Sapp Stopped in Saitama

Sam Greco vs. Ryoko "Lyoto" Machida

K-1 legend Sam Greco, who turned 37 earlier this month, predicted his matchup with Antonio Inoki protégé Ryoko "Lyoto" Machida of Brazil would show that his "long journey from Karate to K-1 to wrestling to MMA proves that we can do anything if we only try." But Lyoto, who turns 26 later this month, was not inclined to play his role in Greco's allegory.

Lyoto got the first takedown early and moved into the side mount, but Greco was able to force a deadlock and so the fight was restarted from the standing position. Greco got the stand and strike fight he wanted, but Lyoto was equally comfortable here. Although there was a fair bit of clinching through the first, Lyoto looked smart, trading kicks and getting through with a good straight right late in the round.

The second began with more stand up fighting before Lyoto executed a takedown and got in. Again Greco's defense was good and he bucked the Brazilian midway through, but Lyoto was there with the kick to stop Greco from getting to his feet. Lyoto assumed a half mount position for some 30 seconds before Greco nicely reversed. But Lyoto twisted his way out, and the round again ended in stalemate, Greco standing, Lyoto defending from the mat.

There was further stand-up action in the third, and Greco's low kicks looked to be hurting Lyoto's lead leg. But again the Brazilian brought it to the mat, getting in with a half then working deftly to a full mount. Greco again bucked a reverse, and got on top to throw punches, but Lyoto's defense was sound.

In all an entertaining, back and forth fight. Judges surely had a tough time, but Lyoto took it by split decision.