SAPP: University of Washington product Bob Sapp headlines the K-1 MMA Romanex show. Sapp was a 3rd round pick of my hometown Chicago Bears but made the rounds to the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, the NFL Europe World League and then moved on to professional wrestling. According to a 1997 pre-draft bio, Sapp had already been involved in an “extreme fighting bout” beat up former Chicago Bear William “The Refrigerator” Perry in a Toughman competition. At 6’4 and 370lbs (with 10% body fat), Bob signed on with K-1 and has been training in Japan with Pancrase fighter Ryushi Yanagisawa at Seido-Kaikan Dojo and here in the U.S. with Maurice Smith, Josh Barnett and Matt Hume’s guys at AMC Pankration. To his credit, the NFL reject and Toughman contest winner has shown a little more than just “Hulk smash!” type tactics in the ring. His striking was fair and whether by instinct or training, he has learned not to rush in and gas himself out. His best performance was against PFC Heavyweight Champion Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira where he lasted longer with the champion than anyone thought he would. He now fights in his third MMA bout for K-1 and his seventh match (5-1) overall.
FUJITA: Japanese pro-wrestler and former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuyuki Fujita is an Antonio Inoki protégé and brings in a record of 10-4 in MMA. He’s built like a truck at 6’0 and 230lbs, is very strong and has a huge, NFL helmet-sized head. Fujita also trains with Pancrase fighter Kengo Watanabe at the PANCRASEism gym. Fujita’s MMA career began in a local Texas show called Xtreme Shoot: The Underground promoted by fighter Shannon Ritch. Kazuyuki’s list of opponents includes Mark “Sugar Shock” Kerr (decision win at Pride GP Final), Mark Coleman (forfeit loss at Pride GP Final), Ken “Petey, My Heart” Shamrock (verbal submission at Pride 10) and Gilbert “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” Yvel (decision win at Pride 12). Fujita’s lightning fast bout with Mirko Filipovic saw “Cro Cop” catch him with a knee shortly after the opening bell. At the UFO Legend show Fujita easily submitted Pride veteran Tadao Yasuda via armbar and then it was another crack at “Cro Cop” at the Inoki Bom-Be-Ye 2002 New Year’s Eve Show. That time it went the distance. He recently lost to Emelianenko Fedor in a bout that showed yet another glimpse of serious ability and then disposed of boxer Imamu Mayfield on New Year’s Eve.
MY PICK: Sapp has skills but I think he faces his toughest MMA match-up to date here. Obviously Nogueria was dangerous and was able to defeat “The Beast” but Rodrigo didn’t want to trade with him. Keep in mind Sapp was KO’d by “Cro Cop” and had a hard time with Remy Bonjasky, Ernesto Hoost and Kimo. “The Beast” doesn’t do as well with big strikers who implement their own game. Fujita will gladly stand and trade with Sapp. I think “The Beast” will have his moments but Fujita’s solid head, coupled with his superior wrestling skills may be too much for the American. I feel it will be Fujita by TKO stoppage from strikes in the 2nd Rd.