The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United Kingdom and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article and discuss the issue on the talk page. (December 2010)

Banners of Knights of the Thistle displayed in St. Giles' Cathedral.

A banner is a flag or other piece of cloth bearing a symbol, logo, slogan or other message. Banner-making is an ancient craft.

The word derives from late Latin bandum, a cloth out of which a flag is made (Latin: banderia, Italian: bandiera, Portuguese: bandeira, Spanish: bandera). The German language developed the word to mean an official edict or proclamation and since such written orders often prohibited some form of human activity, bandum assumed the meaning of a ban, control, interdict or excommunication. Banns has the same origin meaning an official proclamation, and abandon means to change loyalty or disobey orders, semantically "to leave the cloth or flag".

Heraldic banners[link]

A heraldic banner, also called banner of arms, displays the basic coat of arms only: i.e. it contains the design usually displayed on the shield and omits the crest, helmet or coronet, mantling, supporters, motto or any other elements associated with the coat of arms (for further details of these elements, see heraldry).

A heraldic banner is usually square or rectangular.

A distinction exists between the heraldic banner and the heraldic standard. The distinction, however, is often misunderstood or ignored. For example the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom is in fact a banner of the royal arms.

• 

  The full armorial achievement of the arms of the Kingdom of Scotland (before the Union of the Crowns)

• 

  The arms as depicted on the escutcheon.

• 

  The Royal Standard of Scotland: the banner of the King of Scots

• 

  Banner of Cardinal Wolsey

Banners in a religious context[link]

Russian Orthodox Crucession with lantern, processional cross and Khorugvi (banners).

The prophet Isaiah was commanded to raise a banner and exalt his voice (Isaiah 13:2 KJV). Habakkuk received a similar order to write a vision upon tables that could be read by one who runs past it (Habakkuk 2:2).

In Christianity[link]

Banners in churches have, in the past, been used mainly for processions, both inside and outside of the church building. However, the emphasis has, in recent years, shifted markedly towards the permanent or transient display of banners on walls or pillars of churches and other places of worship. A famous example of large banners on display is Liverpool R.C. Cathedral, where the banners are designed by a resident artist.

Banners are also used to communicate the testimony of Jesus Christ by evangelists and public ministers engaged in Open Air Preaching.

Trade union banners[link]

In Britain, trade union banners have been made since the 1840s, and at May Day parades, they could be counted in the hundreds. The iconography of these banners included mines, mills, factories, but also visions of the future, showing a land where children and adults were well-fed and living in tidy brick-built houses, where the old and sick were cared for, where the burden of work was lessened by new technology, and where leisure time was increasing. The same kind of banners are also used in many other countries. Many, but not all of them, have red as a dominant colour.

For more on the design and making of these banners, see Banner-making.

Advertising banners: pre-printed banners and custom banners[link]

2009 Michigan Wolverines football team enters Michigan Stadium under the M Club banner as the Michigan Marching Band salutes.

Banner at Wikimania 2005.

Often fabricated commercially on a plastic background, the banner industry has developed from the traditional cut-vinyl banners to banners printed within large, ultra-wide format inkjet printers on various vinyl and fabric materials using solvent inks and ultraviolet-curable inks.

Banners are used in many business ventures, marketing to their potential audience. A number of British towns and cities have whole series of banners decorating their city centres, effectively advertising the town or its special features and attractions. Pre-printed banners, albeit commonly used, are simple and accessible. Banners can be printed in enormous formats, with a full range of rich colors. They can also be used in many different physical situations whether it be hanging from an existing fixture, fixed to a wall or even free standing. A common form of free standing banners are retractable displays.

Banners can be found plastered behind a window screen, as billboards, atop skyscrapers, or towed by airplanes or blimps. As with variable of size and quantity, the number of sides and quality of ink are as much of a crucial factor. In an instance of retail stores which purchase pre-printed clearance banners, or a variety of sale banner. A banner facing underneath or against glass is absorbing exposure from the sun. A banner printed on UV outdoor ink will last several years to a decade where cheaper ink fades, requiring frequent replacement.^[1] Being behind glass, a two-sided banner can be displayed from the inside and out, often building recognition between shoppers and caretakers. Three-sided banners are oftentimes appealing as there is dimension and can be embellished differently. The more sides that exist, the more angles the banner covers, which is a possibility where a two-sided banner doesn't face the viewer from center of the room or streets.

Advertisements on the Internet which carry the shape of a banner are also commonly called "banners". See web banner for more information.

References[link]

1. ^ http://www.sportswearforall.com/bannersignsexpress/signs1.htm

See also[link]

• Heraldic standard
• Sashimono
• Knight Banneret
• Nobori
• The Star-Spangled Banner
• Stainless Banner
• Vinyl banners
• Web banner
• Banners in Northern Ireland
• County Clare in Ireland is known as the Banner County.
• Vexillum
• Gonfalone

Jérôme "Geronimo" Le Banner (born 26 December 1972), is a French kickboxer and K-1 superstar, famous for his aggressive fighting style and knockout power.

He is a legend in the K-1 sport and is still considered to be the best fighter to never win the K-1 World Grand Prix Title. He has knocked out top ranked fighters such as, Peter Aerts, Ernesto Hoost, Francisco Filho, Mike Bernardo and holds other notable wins over Remy Bonjasky, Tyrone Spong and Mark Hunt. He also holds an MMA victory over middleweight Yoshihiro Akiyama.^[1]

His last name "Le Banner" is pronounced like "Re Banna" in Japan. Many Japanese K-1 fans and Japanese mass media calls him "Banna".

Biography and Fighting career[link]

Early career[link]

Jérôme Le Banner was born in the French city of Le Havre, in the région of Normandy. Le Banner started judo training at the age of 6. When he was 14, Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury influenced him so much that he started practicing karate instead, while trying to incorporate the techniques of Jeet Kune Do he had seen in the film. Jeet Kune Do gave him the southpaw stance which he has maintained throughout his career, even though he is right-handed.^[2] He holds a black belt in the Kyokushin kaikan style of karate.^[3]

At the age of 18, he debuted in his first full contact kickboxing competitions. By 19 he held the ISKA French title and soon after that, he won the European belt against Andy Mayo, and the Intercontinental belt in South Africa against Mike Bernardo.

K-1 debut[link]

On 3 March 1995, Jerome Le Banner made his K-1 debut, winning a five-round decision over Nokveed Devy. Two months later, on 4 May 1995 he made his first K-1 World Grand Prix appearance in Tokyo, Japan, knocking out both Masaaki Satake and Mike Bernardo, before losing to Peter Aerts in the tournament finals.

First world title shot[link]

After K-1 GP 95, Le Banner was drafted in the French army, and also had trouble with his trainer so he couldn't train for a year. His conscription ended on April 1996. He also contracted a new trainer.

On June 1, 1996 at Paris, Le Banner won the ISKA Muay Thai World super heavyweight championship against Curtis Schuster.

On October 18, K-1 Star Wars '96, Le Banner beat Ernesto Hoost via 2nd round Knockout.

K-1 and Boxing[link]

During 1997 Le Banner had trouble with his trainer again. As a result Le Banner contracted former Christophe Tiozzo's promoter Jean-Christophe Courrèges. On 1998, Le Banner contracted boxing promoter Don King and well-known boxing trainer Don Turner. He was training with Evander Holyfield.

On July 18, K-1 DREAM '98, Le Banner fought against Sam Greco. Le Banner was 2 knocked down in 1st round but managed to knocked Greco out in 2nd round.

On September 19,Le Banner fought in Evander Holyfield vs Vaughn Bean's undercard. Le Banner beat Espedito da Silva via 1st round knockout by high kick,to become WKN Muay Thai world super heavyweight champion.

Le Banner's pro boxing record was 4 fights, 4 wins, 3KO 1DQ. And Le Banner was going to fight a match under boxing rules in Madison Square Garden on February and March 1999. But he had trouble with Don King about his contract so these matches were canceled by Don King.

Shocking sensational return to K-1[link]

Le Banner couldn't fight kickboxing and boxing due to contract problems. On 1999, K-1 producer Kazuyoshi Ishii solved his contract problem so that he could return to K-1.

On October 3, K-1 World Grand Prix '99 Opening Round, Le Banner fought against Matt Skelton. Skelton will become pro boxing WBA world Heavyweight title contender, WBO world Heavyweight number 5 contender. Skelton had been never knocked down by punch in his fighting career but Le Banner dominated Skelton with his boxing skills. Le Banner knocked out Skelton in 1st round. Le Banner's amazing power was shocking to all K-1 fighters and fans.

Legendary matches of K-1 GP 99 FINAL[link]

On December 5,at Tokyo Dome, K-1 Grand Prix '99 Final Round, Le Banner fought against 3 times K-1 GP champion,reigning defending K-1 GP champion Peter Aerts in the Quarter Final. Le Banner wanted to choose Aerts as his opponent in the tournament draw. Le Banner was knocked down by Aerts's highkick but managed to knocked out Aerts by left hook by 1:11 of the 1st round. In the semifinal, Le Banner fought Ernesto Hoost. Le Banner dominated Hoost in 1st round but lost by KO in 2nd round.

Legendary "The biggest KO of this thousand years"[link]

On April 23, 2000, K-1 The Millennium,Le Banner fought against Kyokushin World Open Karate Tournament 1999 champion Francisco Filho. Le Banner knocked Filho unconscious out by Left straight punch in 1st round. This Knock Out is called "The biggest KO of this thousand years". Le Banner's left arm and left punch has been called the "Golden Left" since this match.

On July 30,Le Banner beat Mark Hunt, Nicholas Pettas and Ernesto Hoost,to become K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Nagoya tournament Champion. But,he was not able to fight in K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 Final due to injuries from a car crash.

On April 29, 2001, Le Banner won the tournament by three 1st round KO's the fastest win in K-1 history in total time of 4 minutes and 4 seconds in K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Osaka.

On December 8, Le Banner lost to Mark Hunt by KO in K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Final Quarter Finals. The match is the biggest upsets in K-1 event of 2001. After this event, Japanese combat sports magazine SRS-DX published picture about moment of Hunt hit Le Banner's face by elbow. However this match's result didn't change disqualification.

Legendary rubber match against Hunt in Paris[link]

In 2002, Le Banner had begun to train with Stéphane Nikiéma.

On May 25, 2002, Le Banner fought Mark Hunt at K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Paris in a rubber match. In the 2nd round,first Hunt was knocked down by Le Banner's counter-punch. Le Banner was also knocked down. In the last 5 seconds of the 2nd round Le Banner knocked down Hunt with a high kick, winning by TKO.

K-1 WORLD GP 2002 FINAL[link]

On December 7, 2002 at K-1 World Grand Prix 2002, after defeating Musashi in the quarterfinals, and Mark Hunt in the semis, Le Banner faced three-time World Champion Ernesto Hoost in the tournament final. Following an evenly fought first two rounds, Hoost shattered Le Banner's left arm with three round kicks in the third. Le Banner's left arm was already broken when first knocked down, but Le Banner continued to fight by his strong fighting spirit. This match was stopped by 3 knock down rule. This match's referee Nobuaki Kakuda was severely criticized that didn't stop the match or doctor check for LeBanner when Le Banner was first knocked down. Le Banner suffered a near career-ending injury (a steel rod and eleven pins were inserted into his shattered arm^[4]).

After broken left arm[link]

Le Banner was able to recover and returned to the ring six months later in K-1 Paris 2003, winning the fight by punch combinations over Belarusian Vitali Akhramenko.

On March 26, 2005,Le Banner knocked Yoshihiro Akiyama out by knee kick in MMA rule at Hero's 1.

On May 13, 2006,at K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Amsterdam, Le Banner fought against 2 times K-1 WORLD GP champion Remy Bonjasky. The fight was rather controversial as Bonjasky won the fight in a majority decision by all Dutch judges despite being dominated in this fight. On June 30, 2006,K-1 judge admitted the decision was a mistake. And,this match's result officially change "Le Banner won Bonjasky by unanimous decision(point is 30-29)".^[5]

On 2006, Le Banner announced that hope to fight against current UFC heavyweight world champion Tim Sylvia in UFC rule.^[6][7]

On December 2, 2006, after his loss against Semmy Schilt at K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 finals, Le Banner announced he was considering his semi retirement from tournament fighting, restricting future appearances to K-1's Superfight events.

In early 2007, after his fight at K-1 World GP 2007 in Yokohama he was forced to have knee surgery and was not expected to return to the ring until 2008; however due to a fast recovery K-1 announced that Le Banner would participate on September 29, 2007 at the K-1 World GP 2007 in Seoul Final 16 against Russian kickboxer Ruslan Karaev. Just two days before the fight, Karaev had to pull out and was replaced by a former Korean Taekwondo practitioner, Yong Soo Park. It took Le Banner only 0'54" seconds to knock out Park in the first round by straight punch and qualify himself for K-1 World GP 2007 Final held in December 8, 2007 held at the Yokohama Arena, Japan.^[8]

On 8 December 2007, in the ninth K-1 World GP appearance of his career, Le Banner defeated Choi Hong Man in the quarter-finals by unanimous decision before facing the reigning K-1 champion Semmy Schilt in the semis. Le Banner finished the first round up on scorecards. In the beginning of the second round Schilt landed a low kick that seemed to hurt Le Banner's right knee, which he had surgery on in early 2007. The fight was eventually stopped by Le Banner's corner throwing in the towel to avoid further damage to the injured knee.

Jerome fought Schilt again at the K-1 World GP 2008 in Fukuoka for the K-1 Super-Heavyweight title. Jerome ended up losing a controversial majority decision.

As a finalist Jerome fought at the K-1 World GP 2008 Final 16 against the young Japanese fighter, Junichi Sawayashiki. Although Jerome was unable to knock the young fighter out he won a unanimous decision. At the Finals Jerome lost by TKO to the eventual champion Remy Bonjasky.

On 26 September Jerome fought Japanese rival Musashi at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final 16. Despite all the injuries Jerome had accumulated over his long K-1 career Jerome knocked down the Japanese veteran to claim a unanimous decision. In his eleventh appearance at the K-1 World Grand Prix Final Championship he fought Semmy Schilt. Jerome lost to Semmy for the 4th time in his career by first round TKO. After the fight Jerome stated that he planned to continue to fight in the World Grand Prix Final even though there was suspicion before the fight that this would be his last World Grand Prix appearance.

Join Chakuriki Gym[link]

In 2010, Le Banner announced his motivation to fight again, and joined Chakuriki Gym in Amsterdam. On April 3 at K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Yokohama, Le Banner beat Tyrone Spong by unanimous decision.

On July 23, during a France vs Thailand in Stade de l'Est, Réunion, he won the W.P.M.F. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight title, beating the Canadian Tomas Novack by KO in the fifth round.

On October 2, he fought again in the final 16 of the 2010 tournament. Le Banner fought against K-1 Heavyweight Champion Kyotaro in the opening round. After a close three rounds where round one was called a draw, round two was given to Jerome, and round three was given to Kyotaro, the fight was sent to an extra round. Jerome disagreed with the judges ruling on the third round and left the ring.

Jerome LeBanner fought Olympic Judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii in a mixed martial arts rules bout at DREAM's Dynamite!! 2010 New Year's Eve event in Japan.^[9] LeBanner had an MMA record of 3-1-1 heading into the fight. However, LeBanner lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Kickboxing, MMA and charity match of Pro Wrestling for victim of Japan[link]

In 2011, Le Banner won two new world titles in Freestyle Kickboxing rules.

On June 11, at the 8ème Nuit des Sports de Combat in Geneva, he faces for the second time the German Stefan Leko and won by unanimous decision to become the I.S.K.A. World Super Heavyweight champion.

To end the year, he fought for the first time in Pattaya, Thailand, on December 30, for the World Pro League Super Heavyweight title. Le Banner wins this fight by liver kick knockout in the third round.

In parallel he began to fight charity match of Pro Wrestling for victim of 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster at Inoki Genome Federation. He became IGF champion and defended the IGF Super Luxurious 200 Million Yen Belt, two times. He won his six fights in Pro Wrestling ​​by (T)KO against Shinichi Suzukawa, Erik Hammer, Kazuyuki Fujita, Montanha Silva, Josh Barnett and Tim Sylvia. On December 4, at IGF - Fighting Spirit Festival in Iwaki, Fukushima, he faces in kickboxing charity exhibition match, Japanese kickboxer Masayoshi Kakutani and won this fight by TKO in the first round. A year of victories for Jérôme Le Banner.

In 2012, Le Banner contracted Polish MMA promotion KSW for 2 matches. And, he had trained in California for MMA since November 2011. He was scheduled to fight Marcin Różalski at Main Event of KSW 18: Unfinished Sympathy on February 25. However, a knee injury has forced Le Banner off the card.^[10]

Championships and accomplishments[link]

Kickboxing and Muaythai[link]

• 2012 W.K.N. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion (2nd title defence)
• 2011 World Pro League Kickboxing Super Heavyweight Champion (current)
• 2011 I.S.K.A. Freestyle Kickboxing World Super Heavyweight Champion (current)
• 2010 W.P.M.F. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion
• 2007 K-1 World Grand Prix Final 3rd Place
• 2005 W.K.N. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion (1st title defence)
• 2002 K-1 World Grand Prix Final Runner Up
• 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix in Osaka Champion
• 2000 K-1 World Grand Prix in Nagoya Champion
• 2000 I.S.K.A. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion (3rd title defence)
• 2000 I.S.K.A. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion (2nd title defence)
• 1999 K-1 World Grand Prix Final 3rd Place
• 1998 W.K.N. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion
• 1997 I.S.K.A. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion (1st title defence)
• 1996 I.S.K.A. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight Champion
• 1995 K-1 World Grand Prix Final Runner Up
• 1994 R.C.F.A. World Super Heavyweight Champion
• 1994 I.S.K.A. Full Contact Intercontinental Super Heavyweight Champion
• 1994 I.S.K.A. Full Contact European Super Heavyweight Champion
• 1992 I.S.K.A. Full Contact French Super Heavyweight Champion
• 1992 FFUBADA French Cup Full Contact Champion (-91 kg) in Gymnase Japy, Paris
• 1990 Full Contact French Junior Champion in Gymnase Japy, Paris

Awards

• 2009 Pantheon of Sports and Martial Arts Hall of Fame in Tokyo, Japan
• 2007 K-1 World GP 2007 Final MVP and best fight of the tournament versus Hong-Man Choi
• 1999 Fuji Television Best fight of the K-1 World GP 1999 Final versus Peter Aerts
• 1997 Fuji Television and Special Ringside Magazine Best fight of the K-1 Grand Prix '97 1st Round in Osaka versus Rick Roufus
• 1997 Karaté Bushido Magazine Gold Katana of the best Muaythai fighter at 12th Martial arts Festival, Paris, Bercy

Professional wrestling[link]

• 2011 IGF Super Luxurious 200 Million Yen Belt Champion (current)^[11]

Fight record[link]

Kickboxing Record
72 Wins (58 (T)KOs, 14 decisions), 21 Losses, 2 Draws, 1 No contest Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record 2012-04-28 Draw Arnold Oborotov Le Banner Series Acte 1 Geneva, Switzerland Decision Draw 5 2:00 72-21-2-1 Retains W.K.N. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight title. For restrictions, specially the fight took place in Kickboxing Oriental Rules. 2012-03-23 Loss Errol Zimmerman United Glory 15 Moscow, Russia TKO (Ref stop/3 Knockdowns) 1 2:21 72-21-1-1 2011-12-30 Win Andrei Kirsanov Gladiator's War - Le Banner Tour - 1st Fight Pattaya, Thailand KO (Liver kick) 3 72-20-1-1 Wins Vacant World Pro League Kickboxing Super Heavyweight title. 2011-12-04 Ex Masayoshi Kakutani IGF - Fighting Spirit Festival in Iwaki, Exhibition match Iwaki, Japan TKO (Ref stop/3 Knockdowns) 1 2:19 2011-06-11 Win Stefan Leko 8ème Nuit des Sports de Combat[12] Geneva, Switzerland Decision (Unanimous) 5 2:00 71-20-1-1 Wins I.S.K.A. Freestyle Kickboxing World Super Heavyweight title. 2010-10-02 Loss Kyotaro K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Seoul Final 16 Seoul, South Korea Forfeit 4 0:00 70-20-1-1 Fails to qualify for K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final. 2010-07-23 Win Tomas Novack Muay-Thaï France vs Thaïland Stade de l'Est, Réunion KO (Right hook) 5 2:56 70-19-1-1 Wins W.P.M.F. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight title (+91 kg). 2010-04-03 Win Tyrone Spong K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Yokohama Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 69-19-1-1 2009-12-05 Loss Semmy Schilt K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final Quarter Finals Yokohama, Japan TKO (Left Front Kick) 1 1:27 68-19-1-1 2009-09-26 Win Musashi K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final 16 Seoul, South Korea Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 68-18-1-1 Qualifies for K-1 Grand Prix '09 Final. 2009-03-28 Loss Ewerton Teixeira K-1 World GP 2009 in Yokohama Yokohama, Japan 2 Ext R. Decision (Split) 5 3:00 67-18-1-1 2008-12-06 Loss Remy Bonjasky K-1 World GP 2008 Final Quarter Finals Yokohama, Japan TKO (Arm injury) 3 1:56 67-17-1-1 2008-09-27 Win Junichi Sawayashiki K-1 World GP 2008 Final 16 Seoul, Korea Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 67-16-1-1 Qualifies for K-1 Grand Prix '08 Final. 2008-06-29 Loss Semmy Schilt K-1 World GP 2008 in Fukuoka Fukuoka, Japan Decision (Majority) 3 3:00 66-16-1-1 Fight was for K-1 Super Heavyweight title. 2007-12-08 Loss Semmy Schilt K-1 World GP 2007 Final Semi Finals Yokohama, Japan TKO (Leg injury) 2 1:02 66-15-1-1 2007-12-08 Win Choi Hong-man K-1 World GP 2007 Final Quarter Finals Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 66-14-1-1 2007-09-29 Win Yong Soo Park K-1 World GP 2007 in Seoul Final 16 Seoul, Korea KO (Right punch) 1 0:54 65-14-1-1 Qualifies for K-1 Grand Prix '07 Final. 2007-03-04 Loss Junichi Sawayashiki K-1 World GP 2007 in Yokohama Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 64-14-1-1 2006-12-02 Loss Semmy Schilt K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 64-13-1-1 2006-09-30 Win Choi Hong-man K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Osaka Opening Round Osaka, Japan Ext.R Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00 64-12-1-1 Qualifies for K-1 Grand Prix '06 Final. 2006-05-13 Win Remy Bonjasky K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 63-12-1-1 2005-11-19 Loss Peter Aerts K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan Ext.R Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00 62-12-1-1 2005-09-23 Win Gary Goodridge K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Osaka - Final Elimination Osaka, Japan TKO (Three knockdowns) 1 2:13 62-11-1-1 Qualifies for K-1 Grand Prix '05 Final. 2005-07-02 Win Dimitry Podgaisky Le Grand Tournoi 2005 Paris, France KO (Right hook) 1 1:49 61-11-1-1 2005-05-27 Win Cyril Abidi K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Paris Paris, France TKO (Referee stoppage) 5 2:53 60-11-1-1 2005-04-30 Win Oliver van Damme Post Tenebra Cup 2005 Geneva, Switzerland KO (Left hook) 1 59-11-1-1 Retains W.K.N Muaythai World Super Heavyweight title. 2004-12-04 Win Hiromi Amada K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 Tokyo, Japan KO (Low kicks) 2 1:03 58-11-1-1 2004-09-25 Loss Francois Botha K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 Final Elimination Tokyo, Japan TKO (Corner stoppage) 3 3:00 57-11-1-1 Fails to qualify for K-1 Grand Prix '04 Final. 2004-07-17 Win Terrence Reasby K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Seoul Seoul, Korea KO (Knee strike) 1 0:53 57-10-1-1 2003-09-21 Win Shaka Zulu K-1 Survival 2003 Japan Grand Prix Final Yokohama, Japan KO (Right low kick) 2 1:10 56-10-1-1 2003-06-14 Win Vitali Akhramenko K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Paris Paris, France KO (Right punch) 2 0:28 55-10-1-1 2002-12-07 Loss Ernesto Hoost K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final Final Tokyo, Japan KO (Right mid-kicks) 3 1:26 54-10-1-1 Fight was for K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 title. 2002-12-07 Win Mark Hunt K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final Semi Finals Tokyo, Japan Decision 3 3:00 54-9-1-1 2002-12-07 Win Musashi K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan KO (Punches) 2 0:51 53-9-1-1 2002-10-05 Win Gary Goodridge K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final Elimination Tokyo, Japan KO (Right jab) 1 0:42 52-9-1-1 Qualifies for K-1 Grand Prix '02 Final. 2002-08-28 Win Don Frye PRIDE Shockwave Tokyo, Japan KO (Right hook) 1 1:30 51-9-1-1 2002-07-06 Win Sinisa Andrijasevic ISKA Championship Kickboxing France TKO (Corner stoppage) 4 2:00 50-9-1-1 2002-05-25 Win Mark Hunt K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Paris Paris, France TKO (Corner stoppage) 2 3:00 49-9-1-1 2002-03-03 Win Hiromi Amada K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Nagoya Nagoya, Japan KO (Right punch) 1 1:42 48-9-1-1 2001-12-08 Loss Mark Hunt K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Final Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan KO (Right hook) 2 2:32 47-9-1-1 2001-08-19 Win Marc de Wit K-1 Andy Memorial 2001 Japan GP Final Saitama, Japan KO (Right cross) 2 1:45 47-8-1-1 2001-06-24 Win Stefan Leko K-1 Survival 2001 Sendai, Japan Decision 5 3:00 46-8-1-1 2001-04-29 Win Adam Watt K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Osaka Final Osaka, Japan KO (Punch rush) 1 0:46 45-8-1-1 Wins K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Osaka tournament and Qualifies for K-1 Grand Prix '01 Final. 2001-04-29 Win Ebenezer Braga K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Osaka Semi Finals Osaka, Japan KO (Left punch) 1 1:03 44-8-1-1 2001-04-29 Win Pavel Majer K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Osaka Quarter Finals Osaka, Japan KO (Left punch) 1 2:15 43-8-1-1 2001-03-17 NC Mike Bernardo K-1 Gladiators 2001 Yokohama, Japan No Contest 1 3:00 42-8-1-1 2001-03-04 Win Andrei Zuravkov Double Shock Power Marseilles, France TKO (Referee Stoppage) 2 42-8-1 2000-07-30 Win Ernesto Hoost K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Nagoya Final Nagoya, Japan TKO (Corner stoppage) 1 3:00 41-8-1 Wins K-1 World GP 2000 in Nagoya tournament and Qualifies for K-1 Grand Prix '00 Final. 2000-07-30 Win Nicholas Pettas K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Nagoya Semi Finals Nagoya, Japan TKO (Left Hook, 2 Knockdown Rule) 1 3:00 40-8-1 2000-07-30 Win Mark Hunt K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Nagoya Quarter Finals Nagoya, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 39-8-1 2000-07-13 Win Shaun Johnson ISKA Championship Las Vegas, NV KO (Left straight cross) 1 38-8-1 Retains I.S.K.A. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight title. 2000-05-28 Win Jan Nortje K-1 Survival 2000 Sapporo, Japan KO (Left hook) 1 1:07 37-8-1 2000-04-23 Win Francisco Filho K-1 The Millennium Osaka, Japan KO (Left straight cross) 1 2:02 36-8-1 2000-03-18 Win Paris Vassilikos I.S.K.A. Championship Las Vegas, NV KO (Right hook) 2 1:09 35-8-1 Retains I.S.K.A. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight title. 1999-12-05 Loss Ernesto Hoost K-1 World Grand Prix 1999 Semi Finals Tokyo, Japan KO (Right hook) 2 0:26 34-8-1 1999-12-05 Win Peter Aerts K-1 World Grand Prix 1999 Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan KO (Left hook) 1 1:11 34-7-1 1999-10-03 Win Matt Skelton K-1 World Grand Prix '99 Opening Round Osaka, Japan KO (Right hook) 1 1:59 33-7-1 Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 1999 Final. 1999-02-27 Win Rob van Esdonk Les Stars Du Ring Marseilles, France KO (Left hook) 1 32-7-1 1998-09-19 Win Espedito da Silva WKN World Championship Kickboxing Atlanta, GA KO (Left High Kick) 1 0:52 31-7-1 Wins vacant W.K.N. Muay Thai World Super Heavyweight title. 1998-07-18 Win Sam Greco K-1 Dream '98 Nagoya, Japan KO (Right hook) 2 2:07 30-7-1 1998-05-24 Win Zijad Poljo K-1 Braves '98 Fukuoka, Japan TKO (Ref. stop/left cross) 3 2:52 29-7-1 1997-11-09 Loss Ernesto Hoost K-1 Grand Prix '97 Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan KO (Right hook) 1 1:15 28-7-1 1997-09-07 Win Rick Roufus K-1 Grand Prix '97 1st Round Osaka, Japan TKO (Ref. Stoppage/Left High Kick) 3 2:05 28-6-1 Qualifies for K-1 Grand Prix '97 Final. 1997-07-20 Loss Peter Aerts K-1 Dream '97 Nagoya, Japan KO (Right High Kick) 2 1:19 27-6-1 1997-04-29 Loss Ray Sefo K-1 Braves '97 Fukuoka, Japan KO (Right Hook) 1 1:31 27-5-1 1997-04-20 Ex Stéphane Reveillon 12th Martial arts Festival Paris-Bercy, France No Decision 3 1997-02-01 Win Maurice Smith Le Choc des Champions Paris, France Decision 5 3:00 27-4-1 Retains I.S.K.A. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight title. 1996-12-08 Draw Sam Greco K-1 Hercules '96 Nagoya, Japan Decision Draw 5 3:00 26-4-1 1996-10-18 Win Ernesto Hoost K-1 Star Wars '96 Yokohama, Japan TKO (Right Hook) 2 2:57 26-4 1996-09-01 Win Takeru K-1 Revenge '96 Osaka, Japan KO (Right cross) 4 2:49 25-4 1996-06-01 Win Curtis Schuster Le Choc des Champions Paris, France Decision 5 3:00 24-4 Wins I.S.K.A. Muaythai World Super Heavyweight title. 1996-03-10 Loss Mirko Filipović K-1 Grand Prix '96 Opening Battle Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 23-4 Fails to qualify for K-1 World Grand Prix 1996. 1996-01-19 Win Willy Martina Muaythai Gala in Paris Levallois-Perret, France KO (Left Low Kick) 1 23-3 1995-12-09 Loss Andy Hug K-1 Hercules Nagoya, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 22-3 1995-09-03 Win John Kleijn K-1 Revenge II Yokohama, Japan KO (Right hook) 2 1:10 22-2 1995-05-04 Loss Peter Aerts K-1 Grand Prix '95 Final Tokyo, Japan KO (Right body shot) 1 1:37 21-2 Fight was for K-1 World Grand Prix 1995 title. 1995-05-04 Win Mike Bernardo K-1 Grand Prix '95 Semi Finals Tokyo, Japan KO (Right low kick) 2 3:05 21-1 1995-05-04 Win Masaaki Satake K-1 Grand Prix '95 Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan KO (Left straight punch) 3 2:32 20-1 1995-03-03 Win Nokveed Devy K-1 Grand Prix '95 Opening Battle Tokyo, Japan Decision (unanimous) 5 3:00 19-1 Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 1995. 1994-12-10 Win Willy Martina Full Contact Gala Decision 1994-00-00 Win Andre Buan Buaren R.C.F.A. World Super Heavyweight Championship Johannesburg, South Africa KO Wins R.C.F.A. World Super Heavyweight title. 1994-00-00 Win Mike Bernardo I.S.K.A. Full-Contact Intercontinental Championship Cape Town, South Africa Decision (3-0) 10 2:00 Wins I.S.K.A. Full-Contact Intercontinental Super Heavyweight title. 1994-04-16 Win Andy Mayo I.S.K.A. Full-Contact European Championship Elbeuf, France KO (Left Highkick) 1 11-1 Wins I.S.K.A. Full-Contact European Super Heavyweight title. 1993-06-07 Win Claude Herman Full-Contact gala in La Locomotive Discothèque Paris, France KO 1 1993-04-24 Win Cunningham Full Contact Gala : France vs The World Elbeuf, France TKO (Referee Stoppage) 2 1992-12-06 Win Raynald Fucho I.S.K.A. Full-Contact French Championship Le Havre, France Decision 7 2:00 Wins I.S.K.A. Full-Contact French Super Heavyweight title. 1992-11-13 Win Stéphane Reveillon La Nuit des Champions Marseille, France KO (Right Hook) 2 1992-05-30 Loss Saïd Bechari Full Contact Gala Valence, Drôme, France (T)KO 1 1992-01-19 Win Joly FFUBADA French Cup, Final Paris, France Wins FFUBADA French Cup Full Contact title (-91 kg).
Boxing record
6 Wins (5 (T)KOs, 1 disqualification), 0 Losses Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record 2009-11-13 Win Ladislav Kovarik Deauville Casino Deauville, Calvados, France KO 2 6–0 2009-05-23 Win Werner Kreiskott Deauville Casino Deauville, Calvados, France TKO 4 1:59 5–0 1998-11-14 Win Ferenc Deák L'Espace François Mitterrand Mont-de-Marsan, France DQ 2 4–0 1998-06-20 Win James Henderson The Moon Nightclub Tallahassee, FL KO 4 0:37 3–0 1998-04-10 Win Jerry Reynolds United States TKO 1 2–0 1998-02-24 Win Tudor Panait Oporto, Portugal TKO 4 1–0
Pro Wrestling record
8 Wins (7 (T)KOs, 1 Submission) Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record 2012-05-26 Win Alexander Kozlov IGF Genome 20 Tokyo, Japan TKO (Referee stoppage) 3:44 8-0 Retains IGF Heavyweight title. 2012-02-17 Win Peter Aerts IGF Genome 18 Tokyo, Japan Submission (Cross-Arm Breaker) 4 0:18 7-0 Retains IGF Heavyweight title. 2011-12-31 Win Tim Sylvia Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 Saitama, Japan TKO (Referee stoppage) 2:57 6-0 2011-12-02 Win Josh Barnett Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2011 Tokyo, Japan KO 8:24 5-0 Retains IGF Heavyweight title. 2011-09-03 Win Montanha Silva IGF Genome 17 Aichi, Japan TKO (Referee stoppage) 4:56 4-0 2011-08-27 Win Kazuyuki Fujita Inoki Genome Super Stars Festival 2011 Tokyo, Japan KO 4:57 3-0 Retains IGF Heavyweight title. 2011-07-10 Win Erik Hammer IGF Genome 16, Semi Final Tokyo, Japan KO 4:14 2-0 2011-04-28 Win Shinichi Suzukawa IGF Genome 15, 1st Round Tokyo, Japan KO 5:39 1–0 Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

Mixed martial arts record[link]

Result	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	3-2	Satoshi Ishii	Decision (unanimous)	Dynamite!! 2010	02010-12-31December 31, 2010	3	5:00	Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Win	3-1	Jimmy Ambriz	KO (punch)	K-1 Hero's 4	02006-03-15March 15, 2006	1	2:04	Tokyo, Japan
Win	2-1	Alan Karaev	KO (body kicks)	K-1 PREMIUM 2005 Dynamite!!	02005-12-31December 31, 2005	2	1:14	Osaka, Japan
Win	1-1	Yoshihiro Akiyama	KO (knees)	Hero's 1	02005-03-26March 26, 2005	1	2:24	Saitama, Saitama, Japan
vDraw	1–0–1	Bob Sapp	Draw	K-1 PREMIUM 2004 Dynamite!!	02004-12-31December 31, 2004	3	3:00	Tokyo, Japan	The fight was with Mixied Martial Arts and both K-1 Rules.
Loss	0-1	Tadao Yasuda	Submission (forearm choke)	Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2001	02001-12-31December 31, 2001	2	2:50	Saitama, Saitama, Japan

Filmography[link]

See also[link]

• List of K-1 events
• List of K-1 champions
• List of male kickboxers
• List of kickboxing organizations

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Profile at K-1
• Biography for JLB at the Internet Movie Database

Bob Sapp
Born	Robert Malcolm Sapp (1974-09-22) September 22, 1974 (age 37)[1] Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.
Other names	The Beast
Nationality	American
Height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight	149.2 kg (329 lb; 23 st 7 lb)
Division	Super Heavyweight
Fighting out of	Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Team	Team Beast MMA
Trainer	Prince Amir
Years active	2002–present
Kickboxing record
Total	26
Wins	11
By knockout	9
Losses	15
By knockout	9
Mixed martial arts record
Total	25
Wins	11
By knockout	8
By submission	3
Losses	13
By knockout	6
By submission	7
Draws	1
Other information
University	University of Washington
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: October 15, 2011

Robert Malcolm "Bob" Sapp (Japanese: [Bobbu Sappu]; born September 22, 1974)^[2][3] is an American kickboxer, mixed martial artist, professional wrestler, actor, comedian and former professional American football player. Sapp currently has a combined fight record of 22–28–1, mostly fighting in Japan. He is well known in Japan, where he has appeared in countless commercials, television programs, and various other media, and has released a music CD, It's Sapp Time. He also appeared in an episode of the HBO program Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. He is currently working sporadically for various MMA promotions in the U.S., Japan, and Europe. In MMA, Sapp holds a win over Kiyoshi Tamura and in K-1, he holds wins over K-1 legend Ernesto Hoost (2x) and Cyril Abidi.

American football career[link]

Bob Sapp began his athletic career in high school playing football at Mitchell High School in Colorado Springs, CO. He received a football scholarship to the University of Washington, where he won the Morris Award. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears 69th overall in the 1997 NFL Draft. Sapp's career took a hit after he was suspended by the NFL for alleged steroid abuse. Sapp signed with the Minnesota Vikings after being released by the Bears. He spent two seasons with the Vikings and only played in one game.

Professional wrestling[link]

Bob Sapp's pro-wrestling career started in NWA Wildside in 2001. He was quickly contracted by World Championship Wrestling as a developmental wrestler, before the company was bought out by the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) (at that time WWF).

In 2004, Sapp competed for New Japan Pro Wrestling, winning their IWGP Heavyweight Championship and becoming the first black man to accomplish this feat, though it was vacated shortly thereafter due to a mixed martial arts fight loss and film commitments.^[4]

On October 16, 2007, Bob Sapp made a surprise appearance at HUSTLE's Korakuen Hall event. Attacking Razor Ramon HG and his partner. Sapp aligned himself with Generalissimo Takada's MONSTER Army. He also announced that he would wrestle at the HUSTLE Mania 11/25 Yokohama Arena event.^[5] His opponent was later confirmed to be Razor Ramon HG ^[6] and Sapp defeated him in the resultant match. His last match was against "Big" Dan Meehan.

Since 2008, Sapp began to participate in WWA, a pro-wrestling organization in South Korea. On October 26, 2009, Bob Sapp captured the WWA Heavyweight title by defeating Lee Wang Pyo, a famous professional wrestler in Korea who was taught by legendary Korean professional wrestler Kim Il, at Olympic Fencing Gymnasium event. Sapp is scheduled to perform at Dramatic Dream Team Pro Wrestling's "2011: A RYOGOKU Peter Pan" event on July 24, 2011 using a "Beast will fight for money" gimmick.^[7]

Kickboxing and mixed martial arts career[link]

Pride Fighting Championships[link]

Sapp was subsequently recruited by the Japanese MMA organization Pride, where he quickly became a fan favorite due to his size, charisma and aggression. After a number of successes in Pride, Sapp was then invited to K-1 by Kazuyoshi Ishii, the creator of the fighting sport K-1. Ishii saw the combination of great potential and great marketability in Sapp.

After arriving in Japan, Sapp fought three matches in Pride. His first match pitted him against pro wrestler and longtime RINGS Fighting Network competitor Yoshihisa Yamamoto, who he finished by TKO at 2:44 of the first round.^[8] Sapp's second Pride match was against two-time RINGS Open-Weight Champion Kiyoshi Tamura. Though Tamura was a highly respected fighter who held wins over the likes of Pat Miletich, Jeremy Horn, and Renzo Gracie, he was giving up 150 lbs to his foe and was quickly overwhelmed by the much-larger American, succumbing to strikes just 11 seconds into the bout.^[9] During this time fans were first introduced to Sapp's "bullrush" technique, whereby he would rush an opponent with punches, quickly overwhelming them. Pride and K-1 collaborated to create a show billed "Dynamite" in Japan and "Shockwave" in the United States. He faced then-champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Sapp submitted to an armbar late in the second round. Sapp would never again compete in Pride, instead focusing his attention on K-1.

K-1[link]

Despite losing his first fight by disqualification, Sapp was initially successful in K-1. He twice defeated four-time K-1 champion Ernesto Hoost by technical knockout. He became an overnight sensation in Japan afterwards, appearing on numerous television shows, advertisements, and movie cameos such as in the big screen adaptation of Devilman. K-1 heads, trying to strike while the iron was hot and hoping to duplicate the success of Sapp, made a new fighting division called "Beast" (Sapp's nickname), which featured larger fighters such as Hong Man Choi. However, the division was stopped after two events due to disappointing reviews and gate takes.

At the height of his success, there was talk and promotion of a fight between him and the former boxing Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson. The two had a face to face confrontation immediately after Sapp's victory in Las Vegas over Kimo. K-1 signed Tyson to a contract and the fight looked to be on. However, Tyson's status as a convicted felon made him unable to get a visa to fight in Japan where the fight would have been most profitable.^[10] Other locations for the proposed fight were made, but negotiations ended up dissipating to nothing and the fight never came off.

In June 2005, Sapp won the K-1 Japan Grand Prix in Hiroshima to become one of 16 fighters qualified for the 2005 K-1 World GP. In the Japan GP, Sapp showcased greatly improved stamina, as well as better technique, than in his previous fights after intensive training under Sam Greco. In the K-1 2005 World GP Eliminations he lost by decision to "The Techno Goliath" Choi Hong-man.

Sapp's initial success with his intimidating, blind chase-and-punch method (which he dubbed as "NFL Style") slowly petered out into disqualifications for bullrushing and punching after referee breaks. Additionally, experienced opponents discovered Sapp's weak points—his vulnerable mid-section and legs as well as his limited stamina.

On May 13, 2006, Sapp was to headline the K-1 show in the Netherlands. His opponent was Ernesto Hoost. Hoost stated in previous interviews and the interview on that show that this was to be his last match in Holland before his retirement. Sapp attended all the pre-fight press conferences and even attended the opening ceremonies for the show. It is unclear at the moment as to why, but Sapp pulled out of the event midway through the show.

K-1 issued a statement claiming Sapp pulled out due to new demands he brought to promoters during the show. K-1 would not agree to those demands since they felt their written contract was final and Sapp left. The full K-1 press release can be viewed on the organization's website.

Sapp has not issued a statement, but a different point of view on the events that occurred.^[11]

However, he did participate in 2007's K-1 event in the Amsterdam Arena, fighting as a replacement for Remy Bonjasky, against Peter Aerts. Sapp, however, lost the fight at KO within 20 seconds in the first round by a knee to the liver. While Sapp was being led from the ring, Aerts apologized to the fans in Dutch for the short bout as well as having berated his fallen opponent.

After his falling out with K-1, Sapp began to get offers from WWE as well as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) to work with them, but his K-1 contract prohibited him from going through with any return to the ring.

Sapp made a surprise return to the K-1 ring in Japan after a two-year absence against comedian and part time K-1 competitor Bobby Ologun. Ologun was unable to mount any effective offense as he was quickly run down and overpowered by Sapp in the 1st round.

Cage Rage[link]

Sapp wrestling in HUSTLE.

On February 10, 2007 it was announced by the United Kingdom's Cage Rage promotion that Sapp would appear on its Cage Rage 21 event on April 21, facing Gary Turner. The move is partly a retaliatory one, as the UFC had chosen to run its first British show in years that same night at the Manchester Evening News Arena, headlined by Mirko "Cro Cop", Andrei Arlovski and British star Michael Bisping. Though Cage Rage promoter Andy Geer said that the UFC show would not affect ticket sales for CR21, the signing of Sapp was a clear sign that the company knew it would need a superstar draw in order to successfully compete with the American promotion. A few days before the event Bob Sapp pulled out of the scheduled fight. On short notice, Tank Abbott stepped in for Sapp and lost to Gary Turner.

Strikeforce, FEG and other[link]

Sapp faced the South African fighter Jan "The Giant" Nortje at the Strikeforce: At The Dome event in Tacoma, Washington, at the Tacoma Dome on February 23, 2008. Sapp was defeated at the 55 second mark of the first round by TKO after receiving an unanswered torrent of punches. Sapp then returned to Japan on New Year's Eve 2008 and defeated Akihito Tanaka via first round TKO.

Sapp lost to Japanese Ikuhisa Minowa at Dream 9 on May 26, 2009,^[12] due to Achilles lock. He fought and lost to Bobby Lashley at Ultimate Chaos in Biloxi, Mississippi, on June 27, 2009, due to first round tapout from strikes. On October 6, Sapp stood in for an injured Gegard Mousasi to face Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou in the semifinals at Dream 11.^[13] He lost via TKO (punches) in the first round.

On November 27, Sapp fought against Swedish K-1 veteran Jörgen Kruth. The fight got a lot of publicity in Swedish and international press, but ended with an anticlimax when Sapp's corner threw in the towel after only 45 seconds, after Kruth hit Sapp with a knee to the liver.

Sapp was next going to face Stav Economou at BAMMA 5,^[14] but BAMMA 5 has been canceled due to extreme weather conditions.^[15]

Sapp was scheduled to fight at K1 Dynamite!! 2010. He was set to battle Shinichi Suzukawa on New Year's Eve in a Pancrase-style matchup, but pulled out at the last minute due to contract disputes.^[16] When questioned about Sapp’s refusal to fight on the day of the event, FEG President Sadaharu Tanikawa asked, “Does anyone actually care? I don’t know the reasons why, but we did our best to make him fight. He just said he didn’t want to. This is typical [of Sapp].”^[17] But Sapp claims that the promoters were contracted to pay him $30,000 for the fight, but that Tanikawa offered him $15,000 shortly after he arrived in Japan for the event. Sapp refused to fight for half of the original purse.^[18] In response, he "should not be considered as a normal person" and is "the worst, most lamentable dust man." Tanikawa went on to say via Twitter that "No one cares anymore, but the Sapp incident had NOTHING to do with the fight money … That guy is such a loser. He is one lonely man."

ONE Fighting Championship[link]

On 11 February 2012 debuted for the Asian ONE Fighting Championship promotion. He faced Rolles Gracie at ONE Fighting Championship: Battle of Heroes in Jakarta, Indonesia and lost via submission to strikes in the first round.

Super Fight League[link]

Sapp fought in the main event of the Super Fight League's inaugural event, SFL 1, against James Thompson. He lost the fight when he injured his leg as he was being taken down by Thompson, forcing him to tap out to the injury.^[19]

Championships and accomplishments[link]

Kickboxing & Mixed Martial Arts[link]

Sapp (left) and Toshiaki Kawada looking at their opponents prior to a match in HUSTLE.

• K-1
  • K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Hiroshima Tournament Winner