File Photo/Sherdog.com
Expect LeBanner to make it
four out of five against
Hunt with a first-round KO.
Jerome LeBanner (3-1-1) vs. Mark Hunt (5-4)
Le Banner
Striking : 4.5
Grappling : 2.0
Submissions : 1.5
Experience : 4.0
Total : 3.0
Hunt
Striking : 5.0
Grappling : 2.0
Submissions : 1.0
Experience : 3.5
Total : 2.9
Analysis: New Year’s Eve serves as the day in Japan when mixed martial artists compete under K-1 rules and K-1 fighters try their luck under MMA rules. Such is the case in this heavyweight matchup, although these world-class kickboxers have participated in their fair share of MMA bouts already.
Frenchman LeBanner has been a regular at Japanese NYE events, taking part in 2001’s “K-1 vs. Inoki” show, as well as the “Dynamite” events in 2004 and 2005. The charismatic kickboxer, who turned 36 recently, was also part of the inaugural “Dynamite” show, which took place at Tokyo Nation Stadium in front of more than 90,000 spectators.
Meanwhile, Hunt -- the New Zealander with the iron chin -- achieved a feat LeBanner has long been denied when he won the K-1 World Grand Prix Final in only his second year as a professional. The stout Kiwi consequently swapped K-1 for MMA in 2004 and has gone 5-4 since, with wins over Wanderlei Silva and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic.
Prediction: They have fought four times under K-1 rules. LeBanner has won three of his four matches with Hunt, including the last two. Hunt defeated LeBanner in the 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix Final -- a tournament he went on to win. One thing seems certain; somebody’s going to get knocked out in this one. Expect LeBanner to make it four out of five against Hunt with a first-round KO.
* * *
Mirko Filipovic (23-6-2) vs. Hong Man Choi (1-1)
Power Ratings
Filipovic
Striking : 4.0
Grappling : 2.5
Submissions : 1.5
Experience : 4.0
Total : 3.0
Choi
Striking : 3.5
Grappling : 3.0
Submissions : 1.5
Experience : 2.0
Total : 2.5
Analysis: On the bottom of the main card, these two former main event draws will vie for a much-needed win. Cro Cop, once the top foreign draw in Japan, has fought through injury and apparent lack of motivation the past two years. His subpar run in the UFC saw him lose two of three fights inside the Octagon and return to Japan halfway through his six-fight contract.
Last year at this time, Choi was considered the most powerful Asian heavyweight fighter due in large part to his achievements in K-1. Since the removal of a brain tumor, the 7-foot-2 Korean has struggled to regain his form. While coming up short against rising star Badr Hari in this year’s K-1 World Grand Prix round of sixteen was no disgrace, his losing a clean decision to Ray Sefo -- who entered their fight on a six-bout slide -- raised some eyebrows.
Prediction: This is still Cro Cop’s fight to win. It will be crucial for him to keep the giant busy for 15 minutes, despite the fact that he’s more comfortable waiting to counter. With what feels like his whole career riding on this fight, look for Filipovic to win a decision.