Fedor vs. Hong Man-Choi close to being finalized for Yarennoka on NYE
December 11, 2007 by Adam Morgan
According to the Fight Network, this fight is almost a done deal save for a few sticking points:
Cross-continental negotiations are under way to finalize a proposed match-up between Fedor Emelianenko (26-1, 1 NC) and Hong Man Choi (1-0) at the Yarennoka event on Monday, Dec. 31 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
With Choi unharmed after being eliminated by Jerome LeBanner in last weekend’s K-1 World Grand Prix, the only snag that could prevent this mismatch on paper from happening would be if the two sides cannot come to terms on the rules for the bout. Choi’s representatives have requested special rules be implemented to favor their 7-foot-2, 370-pound fighter’s striking-heavy style. Of course, the more stringent the rules become to limit or even avoid ground action, the less of a true MMA bout the headliner becomes.
Excuse me? Special rules to favor Choi? I don’t care what rules they are, the guy’s going to get annihilated by Fedor, but to have an MMA card with all MMA bouts and have the headliner be “striking-heavy,” would be a shame. We all want to see Fedor take this monster down to the canvas anyways, so give the people what they want. Nothing’s going to be fair for Choi, MMA rules or not. It’s Fedor.
Why is Choi listed as 1-0? I have this nagging feeling I saw him get smashed last summer by an enormous man with a giant penis tattooed on his chest…
Dave,
Nah man. Brock put a beat down on Min Soo Kim. cause Choi couldn’t get cleared.
That wasn’t him. He couldn’t get cleared for the fight against Penis Chest. It was Min Soo Kim.
Phreak types faster than I do.
I can just see it now:
“Our client, Hong Man Choi adamantly requests the use of polar and/or grizzly bears at his discretion for said bout. This is subject to change as it is noted that Fedor has armbarred grizzlies in the past (please refer to the widely circulated motivation poster of this such occurrence.) If, at any time such bears are unable to continue because of injury or death, our client may demand suitable replacements throughout the fight. This includes, but is not limited to: Loch Ness Monster, Chupacabra, 1984 He-Man, or Jim Cozad. We also ask that between rounds, Choi is permitted to kick Fedor in the face repeatedly with a size 12 steeltoe Kodiak workboot with felt lining. These terms are non-negotiable and must be agreed to by all parties to solidify the bout agreement. Thank you.”
When I throw down hard-earned cash for a pay-per-view, I expect to see a fight between two capable opponents whose styles and records suggest an interesting match. It’s tough to find capable opponents against Fedor for all the obvious reasons, but come on. Watching him squash relative unknowns with no meaningful experience wouldn’t be that interesting even if on a free broadcast. His management has to do better than this.
Maybe if Fedor (or maybe it’s just his management) was interested in fighting “real” fighters, we wouldn’t have these types of shenanigans when trying to put fights together. I can’t imagine a Josh Barnett-type fighter trying to negotiate these lame terms…
I heard the coach of the Miami Dolphins is requesting a 3 touchdown handicap for their upcoming game with the patriots too
Fedor is becoming more WWE nonsense then I could have ever imagined, I wonder if he’s going to walk into the ring and rip his shirt down the middle.
I can predict Fedor’s M-1 record already.
Fedor - 10 Cans/Plugs/Wads - 0
What a waste.
People won’t pay for anything like this, M-1 needs to take note. They will just wait one day for Daily Motion.
WOW that’s stupid. Seriously - put Fedor in a cage with a lion, a grizzly, and a small african boy high on smack with an AK. That would be both entertaining and competitive. I’d definitely shell out the cash and I guarantee you the bear would not say “I’m only going in there if you lather him up in honey.”
I’m not surprised. Choi is terrible on the ground and will get subbed in under a minute. What’s even more boggling is that he thinks he can outstrike Fedor.
Choi’s performance against Le Banner was one of the worst K-1 performances I have seen that I can remember. Only the slowest strikes known to man were allowed in Choi’s repetoire. Choi is going to eat it at NYE.
heh - I got Choi mixed up with the other oversized blonde Japanese fighter, Takayama:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsFhLrmZjwY
Either way, this is an internet viewable fight at most. I wouldnt pay for this PPV.
most you guys need to stfu. You guys have no idea what’s going on and constantly bitch about everything. You’re just lucky Fedor is going to continue to fight because he can just retire right now and be the GOAT.
Hey #5-Phreak. That shit is hilarious! Keep it up. Hong Man Who? Hong will get tooled in under 1 minute, guaranteed!
Ok, I’ll step back. If Fedor fights per Shawn’s suggestion, I’m 100% watching it. Even if the kid isn’t high on smack and only has a .38 with two rounds.