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By Rich Hansen, MMA Torch Columnist
Between the Grand Prix, which features Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overem and UFC 124, which features a Welterweight Championship fight between Georges St-Pierre and Josh Kocsheck, December 11, 2010 could wind up being remembered as the biggest night in the history of combat sports.
(All time stamps from this point forward will be Central time)
12:44 AM: On Inside MMA, Ron Kruck just told the world that the UFC will be at the Bell Centre in Toronto on April 30. Apparently the Rogers Centre is about to get a new name. The GP begins in 15 minutes.
1:00 AM: And we are LIVE!
1:01 AM: Our commentators are Michael Schiavello, Mike Kogan, and... King Mo?
So, for those who don't know, the K-1 GP Final is a one night 8 man tournament. Well, it's a 16 man tournament, but the final 3 rounds are all tonight. The brackets for tonight are as follows:
Fight 1: Peter Aerts vs. Mighty Mo
Fight 2: Semmy Schilt vs. Kyotaro
Fight 3: Gokhan Saki vs. Daniel Ghita
Fight 4: Alistair Overeem vs. Tyrone Spong
Fight 5: Aerts/Mo vs. Schilt/Kyotaro
Fight 6: Saki/Ghita vs. Overeem/Spong
Fight 7: Finals
This tournament has occurred every year since 1993. Peter Aerts won it in 1994, 1995, and 1998. He was runner-up in 2006 and 2007. Needless to say, he's a legend. He should take Might Mo apart. Kogan and Schiavello are reporting that Mo hasn't taken his training seriously enough, and he showed up in Tokyo by himself, without a corner.
Semmy Schilt is looking to win his record 5'th GP. He's won every GP he's ever qualified for. In 2008, he lost in the round of 16 to... Peter Aerts. Schilt is nearly unbeatable.
Saki vs. Ghita is the opening round fight that most people are intrigued by the most. Unfortunately, there are reports that Ghita has been injured in training, and may not be 100%. Schiavello thinks it's a groin. Mo says the Ghita might be sick, as he saw him sweating profusely on the bus, and it wasn't hot.
Both Mo and Kogan have predicted that Overeem will lose to Spong.
1:16 AM: Schiavello announced the betting lines to win the tournament. I love K-1!
1:20 AM: 20 minutes of talking later, and it's time for the Opening Ceremony. Well, after a 5 minute video presentation, I mean. There could be punches thrown in about 20 minutes.
1:38 AM: So, you may be asking yourself, what happens if a fighter wins, but is too injured to continue. Well, I'm ever so glad you asked. No one gets a free pass to the next round. There is a reserve fight. The winner of the reserve fight will take the place of anyone who gets injured and can't continue. Don't overlook this, as Joachim Hansen won the DREAM Lightweight title from a reserve fight.
The reserve fight will be the first fight or the night. It pits Ewerton Teixeira against Errol Zimmerman. Both guys lost in the round of 16 this year, and both were in the GP Finals in both 2008 and 2009. Zimmerman defeated Teixeira in the quarters in 2008, before losing to Badr Hari in the semis.
1:45 AM: Teixeira is -145, Zimmerman +115. All fights are 3 3-minute rounds. If it's a draw, and you see more 10-10s and 10-8s in K1 than in the UFC, then we go to a fourth round. If it's still a draw, we go to a 5th round. Yoinks! Teixeira looked good in round 1. Open scoring in K-1, Teixeira 10-9 on all 3 judge's cards.
1:49 AM: 10-9 Yeixeira again.
1:53 AM: Zimmerman looked better in round 3, but another round for Teixeira. Teixeira has to be the winner here.
1:54 AM: Yep.
1:57 AM: Aerts (-275) vs. Mo (+215) is next. I just love that the videos are narrated in Japanese... and still have Japanese subtitles.
2:05 AM: Aerts looks great. Mo looks as small as he's ever been, and he's still 275. Amazing that Mo came to Japan without a corner crew.
2:08 AM: Aerts wins by 2 knockdowns. First knockdown was a fantastic left head kick. Second knockdown almost sent Mo through the ropes. No surprise here, but damned impressive nonetheless!
2:20 AM: If Schilt goes to decision, as he is wont to do, Aerts is very fresh, and is the only go to hold 2 wins over Schilt. This could get very, very interesting.
2:21 AM: National anthems? Um, ok...
2:24 AM: It's amazing how much bigger than Kyotaro is Schilt. Schilt rocking the mohawk, and Kyotaro lost the rat tail. Kyotaro is circling, and Schilt's holding the middle. Schilt cna't quite find his range, yet. Schilt's opening up with 30 seconds left in the round. 10-9 Schilt in my universe. Kogan says 10-10. Kyotaro avoided getting knocked out, but didn't land much. All 3 judges agreed with me there.
2:28 AM: Schilt is a monster, but an awkward looking monster. His size and awkward style make people think he's less of a talent than he really is. The Tim Sylvia of K-1 comparisons are so unjust. Round 2, 10-9 Goliath. David needs a big damn slingshot.
2:33 AM: Kyotaro was game, but if he fought Schilt 100 times, he loses 100 times. We're going to see Schilt vs. Aerts. Aerts knows how to beat Schilt. This could be interesting.
2:40 AM: BTW, Schilt was -700 vs. Kyotaro. Lines just opened for Schilt vs. Aerts. Schilt is -500, Aerts is +300.
2:43 AM: Ghita and Saki are going to make more war than organized religion.
2:44 AM: Correction... If it's a draw after 3 rounds, there is only 1 extension round. Not 2.
2:45 AM: Saki +128, Ghita -158.
2:46 AM: Didn't realize Ghita was so much bigger than Saki. It's amazing the speed both of these guys throw kicks. First round has to be 10-10. 2 judges scored it 10-10, 1 gave it to Ghita 10-9.
2:52 AM: This is amazing. They're throwing the most awesome kicks. One of these guys is going to have to fight, possibly against Alistair fricking Overeem, in less than an hour. Both guys are turning red. This is awesome!!! Saki is starting to slow down a little. All 3 judges said 10-10. I said 10-9 Ghita. Shows what I know.
2:56 AM: Saki is winning round #3. This is amazing. Now Ghita is slowing down. Saki's the smallest guy remaining in the tournament. Crowd is chanting for Saki. Great, great fight! Be ready for an extension round...
2:59 AM: 1 judge gave the fight to Ghita. 2 judges scored it a draw. Majority draw = extension round.
3:00 AM: Saki is scoring, and really pouring it on. Can't close the distance enough to avoid Ghita's kicks, though. It's not like Ghita has stopped fighting or anything, but he needs to pick it up or Saki will advance.
3:02 AM: That was effing insane! Fourth round (!) was Saki's round. Winner of the fight is in fact Gokhan Saki. Awesome fight. But he took so much punishment, and he has to face The Reem or The Spong in under an hour.
3:10 AM: Spong is going to be much much smaller. But he used to train with Overeem, and by all accounts he routinely schooled him. And Spong says he's extremely motivated because Overeem chose this fight. There is no way this won't be incredibly awesome. Overeem might be the most popular fighter in Japan, bar none.
3:13 AM: Spong (+365) looks intense at the staredown. Overeem (-465) is looking at him with total disdain. Spong made Overeem wait for 30 seconds or so before coming to center ring for the staredown.
3:18 AM: Overeem is aggressive. He just got reprimanded for a 2 hand clinch. No point taken, though. SPONG'S ROCKING HIM! Overeem survives. All those punches were to the forearms. Now he's getting in to the body. Overeem is recovered, and is starting to land knees now. Uh oh, another official warning for the two hand clinch. No yellow card, though. Overeem got away with another one there. Great round for Spong, 10-9. I think Spong let slip the best chance at a KO that he's going to see, though. All 3 judges see it 10-9 Spong.
3:21 AM: Second round is slower than the first. Overeem is landing the same amount, but Spong is landing less. Spong's moving less than in the first; King Mo speculates that Spong is baiting Overeem into one more illegal 2 hand clinch. Spong is backing Overeem into the ropes, and holding his own. Overeem is landing bombs with 30 seconds left. Spong is wearing out. This is the heaviest Spoing has ever fought, and it shows. 10-9 Overeem, he pulled it out at the end. Spong might be in trouble if he's wearing out. Officially, 2 judges for Overeem, 1 for a draw.
3:27 AM: Overeem is dominating the third round here. He's doing more than throwing high knees now. Spong is out on his feet, referee initiates a standing 8 count. Spong's eye is swollen, almost shut. This is BAD for Spong. Overeem is much better now that he's stopped focusing solely on the high knee. Spong is DONE! 20 seconds left. It's over. Spong got outsized and forced into the ropes early on, and that was it. Good job by Spong to get to the end of the fight, but he was just outmuscled. This was a 10-8 for Overeem in my book. Overeem wins by unanimous decision.
3:30 AM: So here's the semi-finals:
Peter Aerts vs. Semmy Schilt
Gokhan Saki vs. Alistair Overeem
Aerts was the only fighter to finish, and he finished in the first round. Aerts had the added advantage of fighting in the first fight of the night, meaning his rest time will be more than that of Schilt. While I still think Schilt is indestructible, Aerts is a VERY live dog.
So now there will be a non-tournament 'Superfight' between Yusuke Fujimoto and Hesdy Gerges. Gerges should murderize him.
3:42 AM: Yep. Which means much less rest time for the tournament fighters than if this were a fight lasting longer than 90 seconds.
In case you're wondering, Sergei Kharitonov will be fighting in the next non-tournament fight, which takes place between the semis and the finals.
3:56 AM: I fell asleep, but only missed the entrances for Schile and Aerts. Whew. Aerts comes out hyper-aggressively. Schilt's jab is going to have to come into play, and soon.
4:00 AM: From Schiavello's Twitter... Semi Final #1 Odds= Schilt -500 vs Aerts +300, Semi Final #2 Odds= Overeem -450 vs Saki +250 Odds Are Live @Schiavello. Aerts is pushing the pace, and looks great, but he's still in jeopardy of losing this round. I'd say 10-10. As do 2 judges. 1 judge says 10-9 Schilt.
4:02 AM: Aerts took a shot to the eye, and the doctor takes a look at it. He's ok, and we continue the second round. Aerts looks fantastic, and the crowd is urging him on. Schilt's still tearing him apart, despite how awesome Aerts is performing here. Schilt's a machine.
4:04 AM: Aerts' aggression might fool the judges into giving him the round. Nope, a draw, as it should be. What a performance by Aerts.
4:08 AM: Aerts keeps coming forward, landing as much as he can, and then hugging Schilt. He's going to win this fight if Schilt doesn't reverse the tide. 1 minute left, and Aerts is still coming forward. Schilt is backing up, Aerts just refuses to stop. Unbelievable. Aerts is scoring every time he comes forward! I just cna't believe this! The crowd is going WILD! Schiavello is having orgasms! Aerts has won this fight. There have been 18 Grand Prixs, Aerts has been in 17 of them. Schilt has NEVER lost a Grand Prix fight. I can't possibly explain how magical this was.
PETER AERTS WINS A MAJORITY DECISION AND IS THROUGH TO THE FINALS!!! OH MY GOD!!!
I know it's bad form for a writer to write in all caps, and to use multiple punctuation marks. Bite me.
4:14 AM: OK, deep breath. A few issues. First off. Aerts is cut under his right eye. It is possible he won't get cleared to continue. If that happens, God forbid, it will NOT be the reserve fighter (Teixeira) who replaces him. Semmy Schilt would then advance to the finals. It's a little confusing.
Teixeira would have stepped in for a fighter who couldn't fight in the semi-finals. But that doesn't hold true for the finals. It would be an unfair advantage since he has only fought once. So, if Aerts can't continue, then Schilt advances.
Now, that's not always the case. Had Schilt been knocked down in the fight with Aerts, THEN Teixeira would have advanced instead of Schilt.
4:17 AM: Overeem is making his way to the ring. He looks much more relaxed.
4:20 AM: These guys fight for the same team, Golden Glory. Take note, AKA.
4:21 AM: Saki with the stick in move. Double slip which sure looked like a double knockdown, 30 seconds in. Pace has slowed since. Overeem with a huge liver kick. Saki looks like he's feeling Ghita right now. Overeem's patience is paying off. Another kick to the right side, and Saki buckles! Standing 8 count! THIS FIGHT IS OVER. The ref has stopped the fight. Saki's arm might be broken!
4:25 AM: Aerts vs. Overeem for the Grand Prix Championship.
4:27 AM: The 'Hottest Girl Group in all of Japan' is about to perform. Um, I thought the hottest girl group in all of Japan were Mayhem Miller's dance crew? Anyhooo, after this, we get the Kharitonov - Singh Jaideep superfight, and then the finals. Lord I hope Aerts gets cleared.
4:29 AM: Schiavello wasn't kidding when he called them a 'Girl Group'. these girls are so young they could be on the Chinese Olympic Gymnastic team.
4:31 AM: Overeem opened at -450. Aerts is +350.
5:02 AM: OK, we're back. Two fights left. Jaideep (-105) vs. Kharitonov (-125), and then the GP Finals, Aerts vs. Overeem. Schiavello says Aerts will fight. Whew.
5:06 AM: Jaideep pulverized him in the first.
5:09 AM: If Alistair Overeem wins this Grand Prix, and he's the *overwhelming* favorite to do so, he will be an MMA champion at the same time he wins the GP. This would be the greatest accomplishment in combat sports history, bar none. Aerts is old, injured, and exhausted. I can't conceive of any path to victory for Aerts.
5:11 AM: First time in a long time that Alistair Overeem won't be the fan favorite in Japan. The arena is going to explode if Aerts wins. And while fan reactions of that nature are commonplace over here, it's fricking unheard of in Japan.
5:15 AM: Following up on Gokhan Saki... Broken right elbow, broken right hand.
5:18 AM: It's time for the main event! Alistair Overeem is in the ring. He is 10-4 in his K-1 career. Aerts is 100-28-1. That's right, he won is 100th fight tonight. Aerts has has been in 17 tournaments; that's more GPs than Overeem has fights. Unreal. If he's going to win his record tying 4th GP, and 101st fight, it will be a literal miracle.
Note: There are up to two allowed extension rounds if it comes to that.
5:24 AM: IT'S OVER! IT'S OVER! ALISTAIR OVEREEM WENT THROUGH PETER AERTS LIKE A HOT KNIFE THROUGH BUTTER! UNBELIEVABLE! 65 seconds is all it took. Aerts never stood a chance. He put everything he had into the Schilt fight, and there was nothing left. Alistair Overeem tore him apart with huge punches, flying knees, and ruthless aggression. Aerts' nose is shaped like the letter 'C' now. He looks every second of his 40-plus years.
Alistair Overeem is the K-1 Grand Prix Champion, and an MMA World Champion. Alistair Overeem is officially the best fighter on the planet!
Quick Results K-1 World Grand Prix
Quarterfinals
Peter Aerts def. Mighty Mo via first round KO Semmy Schilt def. Kyotaro via decision Gokhan Saki def. Daniel Ghita via decision Alistair Overeem def. Tyrone Sprong via decision
Semifinal
Peter Aerts def. Semmy Schilt via decision Alistair Overeem def. Gokhan Saki via first round TKO
Final
Alistair Ovreeerm def. Peter Aerts via first round TKO
Reserve Bout
Ewerton Teixeira def. Errol Zimmerman via decision
Other Bouts
Singh Jaideep def. Sergey Kharitonov via first-round TKO Hesdy Gerges def. Yusuke Fujimoto via first-round TKO
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