K-1 New Year's Eve Card

We don't cover every K-1 card around the world, but the New Year's Eve show is always important, and this card has some interesting fights.

Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto 14-1 vs Istvan Majoros 0-0: The "Kid," is the K-1 Hero's Lightweight champion, and Istavan has an Olympic gold medal in wrestling, which Yamamoto wants. Norifumi supposedly, dropped out of MMA to go for the Japanese Olympic wrestling team. He changed his mind, returned, and should be very motivated to beat Majoros in his debut.

Kazushi Sakuraba 20-9-1 vs Yoshihiro Akiyama 9-1: Now this, is a great match! Sak recovered from an illness that dropped him cold in practice, and had him rushed to the emergency room, which brought along yet more rumors of his retirement. Sak has been in more wars than anybody in the sport, and is coming off a win against Smirnovas, in which Sak was knocked completely out, through the ropes, and yet the ref did not stop it! Sak then woke up from even more punches, and managed to stumble to his feet, and eventually secure the win with an armbar submission (perhaps the greatest match of Sakuraba's career, and one everyone should see)! Akiyama is a judo stud, who has fought and beaten super-heavyweights, as well as some of the top fighters in K-1. Yet, Sak always seems to step up and win the big fights (except against Silva thrice), but with his illness and worn down body, how much does the MMA legend have left?

Genki "Neo Samurai" Sudo 14-4-1 vs Damacio Page 7-2: Genki is possibly the 2nd best Lightweight fighter in the world, and one of the most exciting, and entertaining fighters to watch. He is coming off an injury that has kept him sidelined since March. Damacio is a tough, but beatable. This match should be about the return of Genki, and setting up a possible rematch with Yamamoto for the title.

Royler Gracie 5-3-1 vs Hideo Tokoro 15-11-1: One of my favorite Gracie's (he has always fought top talent, and men in any weight class), Royler, returns to the ring against the very tough submission fighter, Tokoro. Both men love the mat work and this should be a technical fighters dream.

Hong-Man Choi 0-0 vs Bobby Ologun 2-0: 7'2" 360lbs., the former SSirum wrestler, makes his debut in a MMA rules match. Bobby is a well known TV personality, as well as a fighter who once battled Royce Gracie. Bobby is a big guy, but he is facing a giant who will probably crush him. This fight is notable because if Choi can show any MMA talent, he will be a major force in the Super-Heavyweight division.

Chad "Akebono" Rowan 0-3 (more like 0-6) vs "Giant" Silva 1-6: 400lbs. vs 7'2" 385lbs. A freak show of epic proportions. This fight will involve a lot of technique, as well as grace and agility. That, or it will be amusing to watch these two blubbery ogre's attempt to fight and not break the ring.