Reviving Mousels- Takada the Great vs Rickson #1

[Shimora]

I just watched this battle again and considering that Takada was known for his Pro Wrestling and not NHB I think he was very impressive.

Think how Steve Austin would do in his first NHB fight against a top NHB competitor of similar size.

In the opening of the fight Rickson was scared to shoot in on Takada.When Takada was dancing around like Severn in Shamrock V Severn2, Rickson stood in the center of the ring and dropped his hands as if to say "Bring the fight to me". I wonder why Rickson was scared to take the fight to Takada?

Takada scored the first strike of the fight with a leg kick and then he scored the first punch.

When Rickson tried to take down Takada he had a lot of difficulty although I concede that he eventually did slam him . It impressed me how difficult Takada was to take down.

When they did go to the ground Takada traps one of Ricksons arms in his armpit. He keeps it trapped for a good amount of time.

Takada took a lot of punishment to the ribs but would not turn over or let go of Rickson, his position was not bad for somebody who was mounted. He almost bridged Rickson off twice.

Sure Rickson got an armbar in the end but Takada was no pushover. Rickson was sweating like a pig after the fight and was clearly tired.

It is no wonder that Takada gave Rickson a much better fight in the rematch. It is also no wonder that Takada improved so much in his next fights that he defeated UFC Champ Mark "The Hammer" Coleman and had a controversial loss to Mark "The Speciman" Kerr.The Kerr fight is now known to have been a work to create American interest in the event.

After these fights Takada went the distance with Royce Gracie and many people feel he actually won the fight. Takada gave Igor Vovchanchin his toughest fight ever, his kicks causing huge welts to Igors thighs. Sakuraba states that Takada taps him every time they spar.

I think its about time Takada received some respect in the MMA world.

[Marcus]

Your methods don't work as well.

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

ooo....that I didnt expect.

[Mr. Miyagi]

A lot of people think that Takada-Coleman was a work but I think that Coleman actually got caught by Takada in that fight.

[Hookah Smokin Caterpillar]

Shimora, for once I actually agree with you.

I think a lot of people bad mouth Takada while not understanding his importance to the Japanese MA/Pro Wrestling fans. No American pro-wrestler, for the exception of Kurt Angle, could hang with Rickson for any amount of time. Even one that is much bigger than him like say, The Rock or HHH. I never saw the Takada vs. Kerr/Coleman fights but I hear both are works. I've heard several people comment that the Kerr fight is a work but not the Coleman fight. Since I was a huge fan of puroresu (japanese pro-wrestling) I think I can spot Japanese works easier than people that are mad Coleman lost to Takada.

[sakattacked]

I saw the Takada v. Coleman fight and it was almost definitely a work. Coleman has said as much when asked about it subsequently. He didn't come out and admit it but said there are things he needs to do to "provide for my family."

[Zhoozhitsu]

Exactly Sakattacked. I remember that interview w/ Coleman where he said he did what he had to do to provide for his family. Even w/out the interview, that fight was pathetically staged.

Most of Takada's fights in Pride were worked. The one w/ Otsuka was a sham. Takada x Kyle Sturgeon was a work. So was Takada x Coleman. His legit fights included Takada x Rickson twice, and Takada x Royce.

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

Takada VS Vovchanchin was real.

[Mr. Miyagi]

I'm not 100% on the Coleman-Takada fight. That interview could just be him making excuses for losing.

[Tape Lord]

Shimora is correct.

Tape Lord

[sabrutat]

Shimora is an idiot.

Cheers

Stef

[Shimora]

I'd rather be an idiot than be an Englishman.



Zhoo said

"I remember that interview w/ Coleman where he said he did what he had to do to provide for his family."

At the time Coleman was on a losing streak even B grade fighters like Pete Williams had defeated him. Takada beat Coleman fair and square, the "I have a family to feed" comment was merely him trying to save face. Takada caught him with a heel hook plain and simple. The Japanese are far more adept at Heel Hooks than the likes of Mr Ground n Pound Mark Coleman is. I really fail to see why people refuse to say Takada won. Maybe its a racism thing, who knows.

Two real fights that people always say were worked are Sakuraba vs Kimo and Coleman vs Takada. I dont understand why, both were clearly real.

[Tape Lord]

The bottom line is that Takada is no joke, plain and simple.

Tape Lord

[sabrutat1]

"I'd rather be an idiot than be an Englishman."

Looks like you got your wish.

Cheers

Stef

“Thing is, to troll with that kind of abandon takes so much time that there is none left for training, so the guy is actually an anti-athlete. And anyone who watches Star Trek knows what happens when matter meets doesn't matter, so I don't think Q waiting around a lot for a guy with big finger tips is recommended.” - Kirik, on Tape Lord

[sabrutat2]

"I'd rather be an idiot than be an Englishman."

It's your choice mate.

Cheers

Stef

“Tape Lord, I am advising you to please lay off of Rafiel Torre. He is a respected member of this forum and is free to promote as he likes here. Rafiel, please feel free to keep on posting about your upcoming Gonzo interviews.” - Kirik telling Tape Lord to stop being a jerk