That’s the rumor making the rounds in the Japanese fight media. The Japanese fighting public is a very dichotomous group: on one hand they may be the most knowledgeable and respectful fight fans on the planet. Well, most knowledgeable on the planet outside of Portland, Oregon where THE SAVAGE SCIENCE headquarters is based. On the other hand, they love a good train wreck which explains the popularity of Zuluzinho, Bob Sapp and even Butterbean in the Land of the Rising Sun. You could make a case that this is a component of being such knowledgeable fight fans as they have no problem figuring out the difference between a serious fight and a circus side show and can enjoy each for what they are. That’s one of the things that impressed me personally about the staff here at SAVSCI and one of the reasons I chose to write for them: they are legitimately among the best fightsport minds in the business, so they don’t feel the need to prove how smart they are. They can appreciate real fight sport gods like Fedor, Ali, GSP and Aoki and pro wrestling legends like Terry Funk, Flair, Harley Race, Inoki, etc. for different reasons.

So Kimbo Slice vs. Seth Petruzelli in Japan? It wouldn’t surprise us here at SAVSCI. Kimbo has never fought in Japan and for whatever reason (maybe the fact that there are so few dark skinned people in Japan) the country has always had a fascination of big black dudes. They’ll pay him more than any US based promotion not involving Vince McMahon and if they want to give Petruzelli “a little something extra” to keep the fight standing no one will care. If Kimbo pulls off the victory he could have a lucrative future in the Bob Sapp/Butterbean role. Maybe he can get involved in HUSTLE or IGF or one of the other pro wrestling promotions for more money. Hey, Josh Barnett does it and he’s one of the best heavyweights in the world.

And did we say “train wreck”? This is more like an explosion in a railroad yard as we present Bob Sapp vs. Butterbean in a K-1 promoted **sumo tournament**:

Also, here’s Sapp being carried to a competent pro wrestling match by the legendary Keiji Mutoh aka “The Great Muta”. Muta even “does the job” for Sapp because he’s “old school” and knows its best for his promotion. Marvel at how Muta carries a guy who may be worse worker than Sid Vicious or The Ultimate Warrior to a decent match. In Sapp’s defense, he’s “moonlighting” in pro wrestling while Sid Eudy aka Sid Vicious and Jim “The Ultimate Warrior” Hellwig supposedly made it their life’s work. You can see how “over” Sapp is with the Japanese fans and also see how a properly booked Kimbo vs. Sapp feud would be a license to print money.

Incredible ring entrances from both Sapp and Muta here. Well worth watching:

Here’s the finish: