Bob Sapp to Fight Cartoon Character at 'Dynamite!! 2008'
(Bob's fist-allergy starts acting up at the worst possible time.)
There are freak show fights, and then there are fights that re-define the phrase "freak show." Bob Sapp's next MMA appearance — his first in Japan since he beat comedian Bobby Olugun at last year's K-1 Dynamite New Year's Eve event — will be one of those fights.
It was announced today that the Beast will be competing at K-1/FEG's Fields Dynamite!! 2008 card (December 31st; Saitama, Japan) against Kinniku Mantaro. And just who is this Mantaro fellow? Allow Nightmare of Battle to explain:
What we're talking about here is a character from the Japanese comic series/cartoon Kinnikuman, which American audiences might remember from the '80s collectible figurine line M.U.S.C.L.E. Playing the role of Kinniku Mantaro will be Akihito Tanaka, a heavyweight pro wrestler seven-time All-Japan Wrestling Champion who has been training recently at Kazushi Sakuraba's Laughter 7 gym. And yes, he will be wearing the Kinniku mask during the fight, which will be "produced by DJ OZMA." Holy Crap. Good-natured comic relief, or the low point of Japanese sports entertainment? We'll find out on New Year's Eve. The nearly-complete lineup for Dynamite!! 2008's otherwise-compelling card, and video of Kinniku in action are after the jump.
Lightweight Fights:
Joachim Hansen vs. Gesias Calvancante
Shinya Aoki vs. Eddie Alvarez
Hideo Tokoro vs. Daisuke Nakamura
Middleweight Fight:
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Kiyoshi Tamura
Heavyweight Fights:
Mark Hunt vs. Jerome Le Banner
Semmy Schilt vs. Mighty Mo
Mirko CroCop vs. Choi Hong Man
Kinniku Mantaro vs. Bob Sapp
K-1 Rules Fights:
Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Takeda Kozo
Gegard Mousasi vs. Musashi
Yoshihiro Sato vs. Artur Kyshenko
K-1 Koshien Semifinals:
Hiroya vs. Shota Shimada
Ryuya Kusakabe vs. Koya Urabe
K-1 Koshien Finals:
Hiroya/Shimada vs. Kusakabe/Urabe
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Comments
Rampage Smackson Says:
Good thing I wash cartoons. I keep it clean.
Anonymous Says:
He's not a pro wrestler, he's amateur free-style wrestler and he has won All-Japan Wretling Championships seven times in a row.
mayhem420 Says:
Bwahahahahaha!!!
Oh hahahahahahaha!!! I cant belive.. hahahahaha.... your joking... hahahahaha!!!
Oh thats great......this was just what I needed this morning!!!
Thank you Bob Sap.... Thank you!
UFC Fan Says:
Why would one of the worlds best MMA fighters do such a thing? I want to see Sapp vs Fedor so bad.
Anonymous Says:
For all the morons who think Akihito Tanaka is a no name pro wrestler.
"1999:
National Senior High-School Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships (96 kg) 1st Place
2000:
Inter High-School Champion
National Senior High-School Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships (96 kg) 1st Place
National Sports Festival Boys Freestyle Wrestling (120 kg) 1st Place
All-Japan Student Freestyle Wrestling Championships (120 kg) 3rd Place
2001:
All-Japan Selection Freestyle Wrestling Championships (120 kg) 3rd Place
All-Japan Student Freestyle Wrestling Championships (120 kg) 1st Place
All-Japan Freestyle Wrestling Championships (Emperor’s Cup) 1st Place
2002:
All-Japan Selection Freestyle Wrestling Championships (120 kg) 1st Place
All-Japan Student Freestyle Wrestling Championships (120 kg) 1st Place
World Championships 11th Place
Asia Championships 6th Place
All-Japan Freestyle Wrestling Championships (Emperor’s Cup) 1st Place
2003:
All-Japan Selection Freestyle Wrestling Championships (120 kg) 2nd Place
All-Japan Student Freestyle Wrestling Championships (120 kg) 1st Place
National Sports Festival Adults Freestyle Wrestling (120 kg) 3rd Place
Prime Minister Cup 1st Place
All-Japan Freestyle Wrestling Championships (Emperor’s Cup) 1st Place
2004:
All-Japan Selection Freestyle Wrestling Championships (120 kg) 1st Place
All-Japan Student Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships (96 kg) 1st Place
Prime Minister Cup 1st Place
All-Japan Freestyle Wrestling Championships (Emperor’s Cup) 1st Place
2005 (Only one I know):
All-Japan Freestyle Wrestling Championships (Emperor’s Cup) 1st Place
2006 (Only one I know):
All-Japan Freestyle Wrestling Championships (Emperor’s Cup) 1st Place
2007 (Only one I know):
All-Japan Freestyle Wrestling Championships (Emperor’s Cup) 1st Place"
Those are his accomplishments form amateur wrestling. Btw, this is from NoB, props to him for doing this.
T Rex Says:
It's going to be awesome when Kinnikuman wins. Where can I bet on this?
Jugger Says:
So the Hunt vs. LeBanner fight will be with MMA rules?
I love watching Hansen fight, but Aoki vs. Alvarez will be the main event for me.
Goat Says:
This is now the best card of the century.
Mantaro by kamehameha.
Dakyn Says:
The song on that video rocked.
Dr. Gonzo Says:
I went to check out the mask and noticed "Da Brat" next to Sapp. Is she going to be cornering him?
Tpark Says:
Hahaha I saw this cartoon a few years back on Channel5. It was in english and it wasnt that bad. Now I get to see him in action kicking the sh*t outta Sapp. Priceless
Douchebaggery Says:
someone really needs to put Sapp out of his mma misery. how much money does that dude need? just make some movies, Sapp
Anonymous Says:
Based on the video evidence, Sapp is pretty screwed. He's not even 20 feet tall!
hadouken Says:
waaat kinnikuman's a beast
greenseed Says:
i used to love those MUSCLE toys... gonna go search ebay 4 them now
i am excited for aoki alverez and hansen jz calvancante
weeee
jdavis Says:
I can't believe someone is getting offended by the guy who is going to dress up as a cartoon character to fight Bob Sapp not having his credentials recognized. The guy is making his MMA debut disguised as the 59th prince of Planet Muscle, that he actually has real sport credentials makes it even more embarrassing.
fireman Says:
is it just me or does it look like sapp just pissed his pants
hlebtastic Says:
wait, will this be scripted or is this an actual fight?
ChucksRetirementParty Says:
wait wait wait.... this guy is going at actually be wearing this mask DURING the fight? Like, he's seriously going to fight with it on?
I'm often confused by Japanese entertainment things but this is making their game shows and pornography look "normal".
Anonymous Says:
He isn't wearing the mask from the press conference. He will wear one that is possible to wear in an MMA fight, like Dos Caras Jr.
Xamot Says:
Speaking of Dos Caras Jr. its too bad his mask wasn't kick proof. Gimmicks like a mask are really embarassing if you lose.
the glza Says:
took a look at the Kinniku mask, was astounded at the efficiency of the japanese -- they managed to combine all their tapout guys into ONE GUY! then i realized that was dj ozma.
Kuato Says:
This will be the greatest thing I have ever seen. Ever. EVER!