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The 243-Pound Advantage That Didn’t Matter: When Genki Sudo Upset Butterbean

Genki Sudo vs. Butterbean When you think of iconic MMA fights, the matchup between Genki Sudo and Butterbean might not immediately come to…

When you think of iconic MMA fights, the matchup between Genki Sudo and Butterbean might not immediately come to mind, but it should. This clash took place on New Year’s Eve at the K-1 PREMIUM 2003 Dynamite event in Japan and was a true spectacle.

Genki Sudo vs. Butterbean

On one side was Genki Sudo, 165 lbs, the small, agile fighter with a flair for entertainment; on the other, was Butterbean, the colossal 408-pound behemoth whose punches could end a fight in an instant. It was a battle of opposites, both in size and style. But despite the massive disparity, Sudo walked away victorious, and the fight became a legendary moment in combat sports history.

The Incredible Size Difference: David vs. Goliath

Butterbean weighed in at a staggering 185 kg (408 lbs), while Sudo tipped the scales at a mere 75 kg (165 lbs). The 110 kg (243 lbs) weight difference was the main story. From the moment the bell rang, the contrast was impossible to ignore. Butterbean’s sheer size and strength were obvious, but Sudo’s speed, technique, and creativity proved to be the real game-changers.

Sudo, despite being vastly outsized, employed a strategy that would make any David proud. When Butterbean launched his first significant punch, Sudo quickly ducked under, seized a single leg, and executed a smooth takedown. Once on the ground, Sudo wasted no time, locking in a perfectly executed heel hook submission. Butterbean tapped out in the second round at just 0:41.

Genki Sudo: The Pop Star Fighter

But here’s the real twist, Genki Sudo wasn’t just a fighter. He was a pop star. While his fight skills were impeccable, his career outside the ring was even more surprising. Sudo retired from MMA in 2006 and went on to become a multi-talented entertainment sensation. He became the lead vocalist, director, and choreographer of the techno music group World Order, known for their robotic choreography.

Sudo’s transition from MMA to music was almost as smooth as his fight against Butterbean. With his unique blend of choreography and artistry, he charmed audiences beyond the fighting world. Sudo also wrote over 10 books, served as a political independent in Japan’s House of Councillors, and even dabbled in calligraphy. To top it off, his music continued to soar, with World Order garnering a loyal fanbase worldwide.

Butterbean

As for Butterbean, his post-fight journey was equally fascinating. Known for his knockout power, he remained a dominant figure in boxing for years after the fight with Sudo, retiring in 2013 with an impressive record of 77-10-4 and 58 KOs. He also ventured into kickboxing and MMA, where he earned a solid 17-10-1 record.

But the most significant transformation came in recent years. After years of struggling with his weight and health, Butterbean sought help from wrestling legend Diamond Dallas Page and managed to shed over 200 pounds, regaining his mobility and walking again after being confined to a scooter for three years. This incredible health turnaround has become an inspiring story.

Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov Leads the Charge as Trainer Coming into UFC 311

The undefeated former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has taken over as the main coach at the AKA gym….

The undefeated former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has taken over as the main coach at the AKA gym. The Dagestanit fighter was known for his dominant career in the UFC and has transitioned from competition to coaching, with impressive success. His coaching career will be tested in two championship matches at UFC 311.

Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov

AKA head coach Javier Mendez explained Khabib’s journey into coaching in a recent interview with Helen Yee, stating, “To be honest with you, when he stopped fighting—that’s when I think he really took it over. But he was always showing indications that he liked coaching his brothers.”

Even during his fighting career, Khabib showed his passion for coaching. After his own sparring sessions, he would stay and assist his teammates, including his cousin Umar Nurmagomedov and childhood friend Islam Makhachev. His dedication to coaching has been a consistent part of his career. “So, he’s been doing this forever. Yeah, well, he is very passionate.” Mendez added.

Khabib retired from MMA after his victory over Justin Gaethje in October 2020, with an undefeated record of 29-0. Since then, he has focused on coaching at the AKA gym, working alongside Mendez and mentoring several fighters. His influence has been key in the success of fighters like Makhachev, who credits Khabib for enhancing his strategy and skill set in striking and wrestling.

UFC 311

Makhachev, who is the current UFC Lightweight Champion, has praised Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coaching, describing him as “someone who nobody can control” in the gym. Khabib’s intensity and commitment to his fighters’ development have been integral to their success in the UFC.

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coaching style continues to shape the future of MMA as he guides the next generation of champions, including Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov, who are both set in title matches at UFC 311.

Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov Leads the Charge as Trainer Coming into UFC 311

The undefeated former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has taken over as the main coach at the AKA gym….

Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov

UFC 311

Alexander Volkanovski Lists His Top Five MMA GOATs with ‘Mighty Mouse’ At Number One

Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson tops Alexander Volkanovski’s list of the top five greatest mixed martial artists of all time….

Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson tops Alexander Volkanovski’s list of the top five greatest mixed martial artists of all time.

During a recent Q&A session on YouTube to celebrate the end of 2024, Volkanovski fielded questions from fight fans with one of them asking ‘The Great’ who he sees as the best of the best.

“All right, let’s get into it. I’m going to say, Demetrious Johnson,” Volkanovski began.

“I’m going to have to throw Jon Jones in there,” he continued. “Everyone knows my take on, you know, the trouble outside of it, but I mean, he’s just been champ, he’s been at the top forever, you know what I mean? So you can’t not include him. I know a lot of people are always going to throw out those things—and I do myself—because, you know, I pride myself on trying to stay away from all that crap as well. But you can’t deny his skill. He’s definitely one of the greatest of all time, so you’re going to have to give Jon Jones that.

“So, Demetrius Johnson, Jon Jones… yeah, Georges St-Pierre has definitely got to be there.

Alexander volkanovski adds Anderson Silva and Israel Adesanya to his MMA top five

Rounding out Volk’s list were inarguably the two best middleweight fighters in the history of the sport.

“And we’re running out of room! So, I said Demetrious Johnson, Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre… I’m going to have to throw Anderson Silva in there as well,” Volkanovski continued. “For me, when it comes to striking, I honestly think he’s the greatest striker the UFC’s ever seen.

So, um, I’m going to go Israel Adesanya as well. Am I missing someone? Who is it? Like, oh, you’ve got your options—you obviously have so many great champions. But that’s it! I said five. There you go. Let us know your five! Let us know what you think of my five. Locked it in. Locked it in!”

Do you agree with Alexander Volkanovski’s top five? If not, who should be added? Or more importantly, who should be removed?

Khabib Nurmagomedov Is Going to Be a Ball Of Nerves Come UFC 311: ‘He’s going to Be a Wreck’ Says Coach

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov is going to have his work cut out for him on January 18. While ‘The…

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov is going to have his work cut out for him on January 18.

While ‘The Eagle’ no longer competes inside the Octagon, fight fans can regularly find him cornering the likes of reigning lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev and his cousin, Umar Nurmagomedov, both of whom will be competing on the same night when the UFC returns to pay-per-view in 2025.

Emanating from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, the main event of the evening will see Makhachev put his 155-pound crown on the line against the division’s top-ranked contender, Arman Tsarukyan.

Just before Makhachev enters the cage for his fourth lightweight title defense, Umar Nurmagomedov will challenge bantamweight titleholder Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event. It will be the Georgian’s first time defending the 135-pound belt since claiming it via a dominant decision win over ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley in September.

During a recent interview with The Schmo, longtime Khabib Nurmagomedov coach and American Kickboxing Academy founder Javier Mendez expects it to be a mentally draining weekend for ‘The Eagle’ as he looks to lead both his fighters to the biggest wins of their respective careers.

“It’s going to be really busy for him mentally because he has to deal with, you know, two of his brothers that he loves to death—one is his cousin, and one is Islam, who he’s been training with since childhood,” Mendez said. “So for him, it’s going to be a ball of nerves.

“For me, it’s not that bad at all because I’m used to it now. I can go right through it—no problem. He’s going to be a wreck, though.”

Mendez says everything is ‘on point’ ahead of makhachev and nurmagomedov’s big night

Offering some insight into Makhachev and Nurmagomedov’s training ahead of UFC 311, Mendez added:

“But things are great, things are fantastic. The training is fantastic. We’re on point, we’re on point. We have three more weeks of hard training, and then we’re off to Los Angeles. We’ll see what happens.”

While Makhachev is already acquainted with the bright lights of a five-round title fight, it will be an unfamiliar feeling for Umar Nurmagomedov. The undefeated star secured his first shot at UFC gold with an impressive showing against Cory Sandhagen over the summer. The win jumped him all the way up to the No. 2 spot in the rankings, setting the stage for his showdown with ‘The Machine.’

Combined, Makhachev and Nurmagomedov have won their last 32 fights.

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