1st WORLD SERIES OF MARTIAL ARTS
(no rules, no time limits, one man MUST beat the other)
ROUND 1
Match 1-Musashi (JAPAN) vs. Tony Tubbs (USA)
All Japan Kumite winner Musashi took on former WBA World heavyweight boxing champ Tony Tubbs in the 1st match of the World Series of Martial Arts. Musashi came in confident after accumulating experiance in the Kumite, but Tubbs looked nervous to be fighting inside a cage. Tubbs jabbed meekly and looked to stick and move early but he could not close the distance against Musashi's potent kicks. Tubbs was battered with kicks each time he tried to punch and vicious kick to the ribs put him down and out much to the delight of the Japanese fans. Musashi will be strong in the semi-finals having not absorbed much punishment.
Musashi KO 5:36 kick to ribs
Match 2-Royce Gracie (BRAZIL) vs. Mark Coleman (USA)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master Royce Gracie took on College Wrestling standout Mark Coleman in the 2nd fight. Coleman started fast taking down Gracie and attempting to out-muscle him on the mat. Gracie's technique was clearly superior on the mat but he was was having problems with Coleman's brute strength. The big American wrestler continued to press the action but was beginning to gas. Gracie seized the initiative and began to wear down Coleman with submission attempts. Coleman was able to power out of several choke and armbar attempts but eventually tapped out after a series of weak punches from Gracie. It was clear that Coleman tapped from exhaustion more then anything else.
Gracie SUB 9:11 mounted punches
Match 3-Hidehiko Yoshida (JAPAN) vs. Ken Shamrock (USA)
In the most anticipated match of the opening round, Olympic Judo Gold Medalist Hidehiko Yoshida took on World Shootwrestling Champion Ken Shamrock. Yoshida was already a national hero in Japan after the Olympics and had further cemented his status by finishing 2nd in the All Japan Kumite. Shamrock was also a huge star in Japan having had success on the pro-wrestling circuit before winning the World Championship in legit Shootwrestling. Shamrock wasted no time in locking up with Yoshida and quickly found himself airborne courtesy of a textbook Judo throw. Yoshida followed Shamrock to the mat and the 2 went hold for hold in a grappling chess match. Shamrock looked to leglock Yoshida (leglocks are not use in competition Judo) but Yoshida showed his savvy by avoiding them. Shamrock eventually got careless and Yoshida capitilized slapping on a rear-naked choke on tightly. Shamrock struggled and refused to tap. Eventually Shamrock was asleep and the ref stopped the fight. The crowd roared and Yoshida moved on the round 2.
Yoshida SUB 9:41 rear naked choke CRITICAL!
Match 4-Dos Caras Jr (MEXICO) vs. Volk Han (RUSSIA)
Russian Sambo master Volk Han was expected to make quick work of Mexican pro-wrestler Dos Caras Jr. Despite having represented Mexico in the Olympics for Greco-Roman wrestling, Dos Caras Jr was the least favored man to win the tournament. Han showed why early on by tying Caras Jr in knots on the mat. Caras Jr showed his mettle by fighting off the submissions and staying in the fight. Han effortlessly flowed from hold to hold while Caras Jr struggled to stay in the match. The older Han began to tire and Caras Jr was able to pull off a few big Greco-Roman throws much to the delight of the fans. It was too little, too late as Han leglocked Caras Jr for the finish. The match was the longest of the 1st round, and it may affect Han in the 2nd round as he is the oldest man in the tournament.
Han SUB 11:22 heel-hook
SEMI-FINALS
Match 1-Musashi (JAPAN) vs. Royce Gracie (BRAZIL)
The first semi-final had the eyes of Japan watching as All Japan Kumite winner Musashi took on Royce Gracie. It was clear from the start that Musashi's strategy was to avoid the ground at all costs. Musashi ran, held the fence and put up very little offense while Gracie stalked him. The crowd began to boo and Musashi put up more of a fight. Gracie continued to press the action, but Musashi landed some good combinations that rattled him. It was just a matter of time though and eventually Gracie finished off Musashi with punches from the mount, It was a very poor showing for Musashi but admittedly he was out of his element in a groundfight.
Gracie SUB 12:12 mounted punches
Match 2-Hidehiko Yoshida (JAPAN) vs. Volk Han (RUSSIA)'
The 2nd semi-final would be even more disappointment for the Japanese fans as Olympic Judo hero Hidehiko Yoshida was overpowered by the much heavier Volk Han. Han's experiance in Sambo would prove to be a huge edge as he was able to neutralize Yoshida by using his own gi against him. Yoshida struggled and put up a decent fight but was simply overpowered by the much larger Han. Yoshida was able to escape literally dozens of submissions but was eventually caught and Volk Han moved on to the finals.
Han SUB 9:22 STF
FINAL
Match 1-Royce Gracie (BRAZIL) vs. Volk Han (RUSSIA)
The final disappointed no one as 2 of the best grapplers on the planet went heads up. Again Han's edge in size would be the deciding factor as he over-powered the much smaller Gracie. Gracie seemed content to defend and wait for Han to make a mistake. Han never made the mistake and eventually broke on of Gracie's arms. Gracie refused to tap and continued to fight with his broken arm dangling. Han would show no mercy and knocked Gracie out with a punch to end a grueling and brutal fight.
Han KO 14:52 punch
