Sherdog’s Top 10: Largest Crowds in MMA History

Brian KnappMay 24, 2017

6. K-1 Premium 2005 Dynamite


Norifumi Yamamoto completed his march through the K-1 Hero’s lightweight grand prix, as he knocked out Genki Sudo in the K-1 Premium 2005 Dynamite main event on New Year’s Eve and did so in front of an audience of 53,025 at the Osaka Dome in Osaka, Japan. “Kid” drew it to a close 4:39 into Round 1, becoming the first -- and only -- man to ever finish Sudo. The victory was part of a 14-fight winning streak for Yamamoto that made him one of the biggest stars in the sport. His performance was largely overshadowed by the smoke billowing out of one of the bouts preceding it, as Heath Herring knocked out Yoshihiro Nakao during their staredown after the Japanese heavyweight kissed him on the lips. The Waco, Texas, native responded with a crushing right hook to the jaw and was immediately disqualified. The result was later changed to a no-contest.

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