Akebono's next match

[Kintamayama]

Akebono will be fighting on New Year's Eve at the Osaka Dome. He will be fighting Royce Gracie from Brazil who is famous apparently. It will be a free-fight rule match, a first for Akebono, and will be the headline match. This was announced at a press conference in Hawaii, which is hosting today's major K-1 event, "Rumble on the Rock". "It's an honor to fight someone like Royce who is successful in the UFC", said Akebono. "Fighting the ex-Yokozuna will be the highlight of my career", countered Royce. The only part of the rules that hasn't been decide upon yet is the format. Whereas Akebono would like a three round match, Gracie prefers a "one round time-limitless until submission" match. 132 kilo difference in weight.

"The Gracies of Brazil are fightsport's most revered family, so rich is their fighting heritage that their name is synonymous with Jiu-jitsu in Brazil.", says the K1 site.

Akebono K-1 profile:

http://www.so-net.ne.jp/feg/k-1gp/top635.htm

Press conference pic:

[Zeokage]

Extremely famous in those circles... and he would definately prefer a "one round time-limitless until submission" match. I think his family's jiu-jitsu style favours that type of match. He can wait for Akebono to get tired and take him down, Akebono has never been on the mat (except when knocked down), and won't have any defence. Does Akebono have any old injuries that Gracie could exploit this way?

I wonder what's Bob Sapp going to be up to for that event? It will be a year since he beat Akebono on that date I think.

[Jonosuke]

Gracie indicated he would prefer "no time limit/no third man" however K-1's Tanigawa said he would discuss the details with both Akebono and Gracie but may eventually decide on "round" setup but still under MMA rule.

This may become "Dynamite!!"'s main event along with "Masato vs KID".

[Otokonoyama]

This was announced at a press conference in Hawaii, which is hosting today's major K-1 event, "Rumble on the Rock". "It's an honor to fight someone like Royce who is successful in the UFC", said Akebono. "Fighting the ex-Yokozuna will be the highlight of my career", countered Royce.

If Akebonehead's trying to lose weight, he should stay out of Hawaii...I gained 10 kg in 6 months there (and I was no bigger than the "new improved" Nishi-zeki is now :-|. My time in Japan has taken care of the spare tire, thankfully (Being unsure...)

[Sasanishiki]

Does Akebono have any old injuries that Gracie could exploit this way?

Used to have problems with his knees if I remember.

[Kishinoyama]

I wish Akebono would just quit K-1 and become a Pro-wrestler. At least you can schedule your wins and losses. (Applauding...) He would have less chance of getting hurt as well. Either way, he needs to lose weight. He is way to heavy. :-/

Edited November 21, 2004 by Whitney

[Jesinofuji]

Royce Gracie was the champion in 3 of the first 4 UFC tournaments. Allowing submissions will put Akebono out of his game. In this match, Akebono has an absolute 0% chance of winning. Gracie is going to be the best fighter he's faced yet. This is ...stupid.

RETIRE AKEBONO!

[Otokonoyama]

I wish Akebono would just quit K-1 and become a Pro-wrestler. At least you can schedule your wins and losses.  ;-)  He would have less chance of getting hurt as well. Either way, he needs to lose weight. He is way to heavy.  (Applauding...)

UFC, K1 and their ilk are the pro-wrestling of the martial arts world.

Royce Gracie was the champion in 3 of the first 4 UFC tournaments.

The Gracie family created and sponsored and produced the "tournaments". They invited the combatants... (Blinking...)

Only one result will satisfy me - Akebono tires, Royce takes him down, applies a choke, 'Bonehead flails wildly...'Ake passes out just as one of his wildly flailing limbs hits and knocks-out Gracie...DRAW :-P

Edited November 22, 2004 by Otokonoyama

[Stephanoshima]

Actually, I think Akebono's chances of winning are better than in his previous fights. Under K-1 rules, he was only allowed to box (which he had absolutely no skill and experience in) and kick (dito), while all his Sumo-style moves were barred. As far as striking and particularly groundfighting are concerned, he will be completely outclassed against Gracie, no doubt about that. But Gracie is small and light, and even with all his skill (it's hard to judge how good he still is; his fights are few and far between, and his days of glory during the early UFCs were a decade ago), he won't be able to ground Akebono easily. Akebono, on the other hand, can finally use his "Sumo stuff", and even though many regard Sumo more as a stylized set of rituals than a bona fide martial art, a tachi-ai-style shoulder block can easily KO Gracie, especially since he's so light and probably quite unexperienced against this kind of move. Plus, Gracie usually wears a Gi, and that may give Akebono opportunity to grab him and toss him around, not to mention the discomfort to Gracie if Akebono should happen to drop on him. Ouch.

[Sasanishiki]

Got to catch Gracie first (In a state of confusion...) A swift nodowa would be interesting to see though.

[Kishinoyama]

I wish Akebono would just quit K-1 and become a Pro-wrestler. At least you can schedule your wins and losses.

[Otokonoyama]

I did not think K-1 is scripted?. I know pro-wrestling is... :-)

I call putting novices up against experienced fighters "scripted" (In a state of confusion...)

I call having a lack of any kind of transparent/clearly defined ranking system "scripted" (Sigh...)

I call rules that favour kickboxers (under the guise of no-holds-barred fighting) "scripted" (Nodding yes...)

I call the costumes, music, hype, mystery opponents, etc. "scripted" (Nodding yes...)

But that's just me! :-D I'll feel much better when Santa comes (Christmas time...)

[Iwagakki]

I did not think K-1 is scripted?. I know pro-wrestling is... :-)

I call putting novices up against experienced fighters "scripted" (Blinking...)

I call having a lack of any kind of transparent/clearly defined ranking system "scripted" (Shaking head...)

I call rules that favour kickboxers (under the guise of no-holds-barred fighting) "scripted" (Sigh...)

I call the costumes, music, hype, mystery opponents, etc. "scripted" (Nodding yes...)

But that's just me! :-D I'll feel much better when Santa comes (Christmas time...)

I think "sideshow" is actually the word you are looking for.

How anyone can, with a straight face, go from being the 64th Yokozuna (and not a bad Yokozuna either) to being that orange haired, classless oaf in such a short time is beyond me. I imagine his next career will be as a bearded fat lady....

True colors, maybe. After that "featurette" about him before the Bob Sapp fight I can only think of him as a lowlife.

The Kyokai ought to put an asterisk next to his name....as in:

Akebono Taro, 64th Yokozuna*

*and future pathetic sideshow, and embarassment to anyone who knew him

[Jonosuke]

How anyone can, with a straight face, go from being the 64th Yokozuna (and not a bad Yokozuna either) to being that orange haired, classless oaf in such a short time is beyond me.  I imagine his next career will be as a bearded fat lady....

I'd like to think as much as you do but I guess we just need to face the reality. We are getting a dwindling number of Japanese recruits in Ozumo. There are less and less sumo dojos for young kids to train.

See I look at this way. On one side we have guys like Yokozuna Takanohana - totally dedicated to sumo and nothing else. They will spend their entire life in Ozumo, not one quiver of doubt in their whole being. Then on the other side we have guys like Yokozuna Wakanohana III, his brother who opted out of Ozumo life and now a TV talento and restaurant owner. They figure there is indeed a life beyond Ozumo and it doesn't have to be an end all.

Perhaps if aspiring kids know there could be other glamourous opportunities after their active sumo career is over then there may be more who may join and among them we may get another Kisenosato or Kotoshogiku. So they dedicate themselves and train to build up their body, hoping to be a success in Ozumo.

After that they can still make a bundle in K-1 or PRIDE or Pancreas (or whatever), perhaps they may be willing to join up. Sure this is not a proper and right way to get more kids coming into Ozumo but these are the desparate times. We need more young kids. We need more interest from them so that oyakatas can get them (and their parents) to agree to join. Right now so many are just saying "No".

Edited November 25, 2004 by Jonosuke

[Kishinoyama]

How anyone can, with a straight face, go from being the 64th Yokozuna (and not a bad Yokozuna either) to being that orange haired, classless oaf in such a short time is beyond me.