The World According to Bob Sapp


Hey everyone

This interview appears in the latest issue of INTERNATIONAL KICKBOXER magazine... thought you might enjoy seeing a different side of Bob Sapp. He's is a top bloke, highly intelligent, funny and down to earth.

enjoy!




The World According to Bob Sapp

Bob Sapp takes a seat at Automatic Restaurant in Melbourne’s Crown Casino and orders five Shirley Temples and a chicken pizza. He sits back and tells MICHAEL SCHIAVELLO about life as the biggest marketing phenomenon to hit Japan in recent years.

SCHIAVELLO: Congratulations Bob, I now hear you’ve hit the peak of your marketing popularity!

BOB SAPP: Yeah, I now have a vibrator named after me. I mean, if there’s a measuring stick for popularity and success, that’s it!

SCHIAVELLO: You’ve done over 1000 interviews, over 500 TV shows, more than 70 commercials, had about 18 fights in two years, put out a CD, made the cover of TIME magazine and starred in two Hollywood blockbusters. How long can you keep up this pace?

BOB SAPP: That’s a great question. Anyone who has been following me knows I signed a five year fight deal for 20 fights and you have seen me blow through 18 of those fights in a year and a half. My contract is now up for renewal and it does look like K-1 will resign me for an additional five years. I don’t know how much I can do at this pace. I have signed several picture deals, which will be great and I just don’t want to leave anything on the table. I want to enjoy my life and help K-1 be the best it can be, while also becoming the best kickboxer and MMA fighter I can. My life has the see-saw effect where if I’m doing nothing but television and movies, my fight skill depreciates but my television revenue goes up. When my television revenue and popularity goes down then my fight revenue and popularity goes up. So I’m in a really good situation right now.

SCHIAVELLO: K-1 continues to try and find another Bob Sapp, but so far they haven’t found one. I’d dare say it would be impossible to find someone who could replicate your success.

BOB SAPP: K-1 is still hoping that they will find another Bob Sapp-style diamond in the rough walking the streets out there. I don’t think you’re going to see that because I have done so many things for K-1 that it would blow anyone else away. I have done over 500 television shows, over 70 commercials and still managed my fight schedule, professional wrestling and Hollywood movies, a rap album, a CD and thousands of interviews. It is very difficult for someone to do that. I have achieved those things inside of two or three years, which is almost impossible for someone else to do. Most K-1 fighters will fight three to four times a year and that’s it, and they won’t fight the top guys because they’re saving themselves for the big tournaments because they know that’s where it counts. With me it’s a different case as I like to explore my avenues elsewhere professionally just in case one day that damaging blow does come.

SCHIAVELLO: You want to have an insurance policy, right?
BOB SAPP: (laughs) I want to make sure my mattress has a little extra stuffing in it if I’m going to lay in it every night.

SCHIAVELLO: The way you fight, there really is the chance that that finishing blow might come one day. You take an enormous amount of punishment for the result.

BOB SAPP: A lot of people get asked what Bob Sapp’s fighting style is, and in response they give a deep sigh and say: “Well, he kinda does the absorption technique. He absorbs a lot of punishment.”

SCHIAVELLO: Maybe we should call you “Sponge” Bob!

BOB SAPP: (Laughs) Yeah! I absorb all the punishment and just kinda end up knocking them out. That has become my trademark. Now, I don’t think that is a smart thing to do, it’s not very good for your health.

SCHIAVELLO: It’s a technique you used to good effect against Ernesto Hoost when you beat him the first time in Saitama. That was without doubt the biggest upset in K-1 history. What are your recollections of it?

BOB SAPP: I walked into that fight telling myself I had nothing to lose. I was just happy to be there. Later I would find out that they broadcast that fight live on national television to make sure the whole country was watching, and they made a real big deal about it.
When it came down to it, I didn’t know how to check a low kick, I didn’t know what a low kick felt like, and Ernesto knew it. If you watch his interviews Ernesto says, “I’m going to give him low kick pain. He doesn’t know what a low kick feels like.”
I’m thinking, bro, not only don’t I know what that means, but I don’t know what a high kick feels like, what a middle kick feels like, I don’t know what anything feels like!
I ended up defeating Ernesto by calming down and allowing myself some chance of success. It also helped me that Ernesto got tired using me as a punching bag.

SCHIAVELLO: Your K-1 debut against Nakasako finished in an all-out, in-ring riot. It was an awesome introduction.

BOB SAPP: I had fought once in Pride before that but never in K-1. They told me to do whatever I could do to win, so I went out there and tried to do everything. I hit him with an uppercut, I elbowed him on top of his head, which wasn’t allowed but wobbled him. After that it was on and I ended up picking him up and throwing him in the corner, then I tried to walk the top rope and jump on his head. Everyone jumped in the ring and there was a bad riot scene. That was the first time they’d seen a riot in K-1. I watch that riot on video and they had all these people try to tackle me and I took down about three doctors and security guards with a punch. It was a total trip!

SCHIAVELLO: Maurice Smith once said to me that he would rather fight UFC than K-1 any day because K-1 takes such a huge physical impact with the repeated strikes (especially to the legs) whereas UFC doesn’t take as much. Would you agree?

BOB SAPP: Well, I agree that ground fighting can be a bit easier because you have the opportunity to relax and you don’t have to stand up the entire time. However where I disagree is, simple: doing both mixed martial arts and K-1 fighting, well, it has to matter who the opponent is before you step in that ring. If I was to take on Ray Sefo again, I would love to do it in mixed martial arts, any time, any day of the week. Let’s talk about Peter Aerts, same thing. I’ll take him on any time, any day of the week in MMA. Now, you want to talk about K-1, throw those guys in the K-1 ring: I’ll still take them on but I will have to do so after eight to ten weeks of training.

SCHIAVELLO: There was talk a couple of years ago about Mike Tyson versus Bob Sapp. Was that for real or was it all just bullshit?

BOB SAPP: It was definitely for real. Except what happened is because of the dear fans, everyone started teasing (Tyson) saying you’re going to get your head kicked in, you’re going to get your ribs broken, you don’t know how to block kicks, you’re going to get kicked off, you’re going to lose against this big time loser guy Bob Sapp, and so on.
You see, Tyson originally tried to orchestrate a fight in K-1 the way he would reap it for the most success. Initially he wanted to do boxing rules, and K-1 said no. Then Tyson said why don’t we do Marquis of Queensberry rules which basically means unlimited rounds. K-1 came back and said how about you do boxing and Bob does kickboxing? And then Tyson wanted to do all out MMA, but people started teasing him about that too. So then Tyson said he wanted to fight someone a bit easier, so K-1 offered Jerome LeBanner. Jerome LeBanner said no problem, but if it looks like I’m going down by punches, I’m going to get up and kick you right in the head. Needless to say that was enough to make Mike Tyson say no, not for me.

SCHIAVELO: Can you see Tyson coming back or has his brief affair with K-1 had its time?

BOB SAPP: I think it has had its time. Tyson would have to start doing some proper kickboxing training and if he did he could do some damage. I mean anyone with that sort of punching power could be great.

SCHIAVELLO: I guess there is also the jealously factor with purist fans who don’t like to see anyone from a non martial arts background enter K-1 and get the opportunities that someone like you has gotten. When I was in Japan last I noticed this same rift between you and some of the fighters. They sort of look at you and think, ‘Who the hell is this guy? He has never even trained in martial arts or Muay Thai or kickboxing yet he’s making more money than all of us!’ Do you sense that?

BOB SAPP: (laughs) Yes! You still have that, though you don’t hear it as much now as you used to. Ernesto Hoost was not very happy with me at all and all the success I have had; if he were any greener you’d think he was the Incredible Hulk. I would rather be myself than be them any day of the week. The K-1 GP pays you $400,000 if you win, but a commercial pays you roughly half a million dollars. One is six hours, the other is months and training and getting beat up. Your best bet is you want to take both of them, which is what I plan on doing, however I love being where I’m at right now. I’m not out to take anything from the martial artists, except a victory.

SCHIAVELLO: Let’s talk movies. You took on Jennifer Garner in Elektra. What was she like to work with?

BOB SAPP: Jennifer was excellent, she’s a great gal. I can particularly remember one Friday afternoon when everyone on set was beat and she bought pizzas for us all. She does her own stunts, she makes it fun to go to work, and she is extremely beautiful.

SCHIAVELLO: Then you did The Longest Yard with a great ensemble cast including Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and Burt Reynolds. It looked like it was a hoot to make.

BOB SAPP: It was excellent. It was kind of a reunion for me because I’d met Bill Goldberg through WCW, I knew Stone Cold Steve Austin and Kevin Nash also from wrestling, and then I saw some of my old football buddies playing extras in the movie. Meeting Chris Rock and Adam Sandler was awesome. And you know my role was supposed to be as long as that in Elektra, but it ended up becoming a main role. When I did my introductory reading they looked at it and said they wanted to add more things in for the character. So instead of staying for two months I ended up staying for four, and it took off.

SCHIAVELLO: What was Adam Sandler like?

BOB SAPP: Adam Sandler is great. He comes to work riding his little cart and he waves to everybody and says, “Let’s get it done today.”
I love Adam Sandler because when he sees something funny he doesn’t push it for laughs, he just presents it and that’s it. Once he gets the comedy out of it he stops, whereas a lot of comics try to make it even funnier and push it too far.

SCHIAVELLO: And the legend, Burt Reynolds?

BOB SAPP: Oh he’s great! As a matter of fact out of everyone on the set, the person I am best friends with is Burt Reynolds. We chat about three times a week on the phone. We are also working on a sitcom together.

SCHIAVELLO: You turn 31 next week, you’re still a young man and you’ve done so much. What is the secret to Bob Sapp’s success?

BOB SAPP: I’m just really lucky, you know. I am always limitless which means I don’t put any limits on what I do. Currently I have written a movie about a boxer who goes to Japan, picks up a young Japanese girl and adopts her as his own. Hollywood liked the idea and they picked up the script. I am also working on a documentary and I also have a scooter company now. So I’m staying busy big time. The secret is just to live life and enjoy life. I get a lot of my youthfulness from everyone in Japan. I don’t call them my fans, I call them my family. They actually brought me up. When I arrived in Japan I didn’t know anything. I couldn’t even walk. Now my life is happening at a nice jogging pace.

SCHIAVELLO: Few people know that you also hold a degree in Sociology. Is dispelling the preconception of the meathead fighter something you consciously try to do?

BOB SAPP: When you see me straight away you think big, brawny and stupid. Well I try to dispel all that. I graduated from college having obtained my degree in three years. I also pursued a second degree in pharmaceuticals. I try to expand my mind with people and with science, which I love.
It’s a pity that some people don’t see this side of me, particularly those keyboard internet warriors who don’t notice the hard work and dedication that not only myself but all K-1 fighters have to do, not only inside the ring but outside the ring. Sometimes these guys aren’t making the mega millions that people think they do. A lot of the Japanese fighters are shop owners who work for a living and also go out there and work in that ring. That is a characteristic to be admired.

SCHIAVELLO: If you could show any one fight to your grandchildren in the future, which would you pick?

BOB SAPP: My Pride fight against Nogueira. It was excellent and every time I look at it I can’t believe the submissions I could have done to win the fight and I didn’t. I was just a beginner but hey, that is the one I love because it’s packed full of excitement. In that case it paid to be a loser.

SCHIAVELLO: Is there any fighter in K-1 you’ll try to avoid fighting?

BOB SAPP: I don’t have an avoidance of fighters, but I definitely want to get my revenge. I want my revenge against Ray Sefo. He knows it, we have talked about it, but I think you will only see that if I make the GP. Once a lot of fighters have gone over the Bob Sapp hump, they don’t want to try to go over it again, which of course they shouldn’t.

Well, I'm impressed.

I'm also impressed.He seems to be a very clever guy.He's never going to be the most stylish fighter on the K-1 circuit but he's improving all the time.He's obviously putting a lot of effort in the gym learning techniques .I watched his last fight on Eurosport and he threw a good amount of kicks.If he can get his techniques correct and start putting power in his kicks he's going to be awsome!

Hey Mike,
Good work.
Kind of a friendly interview. No questions about having the same ref [Kakuda] over and over again.

Cheers Felix

Yes, friendly interview with a great guy. Some interesting insights.

Highly intellect? PMSL :)
Did show a new side of Bob Sapp, entertaining.
Was the crack about the dildo true?

Yes. I own one. LOL.
Seriously, every "star" in Japan has a dildo made in their likenesses. It is not like Sapp's agent got the contract or Sapp made money off of dildo sales. It is a cheap knock off that is easily recognize as Bob without ever mentioning his name.
To be honest, I haven't seen bob's but I have seen the Hello Kitty one.

HAHAHA man they have some crazy pop culture in Japan.

As one of those internet Warriors who gave Bob a heap of stick when he first came on the scene - I'd agree and say he's a bloody smart bloke, and entreprenuer and is a pretty decent bloke who has taken more than a few knocks and come back to earn his success the hard way.

I met him earlier on this year in Korea - and he pretty much knew some of the things I'd written about him when he first came on the scene. But to be honest he took it pretty well considering and explained a couple of things which I think are worth considering.

In spite of fighting his fair share of easier fights he pointed out that in less than 18 months he'd had to fight:

Ernesto twice, Remy, Mirko, Sefo, Mushashi ... in other words he was taking on K-1's best with little or no training ... many of us on here with years of training and professional fight experience would struggle with that line up... the other thing to remember is K-1 had him extremely busy getting their pound of flesh with MMA, K-1, and Wrestling ... not alot of time for training with that schedule -- finishing one fight and jumping on the plane heading to the next gig. Its a tough ask... for any one

Although I'm a purest and really don't like the dodgey Kakuda factor or the fouling side of things at all ... He did beat Ernnesto twice, fairly, and in doing so challenged a lot of the premises we have about our Martial Arts training. Sure not a lot of skill for sure but he stopped the 4 time K-1 champ twice, that is undisputed ... Also in winning the K-1 Japan title he showed he had improved under Sam Greco and developed some skills.

Although he is earning plenty out of the sport, Its got to be bloody hard on the body, using the absorbtion technique and to be honest if any of us had the same opportunity we'd jump at it...Anyway food for thought.

Oh Mike A,

Why did you have to get me started?
Bob never fought Musashi to my knowledge.

The Kakuda factor is huge.
The Tyson answer he gave is utter horseshit PR. Porn Star Jenna Jameson got the same deal from Tyson. It was a paid for publicity stunt and Bob knows it.

Bob is personally responsible for the freak show. Copy cat DQs. The no pay for a DQ rule (to stop the copy cats). The 3 round mini matches (do your road work Bob!),etc.

Sure the guy took a beavy beating and got paid a couple million bucks. The guys who beat the tar out of him didn't make as much so in all fairness...what?

Maybe Bob and Jenna can get on! It is tough being Bob Sapp.

There. I said it.

sapp is never going to be "awesome"! wash your mouth out with soap whoever said that! he beat hoost twice which must make hoost wake up at night in a cold sweat because quite honestly bob sapp can't fight!

You have to remember that he is an ex NFL player!

He has got balls stepping in their with some of the best heavyweights in the world.

I give him credit even though he hasn't got that much skill plus K1 wouldn't be the same without him.

Just my thoughts

peace

Lee wannabe bruce lee.
if Bob Sapp cant fight then why dont you challenge him,
and saying he cant fight well thats bullshit you just cant get over
the fact that a brawler came onto the k1 scene and put mr perfect on his ass.
he is improving and he does the hard work so give him a break.

It isn't about Bob brawling and winning. It is his god-given right to suck.

Giving a newcomer like Sapp the green light to stomp Nak and DQ himself and promise front page magazine coverage boasting the whole beast thing is corrupt sabotage of the sport.

If he were just a big clumsy NFL washout swinging for the fences, I'd respect him for that. That isn't the case though. He gets very special privilages at the expense of his opponents and fairness in general.

I remember him during his heyday in 2003-2004. Fans wanted to see his head role and fighters were saying "Hell. If Bob Sapp means more opportunities for me, then I support him 150%!" Well gents, it is time to stand up and say, "Thanks Bob for all the opportunities." Kingi, Petruzelli, Leopoldo, Monty Silva, Choi, etc. have all taken your places at the K-1 feeding trough. Happy now?

This sport is under-funded, under-recognised, unde-rated, and under-paid and the sooner the so called "purists" wake up and smell the coffee the better. What Sapp has done for K-1 and himself we've just read. But that doesnt stop anyone else from doing it and making a living/financial success from the sport!
So why hav'nt they? Too busy on the internet knocking everyone elsefor doing it! K-1 derives from the old Kyokushin open knockdown tournaments and the rules were simple, doesnt matter what dicipline you follow you can come and fight using this rules system. Sapp beat Hoost. Not at American football but in K-1, Hoost's backyard! Like him or not, rate him or hate him,it doesnt matter he's done it!

I for one wouldnt get in a ring with Hoost no matter how much money was on the table!

centralkickboxing.org and the rest of the "internet purists" you need to get over it and move on.

Bob Sapp is a little like Anna Kournikova - lol!!

In other words, not won much but is the highest paid. Why? Because he is a star, and works incredibly hard at his PR. He creates opportunity, and if he does that, why shouldn't he take the opportunities? Lets face it, the fella is sheer entertainment, whatever he does!

But also lets not forget, he has stepped in with the world's best, and to start with, without any real training - AND THAT TAKES GUTS! I take my hat off to anyone who gets in the ring. And if someone's successful - don't knock 'em - apsire to achieve like them!

Smiler

Why do people begrudge those who have done well? Bob is an obviously intelligent chap, who is gaining all he can from his abilities both inside and outside of the ring.

K1, to my knowledge, also invites participants from all disciplines so if he wants to utilise his 'brawler' technique then why not?

It`s been said before just who he has faced and I think for a chap with no fight background to do that is remarkable and he deserves all the rewards he gets for bravery alone.

Felix writes;

..."He gets very special privilages at the expense of his opponents and fairness in general..."



Al I can say is; “hear, hear”; I second that and well said!

all i said is he can't fight, and i'll stick by that. he is a roided up brawler,he can hit hard and his sheer size has (sometimes) worked for him...but mostly it doesnt disguise the fact that he can't really fight now, can he?
to you whining babies i say yes the man has balls...but he can't fight. neither can hong man choi if it makes you feel better.

muaythai tank, why don't you just admit that you want the bob sapp dildo to be shoved up your ass by bob himself while he's wearing his nfl gear. get your twisted fantasies out of here you freak!

actually i retract the "he has balls" statement. half the time greco has to threaten him to get him to go through with his fights, and when he does actually get in there he usually tries to find a way out the whole time. ask greco what its like every time he comes back to the corner. he's looking for a way out. he is scared shitless constantly and fluked the wins over hoost through pure fear. he's not a real fighter and he can't fight period. people like muay thai tank are probably too dumb to realise that theyre being taken for a ride with this whole "beast" thing.

he has a dildo after him? f*** it would be 14 inches long and as round as a fire extinguisher.

Its sad to see that sometimes size does out do skill, but thats what K-1s about. Dollar Dollar Dollar

Great interview, I spoke with Bob Sapp earlier this year when he was in Melbourne and he instantly impressed me. He is very smart, well spoken and seems like one of the nicest most genuine people you will talk to. On his fighting, i think he would have to be one of the most improved fighters in K1. just look at where he has come from his first fights to where he is now. he may not win all his fights but he puts on a show which is what the japanese fans want.

Here a link to some pictures of Bob and Sam i was emailed from one of the guys who travels and corners them both, matt Trihey.

http://www.infinitemma.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1126214107&archive=&start_from=&ucat=4&

John,
Did you see the K-1 Vegas tournment in 2003? I didn't Fuji TV kept replaying the Sapp-Kimo and Sapp-Tyson horseshit. How is that good for the sport?

Television ratings spiked briefly but arena attendance dropped to new lows. How is that good for the sport?

Monty Silva deliberately DQed himself against Musashi to get the same deal as Sapp. How is that good for the sport?

Mirko, Van Dams, Skelton, Leko, Pettas and others are replaced by a stunt man (Maverick), a gay porn star (Chad Bannon) and a mountain of fat (Akebono). How is that good for the sport?

Listen, I've met Bob. I think he is nice. I think he is smart. I think he is terrible for the sport. If it were just Sapp fighting and winning or losing, I wouldn't care. It is the ripple effect.

God man. Didn't you ever play connect the dots as a kid?

Lee i think you are upset because some guy who had no teqnique came on the scene and made waves, as for mocking him like you do im sure you wouldnt have the balls to say that to his face, if you want to be a keyboard warrior then that is fine, he is improving and he will always have his critics the sort of critics that havent achieved what he has so they should keep their mouths shut,
as for the vibrator comment that just shows how sad and immature you really are.

Tank,
Get it straight. We are the fans, the consumers and the market. We are the voters. We are the lobbyists. When you go to a restaurant and eat a bowl of crap, you don't say, "Congrats to the terrible chef for making so much cash ripping people off." All you care about is the quality of the meal.

BTW, you say Sapp is improving? He beat Hoost twice in 2002. Who has he beaten of that caliber in 2003, 2004 and 2005? After the K-1 Japan everyone was saying that he fixed the cardio problem. Now we see that rookie Choi had him gassed. Where is the improvement?

Let's applaud the man's personal finances. Let's cheer as he prances to the bank. Let's NOT exaggerate his contribution to the sport.

Yes he did beat hoost twice, but where i was reffering to in his improvement was he was starting to throw kicks sure theres not a lot of teqnique there yet but at least he is trying plus there is a photo of him in international kickboxer magazine throwing a head kick at mark the hammer castagnini, thats pretty good for someone who weighs 155kg's and can get a kick up that high.

p.s i hope those ladies in japan are having a wonderfull time giving those bob the beast vibrators a good workout.

theres an old saying dont knock someones fighting ability if you arent willing to face them in person and test them yourself.

There is also the saying:
Don't get disqualified in 20% of your fights and foul every single opponent and expect to be respected because your defense is so bad that every fighter who makes a fraction of your income can tee off on your face.

I think it was A. Nonymous who said that. Smart guy.

Anyway, Sapp never had strength or flexibility problems. There were photos of him after the first Pride event doing the splits with his belly flat on the floor. Kicking a pad, I guess, would have been easy right from the beginning. You do know that photographers take 10,000 shots and pick the best one, right? Even Kung fu actors get retakes. Sapp has not been improving. The only thing he had was mystery. No one knew what to make of him. Now everyone has several rounds of footage. Improvement? You've got to be kidding!

At least he's trying? Go rent The Empire Strikes Back and listen very carefully to everything Yoda says.

oh yes muay thai tank, i am so upset that bob sapp has made waves. that is keeping me up at night and has made my personal life a living hell. good call, you got me. whatever will i do?

i am sad and immature yes. your "lee wannabe bruce lee" comment was pure comic genius that sad individuals like me cannot hope to emulate. so forgive me.

i'll send you a picture of bob wearing nothing but his nfl helmet, just to say i'm sorry. ok?

He has posed nude too? What is the K-1 thinking?
Please tell me he and Bannon didn't meet in the closet!

This thread is really starting to degrade.

Can we all just agree that for the good or bad he has done well for himself and that regardless of his level of skill he has given it a go in the ring and all fighters should be commended for that.

You can say that about OJ Simpson.
You can say that about Bin Ladden.

Bob has done a serious amount of damage in his pursuit for cash. A handshake, a smile and a chat are not enough to beguile me.

Bin Ladden got in the ring with Ernesto Hoost? goddam when do I get my crack at him?

Nah. Bin got rich and is great to talk to and at least he is trying at foreign policy so let's just pretend he isn't bad.

Im gonna leave this alone, its getting ugly.

I blame Bob Sapp. LOL.

Stop hating, haters.

Remember I'm a K1 fighter and get to mix with the top Dutch fighters, including the foreigners that train there, and fight on the K1 circuit.

Yes, there's a feeling that Bob has got breaks that they felt were due to others first. But they respect him for two things:

1. Fighting. Trust me, anyone that steps in the ring with these guys needs guts, and Bob has it in sackfulls!

2. For raising the profile of the sport. He is one of the biggest media stars in Japan, and is making waves in the movies. All this gets people talking about our sport. This has opened up opportunities to all.

I've met Bob, and been in a press conference with him. I've seen how he's helped other fighters be heard (Carter), and how carefully he orchestrated his water throwing stunt with Kimo. He is a PR guru and a really nice, gentle guy with an incredible sense of humour. And he lays it on the line in the ring.

Bob is a showman - and that gets bums on seats. Don't knock it.

And to correct the Sapp/Kimo affair, I was at ringside, and it was the Nevada State Commission causing the delay in between the rounds, not K1. They wouldn't let the doctor check on Bob Sapp and OK him to continue until he was sitting on a chair - but took time to get the chair in the ring. From as close as I was to the action, Bob and Kimo were not faking their concussion - they were really going for it.

And the Tyson affair was to do with K1, not Bob, he was just the patsy who the challenge was aimed at.

What I'm saying is that Bob Sapp IS good for the sport. He's beaten the best, scarily, and continues to fight - and he just won a damn tournament!! He raises the profile for us and puts bums on seat. He's good to watch, entertainment wise, and thats good for spectators and Tv. He's good for publicity, so thats good for our sport.

BOB SAPP IS GOOD FOR OUR SPORT!

Smiler

You cant really say that Bob is not a good fighter, because he wins fights, and has beaten some of the greats. Sure its not pretty, and his size is a massive factor, but an ugly win is better than a pretty defeat.

he cant fight. he swings clumsy haymakers and flinches when someone throws back. he is a likable goof in the ring but he cant fight. open your eyes. his last fight was pure entertainemnt the same way watching two un-coordinated toughman competitors (and bob is a glorified toughman fighter) go at it is.

No such thing as a lucky shot Lee. He throws those shots to score...and when they hit, they SCORE!

I've been impressed by his improvement and stamina in his recent fights too. Yeah, he's clumsy, and throws bombs, and gasses, but hey, the fella's 160kg!!! What do you expect? But even with this 160kg musclebound 'handicap' he's actually starting to give some good techniques - fair play to him!

Smiler

Ok, this thread is getting messy. No more vibrator comments, because those are starting to get out of hand. No more comments about Osama Bin Ladin.

I liked the interview.

I respect Bob Sapp for what he has done, to some degree. Most of that respect is due to his business achievements. Sadly, I think that Bob's business activities keep him from improving to be the fighter that he could be. Agility, movement, defense, accuracy, stamina...these are all things that Bob lacks in a big way.

I do have a problem with 2 things with Bob and K-1.

I have a problem with K-1 not having proper weight categories. Bob is obviously taking advantage of weight in his fights. I think the weight and strength difference was the biggest factor in Bob beating Hoost. Hoost has beaten
big guys in the past, but they were not as strong as Sapp. Sapp is not just big, he is also very strong. He is much stronger than Akebono, for example. That is why those wild, slapping, pawing hits of his are effective.

(interesting side-thought, I wonder how Sapp would do in Sumo.)

I also have a problem with Sapp being allowed to foul other fighters. That just shouldn't be allowed, even if the fighter doing the fouling is a great businessman who is bringing in lots of money to the organization, and making lots of money for himself. That doesn't excuse fouling. If K-1 really told Bob to "do whatever it takes to win" for his first K-1 match, then perhaps that behavior might repeat with more fighters in the future. I certainly hope not.

There's a few of you on here that don't know what the shit your talking about.

For starters your saying that the only reason Bob Sapp beat Ernesto Hoost was becouse of his size & strength???
Then Answer this then!!!
How come Ernesto Hoost could not do to Bob Sapp what Ray Sefo done to Bob Sapp??? Ray & Ernesto are Simillar in Size & Weight.
If it was the size & strenght that made all the difference, How come Bob Sapp Could'nt do the same to Ray Sefo as he done to Ernesto Hoost???

Face it you bunch of idolistic purists!!!!
When it comes to the Bob Sapp Victory over Ernesto Hoost on two(2) occasions it was a matter of the Best Fighter on the Night Won, ie: Bob Sapp.

K-1 is about all Styles & all commers, Who's the best Fighter on the Planet, Does'nt matter wheather you are the Best Martial Artist on the Planet or wheather you are just a Street Brawler.

Infact when someone can come off the Street with Just an NFL background like Bob Sapp & beat a Four(4) time K-1 Granp-Prix Champion then it's about time Martial Arts got of there high horse Bullshit of being the ultimate fighting Machines & take a good look at themselfs & there System.

You could call Bob Sapp a Martial Artist's Wake up call. Make them Wake-up and smell the coffee & realise that just becouse your a martial Artist does'nt mean Shit when it come to Fighting, becouse there is allways someone out there BIGGER, FASTER & STRONGER. ie: BOB "THE BEAST" SAPP
Keep it up Bob!!! U DA MAN!!!

Smiler writes:
Bob is a showman - and that gets bums on seats. Don't knock it.

Live attendance is down. Way down.

The Highlander writes:
Face it you bunch of idolistic purists!!!!
When it comes to the Bob Sapp Victory over Ernesto Hoost on two(2) occasions it was a matter of the Best Fighter on the Night Won, ie: Bob Sapp.


2002 is three years in the past. I don't want to dwell on it. The second stoppage was a bad call but Sapp won and Hoost didn't, so we all have to live with it. The fights were fine. Big Oaf vs Star fighter. Good match up and good fun.

Sapp makes big money. Good for him.

All the stuff that makes fans angry has very little to do with his bank account or his wins over Hoost. It doesn't even have to do with his lack of skills. If has no connection to his charming personality.

Most of the guys with the short sighted perception will not notice the damage until a few years down the road. So be it. I'll just put "I told you so!" in my schedule for 2008.

I've noticed since Sapp came along the K1 heavyweights seem to be taken less seriously. A few years ago Ax was dominated with K1 heavyweigh threads, these days there's heaps heaps more attention on the Max.

I really hate the whole Team Beast idea and seeing all these huge freaks messing up a good sport but its not realy Bob Sapps fault, its all K1 trying to cash in on Bob's success and trying to create another Bob.

I dont mind having Bob in the sport I think he does very wel considering his lack of skill and training compared to a lot of the other top fighers.

I dont like the bad things that have happened to K1 since Bobs arrival but those are not Bobs fault, theyre simply a prodct of others trying to recreate his success. Bob, while PARTLY but not deliberately responsible, cannot be blamed for this.

Kickboxer, Starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, To Continue In A Moment
July 28, 2004

ATLANTA—Kickboxer, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, will resume after a brief pause, TNT sources reported several seconds ago.

Kickboxer, seconds before interruption.
"Kickboxer, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, will continue in a moment," an unidentified network source said.

According to the anonymous male source, the interruption to the Kickboxer broadcast will be brief. The representative for TNT asked that all persons watching Kickboxer, the 1989 action movie starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, "[remain] tuned to TNT."

The interruption affects viewers nationwide.

"[Van Damme's character] Kurt Sloan had just seen his brother, a U.S. kickboxing champion, suffer a brutal beating at the hands of the sadistic Tong Po," Phoenix-area TNT viewer Charles de Bernier said. "Van Damme's brother was paralyzed, but Tong Po was remorseless—in fact, he was almost gloating. But before anything else big happened, the movie was interrupted."

De Bernier said the disruption, which followed a freeze-frame of Van Damme's bloody and shame-ridden face, did not worry him.

"I expect that Kickboxer will continue in a moment," de Bernier said.

De Bernier's roommate Kyle Hammond was unavailable for comment, having chosen to spend the broadcast interruption in the bathroom.


The Denny's commercial which has temporarily interrupted Kickboxer, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Boston viewer Garret Corbin, standing in front of his open refrigerator and pouring himself a glass of grape juice, is one of tens of thousands of viewers awaiting the movie's return.

"If the movie continues, I think Van Damme's character will take vengeance on Tong Po—provided he can find someone to train him," Corbin said, basing his hypothesis on two weeks of TNT pronouncements that "Jean-Claude Van Damme is... Kickboxer."

Corbin said he believes that Kickboxer, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, "will come back on any minute now."

"If I'm going to take their word for it that Van Damme will assume the titular role," Corbin said, "then I might as well take their claim that Kickboxer will continue at face value."

"I'll have to see, though," Corbin added, fumbling with a bag of pretzels.

Robert Thompson, director of the Center for the Study of Popular Television at Syracuse University, said that, during this or a future interruption, viewers are likely to hear an announcement concerning TNT programming scheduled for later in the day.

"Oh, something like, 'Thelma & Louise, an edited-for-television feature starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, contains adult situations and graphic violence,'" Thompson said. "Whatever it is, I expect the American public to remain calm during the brief interruption of Kickboxer, as frequent disruptions are a normal part of the basic-cable viewing experience. Take Jean-Claude Van Damme's movies alone: We've seen Bloodsport, Universal Soldier, and even Timecop interrupted. In every case, the network, whether it was AMC, TBS, or Spike, has always made good on its promise."

"Oh, hey!" Thompson said. "It's totally back on!"

Tony,
Bob was promoted to K-1 Producer while he was still actively fighting. He was a founder from the idea stage to the implementation of the K-1 Beast crap.

I am not going to comment anymore after this thread because
Bob Sapp may be a big fighter with not a lot of teqnique,
but i have my own opinions of him, yet some people seem to mock
him and say all this crap about him yet if he was to come up to them and
talk to them in real life they would smile and say can i get your autograph
and suck up his butt big time.
Then the keyboard warriors come on here and whinge like someone stole their brand new BMW. All i can say is from my perspective every fighter is different and you cannot always get what you want out of life so wake up smell the coffee and get used to it.

p.s Screw George Bush...Bob Sapp for president.

Tank,
If Bob wants to enter a heated debate with me, I'll tell him exactly what I think.

Felix,

Respect from Denmark. I agree 110% with all you are saying!

Whats with the kickboxing part about Van Damme?

I would like to see that debate. I still have respect for Bob. Yea sure he has can be a big clumsy giant...BUT he has taken some very hard knocks from some of the best in the world.
I dont want to cause any arguements but I feel half of the people that criticise him would not challenge him.
Yes it can be damaging to the sport but it also adds entertainment and excitement.
and the dildo thing? Well.... thats just humerous or disgusting it depends how you take it.

At the end of the day he has taken his freakish body size and used it to his advantage and made a lot of money.

Ah well all I can say is I look forward to his next fight. lol

peace

It was a humorous interlude.

I dont want to cause any arguements but I feel half of the people that criticise him would not challenge him.

This ain't fake-wrestling. We don't say "Hey. You ruined my sport. I challenge you to a fight." Lots of people are waiting in line to fight Bob. Most will never get the chance. It is pointless to talk about fighting him in the ring. The only thing with less of a chance of happening is Tyson-Sapp. How many hours of Felix vs. Sapp publicity can you tolerate before you finally accept that it will never happen? As much as Tyson-Sapp.

Here is an idea. Instead of advertising fights that won't ever happen. Why not show real fights? Is that so far-fetched?

i challenge bob sapp. thats an official challenge.
happy now? exactly what has that solved?

lol Nice comments and good points.

It just interesting to see these so called "internet warriors" never have a profile the ones that are always criticising have nothing on their profile.
Is is that they just cant be bothered or they dont want people to really know who they are or so they can say the things they say? Without people knowing who they are?

Lee good on you for challenging Bob your right its solved nothing.
But i cant see a profile so i think you might come second best.

Just my thoughts

peace

well isaac some people just aint into the whole internet profile and sharing eachothers photos and sharing little tidbits of info about eachother. i will post wehn i want (which isnt often) about what i want and say what i want. if you dont care about what i say because i dont join in the profile sharing internet "brotherhood' then who cares?
cko would probably lose to bob sapp, but does that automatically mean what he says is wrong? if so, what a shallow way for you to think.

The scary thing is that Bob can probably run faster than me too. I just hope fear gives a bigger boost than anger. LOL.

Lee i heard you have a teachers certificate in the deadly martial art
called (no kan do), yes i think you type and run and have no profile pictures so you can open your mouth and whinge about someone who has done more in his life and accomplished more publicity for the sport, you lower yourself as nothing but a gossip who has no life of your own so you have to bitch about bob sapp when you have never fought in the k1 in your life so you do not know what you are on about......

p.s internet warriors god love em, they are legends in their own lunchbox's

lol muaythai_tank!

you made my day!


cheers bro

p.s internet warriors you gotta love em!

no worries bro.....

p.s you just made my day for knowing i made someones day lol.

rock on isaac

well muay thai tank, not only are you a master in the ancient art of Goo Wee Kum, an art you have a high level of knowledge in, but you also look like you need to partake in the same "pharmaceutical degree" that Bob did. Looking at you Skeletor, you could use it.

So how long do those batteries last? and considering the ahem "friendly" banter between you and isaac perhaps you would like to share?

oh by the way, you do realise Skeletor that by saying i dont know what i'm on about because i've never fought in the kl that you've just dumped on the opinions of about 99% of this board? including yourself skeletor. (or can i call you ribs?)

lol ok ok

Like Mike sound this is a site for comments and opinions.

Too be honest I dont mind if you say untrue things about me as it makes me laugh.
whats the point in getting mad or calling you a name? It wont achieve anything.
you are somewhere in the world that I probably will never know but regardless its all good as even if i knew i wouldnt care.
lol
sall good.

then we agree. s'all good.

Skeletor hahaha that is awesome im definetely using that as a ring entrance.
and in the red corner the medievil Skeletoooooooor

thats my ring entrance.




your entrance: And here he comes boys and girls the mighty internet warrior from the (no kan do) martial arts academy, he has battled more keyboards than a
computer programmer, he has fingers of steel from all his net battles, his fight record is 0 fights with 0 wins. his internet record is 1000 fights all stopped due to disqualification. he gets fired up like a disturbed bee hive when you mention Bob Sapp. but here he is boys and girls...........

Lee The Internet Warrior Ratfaaaaace.

p.s S'ALL GOOD

Lee Ratface. wow. lee wannabe bruce lee, no kan do, rat face...i am dealing with a comic genius here. ratface. amazing.

your defense needs work doesn't it? just a hunch i'm getting. i think you may be getting hit a little too often.

btw skeletor, you may want to check back at the posts. it seemed to be you who goit bent out of shape and drew first blood when i expressed an opinion that pretty much harmed noone.
not that i'd expect much more from someone who is so insecure that he has to specify that he is a man "who likes girls" on his profile. ooooookay then. ;)

well mr lee at least i have enough self confidence to fill out my profile

Ok Ladies lets have a clean break, this thread started off as a very interesting debate over Bob Sapp but now has disintegrated into name calling on a primary school level. You both obviously have very strong feelings on this so why not discuss and debate it like adults?
Keep the discussion going guys but please lose the personal insults, your opinions on Bob Sapp’s effect on K1 are far more interesting.

Finally Yoda is here.
Great work in Empire Strikes Back. Skywalker is such a pussy.

So what is your opinion of Bob Sapp trying? In the movie, you said there is no try. There is do or not do.

Chaps, Brian has already said this thread is getting messy. It`s now getting worse and will no doubt be pulled if the playground name calling continues!

The main subject, and the crux of the arguments emanating from this, make it a decent talking point so can we get back on track!

ok, back on track then. my original point which freaked skeletor out: bob sapp for all his size and strength cannot really fight. he posesses none of the fundamentals, timing or co-ordination. he does so many things wrong that watching him fight usually results in laughter. he is entertaining on some levels. i think he's a cool guy. i dont think he can truly fight.

Actually you are right i will get back on track, i was spending so much time
arguing with lee about how he thinks bob sapp is a big clumsy oaf who cant fight, what i was trying to say which got out of hand was that you cant judge others who have been to greater heights than yourself.

i will keep it clean phil cheers buddy...

Some seem to believe that the only people with the right to say Sapp is bad for the sport are: Nakasako, Mirko, Remy and Sefo. Because they beat him. Abidi and Hoost can't say anything. The fans who love the sport have no voice at all.

Some people have a twisted sense of rights.

Bob is not the menace to the sport he once was, but let's face it. The deed is done. K-1 quality took an enormous dip in 2003 and 2004.

"Bob is not the menace to the sport he once was, but let's face it. The deed is done. K-1 quality took an enormous dip in 2003 and 2004."

I don't see that as Bob's fault - surely you should be saying that K1 is bad for the sport?

was going to reply to someones twisted sense of logic but you did it for me central kickboxing org. well said. we have a voice. the minute you say something critical about ANYBODY mt tank, be it constructive or harmless or whatever, we will be there to remind you of your brilliant logic.

When Bob Sapp first came onto the scene I thought "Oh no, K1 going down the clown circus road and it did for a while with people like Jan The Giant it became a bit of a freak show for huge guys with no fighting ability. But I've been forced to change my mind after watching Bob Sapp fight under MMA, I saw him tap a guy out with a perfectly executed arm bar. Since then I’ve watched him as he has gradually brought more and improved technique to his fights unlike more “respected fighters” such as Botha who still relies purely on his hands and looks as if he can’t even be bothered learning how to block leg kicks.
CentralKickboxing.Org, your right about Skyewalker and I’ll kick his butt if he evers shows face on Dagobah again. Lol.

Even Bob's MMA record is smeared with wins over fake-wrestlers and an injured Mongolian. The worst was the soccer kicks to the head by Fujita.

"Even Bob's MMA record is smeared with wins over fake-wrestlers and an injured Mongolian. The worst was the soccer kicks to the head by Fujita."

Again, gotta disagree with aiming the criticism at Bob - the fake-wrestlers and injured mongolian you refer to all came under K-1 promotions. I think that they should bear responsibility for who they match on their promotions - not the fighters themsleves.

And to be honest, any fighter that can give Nogueira a mauling like Sapp did right through until the end of the fight gets my respect.

That`s a good point. Bob can only fight who is put in front of him whether they are poor or not, and that is down to K1 promotions.

We have seen that Bob will fight anybody as he has the fights with Hoost etc to prove this so it is unfair to suggest that he fights only fakers and the injured. K1 is 100% responsible for the perception of Bob and therefore their own brand of which Bob is a part.

CentralKickboxing.Org writes:

..."Even Bob's MMA record is smeared with wins over fake-wrestlers and an injured Mongolian. The worst was the soccer kicks to the head by Fujita"...

CentralKickboxing.Org writes:

..."Even Bob's MMA record is smeared with wins over fake-wrestlers and an injured Mongolian. The worst was the soccer kicks to the head by Fujita"...

David Beckham Vs Bob Sapp, or is it Fujita making a field goal?

No mas!

CentralKickboxing.Org writes:

..."Bob is not the menace to the sport he once was, but let's face it. The deed is done. K-1 quality took an enormous dip in 2003 and 2004"...





Let me please show a few examples in and visual photo show, to support and show off how deep a dip the K-1 and the "quality" in the game has taken the last few years, as Felix also writes above.

Guilty!

Guilty!

Guilty!

Guilty!

Guilty!

Guilty!

Guilty!

Guilty... and please keep your word next time you say in public that you will retire.

Guilty!

Guilty!

Guilty!

Guilty!

Innocent!

Oliver, I get what you're saying, but those examples relieve Bob Sapp of a considerable amount of responsibility that CFO and others seem to be giving him about reducing K-1's quality. Actually, if your point stands, then K-1 itself is really the guilty party, not those individuals.

Phil, Yoda, thanks for clearing up the thread.

What is obvious is that K1 has turned the way of all 'popular' sports and has become a manipulative business.

It may be on the wain now but I do not think any person on here could honestly say, if they were in Ishii`s position, that they would not market K1 to it`s full potential in order to maximise it`s financial return, the recent 'freaks ' included. As I said, I know this is now on the wain as regards public interest but I suspect Ishii will have made a lot more money in the past five years than if he had just kept it mainstream.

What I find interesting now is the fact this years final is almost 'old school', with the exception of Hong Man. My personal opinion is that K1 will revert to it`s original format of quality over freakshows now the public has tired of it, which I am sure Ishii must be aware of.

I think we will probably find he has the finger on the pulse of whatever changes are needed to maintain K1`s position as the premium mixed martial platform in the world as regards actually generating some revenue, although some will understandably argue Pride or UFC takes this mantle anyway.

Did Butterbean fight Sapp? I can't tell who the opponent is in the picture above. Who is the tall guy about to kick Butterbean in the face?

It's Giant Silva.

I don't really understand what everyones problem is! Bob Sapp was given an opportunity and he took it. He has set himself up financially for the many years if he stay's smart. He stepped into the ring with some of the best heavyweight fighters on the planet and beat them. He also lost to them but he fought hard and did the job. It is not very often that happens, when someone with out a fight background steps up and competes at the top level. Regardless of his background he is a winner and all power to him. I know of a rugby league player who started boxing and become a star even got signed by Don King. I never heard anyone moaning because he never had a boxing background.It comes down to being results based and the marketability of the fighter..go hard Bob

I would agree that most of these criticisms are better aimed at the K-1 organization than Bob Sapp himself.

Even my comments, which I said were about "Bob and K-1" were really just about K-1, but concerning their decisions with using Bob.

K1 has been heading towards a circus for a long time, I think Bob just helped it get there.

everyone has a different opinion and some are just arrogant,
Bob Sapp may not look fancy but he gets the job done good luck to him i say
whether it be in k1 or in the movie business.

I'm sure I could search the internet for days.... Or one of you most informed individuals could just tell me very easily.... did Butterbean fight Bob Sapp? One of the pictures above looks like it might be butterbean vs. Sapp. I can't tell.

Come on someone go ahead and show everybody how smart you are.

CKO you are formerly Felix? You act much ruder on the Sherdog. Although I agree a lot more idiots like to give their opinion on that site.

Bob took advantage of opportunities presented to him. It is tough for any man to do what he does. His size and strength give him a great advantage but he still has to have a lot of mental toughness and heart to do what he does. He does have some special qualities that might be ALL NATURAL.

Brian Ritchie,

I am not only aiming at Bob Sapp. The K-1 Organization has the primary responsibility for turning the K-1 into a circus. Bob is just the biggest visible clown in the show.

But I agree, Kancho Ishii is unconditional the man with the main responsibility, and Bob Sapp is his well paid puppet on a string. Like it or not. But at the end of the day, Bob is and will always be a clown in my eyes, and he has nothing to do in the K-1!

I really don’t understand why the K-1 pick bouncer at a night clubs, shabby boxers and deformed and retired athletes, when there are so many REAL fighters to choose by all over the world?

Sapp is quite entertaining. At least he's not a complete prat and hasn't lost his marbles like that buffoon Frank Bruno.

Check this small video:

http://www.bagarres.com/fights/bob_sapp_joue_a_tekken#

Jermaine Nelson,

Yes, Sapp is entertaining - and he is properly also a great guy and a great friend, to those who know him and spent time together with him. I never question that! But the K-1 is not Saturday Night Live or a reality show… Not yet.

Butterbean, Montnha Silva and Choi are guarantied also great persons, but there is a different being a nice guy and an entertainer, to being an athlete and a fighter. Would you put Bob Sapp or any other entertainer in a Formula 1 car, and let him ride and compete against Alonso, Räikkõnen, Montoya and Schumacher?

If your answer is no, please tell me why you then find it ok to put them in a fighting ring. What is the different?

Becasue he has beaten Hoost and competed against other greats even though he may have lost. He could lose every time but if he puts up a fight then he deserves to be there.

He wouldnt fit in a formula 1 car anyway.

Wouldnt fit and do not fit... That is the same.

Some here want to split the responsibility between Sapp and the K-1. Do you realize that Sapp was promoted to K-1 Producer in 2003. So was Kakuda. They had it arranged for one K-1 producer to referee the other K-1 producer's fight. Sapp's opponents were in a sense his employees.

Bob Sapp is not a K-1 fighter like Aerts or Hoost. He can pick his opponents. He walked into the ring and accepted a fight with Paul Kingi (TOA) and picked the date. Aerts and Hoost have never had the green light to set up their own fights. I know the Kingi thing was pre-arranged but think about it. Have Aerts or Hoost ever even annoucned their own fights. Sapp holds a back office role that means he is accountable for the condition of the K-1. He played a role as a "fighter" and as a producer

Go ahead. Ignore those facts and talk about how he is trying his best or how anyone who gets in the ring deserves respect. Tell me again how his picture on a magazine cover proves he is learning. Heaven forbid we actually address the real issue.

I heard that they consulted him for ideas for pushing K-1 forward, because of his success in building a character through commercial spots and on TV shows. Perhaps that gets him a "producer" title in the credits. But you're guessing at the extent of his "producing" in K-1. You're speculating. Be careful what you refer to as "fact".

I don't think Sapp's opinions held more weight than Tanikawa or Ishii, but let's face it. They gave him the title K-1 Producer and he enjoyed privileges others didn't get. He could pick his opponents. He could announce his own matches. Although the Paul kingi annoucement didn't pan out, it was clear he had the power to do something Hoost and Aerts never did.

The point is that Bob Sapp is more than a big clumsy oaf who fouls every opponent he fights. He has back office influence. There are two sets of rules. K-1 fighters will forfeit their entire purse if they get DQed while Bob Sapp gets the cover of all the Japanese magazines and a multimillion dollar contract.

Go ahead and justify the double standard. Bob has managed to Aw-shucks his way around the issue entirely.

found the video for the fight between Sapp and Fujita
http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=nsp1AturN_8&search=bob%20sapp

"Go ahead and justify the double standard. Bob has managed to Aw-shucks his way around the issue entirely."

I'm not trying to brush anything under the carpet.
I don't like it when people defend Bob Sapp's ring actions by praising his ability to market himself. His successful business activty does not justify his ring actions.

I'm just saying that you're doing lots of speculating.

Brian,
Everyone here is speculating. Gary Turner said that Bob Sapp puts bums in seats when the K-1 has been put on their heels with extremely poor showings at the gate. This is public record.

I do realize that I err in some predictions, but my "guesses" are usually very close to the truth. I've had K-1 insiders demand to know where the leak came from. About 60% of the time though I don't even have an inside source, I just guess.

You call it speculating. I call it theorizing.