The Tap-Out 05.04.06: K-1 Is Brock
Posted by Caleb Newby on 05.04.2006
Can Brock Lesnar cut it in mixed martial arts? Also a preview of the upcoming PRIDE GP and we start reader predictions!
Welcome back. There is all sorts of stuff in the MMA world going on. The PRIDE Grand Prix Tournament is around the corner. Another pro wrestler is looking to join MMA. And the world keeps on spinning. Let's do this.
Think you know your MMA? Prove it!
I think it would be fun if we did a reader prediction section for the PRIDE and UFC events and posted the winners in the following weeks column. I'll keep a running total for each reader's record for UFC and PRIDE separate in addition to a combined MMA prediction total to show off well rounded smarts. Feel free to add comments to the fights if you desire. The PRIDE event is on Friday so this may be too short notice but we'll give it a go. Here are the fights, just copy and paste to an email with your winner for each bout…
1. Gilbert Yvel vs. Roman Zentsov
2. PRIDE GP 2006 Round 1: Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum
3. PRIDE GP 2006 Round 1: Tsuyoshi Kosaka vs. Mark Hunt
4. PRIDE GP 2006 Round 1: Josh Barnett vs. Aleksander Emelianenko
5. PRIDE GP 2006 Round 1: Kazuyuki Fujita vs. James Thompspn
6. PRIDE GP 2006 Round 1: Mirko Filipovic vs. Ikuhisa Minowa
7. PRIDE GP 2006 Round 1: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Zuluzinho
8. PRIDE GP 2006 Round 1: Hidehiko Yoshida vs. Yousuke Nishijima
And shoot me an email at cnewbs@gmail.com
K-1 is BROCK
Brock Lesnar recently hinted in Vegas at a K-1 event he is going to enter the world of MMA. This is all sorts of good for the sport of MMA. Brock is a big time name that will have large crossover appeal. Largely the pro-wrestling crowd, but also media attention will give this some buzz. Worst case scenario Brock turns into a Giant Silva-esque sideshow freak, but that shouldn't happen. Brock has enough talent and athleticism that he will be more competitive than Sylvia even without further training.
More likely is Brock becomes a version of Bob Sapp in Japan where people tune in to see him for his size and name recognition.
And there is a decent to strong (depends who you ask in the 411forums) chance Brock will be a legitimate MMA fighter in his own right. If he dedicates enough time and is serious about this long term, Brock has the tools to really do some damage in the heavyweight division. You hear that Fedor?! You hear that?! Brock is coming for you!! (I kid, I kid)
Regardless, Brock will be making money for whatever MMA companies he works for.
PRIDE Grand Prix Tournament
This Friday Pride has their latest PPV for us in the States. Usually the MMA diehards here at 411 do a roundtable for the large shows. That's not happening this time, so I am going to give you a one man preview instead.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Zuluzinho
When the odds are -1000 Nog/+700 Zuluzinho that should give you an idea of who the winner should be. Come on, Zulu is nearly 400lbs! What is he gonna do other than try to eat Nog here? Big Nog via any submission he wants.
Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum
A fairly even matchup, I want to take Overeem via TKO. Aw, why not… make that Overeem by KTFO.
Kazuyuki Fujita vs. James Thompson
England against Japan here. I feel the power of the Japanese crowd will propel Fujita to victory. What sort of victory? Thompson loses due to GNP. And lest we pass over Thompson, let's remember his 11 second fight against Aleksander Emelianenko in late 2004. That was a classic.
Mirko Filipovic vs. Ikuhisa Minowa
Who did Minowa tick off to get Cro Cop? Cr oCop has stated that he will retire if he does not win this tournament. His reasons are that he doesn't spend enough time with his family. I don't know if Cro Cop will win the whole thing, but he will win this one. Minowa goes in for a rolling somersault takedown, only to have his head decapitated all the way to the 22nd row.
Aleksander Emelianenko vs. Josh Barnett
Another good fight. Barnett has the edge in experience. While I don't mind who wins this one, it is hard to not cheer for Barnett when he wants to suplex and powerbomb his opponents. I believe Barnett is the slight favorite and I will agree with that. Barnett via decision… or figure-four leglock. Check out this awesome interview with Barnett. The dude is a real character. Thanks to Huckaby for the link.
Hidehiko Yoshida vs. Yosuke Nishijima
Yoshida is the strong favorite against Nishijima who is in his only second pro fight. Winner: Yoshida. The real winners? PRIDE for ensuring that at least one Japanese fighter makes it to the next round to keep the fanbase happy and buying tickets.
Mark Hunt vs. Tsuyoshi Kohsaka
Hunt is another strong favorite on this card against the experienced Kohsaka. Hunt has been climbing the rankings as a top heavyweight due in large part to his head of concrete. Hunt via KO.
That's the fights for the tournament. I believe Fedor will be inserted into the competition in a later round after he heals from an injury. The matchup possibilities here are awesome and something to get really excited about. For those that love the UFC but don't follow PRIDE, there are many heavyweights here that rival or surpass Arlovski and Sylvia of the UFC in talent. And if you need an engaging personality to bring you into the fights, Barnett has that in spades.
Coming up in a few weeks we will also be having UFC 60 headlines by Hughes vs. Royce Gracie.
And don't forget to email your picks to me before the PRIDE event on Friday.
