proper featherweight…

Filed under: , ,

Event Producer Keiichi Sasahara made an announcement that will have a profoundly positive long term effect on Japanese MMA after DREAM.15. In 2011, both DREAM and Sengoku will have bantamweight and proper featherweight weight classes. Finally Japan’s deepest divisions will be given a chance to shine on the country’s grandest stages.

But let’s take this further. What if DREAM and Sengoku abolished the heavier weight divisions?

The heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions have no depth and longevity in Japan. There is little local talent at those weight divisions and the majority of Japanese fighters who do fight in the heavier weight classes should probably fighting in lighter. So does Japanese MMA need heavyweights?