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[the dazzle]

KIMBO! haha i would personally like to see that but i dont think Kimbo is ready yet... Antonio Silva would be another interesting match up. Is Strikeforce part of the EliteXC coop thing?

[Mr. Raider]

I would like to see him fight kimbo or lesnar. ya know just for a tune-up.

[DirtyDirtBiker]

For those mentioning TNA, I wouldn't mind seeing him there, I really don't think his head is into fighting anymore.

It would be interesting to see how his training is going though.

[King Fisher]

Throw him Paulo 'Giant' Silva!

[Diegonightmare]

Sapp's opponent has been named and is Jan "The Giant" Nortje:

Strikeforce announced Monday morning that Bob "The Beast" Sapp will make his U.S. MMA debut on February 23 in Tacoma, Wash. against Jan "The Giant" Nortje.

The event will take place in the Tacoma Dome. A broadcast outlet has not been announced for the show, which will also include an MMA rules match between U.S. kickboxing legends Maurice Smith and Rick "The Jet" Roufus.

Sapp is a former offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears who has trained in pro wrestling, kickboxing, and MMA since leaving the NFL. He has achieved mainstream notoriety in Japan competing in all three genres. Sapp was once profiled on CBS' "60 Minutes" with his level of stardom in Japan the main crux for the piece.

Sapp's MMA record is 9-2-1. His most notable bout was a loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in PRIDE in August of 2002. Nogueira submitted Sapp with an armbar at 4:03 of round 2. His most recent fight took place this past New Year's Eve in Japan during K-1's "Dynamite!" show. Sapp defeated entertainment personality Bobby Ologun via TKO at 4:10 of round 1.

Known primarily for his charismatic personality and imposing physical presence, Sapp has a reputation for not training properly for his fights and has been accused by many pundits of being more of a gimmick fighter. While he has fought some big names in K-1 and in MMA, most of his wins have come against suspect competition.

Nortje, who is billed as standing 6'11', has competed in boxing and kickboxing and is a former training partner of Sapp's.

The South African native currently trains in Las Vegas, where he works with standout K-1 fighter Ray Sefo. Nortje last competed in a kickboxing match for K-1 in Japan on Dec. 8. He record a second round TKO of Dong Wook Kim in front of 17,000 people at the Yokohama Arena.

“I’m extremely excited,” Nortje is quoted as saying in a press release issued by Strikeforce. “I’ve always seen Bob get big opportunities so I think it’s my turn to show what I can do against him.”

The combined weight of Sapp and Nortje is over 700 pounds.

Source: SamCaplan.proelite.com » Strikeforce announces Bob Sapp's opponent for Feb. 23: Bob Sapp, Strikeforce: SamCaplan article

[valheruking]

Sapp vs Jan would probably be an entertaining kickboxing match, but i don't know about mma, i just can't see Jan being any good on the ground, too big and awkwardly proportioned, i think Sapp would have a good chance of winning on the feet too if he bulls into him, although Jan is okay, or at least used to be.

[Raiders18]

Nice, I was wondering when The Beast was stepping back in the cage. I thought the only fighting I was gonna see him do was in Pros vs Joes season 3 when he fights regular joes.

[Warchief]

Strikeforce has booked nearly 700 lbs. of main-event talent for its upcoming show as the organization today announced an opponent for headliner Bob Sapp (9-2-1): undefeated boxer Jan “The Giant” Nortje (1-5).

The super-heavyweight bout is the main event of “Strikeforce at the Dome,” which takes place Feb. 23 at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Wash. It’ll be the first-ever show outside of California for the San Jose-based Strikeforce.
Tickets for the event, which is presented by bodogFIGHT, are now on sale.

Sapp, a former standout offensive lineman at the University of Washington, was in the NFL for four years but appeared in just one regular-season game. He then transitioned into kickboxing and MMA five years ago and has competed for PRIDE Fighting Championships and K-1. He owns a 9-2-1 record in MMA and a 9-8 mark in kickboxing.

Sapp, a 6-foot-5 350-pounder, is a fan favorite in Japan. He most recently defeated Bobby Ologun at the K-1 Premium 2007 Dynamite!!, an event that took place in Osaka, Japan, on New Year’s Eve.

The 33-year-old will now take on Nortje, who is actually one of his former training partners.

The 6-foot-11, 330-lb. South African owns a 6-13 record fighting for the K-1 organization. Nortje also owns a perfect 10-0 mark as a professional boxer.

“I’m extremely excited,” Nortje stated in today’s press release. “I’ve always seen Bob get big opportunities, so I think it’s my turn to show what I can do against him.“

Nortje, 32, has had limited success in MMA. He’s been submitted four times and knocked out once in six pro fights. In fact, he hasn’t won an MMA fight since December 2002.

“Strikeforce at the Dome” also features a heavyweight bout between former UFC heavyweight champion Maurice Smith (10-10) and six-time world kickboxing champion and former WBC boxing champion Rick Roufus (0-0).

The rest of the fight card will be announced over the next few weeks.

* * * *

So, what’s next for Sapp after his Feb. 23 fight?

According to a story by FoxSports.com‘s Alex Marvez, Sapp wants a shot at former PRIDE heavyweight champ Fedor Emelianenko. In fact, Sapp is set to sign a new deal with K-1, and the organization plans to partner up with M-1 Global, which is Emelianenko’s new home.

“When I see what Emelianenko did against (Hong Man) Choi, it shows how good he is, but it also showed his weakness against larger opponents,” Sapp said. “I’d love to fight Fedor.“

Emelianenko submitted Choi last month at a “Yarennoka!” event in Japan, but the Russian suffered a couple big blows from his 7-foot-2 opponent.

Sapp vs. Nortje Headlines Feb. 23 Strikeforce Event; Sapp Wants Emelianenko Next -- MMAjunkie.com

[pa99fighter]

oh god you know that fights going to happen to. This is my prediction for Fedors next fights. Beats Sapp, Beats Barnett, than fights Arlovski which im not to sure about whos gonna win yet, than he gets the Couture fight.

[valheruking]

Sapp is dangerous though, really big and strong, granted he doesn't like getting hit, but it usually takes a few to make him completely cower away, and at the start when he is fresh if he can avoid the takedown he has a good chance of opening up a cut on Fedor when he comes rushing forward. Not a fight i'd be looking for if i managed Fedor, too much risk with no reward, then again they booked Choi so who knows lol