HOWARD: Zero-One/UPW and WWF pro wrestler Tom “The Green Beret” Howard fights in his second MMA bout for the K-1. Howard, 6’4 260lbs, has studied Russian Sambo and Korean Hwa Rang Do as well as both Freestyle and Greco-Roman Wrestling. In 1996, Howard began training MMA with Gokor Chivichyan and Gene LeBell and in 1998 he started the Ultimate Pro Wrestling/Ultimate University program with Rick Bassman (Extreme University) where he trained with Mark Kerr, Mark Coleman, Oleg Taktarov and Kimo Leopoldo. Howard did a short stint with the WWF in ’98 as well but returned to UPW in 2000 and wound up in Zero-One in 2001.
SERJBUDEE: Dolgorsuren is the brother of sumo wrestling Yokozuna Asashoryu or “Blue Dragon” and is considered the first Mongolian professional wrestler. Wrestling since the age of 15, Serjbudee made his professional debut in for New Japan Pro wrestling 2001 at G-1 Climax and took the name “Blue Wolf” in 2002. He is considered very strong and has exhibited legitimate submission skills in the ring.
MY PICK: Given Howard’s leg up in legitimate MMA experience, he will likely come out on top here. Howard is 4 inches taller and has about 20 lbs on the Mongol wrestler so if “Blue Wolf” doesn’t get into his game right away, this could be a short debut. I’m picking Howard by TKO in the 2nd Rd.