Preview: K-1 World GP 2010 Final

We are hours away from this year’s much awaited K-1 World Grand Prix, which will pit the final 8 heavyweights against each other to close the tournament and determine 2010′s K-1 heavyweight champion. While Alistar Overeem and Semmy Schilt are highly favored to face each other in the finals, this card looks to provide exciting fights throughout. Full fight card after the jump. Read more »

K-1′s Not Immune to the Touhou Invasion

Ohhh yeeeeah! Let the flamboyant K-1 entrances begin!

Home to flashy, choreographed, and ultimately entertaining entrances, K-1 has been touched by Touhou. That’s right, and it’s brought to us in the form of none other than the “Cosplay Fighter,” Yuichiro “Jienotsu” Nagashima.

Now, clearly this is not his first foray in to cosplay as he often enjoys dressing up as his favorite female anime characters for fights, interviews, and other events. Yes, I said female. Be it genuine otakudom, gimmick, or psychological warfare, this display gains Nagashima much attention as well as some curious looks (o.O). But you have to ask yourself: how baddass do you have to be to walk out to a kickboxing match dressed up like Miku Hatsune?

Any way you look at it, the answer is: pretty badass.

Just to prove he isn’t all show, Nagashima wound up taking the belt March 27th at the K-1 World Max 2010 Japan Tournament. He won his first two fights of the night via TKO, and the last of the tourney by KO, which brings his professional kickboxing record to 12-3-0.

For each of his bouts, he had a different Touhou cosplay prepared, starting with Reimu, then Eirin, and lastly Marisa.

Do have a look at the entrances after the jump.

[via Japanator and K-1]

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Aoki Adds Insult to Injury

Shinya did great harm

insults man like child, crowd too

heart breaks, much shame brought

Shinya Aoki may have won his fight against Sengoku title holder Mizuto Hirota at Dynamite!! 2009, but not before losing his integrity in the process.

Aoki dominated the roughly 2 minute long fight, initiating a single-leg takedown, which led to him pinning and mounting Hirota. The physical damage was done as Aoki was able to successfully control and attain a hammerlock on Hirota’s right arm, resulting in a cringe-inducing pop when Hirota, failing to tap, allowed his arm to be broken. Rather than an amazing submission, sadly, what is infamously going to be remembered more about this fight is Aoki’s childish and unsportsmanlike behavior as he emphatically flipped off an injured Hirota and then turned the insult to the crowd.

Reminiscent of Brock Lesnar’s one finger salute after his win over Frank Mir at UFC 100, this ass-worthy display by Aoki hits harder compared. Maybe it’s because it’s so unexpected from a usually mild-mannered and classy MMA great. No doubt it is that much more insulting to disrespect a fighter you just seriously injured. I mean, it’s Hirota’s fault for not tapping, but don’t be a complete fool and literally stand over him and gloat, showing zero sympathy or concern. It’s disgusting.

Shinya Aoki has been a fighter we have cheered for again and again, but today we don’t have a victory to glory in, only disappointment.

Video of the fight after the jump. Read more »

FielDS Dynamite!! 2009: Fight Card [Update]

Looks like there is more news on FielDS Dynamite!! 2009, the joint New Years Eve show between FEG and World Victory Road. I can’t wait to see Hideo fight again, and I’m really hoping Aoki will fight Kawajiri in his first title defense. Hell, I’m even excited about Minowaman getting owned by Sokoudjou.

Check out the official card so far after the jump. Read more »