BJJ Fighter
01-01-2004, 13:48
(Gracie (top) wanted to inflict pain on Yoshida (bottom))
The fifth bout of the night had tremendous potential. Not only could the match between judo master Hidehiko Yoshida and MMA legend Royce Gracie help cure the deep bitterness over the outcome of their first match, but it would also have far deeper implications to many. It would be the ultimate showdown of styles – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu vs. Japanese Judo. After a brief review of some of the heated words exchanged between these two rivals, the tension in the building was running on high.
(Royce gave Yoshida (above) a beating - as evidenced at the post fight press conference)
The battle began with both fighters looking intensely focused, and neither fighter wanting to do anything too risky. But suddenly, Royce Gracie delivered a punishing kick straight to Yoshida’s groin. This resulted in a yellow card for Royce, and a brief stoppage of the fight. But after the fight resumed, it would be Yoshida who would connect with a quick punch, followed by a takedown. What followed would be an exciting and hard to describe chess match between two obvious masters of their respective styles – each of them looking for weaknesses in the other’s armor. As the end of the round approached, however, it soon became clear that Yoshida was in trouble, and Royce was getting the upper hand. This brought the action to something of a halt as Yoshida spent the remainder of the round simply trying to avoid a submission.
("I beat his ass, but I don't count it as a win." - Royce)
The second round began with both fighters getting a feel for each other on their feet again, but quickly morphed into a mirror image of the first round. Both fighters continued to grapple, looking for openings, but nothing presented itself. This changed, however, as Yoshida began to show visible signs of fatigue. This eventually gave Royce an opportunity to deliver some painful ground-and-pound action to the head and body of Yoshida. The pounding took place from the full-mount position as well as the rear-mount, creating a very humiliating picture for Yoshida – especially as the Gracie entourage mocked his lack of effort from the ringside. It soon seemed apparent as well that any rules preventing unlimited rounds clearly favored Hikehiko Yoshida in this fight. Although the match would end in a draw, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind who had won the match – Royce Gracie domination from beginning to end. Royce had achieved his redemption, and appeared no worse for the wear.
The fifth bout of the night had tremendous potential. Not only could the match between judo master Hidehiko Yoshida and MMA legend Royce Gracie help cure the deep bitterness over the outcome of their first match, but it would also have far deeper implications to many. It would be the ultimate showdown of styles – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu vs. Japanese Judo. After a brief review of some of the heated words exchanged between these two rivals, the tension in the building was running on high.
(Royce gave Yoshida (above) a beating - as evidenced at the post fight press conference)
The battle began with both fighters looking intensely focused, and neither fighter wanting to do anything too risky. But suddenly, Royce Gracie delivered a punishing kick straight to Yoshida’s groin. This resulted in a yellow card for Royce, and a brief stoppage of the fight. But after the fight resumed, it would be Yoshida who would connect with a quick punch, followed by a takedown. What followed would be an exciting and hard to describe chess match between two obvious masters of their respective styles – each of them looking for weaknesses in the other’s armor. As the end of the round approached, however, it soon became clear that Yoshida was in trouble, and Royce was getting the upper hand. This brought the action to something of a halt as Yoshida spent the remainder of the round simply trying to avoid a submission.
("I beat his ass, but I don't count it as a win." - Royce)
The second round began with both fighters getting a feel for each other on their feet again, but quickly morphed into a mirror image of the first round. Both fighters continued to grapple, looking for openings, but nothing presented itself. This changed, however, as Yoshida began to show visible signs of fatigue. This eventually gave Royce an opportunity to deliver some painful ground-and-pound action to the head and body of Yoshida. The pounding took place from the full-mount position as well as the rear-mount, creating a very humiliating picture for Yoshida – especially as the Gracie entourage mocked his lack of effort from the ringside. It soon seemed apparent as well that any rules preventing unlimited rounds clearly favored Hikehiko Yoshida in this fight. Although the match would end in a draw, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind who had won the match – Royce Gracie domination from beginning to end. Royce had achieved his redemption, and appeared no worse for the wear.