MMAFighting.com with Michael Schiavello On the K-1 WGP Yokohama

A decent look at K-1 World Grand Prix in Yokohama featuring Michael Schiavello and Michael David Smith of MMAFighting.com is up (and front page, way to push the K-1!) with a look at the top fights on the card, and the most interesting question revolved around the main event of Alexey Ignashov and Badr Hari. The question was borderline insulting towards Iggy and Schiavello absolutely nails this one out of the park and shows why this could be a blockbuster of a fight (while MDS disappoints, oh well, can't win 'em all).

5. Is there any doubt that Alexey Ignashov will get KO'd by Badr Hari?

Michael Schiavello: Look, Ignashov is an enigma. You've heard me say that Badr Hari is the most naturally gifted fighter I have seen in recent times ... well before Hari, Ignashov was by far the most naturally gifted fighter I had seen. When this guy was at his peak, from 1999 to 2003 let's say, he was just a wrecking machine. There was never a heavyweight Muay Thai fighter like Ignashov. He had the size, the speed, the technique and the power. He beat the likes of Semmy Schilt, Badr Hari, Mike Bernardo, Nicholas Pettas, Alexander Ustinov, Cyril Abidi, Lloyd Van Dams ... the guy was just amazing. He went through a period where he battled the booze, had poor management and pissed off his fans and the K-1 brass by under-performing and just being all-round lazy, both in his in-ring attitude and his approach to fighting outside the ring.

Now Ignashov tells us that he's back and that he is training hard again and wants to right all of his wrongs. He is seeking redemption. He wants to show that the Iggy of old is not completely dead. Question is do you believe him? Too many times we Iggy-maniacs have put our faith in him and he has let us down time and time again. He has taken this fight against Hari as his comeback to K-1, a fight which I heard he didn't really want (he wanted an easier opponent) but was told either take it or leave it. Though he knocked out Hari in 2003, Hari is a completely different fighter these days and a genuine knockout machine.

That said, you asked me the question if there is any doubt Alexey will be KO'd ... you may not know this but Ignashov has NEVER been knocked out! Ever! So yes, there is doubt that Hari will knock him out. Hari should beat him, yes, but Iggy has proven unknockoutable against some of the hardest hitters the world of K-1 and Muay Thai has ever seen.

MDS: Michael offered a reasonable, rational, wise assessment of the fight, and now I'll just go ahead and give the trite, easy, simple answer: No doubt. Hari will knock Ignashov out. Book it.

SBN coverage of FieLDS K-1 World Grand Prix 2010