Akebono vs Royce confirmed for...

[( o Y o )]

Dynamite.....

http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/k1/headlines/20041117-00000004-spnavi_ot-spo.html

http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/headlines/images/20041117/20041117-00000004-spnavi_ot-spo-view-000.jpg

[El Presidente]

Interesting...

[Missy]

scary

[Shinobu]

I hope it doesn't resemble Takase - Yarborough (sp?).
This is pretty much do or die for Akebono-could be interesting.

[KicknPunch]

Akebono was known for his brute strength, so I really wonder how Royce thinks he`ll be able to take him down and sub him. Unlike Yarbo, Akebono (Chad) has shown the ability to take shots, and plod through an entire fight to go to a JD...and you`d think if Royce isn`t agressive, the JD would go to the one advancing.

[krs]

I have the feeling Akebono will be a lot better with Pride rules.
But his oponent is not exactly a newbe...

[Kamatari]

could be interesting.
I'm actually intrigued by this match up.

I'd rather have seen Kikuta vs. Royce or even Sudo though.

[MZN]

perhaps a stupid question but will it be mma rules? after loads of weird matchups I wouldn't be surprised if it were kickboxing rules :D

[( o Y o )]

perhaps a stupid question but will it be mma rules? after loads of weird matchups I wouldn't be surprised if it were kickboxing rules :D

MMA currently, but anything can happen between now and NYE.

[Shinobu]

I'm actually intrigued by this match up.

I'd rather have seen Kikuta vs. Royce or even Sudo though.
Yeah Kikuta really seems bugged that everyone gets Royce except for him :). I too would have liked a Sudo vs Royce match.

[( o Y o )]

Kikuta even complained about it on national TV in japan. lol

[Shinobu]

Kikuta even complained about it on national TV in japan. lol
Haha, oh man, talk about being bitter...
Kikuta seems likable though.

[Mago]

I personally wish that Akebono would step down from the fighting sports... I was watching a program about Sumo centered on him on Natinal Geographic and felt really bad seeing him as a superstar, respected on his sport, and then remembering the terrible beatings in K1 and that vicious KO from bonjasky...

[Mago]

And I can't see how this fight could be interesting. I mean, Akebono probably doesn't have a clue about BJJ, and I'm pretty sure that with that body he won't even be able to train properly for a ground fight, his weight just isn't suited for sports. I simple foot, knee or arm lock would do it for Royce...

[bbbmarc]

this fight really could be very interesting...
and submission on Akebono's neck, leg or arm isn't such a easy task as some presummed... and not to mention that Akebono is extremely strong man, remember how he was easily pushing Sapp (he weights as 2,5 Royces) all over the ring...

but also this could be a replay of Butterbean-Sudo fight

[( o Y o )]

I personally wish that Akebono would step down from the fighting sports... I was watching a program about Sumo centered on him on Natinal Geographic and felt really bad seeing him as a superstar, respected on his sport, and then remembering the terrible beatings in K1 and that vicious KO from bonjasky...


It is a sad thing to see for sure.

http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/headlines/images/20041120/20041120-00000300-spnavi-spo-view-000.jpg

[( o Y o )]

More pix just added by sportsnavi.....

http://ca.c.yimg.jp/sports/sn2004112016490500004376m/sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/pict/200411/im00004376.jpg
http://ca.c.yimg.jp/sports/sn2004112016492600004377m/sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/pict/200411/im00004377.jpg
http://ca.c.yimg.jp/sports/sn2004112021205400004382m/sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/pict/200411/im00004382.jpg
http://ca.c.yimg.jp/sports/sn2004112021211100004383m/sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/pict/200411/im00004383.jpg
http://ca.c.yimg.jp/sports/sn2004112016473400004372m/sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/pict/200411/im00004372.jpg

[MZN]

aha, thx for the pix.

A few things come to my mind:

-Royce is not that small as I thought.
-Akebono has young schoolgirls everywhere. (why him? I know sumo is big in Japan but such a big lumbering piece of lard cannot be appealing to anybody imho)
-Akebono looks thinner every match he fights.

[( o Y o )]

Royce does seem very tall when you consider Chad is taller than Sapp.

He is his latest pic. LOL

http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/headlines/images/20041123/20041123-00000300-spnavi-spo-view-000.jpg

[Dado]

Haha at that picture.

This will be an interesting match.

[Missy]

MZN I agree- I thought Royce must have been standing on a box. Anyone think that pic with him hanging off the big guys neck is a prediction?

[Dado]

Maybe if he clings on real tight, Akebono wont be able to get him off his neck.

[Missy]

hanging reverse choke? I'll take that bet.

[( o Y o )]

Royce by....

Highkick






http://ca.c.yimg.jp/sports/sn2004112319203800004420m/sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/pict/200411/im00004420.jpg
http://ca.c.yimg.jp/sports/sn2004112319112100004417m/sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/pict/200411/im00004417.jpg
http://ca.c.yimg.jp/sports/sn2004112323352300004425m/sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/pict/200411/im00004425.jpg

[( o Y o )]

http://www.so-net.ne.jp/feg/report/20041123r.html