MMA is a very popular sport in Japan. In fact it is so popular that on new year's eve several competing MMA promotions, for many years now, hold a "New Year" editions of their respective MMA events. PrideFC had Shockwave, K-1 has K-1 Premium Dynamite, Inoki had Inoki Bombaye. Each promotion goes out of their way to book the most dream matches for serious MMA fans and the most "spectacle" matches with famous sports and entertainment icons in Japan. There are always fights that will please a variety of fans and international audience too.
One of the best MMA promotions ever, PrideFC, is no more, UFC bought out the troubled organization back in March so there was no blockbuster Shockwave event at the end of 2007. But many of the same people that worked under PrideFC successfully co-promoted a new event, Yarenokka, together with a new MMA organization on MMA scene, M-1 Global. M-1 Global has a big ace under their sleve, only the most successful heavyweight fighter on the planet russian Fedor Emelianenko, who headlined a star-studded fight card with mostly Japanese MMA stars like Hayato Sakurai, Shinya Aoki, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Kazuo Misaki, Mitsuhiro Ishida. Unfortunately, if you haven't been following Pride Bushido events, the later events and tournament were all time MMA's best, or K-1's MMA flavor, you may not have even heard about these great fighters. But that's for a later post.
On to Fedor Emelianenko vs Hong Man Choi.
Most MMA fans must have at least heard about Fedor, but probably not much about Hong Man Choi. Some may have heard his name promoted vs Brock Lesnar for K-1 Dynamite USA, an absolute disaster of an event, but that fight never happened. Choi's fight with Fedor was to be his's second MMA fight. Hong Man Choi has fought in several K-1 kickboxing events mostly because he is an absolute giant of a man at 7 feet 2 inches tall and weighing in at 360 lb. He is very big but very slow.
So why was an inexperienced Choi fighting Fedor, cosidered by many the number one heavyweight fighter in the world? Because sometimes Japanese fans love drama and spectacle with their holiday serving of MMA. After all, not matter the skill and experience difference, fighting a giant like Hong Man Choi can be very dangerous and exciting for the fans. It's the whole David vs Goliath thing.
Why was Fedor fighting Choi? Well, after UFC closed shop for PrideFC, Fedor had a one-time deal for a fight against a middleweight Matt Lindland in Bodog Fight earlier last year (2007). Then after long and unsuccessful
negotiations with the UFC a brand new organization with a lot of investor money, M-1 Global, picked Fedor up and jumped in at the first opportunity to hold an event when an opportunity presented itself in Japan.
So Fedor is fighting because he actually got a chance to fight and because he is no stranger to "spectacle" fights on New Year's Eve against opponents famous in Japan; an inexperienced pro-wrestler, an big inexperienced really fat guy and an inexperienced in MMA kickboxer. Fighting a big inexperienced giant beginner kickboxer must have felt like Deja Vu all over again for Fedor. Kind of like when he fought that bear that one time...
Anyways, on to the fight itself. Fedor once fought an almost as tall a fighter as Hong Man Choi was when he fought another giant Semmy Schilt, who he has taken down numerous times but it required him some effort. Fedor must have though he could try the same on Choi. When he tried his first takedown after easily closing the distance, it was like he hit a wall and that wall started falling on him. Choi dragged Fedor down and ended up in Fedor's half guard where Choil just held on. Fedor soon worked to get full guard and as soon as Choi started to move to punch from the top, Fedor quickly locked up an armbar. He was unable to go to his stomach to finish the armbar because of Choi's long knees blocking Fedor's head from moving. Choi then picked Fedor with his one arm and was able to shake him off. They scrambled back to their feet. Fedor then lunged in with a nice left hook that landed but again was unable to even move Choi with his takedown attempt. Choi just went down on top of Fedor who again got full guard and quickly went for an armbar as soon as Choi tried to punch. This time Fedor was able to turn to his stomach and finish the armbar. All under 2 minutes for his 6th submission win by armbar, his most used submission to date. Decent fight for what it was, a "spectacle" fight for Japanese MMA fans.
Fedor won as expected. Choi goes back to K-1 to entertain and may be win some fights, but mostly to entertain fans with his giantness. What about Fedor? I'm sure he is glad to beat such a big giant guy. I don't care who you are, it's a personal achievement to defeat someone like that.
Now what? I hope M-1 finds some decent competition for Fedor soon so Fedor can continue his reign by being actually seriously challenged by some top fighters, otherwise, he will fade into history books as a once the most dominant heavyweight fighter. Then there is also a remote chance that Randy Couture can get out of UFC's tentacles and have a chance to fight Fedor. I, personally, really hope they both get the chance to fight each other.
Also, how cool was it of HDNet Fights to show Yarenokka and Fedor for the MMA fans in US? I now they're involved in some way with M-1 Global, but it's nice that they don't have any issues, yet, about working with other organizations. For 2008, I hope more MMA organizations start collaborating to make dream fights a reality for the fans. A Ninja can dream, right?
MMA NINJA
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