Fightsport does it again:
Hello my friends, my postal connections in the DSE/PRIDE organization are telling me that DSE/PRIDE has signed Korean giant Hong-Man Choi away from K-1, and that he will participate on PRIDE's December 31st card in an MMA-rules matchup against Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic.
According to my postal connections, DSE/PRIDE is supposedly paying Choi over USD$4 million per fight. Expect DSE/PRIDE to officially announce the signing by next week.
4 million?
wow.
this is actually interesting, HOng is a wrestler but has stood with some of the best in striking only K-1... in a MMA bout where he can also wrestle?
Personally I have no use for Choi. He is one big motherfucker... but other than that... he should stick to fighting guys like Akebono and Butterbean and whatnot. Mirko's definitely too athletic for Choi.
However, I definitely think that Mirko won't be ending this fight by high-kick to the head. Probably chop him down like a tree.
It'll be interesting to watch... and I have to assume that this is a good business move (as the Korean market seems to be on the verge of an explosion)
There are thoughts that Korean company Cykan Entertainment may be picking up some portion of the cost.
TTT
He'll use "morgue" in round 1 and be done with Choi.
"Personally I have no use for Choi. He is one big motherfucker... but other than that... he should stick to fighting guys like Akebono and Butterbean and whatnot. Mirko's definitely too athletic for Choi."
He beat Schilt this year.
Why would he be worth $4 million? Don't the NYE shows sell out at the gate anyway? And they don't have any tv this year, so there are no ratings to worry about. What a waste of money.
"Why would he be worth $4 million?"
Because he's the most popular athlete in Korea and there's obviously a LOT of money to be made in Korea.
They just couldn't help themselves. I thought we might get an awesome card without a freakshow fight, so much for that. It's still a sweet card, though.
This rumor was here yesterday. Fightsport does nothing, and claims credit, again.
timber!!!!!
I hope this isn't true. I want to see Cro Cop in the UFC.
Didnt choi beat schilt, this guy is not a joke at kickboxing, he lost a close decision to lebanner as well by a point in the extra round, mirko wont have an easy time with him.
People are underestimating choi's standup.
Usual naysayers will cry freak blah blah .. but he is a huge draw for Pride's huge Korean market. Your $4 mill figure is probably bullshit but Choi does mean great investment for DSE
Schilt and Lebanner could hardly do anything to him standing up. Crocop is inferior to those guys in striking. So it may a Hunt-type loss for Cop once again, who is too proud to take it to the mat
oh ok so this is the big name that the sign away from aother org
That's what I say about all this ji32...What the fuck? indeed...
I don't think Fedor is to interested in having to face Cro Cop...
"Schilt and Lebanner could hardly do anything to him standing up. Crocop is inferior to those guys in striking. So it may a Hunt-type loss for Cop once again, who is too proud to take it to the mat"
If you don't know K1 don't comment on it. Cro Cop beat Le Banner in his first K1 fight.
Choi may not seem to be the smoothest athlete, but don't make the
mistake of assuming he is not athletic! He is very athletic, and held his
own against some of the top strikers in K-1 as already mentioned.
Personally, not a huge fan of the guy, but you got to give him some
credit.
Oh yeah, Choi is dangerous for sure...He is huge, strong and knows how to fight...That's always dangerous...I really don't like Cro Cop having to fight this big bastard...there is no need...He won the damn tournament...GIVE HIM HIS TITLE SHOT!...
:(
"I thought Fedor was fighting Hunt specifically because Crocop wouldn't be at 100% for New Years Eve..."
Cro Cop said that he is not healthy enuf to fight Fedor but he might fight on the card.