K-1 Dynamite again proves zany

It was another offbeat blend of mismatched fights, curiosities and upset victories on the biggest night for MMA in Japan: the annual K-1/FEG "Premium Dynamite" presentation on New Year's Eve. But the tradition appears to be in its waning days. The event, broadcast in edited format on the Tokyo Broadcasting System, did disappointing ratings for the third straight year. The first two hours drew an 11.8 percent share, the next two a 12.9 and the final half hour an 8.4. Last year’s Dynamite, also considered a ratings disappointment when compared to the sky-high viewership levels of 2002-2004, peaked at a 14 percent share and never dropped below 11. This year’s 19-fight card, which featured MMA and K-1 rules kickboxing fights, did not air in the United States.

Perhaps the most significant outcome saw the first loss for Eddie Alvarez in lightweight competition. Alvarez, who was on track to have a banner year in 2008, was entangled in a heelhook and submitted by the cagey Shinya Aoki. Aoki, who would have faced Alvarez in the Dream lightweight grand prix in June had Alvarez not been medically disqualified, caught a kick from the Philadelphian and never let go, eventually coaxing the tap in the first round. As a result, the World Association of Mixed Martial Arts now recognizes Aoki as its lightweight champion. In post-fight comments, Aoki said in a perfect world he’d like to face B.J. Penn next.

Joachim Hansen, who was set to face Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante on the show, was pulled at the last minute due to a medical issue. Alvarez, who Dream officials said suffered ligament damage from Aoki’s heelhook, is scheduled to fight next on Jan. 23 on an Extreme Challenge card in New Jersey.

In the night's main event, storied pro wrestling rivals Kazushi Sakuraba and Kiyoshi Tamura finally met in a match that would have been a huge attraction had it taken place during Sakuraba's prime. But in 2008, the fight proved very dull, eliciting little crowd response as the now-ineffective Sakuraba worked for an armbar from the guard while Tamura landed punches from the top. Sakuraba's heavily wrapped legs proved too weak to absorb any leg kicks without almost collapsing. Tamura took the unanimous decision.

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic executed his game plan against the towering K-1 star Hong Man Choi, circling the lumbering Korean and peppering him with strikes, including a head kick attempt, until a shot to the knee brought down the passive giant 6:32 into the first round. After the fight, Cro Cop said he would be taking the next six months off to have surgery on his knee.

In another size mismatch, Bob Sapp prevailed with wild punches in a bizarre spectacle against the debuting Akihito Tanaka, a decorated wrestler outfitted as a famous masked anime cartoon character named "Kinniku-man." Tanaka was actually adjusting his mask when the difference-making punches began to land. And Melvin Manhoef gave up some 80 pounds but still dropped jaws in his fight against Mark Hunt, dropping the iron-chinned Hunt with a clean 18-second knockout. What’s more, Hunt was originally scheduled to face former K-1 foe Jerome LeBanner on the show, but the Frenchman pulled out due to flu.

Of all the incredible aspects of the show, the craziest moments came when MMA fighters dominated kickboxing bouts against K-1 veterans. Dream middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi blitzed the grizzled Mushashi with heavy punches, Alistair Overeem toppled 2008 grand prix finalist Badr Hari with a big left hook and Tatsuya Kawajiri defeated Kozo Takeda with a beautiful flying knee and heavy hooks. Two of the three MMA fighters were making their K-1 debuts, while their opponents had over 200 career kickboxing bouts combined. Overeem said he Hari and agreed to face off in an MMA rules match after the K-1 fight, but Hari, who was coming off a grueling a series of fights on Dec. 6 in the World Grand Prix, said the MMA match won’t be happening.