'Strikeforce at the Dome' to feature 'giant' fight between Bob Sapp and Jan Nortje

by James Iannotti on Jan 23, 2008 5:02 PM EST

Strikeforce

Strikeforce will break out the reinforced steel cage on February 23 in Tacoma, Washington -- nearly 700 pounds of oversized men trying to hurt each other will surely challenge the integrity of any structure.

That's what will happen when 6'5" 350-pound Bob "The Beast" Sapp (9-2-1) makes his United States debut for Strikeforce against 6'11"Ã‚Â 330-pound South African, Jan "The Giant" Nortje (1-5).

Clearly, Nortje's Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) record is not good. And his K-1 record (9-17) is equally unimpressive.

But Nortje won't need to rely on his MMA background or his technical skills in this one. That's because he'll try to win this fight with raw punching power. He's had success in his career as a boxer (10-0) and as a kickboxer (14-12). He'll lean on that experience against Sapp in what is sure to be a gigantic slugfest.

In fact, Nortje is thrilled to have an opportunity against a big freak name like Sapp.

Here's a snip:

"I'm extremely excited. I've always seen Bob get big opportunities so I think it's my turn to show what I can do against him."

Sapp's name is huge in Japan. He's mostly known for his physical presence and just being a large and powerful human. Sapp has been criticized in the past for not taking his fights serious and just coming out on fight night and trying to win with intimidation.

That might not work against a guy nicknamed "the Giant".

Most fans remember Sapp for getting his orbital bone broken by Mirko Cro Cop or his arm locked up by Big Nog.Ã‚Â He's proved less than worthy of competition like that ... at least for now (even though he just called out Fedor Emelianenko).

However, he is an interesting draw. And because this will mark the first fight in the states for Sapp, he will more than likely looking for a highlight reel knockout to boost his stock.

For the latest "Strikeforce at the Dome" fight card click here.

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Comments

how can a man so big, have such a weak jaw? amazing. sapp is crap.

by kavedaddy on Jan 23, 2008 5:04 PM EST reply actions

ahahaha… sapp is crap… mirko would have ko’d his ass if he didn’t go down and almost start crying

by d-train on Jan 23, 2008 5:13 PM EST reply actions

Mirko is one of the best strikers out there…don’t care how big you are…take a clean shot from Mirko and anyone is going to go down. But in now way does Sapp have a chance against Fedor…he’ll get submitted within the first minute of the first round.

by TBlades07 on Jan 23, 2008 5:45 PM EST reply actions

sapp is fun to watch you can say what you want about him but he has beaten some of the best k-1 fighters and gave nog a beating before he submitted him he actually had good stamina in that fight.so he fought the pride champ and the k-1 champ with less than a years experience when he first came out.

by roy on Jan 23, 2008 6:13 PM EST reply actions

i like Bob Sapp……… in the longest yard with Adam Sandler….. he broked my nose!!!!!!!! lol

by jdawg on Jan 23, 2008 6:29 PM EST reply actions

The circus is in town, folks. This fight should prove to be a snorefest. Leg kick victory for Nortje.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic48i7j1GYs

by amishPhysicist on Jan 23, 2008 6:33 PM EST reply actions

This is a joke. I would rather see two Sumo’s go at it.

by DownUnder on Jan 23, 2008 6:36 PM EST reply actions

theres loads of big guys out there who cant fight! In my opinion sapp is another, with his size and power he should be demolishing guys, its mainly just an act. Just like him callin out tyson????WTF, hed get murdered!!

by mo on Jan 23, 2008 6:59 PM EST reply actions

theres loads of big guys out there who cant fight! In my opinion sapp is another, with his size and power he should be demolishing guys, its mainly just an act. Just like him callin out tyson????WTF, hed get murdered!!

i don’t think so tyson lost to worse fighters than sap, and sap beat ernesto hoost.

by roy on Jan 23, 2008 7:20 PM EST reply actions

Mark Hunt would’ve been a decent matchup also in my opinion.

by The 518 Playa on Jan 23, 2008 7:33 PM EST reply actions

Mo Smith vs. Roufus is gonna be a stand-up war. I don’t think either guy wants to go to the ground.

by Pat on Jan 23, 2008 8:43 PM EST reply actions

It still makes me smile to watch his orbital get crushed by Cro Cop. Technique over size.

by Mahde on Jan 23, 2008 9:26 PM EST reply actions

i don’t think so tyson lost to worse fighters than sap, and sap beat ernesto hoost.

lets face it sap is a stand up guy. and you thonk hes gony stand toe to toe with a boxing legend?? plus his chin isnt the best either, im saying tyson would demolish him!! sap wouldnt really want that fight

by mo on Jan 24, 2008 2:20 AM EST reply actions

Lesnar will turn out to be just another Sapp. This is a rubbish fight. Fedor will kill him and make him cry again. He only calls out Fedor to get his ass kicked and make a quick buck. Bob Sapp = a disgrace to MMA

by JJ on Jan 24, 2008 1:02 PM EST reply actions

lets face it sap is a stand up guy. and you thonk hes gony stand toe to toe with a boxing legend?? plus his chin isnt the best either, im saying tyson would demolish him!! sap wouldnt really want that fight

sap wanted it tyson did not take it, did you watch tysons last fight(or few figfhts)he was nothing.tyson at his best would kill him but thats not what where talking about sap beat a dangerous striker in ernesto hoost tyson lost to a nobody that never won another fight go watch it and tell me that guy is better than sap.

by roy on Jan 24, 2008 2:23 PM EST reply actions