View source for Bob Sapp

{{short description|American mixed martial artist, professional wrestler and actor}}
{{pp-pc}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| image = Bob Sapp 2011.jpg
| caption = Sapp in 2011
| name = Bob Sapp
| birth_name = Robert Malcolm Sapp
| other_names = The Beast
| nationality = 
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|09|22}}<ref name="SherdogProfile">{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Bob-Sapp-4416 |title=Bob 'The Beast' Sapp MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, biography |publisher=Sherdog.com |date=September 22, 1973 |access-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Colorado Springs, Colorado]], U.S.
| fighting_out_of = [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], U.S.
| height = 6 ft 5 in<ref name="SherdogProfile"/>
| weight = 329 lb<ref name="SherdogProfile"/>
| reach = {{convert|82|in|cm|abbr=on}}
| weight_class = [[Super Heavyweight (MMA)|Super Heavyweight]]
| style =[[Kickboxing]]
| team = Team Beast<br/>BodyShop MMA & Fitness
| teacher = [[Maurice Smith (kickboxer)|Maurice Smith]]<br/>[[Josh Barnett]]<br/>[[Matt Hume]]
| trainer = Prince Amir
| years_active = 2002–2014, 2016–present
| kickbox_win = 12
| kickbox_kowin = 9
| kickbox_loss = 19
| kickbox_koloss = 12
| kickbox_draw =
| kickbox_nc =
| mma_kowin = 8
| mma_subwin = 3
| mma_decwin = 1
| mma_koloss = 15
| mma_subloss = 4
| mma_decloss = 
| mma_dqloss = 1
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| other =
| occupation =
| spouse =
| relatives =
| students =
| university =
| boxrec =
| sherdog = 4416
| updated = November 17, 2013
| module = {{Infobox NFL biography
| embed       = yes
| image       =
| caption     = 
| position    = [[Guard (American football)|Guard]]
| number      = 78
| height_ft   = 6
| height_in   = 4
| weight_lbs  = 319
| birth_date  = 
| birth_place = 
| draftyear   = 1997
| draftround  = 3
| draftpick   = 69
| college     = [[Washington Huskies football|Washington]]
| teams       = * [[Chicago Bears]] ({{NFL Year|1997}})*
* [[Minnesota Vikings]] ({{NFL Year|1997}}–{{NFL Year|1998}})
| statlabel1  = Games Played
| statvalue1  = 1
| highlights  = * [[Morris Trophy]] (1996) 
}}
}}

'''Robert Malcolm Sapp''' (born September 22, 1973)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SappBo20.htm |title=Bob Sapp NFL Football Statistics |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |date=September 22, 1974 |access-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Bob Sapp |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/bobsapp/2502831/profile |title=Bob Sapp, G at |publisher=National Football League |date=September 22, 1973 |access-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref> is an American [[mixed martial artist]], [[kickboxing|kickboxer]], [[professional wrestler]], actor, and former [[American football|football]] player. He is currently under contract with [[Rizin Fighting Federation]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Scheduled Fighters|url = http://www.rizinff.com/en/fighter|website = RIZIN FIGHTING FEDERATION|access-date = December 1, 2015|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151122033153/http://www.rizinff.com/en/fighter|archive-date = November 22, 2015}}</ref> Sapp has a combined fight record of 24–39–1, mostly fighting in Japan. He is well known in Japan, where he has appeared in numerous commercials, television programs, and various other media, and has released a music CD, ''Sapp Time''. He is known there as a ''[[gaijin tarento]]'' (foreign-born talent).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Bob Sapp Story: A former Bear's rise to Japanese stardom |url=http://sports.yahoo.com/news/bob-sapp-story-former-bear-120046482.html |access-date=February 28, 2022 |website=sports.yahoo.com |date=April 18, 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref> He is currently working sporadically for various MMA promotions in the U.S., Japan, and Europe.

Sapp played [[college football]] as a [[Guard (gridiron football)|guard]] for the [[Washington Huskies football|Washington Huskies]] with whom he won the [[Morris Trophy]]. He was selected in the third round of the [[1997 NFL draft]] by the [[Chicago Bears]] with whom he played for one season seeing no game action before playing with the [[Minnesota Vikings]] for another two seasons, only playing in one game. He later began a career in professional wrestling before branching out into mixed martial arts and kickboxing, where he initially enjoyed significant success and popularity before eventually developing a reputation as a [[tomato can (sports idiom)|tomato can]].

==American football career==
Sapp began his athletic career in high school playing [[American football|football]] at [[William (Billy) Mitchell High School (Colorado Springs)|Mitchell High School]] in [[Colorado Springs, Colorado]]. He received a football scholarship to the [[University of Washington]], where he won the [[Morris Trophy|Morris Award]] in 1996. He took part in "The Whammy in Miami", the [[Washington Huskies football|Washington Huskies]]' upset win over the [[Miami Hurricanes]] that broke the latter's 58 game home winning streak.<ref name=Total>{{cite book|author=Jonathan Snowden|title=Total MMA: Inside Ultimate Fighting|url=https://archive.org/details/totalmmainsideul0000snow|date=2010|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|isbn=978-15-549033-7-5|url-access=registration}}</ref>

Sapp was drafted by the [[Chicago Bears]] in the third round (69th overall) of the [[1997 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1997 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1997/draft.htm |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He signed with the [[Minnesota Vikings]] after being released by the Bears. However, his career took a hit after he was suspended by the NFL in 1998 for [[steroid abuse]]. He spent two seasons with the Vikings and only played in one game.<ref name=Total/> He is considered to be one of the worst picks of the NFL drafts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears: Best and worst draft picks |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chicago-bears-best-and-worst-draft-picks-0ap1000000160145 |access-date=August 15, 2023 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Afterwards, Sapp was left in poverty after being defrauded by his economic advisor,<ref name=Total/> and resorted to working at a [[funeral home]] moving coffins to make a living.<ref>{{cite web| last= Mayer| first= Larry| url= http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/These-Bears-draft-picks-gained-fame-in-other-areas/ec6dca7b-ad41-43ac-839c-e61e0197ecc9| title= These Bears draft picks gained fame in other areas| publisher= [[Chicago Bears]]| date= April 25, 2013| access-date= April 25, 2013| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130428074306/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/These-Bears-draft-picks-gained-fame-in-other-areas/ec6dca7b-ad41-43ac-839c-e61e0197ecc9| archive-date= April 28, 2013| url-status= dead}}</ref><ref name=Infinity2/> He eventually decided to pursue a career in [[professional wrestling]] on the advice of his friend [[Mike Morris (long snapper)|Mike Morris]], who saw a chance for Sapp on it.<ref name=Total/>

==Professional wrestling==
===Early career (2000–2002)===
Bob Sapp's [[professional wrestling]] career started in [[NWA Wildside]] in 2000, before he was quickly contracted by [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) as a [[WCW Power Plant|developmental wrestler]]. There he started honing his "The Beast" persona, which at this stage was a villainous, feral [[tarzan]]-like [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]], but his development was cut short when the company was bought out by the [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF).<ref name=Infinity2>{{cite web |url=http://www.muscleandfitness.com:80/athletes-celebrities/interviews/muscle-fitness-interview-k1-fighter-bob-sapp |title=A Muscle & Fitness Interview with K1 Fighter, Bob Sapp &#124; Muscle & Fitness |access-date=April 1, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311224023/http://www.muscleandfitness.com/athletes-celebrities/interviews/muscle-fitness-interview-k1-fighter-bob-sapp |archive-date=March 11, 2017 }}</ref> He left professional wrestling for many years, attracted instead to a fighting career under the training of fellow WCW developmental wrestler [[Sam Greco]].<ref name=Total/>

===New Japan Pro-Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling (2002–2005)===
In 2002, riding his success in K-1, Sapp made his professional wrestling debut for [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW). Introduced as a member of chairman [[Antonio Inoki]]'s army of fighters, Sapp replaced an injured [[Yoshihiro Takayama]] in his October 14 match against [[Manabu Nakanishi]]. The two exchanged taunts and attacks on the weeks leading to the match, with Sapp ultimately winning after executing his finishing move, the ''[[Powerbomb|Beast Bomb]]'',<ref name=Puro>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresucentral.com/sapp.html|title=Profile at Puroresu Central|publisher=Puroresu Central|access-date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> on the ringside, where he left Nakanishi to be counted out.<ref name=IchiOct/> This victory led to many other wrestlers to suggest to take their chance against Sapp, among them [[Yuji Nagata]] and Takayama himself, but the American refrained from participating.<ref name=IchiOct/>

Sapp balanced his NJPW appearances with similar ventures in [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]], where he intruded to challenge [[Bill Goldberg]] and [[Keiji Mutoh]].<ref name=IchiAug/> He first appeared in [[Wrestle-1]], a copromotion between K-1 and AJPW, where he faced Mutoh's alter ego The Great Muta in November 2002. Sapp defeated him after pinning him with a [[diving headbutt]].<ref name=W1>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresucentral.com/defunctWrestle1Review-1.11.03.html|title=WRESTLE-1 SKY PerfecTV! PPV|last=Manning|first=Jason|access-date=January 5, 2019|work=Puroresu Central}}</ref> He returned to the event in January 2003, where he wrestled his kickboxing rival [[Ernesto Hoost]], yet this time Sapp lost after Hoost's cornerman Johann Vos intervened in the bout.<ref name=W1/>

In October 2003, Sapp returned to NJPW, taking part again of Inoki's MMA army along with Takayama, [[Kazuyuki Fujita]], [[Shinsuke Nakamura]] and Minoru Suzuki to face Nakanishi, Nagata, [[Hiroshi Tanahashi]], [[Hiroyoshi Tenzan]] and [[Seiji Sakaguchi]]. He followed by some team matches along with Nakamura and AJPW's Keiji Mutoh, but his main push would come in his singles career. On March 28, 2004, Sapp defeated [[Kensuke Sasaki]] to win the [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]], becoming the first (and only, to date) African-American to hold the title. After successfully defending the title against [[Shinsuke Nakamura]] on May 3 at ''Nexess'', Sapp forfeited the title due to having lost to [[Kazuyuki Fujita]] in a mixed martial arts fight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresucentral.com/NJReview-Nexess04.html|title=New Japan Nexess|last=Wilson|first=Kevin|access-date=September 21, 2015|work=Puroresu Central}}</ref>

In 2005, Sapp returned to Wrestle-1, taking part on its inaugural Grand Prix tournament and beating [[Giant Bernard]] and [[Jun Akiyama]] in road to the finals. However, Wrestle-1 was discontinued before the tournament could win.

===Hustle (2007–2008)===
On October 16, 2007, Sapp made a surprise appearance at [[Hustle (professional wrestling)|Hustle]]'s [[Korakuen Hall]] event, attacking [[Masaki Sumitani|Razor Ramon HG]] and his partner [[Wataru Sakata]]. Sapp aligned himself with [[Nobuhiko Takada|Generalissimo Takada]]'s villainous Monster Army. After defeating [[Makoto Izubuchi|Razor Ramon RG]] in his debut match for the company, it was announced that he would wrestle at the Hustlemania [[Yokohama Arena]] event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/headlines/wrestling/20071016-00000025-spnavi-fight.html/|title=スポーツナビ|publisher=Sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp|access-date=October 18, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929102214/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/headlines/wrestling/20071016-00000025-spnavi-fight.html/|archive-date=September 29, 2011}}</ref> His opponent was later confirmed to be Razor Ramon HG,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/headlines/wrestling/20071104-00000013-spnavi-fight.html/|title=スポーツナビ|publisher=Sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp|access-date=October 18, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929102241/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/headlines/wrestling/20071104-00000013-spnavi-fight.html/|archive-date=September 29, 2011}}</ref> whom Sapp went on to defeat.

Sapp was later put into a tag team with fellow superheavyweight [[Akebono Tarō|Monster Bono]], but a falling out between the two due to miscommunications in the ring led Sapp to attack Bono with a chair. Sapp and Bono entered a short [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]], which culminated with the American's victory and Bono's expulsion from the Monster Army. Sapp then started teaming up with [[Yoji Anjo|Commander An Jo]], eventually entering another feud with Hustle Army member [[Wataru Sakata]]. Sapp was defeated by him, breaking his winning streak in professional wrestling. He would try to bounce back by participating in the Hustle Grand Prix 2008, but he was shockingly eliminated by [[Osaka Pro Wrestling]] representative [[Zeus (Japanese wrestler)|Zeus]] after having beaten [[Tiger Jeet Singh]]. After another short rivalry with [[Genichiro Tenryu]], Sapp was defeated in a rematch against Bono as his last appearance for Hustle.

===Independent circuit (2008-2012)===
In 2008, Sapp began to participate in WWA, a pro wrestling organization in South Korea. On October 26, 2009, Sapp captured the WWA Heavyweight title by defeating [[Lee Wang-pyo]].<ref name="kr-wwa-h">{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/korea/wwa/kr-wwa-h.html|title=World Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title|accessdate=January 16, 2024|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref> On July 24, 2011, Sapp made his debut for [[Dramatic Dream Team]] (DDT) at [[Ryōgoku Peter Pan 2011]], using a "Beast will fight for money" [[gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/mma/post/2011/02/unable-to-fight-for-money-sapp-back-to-pro-wrestling/1|title=Bob Sapp back to pro wrestling|author=Sergio Non|work=USA Today|date=February 1, 2011}}</ref> In a comedy match, he was defeated by [[Danshoku Dino]], a wrestler with a homosexual [[gimmick (professional wrestling)|character]], being pinned after a kiss and a [[Pin (professional wrestling)#Gedo clutch|''Gaydo Clutch'']].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ddtpro.com/result/ddt/article/1311513291/ | script-title=ja:両国ピーターパン2011～二度あることは三度ある～ | access-date=December 23, 2012 | work=[[Dramatic Dream Team]] | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530062442/http://www.ddtpro.com/result/ddt/article/1311513291/ | archive-date=May 30, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/live/2011/2011072406/8.html | script-title=ja:ＤＤＴ「両国ピーターパン2011～二度あることは三度ある～」 | date=July 24, 2011 | access-date=December 23, 2012 | work=Sports Navi | publisher=[[Yahoo!]] | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106130223/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/live/2011/2011072406/8.html | archive-date=November 6, 2011 }}</ref>
[[File:Sapp Avalanche.jpg|thumb|250px|Sapp executing a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Body avalanche|corner body avalanche]] on [[Genichiro Tenryu]].]]

===Return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2012–2013)===
At a NJPW event on December 20, 2012, [[Toru Yano]] announced that Sapp would represent the [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villainous]] [[Chaos (professional wrestling)|Chaos]] [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Stable|stable]] on January 4, 2013, at [[Wrestle Kingdom 7 in Tokyo Dome]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=660&c=5063 | title = NJPW 40th anniversary Tour Road to Tokyo Dome | access-date=December 23, 2012 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref> At the event, Sapp teamed with Yano, [[Takashi Iizuka]] and [[Yujiro Takahashi]] in an eight-man tag team match, where they were defeated by [[Akebono Tarō|Akebono]], [[Manabu Nakanishi]], [[Montel Vontavious Porter|MVP]] and [[Jon Andersen|Strong Man]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=657|title=Wrestle Kingdom 7 ～Evolution～ in 東京ドーム|access-date=January 4, 2013|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref> Sapp made another appearance for New Japan on April 7, 2013, at [[Invasion Attack (2013)|Invasion Attack]], where he and Chaos stablemates Takashi Iizuka, [[Tomohiro Ishii]] and [[Yoshi-Hashi]] were defeated by Akebono, [[Hiroyoshi Tenzan]], Manabu Nakanishi and [[Super Strong Machine]] in another eight-man tag team match.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=706 | title=Invasion Attack | access-date=April 7, 2013 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref>

===Wrestle-1 (2013)===
On September 8, Sapp took part in the [[Wrestle-1]] promotion's [[Wrestle-1#Wrestle-1 Hataage Sen|inaugural event]], teaming with [[Keiji Mutoh]] in a main event tag team match, where they defeated [[René Duprée]] and [[Aaron Aguilera|Zodiac]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://live.sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/live/fight/all/2013090801/|title=武藤新団体「Wrestle-1」旗揚げ戦|date=September 8, 2013|access-date=September 8, 2013|work=Sports Navi|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911075633/http://live.sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/live/fight/all/2013090801|archive-date=September 11, 2013}}</ref>

===Inoki Genome Federation (2009-2014)===
In 2009, he would compete in the [[Inoki Genome Federation]] (IGF). His last match was a lost to Aztecaser on December 31, 2014. 

===Later Career (2014-2017)===
After leaving IGF, Sapp continued to wrestle in Japan until 2017.

==Kickboxing and mixed martial arts career==
In 2000, after Sapp was released from WCW, he was picked up by [[FX (TV channel)|FX]] for its [[amateur boxing]] show ''The Toughman Competition''. Sapp was pitted against [[William "The Refrigerator" Perry]] as a pro wrestling representative and, despite not having any prior boxing experience, won by knocking out Perry in round 2.<ref name=Infinity2/> Then Sapp's friend and trainer [[Sam Greco]] showed his match to [[Kazuyoshi Ishii]], chairman of Japanese [[kickboxing]] promotion [[K-1]]. Ishii then invited Sapp to Japan in order to start a career in the ring, seeing a combination of great potential and great marketability in him.<ref name=Infinity>{{cite web |url=http://www.infinityfitness.com/articles/sapp.html |title=Infinity Fitness &#124; Articles |access-date=April 1, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601075310/http://www.infinityfitness.com/articles/sapp.html |archive-date=June 1, 2013}}</ref> After training for six months in United States in the [[AMC Pankration]] and [[Team Quest]] gyms,<ref name=Total/> he would be sent to [[mixed martial arts]] company [[Pride Fighting Championship]], which had expressed interest on him too, in order to make his professional debut first under such rules.<ref name=John>{{cite web | url=https://247sports.com/college/washington/Article/Johnson-visits-with-Bob-The-Beast-Sapp-104493135/ | title=Johnson visits with Bob 'The Beast' Sapp| access-date=December 15, 2018 | work=247sports.com}}</ref> Sapp competed under both rulesets indistinctly for the rest of his career, usually for the promotion K-1.

===K-1 and Japanese promotions===
====2002====
After arriving to Japan, Sapp debuted in Pride as a K-1 representative against former professional wrestler and longtime [[Fighting Network RINGS]] competitor [[Yoshihisa Yamamoto (wrestler)|Yoshihisa Yamamoto]], who he finished by TKO at 2:44 of the first round by way of wild hooks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Yoshihisa-Yamamoto-454 |title=Yoshihisa Yamamoto MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, biography |publisher=Sherdog.com |date=July 4, 1970 |access-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref> The bout, which attracted 10 million viewers, quickly turned Sapp into a fan favorite due to his size, charisma and aggression, and prepared him for his kickboxing debut against [[Tsuyoshi Nakasako]] a month later.<ref name=John/> Sapp lost by disqualification in 1:30 when he pushed Nakasako to the corner, threw him to the ground and rained illegal strikes on him until being restrained by ring crew. The act caused a brawl on the ring when the [[cornermen]] jumped in, but Sapp was surprisingly received with cheers from the crowd. He became an overnight sensation in Japan afterwards, appearing on numerous television shows and advertisements and becoming K-1's most popular fighter.<ref name=John/> Sapp contributed by creating an outrageous public persona, nicknamed "The Beast", under which he played an unhinged, loudmouthed, yet also humorous version of himself.<ref name=Infinity2/>
[[File:WKA World Championschips 2011 228 (cropped).JPG|200px|thumb|Sapp's characteristic fighting style, based on aggression and strength.]]
Sapp's second Pride match was against two-time RINGS Openweight Champion [[Kiyoshi Tamura]]. Though Tamura was a highly respected fighter who held wins over the likes of [[Pat Miletich]], [[Jeremy Horn]] and [[Renzo Gracie]], he was giving up 150&nbsp;lbs to his foe and was quickly overwhelmed by the much larger American, succumbing to strikes just 11 seconds into the bout.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Kiyoshi-Tamura-1451 |title=Kiyoshi Tamura MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, biography |publisher=Sherdog.com |date=December 17, 1969 |access-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref>

In a show held by both Pride and K-1 called "Dynamite", Sapp faced then Pride champion [[Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira]]. The latter had originally been slated for a kickboxing bout against K-1 fighter [[Mark Hunt]], but negotiations fell out, as Nogueira had proposed to fight two separate bouts under mixed martial arts and kickboxing rules respectively, which was rejected by Hunt. The Pride champion then accepted to fight Sapp as a replacement, noting that "nobody wanted to fight Sapp, and some other Pride fighters already had their fights matched."<ref name=Total/> Due to the usual size disparity, this time amounting to 127 pounds,<ref name=Courage>Keith Vargo, ''Courage and Controversy Reign at Shockwave Event'', Black Belt magazine, January 2003</ref> Nogueira accepted a special rule to ban knee strikes on the ground, making it a more even affair.<ref name=IchiAug>{{cite web|url=http://www.ichibanpuroresu.com/news/200208.html|title=August 2002 News Archive|work=Ichiban Puroresu|date=August 2002|access-date=December 30, 2018|archive-date=August 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818010418/http://ichibanpuroresu.com/news/200208.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite this, the match would quickly become a memorable battle of strength against technique.<ref name=Courage/><ref name=IchiAug/>

Sapp opened the match almost finishing Nogueira in mere seconds, as the latter charged with a takedown only to be lifted and slammed onto his head in a [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)|piledriver]]. Sapp looked to repeat the technique, but Nogueira managed to avoid it and momentarily ready Sapp for an unsuccessful [[armbar]]. Taking his turn again, Sapp started punishing him with [[ground and pound]] through the Brazilian's [[Guard (grappling)|guard]], nullifying his [[armlock]]s by sheer strength and landing [[powerbomb]]s every time Nogueira tried his trademark [[triangle choke]].<ref name=Courage/> The bout continued this way, with Nogueira trying fruitless submissions from the bottom while Sapp grinded him with heavy blows, until action finally slowed down into the second round, as Sapp was unaccustomed to fight for so long.<ref name=Courage/><ref name=Ora1/> Nogueira, who had endured the beating through impressive will and looked "only half-conscious" according to reviewers,<ref name=Courage/> finally pulled a tired Sapp down and [[Mount (grappling)|mounted]] him. The Brazilian seized an armbar and, although Sapp blocked it, he had no left energy to resist and had to concede the hold and the match.<ref name=Courage/>

The fight received critical acclaim by reviewers, with website Ichiban Puroresu calling it "an awesome fight"<ref name=IchiAug/> and "better drama than any fight this year,"<ref name=IchiFeb/> Keith Vargo commenting that "victory and defeat were changing sides so fast that either man could have won any moment,"<ref name=Courage/> and Scott Newman opining it was "probably the best heavyweight fight [he had] ever seen in fact."<ref name=Ora1>{{cite web|url=http://the-oratory.com/mma-review-335/|title=MMA Review: #37: Pride/K1 Shockwave 2002|work=The Oratory|date=January 5, 2005|access-date=December 30, 2018|archive-date=January 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101051553/http://the-oratory.com/mma-review-335/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Mirko Cro Cop]], who would defeat Sapp in K-1, was quoted as, "It was the craziest fight I've ever seen. I couldn't believe that 'Minotauro' was able to survive all the things that happened to him. He almost broke his spine. Unbelievable."<ref name=Mirko>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2014/3/4/5468246/mirko-cro-cop-reflects-on-pride-the-ufc-and-why-everybody-was|title=Mirko Cro Cop reflects on Pride, the UFC, and why 'everybody was terrified of fighting Bob Sapp'|work=MMA Fighting|author=Shaun Al-Satti|date=March 4, 2014|access-date=December 30, 2018}}</ref> Sapp himself was praised by his performance, to the extent Pride commentators [[Stephen Quadros]] and [[Bas Rutten]] speculating he could become a major fighter with only more training.<ref name=Ora1/><ref name=Mirko/> He actually expressed desire for a rematch, but Nogueira, who came from the fight with both [[cheekbone]]s broken,<ref name=Ora1/> actively rejected it.<ref name=IchiApril/>

Sapp stated interest in fighting [[Fedor Emelianenko]] after he won the Pride Heavyweight Championship from Nogueira, which Emelianenko accepted, though joking he would have to gain 70&nbsp;kg to face Sapp in even terms.<ref name=IchiApril/> Nothing of this materialized, and Sapp would never again compete in Pride, instead focusing his attention on K-1. When Sapp returned to the kickboxing ring the next month, this time against [[Cyril Abidi]] and with K-1 chairman [[Kazuyoshi Ishii]] as a special referee, he scored his first kickboxing victory, cornering his opponent and unloading punches and hammerfists on him for the KO.
[[File:Bob Sapp.jpg|250px|thumb|Sapp entering the arena in Japan.]]
His greatest in-ring success, though, would come in his match over K-1 legend [[Ernesto Hoost]]. They first met at the [[K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final Elimination]] on October 5, 2002, where Sapp replaced an injured Cro Cop in his bout against Hoost.<ref name=IchiSep>{{cite web|url=http://www.ichibanpuroresu.com/news/200209.html|title=September 2002 News Archive|work=Ichiban Puroresu|date=September 2002|access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> The latter was expected to win thanks to his experience and technical superiority despite being outweighed by over 100 pounds, but Sapp claimed he would not need more than the first round to defeat Hoost, thus setting up an anticipated matchup.<ref name=IchiOct>{{cite web|url=http://www.ichibanpuroresu.com/news/200210.html|title=October 2002 News Archive|work=Ichiban Puroresu|date=October 2002|access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> Once the fight came around, all while under a television viewership of 19.8%,<ref name=IchiOct/> Sapp surprised the crowd when he started dominating Hoost effectively through his already known charging strategy. By pushing Hoost against the ring's corners and unloading punches there with all of his strength, Sapp controlled the entire the first round, and still landed controversially three more punches after the bell sounded.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/vK-1m-q4etk Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140113110324/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK-1m-q4etk Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK-1m-q4etk | title=K-1 Classics: Ernesto Hoost vs. Bob Sapp Feud| website=[[YouTube]]| date=November 17, 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After the round, the ring doctor declared Hoost was unable to continue due to cuts, and Sapp was ultimately deemed winner while Hoost collapsed visibly in his corner, fulfilling his previous prediction.<ref name=HoCap/>

His solid victory over Hoost, much like his dominant effort with Nogueira, proved that the trust put on Sapp by K-1 executives had not been in vain. Sapp would compare his situation to "taking someone off the streets and throwing him into the ring with [[Mike Tyson]] and then watching that person win," given how much he had accomplished with so little experience and training.<ref name=Infinity2/> According to future adversary Mirko Cro Cop, Sapp's reputation caused that many potential opponents were scared to fight him, both in Pride and K-1.<ref name=Mirko/> However, Hoost was reportedly discontent with the match's refereeing, citing the illegalities committed by Sapp, and expressed desire for a rematch.<ref name=IchiNov>{{cite web|url=http://www.ichibanpuroresu.com/news/200211.html|title=November 2002 News Archive|work=Ichiban Puroresu|date=November 2002|access-date=January 1, 2019|archive-date=January 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116193727/http://www.ichibanpuroresu.com/news/200211.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Two months later, Sapp was slated to fight [[Semmy Schilt]] at [[K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final]] quarter-finals, but an injury suffered by the latter granted Hoost his second chance as a replacement.<ref name=HoCap>Keith Vargo, ''Hoost Captures Fourth K-1 Grand Prix Title'', Black Belt magazine, April 2003</ref> Sapp declared he would finish him in one round again.<ref name=IchiOct/> The bout would be a more even affair, however, as although Sapp looked to use his familiar strategy, this time Hoost scored a knockdown through two well placed body blows and survived the first round. Hoost followed on this tactic at the second, but Sapp eventually stunned him and knocked him down in return via repeated arm clubs to the head. The fighters went back and forth for the rest of the assault, until a drained Sapp finally managed to corner Hoost and overwhelm him with unanswered haymakers.<ref name=HoCap/> At this point, referee [[Nobuaki Kakuda]] stopped the fight and gave Sapp the win.<ref name=IchiFeb>{{cite web|url=http://www.ichibanpuroresu.com/news/200302.html|title=February 2003 News Archive|work=Ichiban Puroresu|date=February 2003|access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> Those last seconds were a new source of controversy, as while Hoost was receiving continuous punishment,<ref name=IchiFeb/> the stoppage still happened before he fell down.<ref name=IchiFeb/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2008/02/bob-sapps-life-story-too-good-for-reality-tv-story-from-yahoo-sports|title=Bob Sapp's Life Story too Good for Reality TV (Story from Yahoo! Sports)|publisher=MMAJunkie.com |access-date=December 15, 2018|date=February 23, 2008}}</ref> A worn Sapp forfeited his place in the tournament due to exhaustion and an injured hand,<ref name=Infinity/> being ironically replaced by Hoost himself, who went to win the cup.<ref name=HoCap/>

At the ending of 2002, Sapp fought professional wrestler [[Yoshihiro Takayama]] at the Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye event. After rushing Takayama to the ground as usual, Sapp proved he had his own way with basic submissions by transitioning to an armbar from mount, making the wrestler tap out. Their fight reached a 24.5 rating in TV.<ref name=Total/> By this time, Sapp's media schedule had grown up so much that he found himself without time to properly train for his fighting career. His trainer [[Matt Hume]] would describe it as, "if he would have had time to dedicate to strict training, he would have been
a better fighter, however K-1 and Bob's priority was media exposure, so we accepted it and worked with it."<ref name=Total/>

====2003====
Sapp's first defeat came at his fourth match, pitted against former K-1 champion [[Mirko Cro Cop]] on March 30, 2003. Despite being dedicated to mixed martial arts at the moment, Cro Cop had accepted the bout due to a lack of fighters willing to matchup with Sapp after his 2002 performance.<ref name=Mirko/> Sapp also prepared specially for the fight, learning proper [[muay Thai]] and rumoredly training under [[Bas Rutten]].<ref name=IchiMar>{{cite web|url=http://www.ichibanpuroresu.com/news/200303.html|title=March 2003 News Archive|work=Ichiban Puroresu|date=March 2003|access-date=January 5, 2019}}</ref> Although Sapp pushed the fight for a minute, the mobile Cro Cop landed a [[liver shot]] and followed with a left hand that shattered Sapp's [[orbital bone]], causing him to collapse on the mat and give up while in visible pain.<ref name=Mirko/> He would need urgent surgery to repair the damage.<ref name=IchiApril>{{cite web|url=http://www.ichibanpuroresu.com/news/200304.html|title=April 2003 News Archive|work=Ichiban Puroresu|date=April 2003|access-date=November 19, 2018}}</ref> Both Sapp and Cro Cop later talked about rematching under MMA rules,<ref name=IchiMar/><ref name=IchiApril/> but this never came to fruition. Before this, Sapp had been placed in an upcoming fight against [[Francisco Filho (martial artist)|Francisco Filho]], which had to be scrapped due to Sapp being ruled out from competition due to the injury.<ref name=IchiApril/>

A month later, hoping to capitalize on the success of Sapp and others, K-1 made a new fighting division called "Beast" (Sapp's nickname), which featured superheavyweights fighters such as [[Choi Hong-man]]. However, the division was stopped after two events due to disappointing reviews and gate takes. Still, Sapp was perceived to play a role in popularizing superheavyweights like Choi or [[Giant Silva]] in the sport, which he considered an accomplishment.<ref name=Total/>

In August, Sapp participated in a special K-1 event in [[Las Vegas]], where he went against [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]] veteran [[Kimo Leopoldo]]. Sapp had trained orthodox kickboxing with fellow UFC champion [[Maurice Smith (kickboxer)|Maurice Smith]] for the match, and it could be noted in several powerful punches and knees that stunned Leopoldo.<ref name=Plot>J. Michael Plott, ''Bob Sapp Confronts Mike Tyson in K-1 event'', Black Belt magazine, December 2003</ref> However, Sapp's stamina started to falter, which a slightly better conditioned Leopoldo capitalized on to take his turn, eventually knocking Sapp down at the end of the round.<ref name=Plot/> Controversy happened before the second, as referee [[Nobuaki Kakuda]] seemed to be deliberately giving Sapp time to recover, but the match continued anyway.<ref name=Total/> Perceiving himself outclassed at a technical level, Sapp decided to return to his old bullrushing style, which paid off quickly by knocking Leopoldo down with a left hand.<ref name=Total/> The UFC fighter tried to return the favor, but Sapp was already en route to overpower him and finally rendered him KO with an unchecked [[rabbit punch]].<ref name=Plot/><ref name=Total/> In a marked contrast to Japan, American audiences booed Sapp.<ref name=Total/>

The event in Las Vegas would not end without more controversy, as the victorious Sapp got in a verbal confrontation with former boxing Undisputed Heavyweight Champion [[Mike Tyson]], who was sitting at ringside.<ref name=Plot/> Tyson jumped on the ring after Sapp and caused a brief brawl, after which Sapp and him exchanged challenges for a bout between the two. It was soon announced by K-1 that the match was in talks, with Tyson considering training with kickboxing coach [[Jacob Duran]] in case the bout was hosted under K-1 rules.<ref>Zac Robinson, Jacob "Stitch" Duran, ''From the Fields to the Garden: The Life of Stitch Duran'', Black Mesa Publishing, 2010</ref> However, Tyson's status as a convicted [[felony|felon]] made him unable to get a visa to fight in Japan where the fight would have been most profitable.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tysontalk.com/article48.html |title=K-1 Reports Official Mike Tyson Fight |publisher=Tysontalk.com |access-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118123147/http://www.tysontalk.com/article48.html |archive-date=November 18, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other locations for the proposed fight were made, but the fight ultimately never happened.

Sapp returned to Japan in September, facing another superheavyweight, Stefan Gamlin, under MMA rules at K-1 Japan Grand Prix 2003. Despite being outweighed by the first time in his career, Sapp won in 0:52 with a [[guillotine choke]]. He continued challenging Tyson, claiming he would knock him out with [[high kick]]s, and also proposed a matchup against [[Francois Botha]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ichibanpuroresu.com/news/200309.html|title=September 2003 News Archive|work=Ichiban Puroresu|date=September 2003|access-date=January 5, 2019}}</ref>

The next month, this time under K-1 rules, he fought Dutch champion [[Remy Bonjasky]] at the first round of the 2003 K-1 World Grand Prix. The match started with Bonjasky, famous for his [[flying knee]]s and kicks, almost falling out the ring when Sapp threw him on the ropes in response to such attacks. The American chased a covered up Bonjasky through the ring while scoring punches and knees, but his opponent eventually bypassed his defense and landed a sharp [[roundhouse kick]] to end the first round. Bonkasky kept landing through the second, knocking Sapp down with a combination, but Sapp answered by pushing him to the ground and landing a heavy illegal punch. As Bonjasky refused to continue after the strike, Sapp was disqualified.

At the end of the year, Sapp was involved in a highly publicized matchup at [[K-1 PREMIUM 2003 Dynamite!!]] with former [[yokozuna]] [[Akebono Taro]], who was doing his debut. The combined popularity of Sapp and Akebono attracted a crowd of 45,000 to the [[Nagoya Dome]] and granted the event a 43% viewership (roughly 54 million of the 127 million people in Japan at the time), making it the first time a combat sports event outdrew the [[NHK]] music festival ''[[Kōhaku Uta Gassen]]'', Japan's traditionally biggest New Year's Eve show.<ref name=Chung>Jayson Makoto Chung, ''A Nation of a Hundred Million Idiots?: A Social History of Japanese Television'', Routledge, 2006</ref> The classical matchup of an American foreigner like Sapp against a Japanese national like Taro, a cultural contraposition, also gained comparisons with [[Puroresu|Japanese professional wrestling]] legend [[Rikidōzan]] in his bouts against [[The Sharpe Brothers]].<ref name=Chung/> The match itself, however, was short and intense. Though outweighed by over 150 pounds, Sapp had the advantage at experience and stamina, allowing him endure Akebono's initially energetic sumo pushes in order to counterattack. He attacked Akebono with [[low kick]]s and punching combinations to the head and body, knocking him down twice before finishing him by KO at 2:58.<ref name=Jet>''Former NFL Player Bob Sapp Trades the Field for the Fighting Ring'', Jet magazine, January 2004</ref><ref>Mark Panek, ''Gaijin Yokozuna: A Biography of Chad Rowan'', University of Hawaii Press, 2006</ref> After defeating Akebono, Sapp engaged in another verbal exchange with [[Mike Tyson]] about a possible match, although nothing came from it.<ref name=Jet/>

====2004–2007====
Sapp opened 2004 facing [[Dolgorsürengiin Sumyaabazar]], multiple wrestling champion and brother to yokozuna [[Asashoryu]], under a mixed martial arts ruleset at his own event, K-1 Beast. Showing improvement in his MMA technique, Sapp defended from his [[Guard (grappling)|guard]] after being taken down, trading short strikes from there and threatening with [[Kimura lock]]s. Sumyaabazar ended up passing his guard, but Sapp reversed and captured his back, almost closing a rear naked choke, Sumyaabazar had to abandon the match before the second round due to a groin injury.<ref>Monty DiPietro, ''Sapp and Japanese Strikers Win at K-1 Beast 2004'', Black Belt magazine, June 2004</ref> Only two weeks later, he fought against [[Seth Petruzelli]], this time at kickboxing, but the result was similar: although he knocked Sapp down, Petruzelli injured his biceps and was forced to bow out.

After a 0:33 victory over [[muay thai]] journeyman Tommy Glanville, Sapp was pitted against wrestler [[Kazuyuki Fujita]] at K-1 Romanex. Although the American looked to strike, Fujita scored an early takedown and initiated a grappling scuffle. Sapp looked to defend from the bottom and at one point pursued a [[Leglock#Heel hook|heel hook]], transitioned into a [[Leglock#Toe hold|toehold]], but the Japanese escaped to his feet and started delivering [[soccer kick]]s with his [[wrestling shoes]] to Sapp's head. Fujita kept landing brutal kicks and punches to a desperately covered up Sapp until the latter tapped out at 2:15.<ref>Monty DiPietro, ''Sapp Crushed at K-1 ROMANEX Show'', Black Belt magazine, September 2004</ref> After this sound loss, Sapp lost again in a two-round fight against [[Ray Sefo]].
[[File:Bob Sapp dropkick.jpg|thumb|250px|Sapp executing a [[dropkick]] on [[Wataru Sakata]].]]
At K-1 Premium Dynamite!! Sapp faced [[Jérôme Le Banner]] in a special mixed rules match, in which first and third rounds would be under regular K-1 rules and under MMA rules the second and fourth. Sapp spent the first round covering and guarding up, almost being finished, but he recovered in the second one by taking down Le Banner and raining [[ground and pound]] from the [[Mount (grappling)|mount]]. He kept the momentum at the third, utilizing a defensive strategy of charging and [[Clinch (grappling)|clinching]] to neutralize Le Banner; however, most of the action would take place at the fourth and last, which saw the two trading dominant positions and ended with Sapp looking for an [[armlock]]. Under the agreed upon rules, the fight was declared a draw. Sapp dedicated the fight to the memory of sparring partner Masaaki Miyamoto's father who had recently died.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/Brazilian-Dynamite-Gracie-Submits-Akebono-2275|title=Brazilian Dynamite: Gracie Submits Akebono|publisher=Sherdog.com |access-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref>

2005 would be a fruitful year for Sapp, starting by a win over [[judo]] medalist [[Kim Min-soo (judoka)|Kim Min-soo]] at K-1's new MMA sub-promotion Hero's. Although the debutant Kim, clad in a full judogi, managed to cut Sapp with an early punch, the American swiftly overpowered him and knocked him out to punches in a minute. This prepared Sapp for a run to the 2005 K-1 Hiroshima Grand Prix, where he would face three fighters on a single night in order to qualify for the 2005 K-1 World Grand Prix. In a departure from his explosive yet ephemeral performances up to the point, Sapp showcased greatly improved stamina and much better technique, gained both after intensive training under his long time friend [[Sam Greco]].<ref name=HiroGP>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/The-Beast-is-Back-Sapp-Wins-K1-Japan-GP-2991|title=The Beast is Back! Sapp Wins Japan K-1 GP|publisher=Sherdog.com |access-date=January 4, 2019}}</ref>

Sapp met upcoming fighter [[Yoshihiro Nakao]] in the quarter-final, where he would fight all three rounds in dominant fashion. Nakao taunted Sapp during the fight, but the American kept landing kicks and knees in addition to his personal bullrushing style, including also previously unseen [[Counterpunch (boxing)|counterstrikes]].<ref name=HiroGP/> After securing a unanimous decision, Sapp advanced round and faced young fighter [[Hiraku Hori]], who had just defeated. This time Sapp increased his aggression and came near to finishing Hori early with a barrage of punches and a cut, but the Japanese resisted and kept him at bay with high kicks towards the end of the first round. The second would see Sapp uncharacteristically standing still and inviting his opponent to charge at him, which he capitalized on to knock down Hori with hooks before finishing him.<ref name=HiroGP/> The final saw Sapp being pitted against Tatsufumi Tomihira, a [[karateka]] famous for his own fouls. The American methodically dismantled Tomihira, scoring two consecutive knockdowns in the first seconds and almost finishing him in the last ones with a cornering barrage. After slowing down in the second and third rounds, where they exchanged kicks and punches, Sapp controlled him for a unanimous decision win, taking the victory at the tournament.<ref name=HiroGP/>

In the post-event interview, Greco praised Sapp's dedication, while Sapp himself gave a speech about his tenure. "I've had low points in my career, now this is a high point and I am enjoying it! I think I've proven I belong in K-1."<ref name=HiroGP/> As promised, Sapp won a prize of 5,000,000 yen and a place among the 16 fighters qualified for the K-1 World Grand Prix.
[[File:Bob Sapp and Toshiaki Kawada.jpg|thumb|250px|Sapp (left) and [[Toshiaki Kawada]] looking at their opponents prior to a match in [[Hustle (professional wrestling)|Hustle]].]]
Shortly after, Sapp returned to MMA format for Hero's, where he was pitted against Russian sumo wrestler [[Alan Karaev]]. With Sapp's former opponent Akebono in attendance, Karaev surprised the American with aggression and a quick takedown to [[Mount (grappling)|mount]], but Sapp managed to get out after a failed [[rear naked choke]] attempt and hold his own mount for a longer time. Restarted the fight on the feet, Sapp knocked Karaev out with a left [[Jab (boxing)|jab]].

Come the K-1 Grand Prix 2005, Sapp was paired against fellow superheavyweight [[Choi Hong-man]] in the first round. Choi's large reach and great size allowed him to land hits regularly through Sapp's charges, but the latter pressed on and got an early knockdown by low kicks to the knee. However, although Sapp came aggressively again in the second round, his stamina started faltering, giving Choi the chance to unload multiple punches. Ultimately, a series of wild battles against an already similarly tired Choi were decided in the latter's favor, granting him a majority decision win.

On May 13, 2006, Sapp was to headline the K-1 show in the [[Netherlands]] against [[Ernesto Hoost]], in which Hoost had stated that it was to be his last match in the Netherlands before his retirement. Sapp attended all the pre-fight press conferences and even attended the opening ceremonies for the show. It is unclear at the moment as to why, but Sapp pulled out of the event midway through the show. K-1 issued a statement claiming Sapp pulled out due to new demands he brought to promoters during the show. Sapp disagreed with K-1's account of events,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mmaringreport.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=322 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217170152/http://www.mmaringreport.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=322 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 17, 2007 |title=MMA Ring Report |access-date=October 18, 2012 }}</ref> claiming the promotion had tried to delay his payment without any contractual safety.<ref name=Total/>

However, he did participate in 2007's K-1 event in the [[Amsterdam Arena]], fighting as a replacement for [[Remy Bonjasky]] against [[Peter Aerts]]. Sapp lost the fight by [[Knockout|KO]] within 20 seconds in the first round by a knee to the [[liver]].

After his falling out with K-1, Sapp began to get offers from [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] as well as [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] to work with them, but his K-1 contract prohibited him from going through with any return to the ring. It was reported WWE was considering an [[Angle (professional wrestling)|angle]] between Sapp and [[Chris Benoit]] in case they managed to clear his contract out, but they were unsuccessful.<ref name=Total/> Sapp finally made a surprise return to the K-1 ring in Japan after a two-year absence against comedian and part-time K-1 competitor [[Bobby Ologun]]. Ologun was unable to mount any effective offense as he was quickly run down and overpowered by Sapp in the first round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://onthemat.com/sakuraba-still-dynamite/|title=Sakuraba Still Dynamite!!|work=Onthemat|author=Monty DiPietro|date=January 1, 2008|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref> Afterwards, with his K-1 contract finally done, Sapp signed up with [[Hustle (professional wrestling)|Hustle]] and focused on his professional wrestling career.

===After K-1===
[[File:Bob sapp yokota base japan 2005-crop.jpg|180px|thumb|Sapp interviewed in Japan.]]

Since his last matches for K-1 in 2007, Sapp continued his career for small promotions in a limited, non-competitive in-ring way that was described as [[Match fixing|throwing fights]]. He would step into the ring after great amounts of promotion, often against upcoming stars and heavily promoted local fighters, only to turtle down and tap out in a few seconds.<ref name=NotThrow>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2012/5/22/3034930/bob-sapp-does-not-throw-fights-but-will-not-get-injured-for-a-small-paycheck-mma-heavyweight|title=Bob Sapp: 'I'm not throwing fights, but I will not receive bodily damage for a small paycheck' |author=Adam Guillen Jr. |publisher=mmamania-com|date=May 22, 2012|access-date=December 31, 2018}}</ref><ref name=Pioneer>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/news/2012/5/21/3035099/bob-sapp-denies-throwing-fights-says-hes-a-pioneer-of-this-sport|title=Bob Sapp Denies Throwing Fights, Calls Himself 'a Pioneer' of MMA|author=Shaun Al-Satti|publisher= mmafighting-com|date=May 21, 2012|access-date=December 31, 2018}}</ref> This routine, labelled in sports as a "[[Tomato can (sports idiom)|tomato can]]" act,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/289945-top-five-tomato-cans-in-mma-history-fighters-meant-for-the-meat-grinder |title=Top Five Tomato Cans in MMA History: Fighters Meant For The Meat Grinder|author=Mario Yanitelli|publisher=Bleacherreport|date=November 14, 2009|access-date=January 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1080510-the-25-biggest-tomato-cans-in-mma-history|title=The 25 Biggest Tomato Cans in MMA History|author=Scott Harris|publisher=Bleacherreport|date=March 1, 2012|access-date=January 4, 2019}}</ref> effectively ended his already inconsistent reputation in the sports, attracting large losing streaks and the accusations of "making a mockery of the sport of MMA" and "being a one-man circus".<ref name=NotThrow/> His usual commentator Mirko Cro Cop expressed his belief that Sapp was intentionally allowing himself to lose against very inferior opponents.

{{blockquote|I asked him, "Bob, why are you doing this?" He is too dangerous, he is such a huge guy. I saw some of his fights, he was fighting in Europe. Ninety-nine percent of the fights he lost here in Europe, he could've kicked their asses easily. Why he didn't do that? To me, it looked like he was doing that with some intention. He just wanted to lose the fight.<ref name=Mirko/>}}

When asked about it, Sapp denied he was throwing fights, and claimed he was doing this routine to collect quick paychecks in a late career he did not deem economically worthy to risk his health.<ref name=NotThrow/><ref name=Pioneer/> He also pointed out a perceived injustice in contemporaneous MMA business, where fighters carrying accolades and important legacies would be left in economic instability after retiring.<ref name=Pioneer/> He explained:

{{blockquote|Am I throwing these fights? No. Will I go into that ring and receive large amounts of damage for small paychecks? No. When it came to K-1, at the time, when everyone at K-1 was doing well, they get paid significantly enough to have you go into that ring, and hey, any kind of injury you get, they are going to pay. [...] These small organizations that you see that look so wonderful, they pay none of your bills if you get hurt, period. If you want to get hurt for a small amount of money in a fight, we call that the military.<ref name=NotThrow/>

You said it yourself, you have UFC fighters who are fighting more, and who are doing harder fights, and are getting less money. So you know what? [...] I do the same thing as everyone else, just as a promoter. They say fight business, and I am in the business of making money. How do I judge whether I have a successful fight? Success is judged by the measure of improvement. The measure of improvement in business is money.<ref name=Pioneer/>}}

====Cage Rage, Strike Force and BAMMA====
On February 10, 2007, it was announced by the United Kingdom's [[Cage Rage]] promotion that Sapp would appear on its Cage Rage 21 event on April 21, facing [[Gary Turner (fighter)|Gary Turner]]. The move was partly a retaliatory one, as the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] had chosen to run its first British show in years that same night at the Manchester Evening News Arena, headlined by [[Mirko Cro Cop]], [[Andrei Arlovski]] and British star [[Michael Bisping]]. Though Cage Rage promoter Andy Geer said that the UFC show would not affect ticket sales for CR21, the signing of Sapp was a clear sign that the company knew it would need a superstar draw in order to successfully compete with the American promotion. A few days before the event Bob Sapp pulled out of the scheduled fight. On short notice, [[Tank Abbott]] stepped in for Sapp and lost to Gary Turner.

Sapp faced the South African fighter [[Jan Nortje|Jan "The Giant" Nortje]] at the [[Strikeforce: At The Dome]] event in [[Tacoma, Washington]], at the [[Tacoma Dome]] on February 23, 2008. Sapp was defeated at the 55-second mark of the first round by TKO after receiving an unanswered amount of punches. Sapp then returned to Japan on New Year's Eve 2008 and defeated Akihito Tanaka via first-round TKO.

Sapp lost to Japanese [[Ikuhisa Minowa]] at ''[[Dream 9]]'' on May 26, 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreamofficial.com/free/fightcard/detail.php?fightid=20090526&cardid=1241072814 |title=DREAM {{pipe}} OLYMPIA DREAM.9 フェザー級グランプリ2009 2ndROUND 第1試合/スーパーハルクトーナメント1回戦 |publisher=Dreamofficial.com |access-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref> due to Achilles lock. He fought and lost to [[Bobby Lashley]] at Ultimate Chaos in [[Biloxi, Mississippi]], on June 27, 2009, due to first round tapout from strikes. On October 6, Sapp stood in for an injured [[Gegard Mousasi]] to face [[Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou]] in the semi-finals at [[Dream 11]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://mmaweekly.com/bob-sapp-to-face-sokoudjou-at-dream-11-2 |title=Bob Sapp To Face Sokoudjou at Dream 11 |work=MMA Weekly |date=September 9, 2009}}</ref> He lost via TKO (punches) in the first round.

On November 27, Sapp fought against Swedish K-1 veteran [[Jörgen Kruth]]. The fight got a lot of publicity in Swedish and international press, but ended with an anticlimax when Sapp's corner threw in the towel after only 45 seconds, after Kruth hit Sapp with a knee to the liver.

Sapp was next going to face Stav Economou at [[BAMMA 5]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bamma.com/index.php/component/content/article/35-bamma-news/102-bamma-5-the-beast-vs-crazy-bear-.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426071716/http://bamma.com/index.php/component/content/article/35-bamma-news/102-bamma-5-the-beast-vs-crazy-bear-.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |title=Welcome to BAMMA – Home |publisher=Bamma.com |access-date=October 18, 2012 }}</ref> but the event was canceled due to extreme weather conditions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yourmma.tv/news/details.asp/id/1425/bamma-5-cancelled.htm |title=MMA News {{pipe}} BAMMA 5 Cancelled; Weather Conditions Cited {{pipe}} Your MMA – Our Passion |publisher=Yourmma.tv |access-date=October 18, 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313033928/http://www.yourmma.tv/news/details.asp/id/1425/bamma-5-cancelled.htm |archive-date=March 13, 2012 }}</ref>

====Dynamite, ONE and Legend====
Sapp was scheduled to fight at [[Dynamite!! 2010|K1 Dynamite!! 2010]]. He was set to battle Shinichi Suzukawa on New Year's Eve in a Pancrase-style matchup, but pulled out at the last minute due to contract disputes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=dm-nyejapan123110|title=Overeem win highlights traditional NYE show|author=Dave Meltzer|date=December 31, 2010 |publisher=Yahoo!}}</ref> When questioned about Sapp's refusal to fight on the day of the event, [[Fighting and Entertainment Group|FEG]] President [[Sadaharu Tanikawa]] asked, "Does anyone actually care? I don't know the reasons why, but we did our best to make him fight. He just said he didn't want to. This is typical [of Sapp]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/Dynamite-Notebook-FEG-Restructures-for-Spring-2011-Return-29109|title='Dynamite' Notebook: FEG Restructures for Spring 2011 Return|author=Tony Loiseleur|website=Sherdog}}</ref> Sapp claims he refused to fight after promoters were contracted to pay him $30,000 for the fight, but Tanikawa only offered him $15,000 after he arrived in Japan for the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/22138/bob-sapp-explains-dream-dynamite-2010-no-show-says-dream-is-broke.mma|title=Bob Sapp explains DREAM "Dynamite!! 2010" no-show, says DREAM is "broke"|author=Steven Marrocco|publisher=MMAjunkie|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121195600/http://mmajunkie.com/news/22138/bob-sapp-explains-dream-dynamite-2010-no-show-says-dream-is-broke.mma|archive-date=January 21, 2011}}</ref>
[[File:Sapp Beast Backbreaker.jpg|thumb|250px|Sapp executing one of his finishing moves, the ''[[Argentine backbreaker rack|Beast Backbreaker]]'', on Wataru Sakata in Hustle.]]
On February 11, 2012, Sapp debuted for the Asian ONE Fighting Championship promotion. He faced [[Rolles Gracie]] at [[ONE Fighting Championship: Battle of Heroes]] in Jakarta, Indonesia and lost via submission to strikes in the first round.

Sapp fought in the main event of the [[Super Fight League]]'s inaugural event, [[2012 in Super Fight League|SFL 1]], against [[James Thompson (fighter)|James Thompson]] on March 11, 2012. Sapp tapped out due to a Thompson takedown that caused a leg injury to Sapp in the first round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Weekend-Rundown-Leg-Injury-Forces-Bob-Sapp-to-Submit-to-James-Thompson-in-India-41035|title=Weekend Rundown-Leg Injury Forces Bob-Sapp to Submit to James Thompson in India|publisher=Sherdog.com|date=March 11, 2012}}</ref>

He also fought [[Yōsuke Nishijima]] in Nishijima's retirement fight under kickboxing rules ''Legend 4'' in Kumamoto, Japan on November 17, 2013. Sapp was dropped with a body shot, stood back up but was then finished with body shots followed by couple of right hooks.<ref>[http://www.global-mma.com/t7107-nishijima-meets-bob-sapp-in-retirement-match-with-legend-kickboxing-promotion Nishijima meets Bob Sapp in Retirement Match with Legend kickboxing promotion]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://adcombat.com/legend-4-11-17-2013-nishijima-retires-after-ko-victory-over-sapp|title=LEGEND 4 – 11/17/2013: Nishijima retires after KO victory over Sapp|access-date=December 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205223149/http://adcombat.com/legend-4-11-17-2013-nishijima-retires-after-ko-victory-over-sapp/|archive-date=February 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20131118-00000005-gbr-fight |title=【LEGEND】西島、引退試合でボブ・サップを秒殺KO （イーファイト） - Yahoo!ニュース |access-date=November 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203022904/http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20131118-00000005-gbr-fight |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Sapp announced his retirement in April 2014 citing that he'd paid off big medical bills and will be retiring with several million dollars in savings (including money doing work outside of fights).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2014/5/18/5728820/bob-sapp-says-he-spent-the-end-of-his-career-paying-off-big-medical|title=Sapp says he can retire now that he has $10mil|date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>

Returning to kickboxing after a nearly two-year hiatus, Sapp appeared at Fight Night Saint Tropez on August 4, 2017, in [[Saint Tropez]], France.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Bob Sapp: The Beast is coming to Fight Night Saint Tropez|url = http://www.fightmag.com.au/2017/06/16/bob-sapp-partakes-fight-night-st-tropez/|work = [[Fightmag]]|author = Parviz Iskenderov|access-date = June 16, 2017|author-link = Parviz Iskenderov|date = June 16, 2017}}</ref> He faced Greg Tony and lost the bout via TKO in the first round.

On January 27, 2018, Sapp faced Selcuk Ustabasi at MFC 24. Sapp lost the bout via TKO in the first round.

===Rizin Fighting Federation===
Sapp had a rematch against [[Akebono Tarō|Akebono]] with [[shoot boxing]] rules on December 31, 2015, at [[Rizin Fighting Federation]] Grand Prix event.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Rizin FF – Rizin Fighting Federation 2|url = http://www.sherdog.com/events/Rizin-FF-Rizin-Fighting-Federation-2-48359|website = Sherdog|access-date = November 25, 2015}}</ref> Unlike his usual performances, he won the fight by technical decision.

He returned in September 2018 at Rizin 13, where he fought former sumo [[Osunaarashi]]. Sapp received intense striking during the first round and was taken down at the second, but he reversed Osunaarashi as they fell and gained top position, from which he controlled the rest of the round. He went to dominate an uneventful last round for a unanimous decision and his first MMA win in nearly nine years.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

===Boxing===
Sapp was said to go up against [[Mike Tyson]] in a 8-round [[Exhibition fight|exhibition boxing]] match, however no personal terms were agreed and Tyson fought [[Roy Jones Jr.]] instead.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sarkar |first1=Raj |title=Mike Tyson Reveals Why He Never Fought Bob Sapp |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/boxing-news-mike-tyson-reveals-why-he-never-fought-bob-sapp/ |access-date=May 11, 2022 |work=EssentiallySports |date=July 25, 2021}}</ref>

===Clout MMA===
Sapp was scheduled to fight Piotr Piechowiak at Clout MMA 2: Omielańczuk vs. Bad Boy, but the bout was cancelled.

==Fighting style==
Having no background in martial arts prior to his fighting career, Sapp's fighting style was relatively devoid of technique, and was more so distinguished by an aggressive usage of size and strength, pressuring his opponents with an unorthodox "bullrush" technique (which he dubbed as "NFL Style"), whereby he would rush an opponent, usually at the beginning of the round, and overwhelm them with a barrage of punches.

Although defined by his brute strength, Sapp's wins over opponents such as Yoshihiro Takayama and Stefan Gamlin showed that he did possess a knowledge of basic submission techniques.

==Personal life==
In December 2017, it was reported in Japanese newspaper ''[[Shukan Bunshun]]'' that a woman claiming to be Sapp's girlfriend accused him of [[domestic violence]]. She provided photographs of the alleged injuries and told how she had been abused by Sapp for six years.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Report: Bob Sapp accused of domestic violence|url = https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2017/12/21/16805268/report-bob-sapp-accused-domestic-violence-jmma-japan-crime-assault-injury-mma-news|website = Bloody Elbow|author = Víctor Rodríguez|date = December 21, 2017|access-date = February 15, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190216035143/https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2017/12/21/16805268/report-bob-sapp-accused-domestic-violence-jmma-japan-crime-assault-injury-mma-news|archive-date = February 16, 2019|url-status = dead}}</ref> Although the article included an apology message supposedly sent by him, Sapp did not make public comments about the accusation.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Bob Sapp accused of domestic violence by ex-girlfriend|url = https://www.tokyoreporter.com/japan-news/breaking/bob-sapp-accused-of-domestic-violence-by-ex-girlfriend/|website = Tokyo Reporter|date = December 21, 2017|access-date = February 15, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190215215821/https://www.tokyoreporter.com/japan-news/breaking/bob-sapp-accused-of-domestic-violence-by-ex-girlfriend/|archive-date = February 15, 2019|url-status = dead}}</ref> No civil suit was filed, and no criminal proceedings were announced as a result of the allegations.

==Championships and accomplishments==
[[File:Sapp slam.jpg|thumb|200px|Sapp executing a [[Powerslam#Scoop powerslam|scoop powerslam]] on Wataru Sakata.]]

===Kickboxing and mixed martial arts===
*'''[[Black Belt Magazine]]'''
**2003 NHB Fighter of the Year<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackbeltmag.com/archives/719|title=Black Belt Hall of Fame Inductee Directory|work=[[Black Belt Magazine]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220174732/http://www.blackbeltmag.com/archives/719|archive-date=December 20, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*'''[[K-1]]'''
**[[K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Hiroshima|K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Hiroshima Tournament Winner]]
*'''''[[Nikkan Sports]]'''''
**Match of the Year (2002) <small>vs. [[Ernesto Hoost]] (K-1, December 7)</small><ref name= NIKKAN2002>{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2002|title=Nikkan Sports Awards – 2002|website=wrestlingscout|date=February 17, 2016|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126120612/https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2002|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*'''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Box Office Draw|2002 Best Box Office Draw]]- [[K-1]], [[PRIDE Fighting Championships]]
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Box Office Draw|2003 Best Box Office Draw]]- [[K-1]], [[PRIDE Fighting Championships]]
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Rookie of the Year|2002 Rookie of the Year]]- [[K-1]], [[PRIDE Fighting Championships]]

===Professional wrestling===
*'''[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]'''
**[[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of IWGP Heavyweight Champions|1 time]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/champions/iwgp|title=IWGP Heavyweight Championship history|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|publisher=NJPW.co.jp|language=ja|access-date=November 10, 2016}}</ref>
*'''''[[Nikkan Sports]]'''''
**Wrestler of the Year (2002)<ref name= NIKKAN2002/>
**Outstanding Performance Award (2002)<ref name= NIKKAN2002/>
*'''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
**Ranked No. 26 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#PWI 500|PWI 500]]'' in 2004<ref name="PWI500-2004">{{cite news|title = Pro Wrestling illustrated 500 – 2004 :26 Bob Sapp | work = Pro Wrestling Illustrated | publisher = Sports and Entertainment publications LLC | location = Blue Bell, [[Pennsylvania]], US | id = December 2004 | page = 23 |date = October 2004}}</ref>
*'''[[Tokyo Sports]]'''
**[[Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards#MVP Award|MVP Award]] (2002)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/wrestling/wrestling_past4/|script-title=ja:東京スポーツ プロレス大賞|access-date=January 20, 2014|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref>
*'''World Wrestling Association (South Korea)'''
**WWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="kr-wwa-h"/>
*'''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
**[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Charismatic|Most Charismatic]] (2003)<ref>{{cite journal|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=January 26, 2011|title=Biggest issue of the year: The 2011 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Issue|periodical=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|location=Campbell, CA|pages=1–40|issn=1083-9593}}</ref>
**[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Box Office Draw|Best Box Office Draw]] (2002, 2003)

==Kickboxing record==
{| style="width:100%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center; font-size:88%;" class="wikitable sortable"
| colspan=10 | '''12 wins (9 KOs), 19 losses'''
|-
!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Result'''
!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Record'''
!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Opponent'''
!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Method'''
!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Event'''
!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Date'''
!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Round'''
!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Time'''
!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Location'''
!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Notes'''
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|12–19
|Selcuk Ustabasi
|TKO (punch)
|MFC 24 
|{{dts|2018|January|27|format=mdy}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:56
|[[İzmir]], Turkey
| 
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|12–18
|[[Grégory Tony]]
|TKO (punch)
|Fight Night Saint-Tropez
|{{dts|2017|August|4|format=mdy}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:40
|[[Saint-Tropez]], France
| 
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|12–17
|[[Akebono Tarō|Akebono]]
|Technical Decision
|[[Rizin Fighting Federation 2]]
|{{dts|2015|December|31|format=mdy}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|0:49
|[[Saitama (city)]], Japan
|align=left|{{small|[[Shoot boxing]] rules.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|11–17
|[[Yōsuke Nishijima]]
|TKO (punches)
|Legend 4
|{{dts|2013|November|17|format=mdy}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:36
|[[Kumamoto]], Japan
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|11–16
|[[Taishan Dong|Taishan]]
|KO (punch)
|IGF GENOME 24 
|{{dts|2013|February|23|format=mdy}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:39
|Tokyo, Japan
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|11–15
|Rok Štrucl
|TKO (punch)
|WFC 16
|{{dts|2012|April|22|format=mdy}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:35
|[[Ljubljana]], Slovenia
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|11–14
|Tofan Pirani
|TKO (injury)
|DIBC 2012
|{{dts|2012|February|2|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|2
|style="text-align:center;"|N/A
|[[Dubai]], United Arab Emirates
|align=left|{{small|Pirani injured himself while kicking Sapp.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–14
|[[Alexandru Lungu (fighter)|Alexandru Lungu]]
|KO (left hook)
|SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix IV 2011
|{{dts|2011|October|15|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|style="text-align:center;"|0:56
|[[Piatra Neamț]], Romania 
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–13
|Florian Pavic
|Decision (unanimous)
|Steko's Fight Night
|{{dts|2011|August|26|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|3
|style="text-align:center;"|3:00
|[[Karlsruhe]], Germany
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–12
|Tivadar Kunkli
|TKO (elbow)
|Fight Code: Dragons Round 3
|{{dts|2011|May|1|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|style="text-align:center;"|N/A
|[[Budapest]], Hungary
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–11
|Masayoshi Kakutani
|KO (knee)
|Inoki Genome Federation 15
|{{dts|2011|April|28|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|style="text-align:center;"|1:19
|Tokyo, Japan
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–10
|[[Jörgen Kruth]]
|TKO (corner stoppage)
|[[K-1 Scandinavia Rumble of the Kings 2010]]
|{{dts|2010|November|27|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|style="text-align:center;"|1:19
|[[Stockholm]], Sweden
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–9
|[[Patrice Quarteron]]
|KO (knee)
|A1 World Combat Cup
|{{dts|2009|November|28|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|style="text-align:center;"|2:32
|[[Lyon]], France
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–8
|[[Alain Ngalani]]
|Decision
|Planet Battle IV
|{{dts|2009|October|7|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|3
|style="text-align:center;"|3:00
|[[Wan Chai]], Hong Kong
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–7
|[[Peter Aerts]]
|KO (left knee)
|[[K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Amsterdam]]
|{{dts|2007|June|23|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|style="text-align:center;"|0:26
|[[Amsterdam]], Netherlands
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–6
|[[Musashi (kickboxer)|Musashi]]
|Decision (unanimous)
|[[K-1 PREMIUM 2005 Dynamite!!]]
|{{dts|2005|December|31|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|3
|style="text-align:center;"|3:00
|[[Osaka]], Japan
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–5
|[[Choi Hong-man]]
|Decision (majority)
|[[K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Osaka – Final Elimination]]
|{{dts|2005|September|25|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|3
|style="text-align:center;"|3:00
|[[Osaka]], Japan
|align=left|{{small|2005 [[K-1 World Grand Prix]] opening round.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|10–4
|Tatsufumi Tomihira
|Decision (unanimous)
|[[K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Hiroshima]]
|{{dts|2005|June|14|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|3
|style="text-align:center;"|3:00
|[[Hiroshima]], Japan
|align=left|{{small|2005 Hiroshima Grand Prix final.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|9–4
|[[Hiraku Hori]]
|KO (strikes)
|[[K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Hiroshima]]
|{{dts|2005|June|14|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|2
|style="text-align:center;"|1:54
|[[Hiroshima]], Japan
|align=left|{{small|2005 Hiroshima Grand Prix semi-final.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|8–4
|[[Yoshihiro Nakao]]
|Decision (unanimous)
|[[K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Hiroshima]]
|{{dts|2005|June|14|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|3
|style="text-align:center;"|3:00
|[[Hiroshima]], Japan
|align=left|{{small|2005 Hiroshima Grand Prix quarter-final.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|7–4
|[[Ray Sefo]]
|KO (body shot)
|[[K-1 Beast 2004 in Shizuoka]]
|{{dts|2004|June|26|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|2
|style="text-align:center;"|0:29
|[[Shizuoka (city)|Shizuoka]], Japan
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|7–3
|Tommy Glanville
|KO (left hooks)
|[[K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Las Vegas I]]
|{{dts|2004|April|30|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|style="text-align:center;"|0:33
|[[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|6–3
|[[Seth Petruzelli]]
|TKO (elbow injury)
|[[K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Saitama]]
|{{dts|2004|March|27|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|style="text-align:center;"|0:57
|[[Saitama (city)|Saitama]], Japan
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|5–3
|[[Akebono Tarō|Akebono]]
|KO (right hook)
|[[K-1 PREMIUM 2003 Dynamite!!]]
|{{dts|2003|December|31|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|style="text-align:center;"|2:58
|[[Nagoya]], Japan
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|4–3
|[[Remy Bonjasky]]
|DQ (punch on the ground)
|[[K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 Final Elimination]]
|{{dts|2003|October|11|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|2
|style="text-align:center;"|1:20
|[[Osaka]], Japan
|align=left|{{small|2003 [[K-1 World Grand Prix]] opening round.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|4–2
|[[Kimo Leopoldo]]
|KO (punch)
|[[K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Las Vegas II]]
|{{dts|2003|August|13|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|2
|style="text-align:center;"|1:11
|[[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|3–2
|[[Mirko Cro Cop]]
|KO (left cross)
|[[K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Saitama]]
|{{dts|2003|March|30|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|style="text-align:center;"|1:26
|[[Saitama (city)|Saitama, Japan]]
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|3–1
|[[Ernesto Hoost]]
|TKO (referee stoppage)
|[[K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final]]
|{{dts|2002|December|7|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|2
|style="text-align:center;"|2:53
|Tokyo, Japan
|align=left|{{small|2002 [[K-1 World Grand Prix]] quarter-final.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|2–1
|[[Ernesto Hoost]]
|TKO (doctor stoppage)
|[[K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final Elimination]]
|{{dts|2002|October|5|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|style="text-align:center;"|3:00
|[[Saitama (city)|Saitama]], Japan
|align=left|{{small|2002 [[K-1 World Grand Prix]] opening round.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|1–1
|[[Cyril Abidi]]
|TKO (referee stoppage)
|[[K-1 Andy Spirits Japan GP 2002 Final]]
|{{dts|2002|September|22|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|style="text-align:center;"|1:17
|[[Osaka]], Japan
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|0–1
|[[Tsuyoshi Nakasako]]
|DQ (punch on the ground)
|[[K-1 Survival 2002]]
|{{dts|2002|June|2|format=mdy}}
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|style="text-align:center;"|1:30
|[[Toyama (city)|Toyama]], Japan
|
|-
| colspan=10 | {{flatlist}}
;Legend
: {{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win |border=1px solid #CCFFCC}}
: {{legend2|#FFBBBB|Loss |border=1px solid #FFBBBB}}
: {{legend2|#c5d2ea|Draw/No contest |border=1px solid #c5d2ea}}
{{endflatlist}}
|}

==Mixed martial arts record==
{{MMArecordbox
| draws= 
| nc= 
| ko-wins= 8
| ko-losses= 15
| sub-wins= 3
| sub-losses= 4
| dec-wins= 1
| dec-losses= 
| dq-wins= 
| dq-losses= 1
| other-wins= 
| other-losses= 
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 12–20
| [[Osunaarashi]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[2018 in Rizin Fighting Federation#Rizin 13 - Saitama|Rizin 13]]
| {{dts|2018|September|30|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 3:00
| [[Saitama (city)|Saitama]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 11–20
| Aori Gele
| TKO (punches)
| Road FC 32
| {{dts|2016|July|02|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:35
| [[Changsha]], China
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 11–19
| Edson França
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| OX MMA
| {{dts|2013|August|08|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:35
| [[Fortaleza]], Brazil
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 11–18
| [[Aleksander Emelianenko]]
| TKO (punches)
| Legend Fighting Show
| {{dts|2013|May|25|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:18
| Moscow, Russia
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 11–17
| Dusan Panajotovic
| TKO (submission to punches)<!--PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS AS THIS IS THE OFFICIAL RESULT LISTED BY SHERDOG-->
| Night of the Champions 2012
| {{dts|2012|September|15|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:28
| [[Belgrade]], Serbia
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 11–16
| Jong Dae Kim
| TKO (punches)
| Road FC 8
| {{dts|2012|June|16|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 1:58
| [[Wonju]], South Korea
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 11–15
| Tolegen Akylbekov
| TKO (submission to punches)<!--PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS AS THIS IS THE OFFICIAL RESULT LISTED BY SHERDOG-->
| Bushido Lithuania vol.51
| {{dts|2012|June|8|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:29
| [[Astana]], Kazakhstan
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 11–14
| [[Soa Palelei]]
| TKO (punches)
| Cage Fighting Championship 21
| {{dts|2012|May|18|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:12
| Sydney, Australia
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 11–13
| [[Mariusz Pudzianowski]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[2012 in Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki events#KSW 19: Pudzianowski vs. Sapp|KSW 19]]
| {{dts|2012|May|12|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:40
| [[Łódź]], Poland
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 11–12
| [[James Thompson (fighter)|James Thompson]]
| TKO (leg injury)<!--PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS AS THIS IS THE OFFICIAL RESULT LISTED BY SHERDOG-->
| [[2012 in Super Fight League#SFL 1|SFL 1]]
| {{dts|2012|March|11|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:56
| [[Mumbai]], India
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 11–11
| [[Rolles Gracie Jr.|Rolles Gracie]]
| TKO (submission to punches)<!--PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS AS THIS IS THE OFFICIAL RESULT LISTED BY SHERDOG-->
| [[ONE Fighting Championship: Battle of Heroes]]
| {{dts|2012|February|11|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:18
| [[Jakarta]], Indonesia
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 11–10
| [[Alexander Otsuka]]
| DQ (illegal slams)
| Accel – Vol. 18: X'mas Seiya Matsuri
| {{dts|2011|December|25|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 1:43
| [[Kobe]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 11–9
| Maro Perak
| TKO (punches)
| Noc Gladijatora 6
| {{dts|2011|December|16|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:04
| [[Dubrovnik]], Croatia
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 11–8
| Attila Uçar
| Submission (achilles lock)
| Premium Fight Night
| {{dts|2011|April|30|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:56
| [[Vienna]], Austria
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 11–7
| Stav Economou
| TKO (punches)
| ADFC: Round 3
| {{dts|2011|March|11|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:45
| [[Abu Dhabi]], United Arab Emirates
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 11–6
| Sascha Weinpolter
| Submission (forearm choke)
| [[K-1 ColliZion 2010 Croatia]]
| {{dts|2010|March|27|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:03
| [[Split, Croatia|Split]], Croatia
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 10–6
| [[Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[Dream 11]]
| {{dts|2009|October|06|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:31
| [[Yokohama]], Japan
| {{small|DREAM Super Hulk Grand Prix Semi-final. Replaced [[Gegard Mousasi]].}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 10–5
| [[Bobby Lashley]]
| TKO (submission to punches)<!--PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS AS THIS IS THE OFFICIAL RESULT LISTED BY SHERDOG-->
| Fight Force International: Ultimate Chaos
| {{dts|2009|June|27|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:18
| [[Biloxi, Mississippi]], United States
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 10–4
| [[Ikuhisa Minowa]]
| Submission (achilles lock)
| [[Dream 9]]
| {{dts|2009|May|26|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:16
| [[Yokohama]], Japan
| {{small|DREAM Super Hulk Grand Prix Quarterfinal.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 10–3
| Akihito Tanaka
| TKO (punches)
| [[Dynamite!! 2008|Fields Dynamite!! 2008]]
| {{dts|2008|December|31|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 5:22
| [[Saitama (city)|Saitama]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 9–3
| [[Jan Nortje]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[Strikeforce: At The Dome]]
| {{dts|2008|February|23|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:55
| [[Tacoma, Washington]], United States
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 9–2
| [[Bobby Ologun]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[K-1 Premium 2007 Dynamite!!]]
| {{dts|2007|December|31|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:10
| [[Osaka]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 8–2
| Kim Jong Wang
| TKO (punches)
| [[Hero's]] 2005 in Seoul
| {{dts|2005|November|05|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:08
| [[Seoul]], South Korea
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 7–2
| [[Alan Karaev]]
| KO (punch)
| [[Hero's]] 2
| {{dts|2005|July|06|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:44
| Tokyo, Japan
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 6–2
| [[Kim Min-Soo (judoka)|Min-Soo Kim]]
| KO (punches)
| [[Hero's]] 1
| {{dts|2005|March|26|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:12
| [[Saitama (city)|Saitama]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 5–2
| [[Kazuyuki Fujita]]
| TKO (submission to soccer kicks)<!--PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS AS THIS IS THE OFFICIAL RESULT LISTED BY SHERDOG-->
| [[K-1 MMA ROMANEX]]
| {{dts|2004|May|22|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:15
| [[Saitama (city)|Saitama]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5–1
| [[Dolgorsürengiin Sumyaabazar]]
| TKO (foot injury)
| [[K-1 Beast 2004 in Niigata]]
| {{dts|2004|March|14|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Niigata (city)|Niigata]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4–1
| Stefan Gamlin
| Submission (standing guillotine choke)
| K-1 Japan Grand Prix 2003
| {{dts|2003|September|21|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:52
| [[Yokohama]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–1
| [[Yoshihiro Takayama]]
| Submission (armbar)
| [[Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye|Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2002]]
| {{dts|2002|December|31|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:16
| [[Saitama (city)|Saitama]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 2–1
| [[Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira]]
| Submission (armbar)
| [[Pride Shockwave]]
| {{dts|2002|August|28|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 4:03
| Tokyo, Japan
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2–0
| [[Kiyoshi Tamura]]
| KO (punches)
| [[Pride 21]]
| {{dts|2002|June|23|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:11
| [[Saitama (city)|Saitama]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–0
| [[Yoshihisa Yamamoto (wrestler)|Yoshihisa Yamamoto]]
| KO (punches)
| [[Pride 20]]
| {{dts|2002|April|28|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:44
| [[Yokohama]], Japan
| 
{{end}}

==Mixed rules record==
{{MMArecordbox
| draws= 1
| nc= 
| ko-wins= 
| ko-losses= 
| sub-wins= 
| sub-losses= 
| dec-wins= 
| dec-losses= 
| dq-wins= 
| dq-losses= 
| other-wins= 
| other-losses= 
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
| {{draw}}Draw
| align=center| 0–0–1
| [[Jérôme Le Banner]]
| Decision
| [[K-1 PREMIUM 2004 Dynamite!!]]<ref name="Dynamite2004" />
| {{dts|2004|December|31|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 4
| align=center| 3:00
| Tokyo, Japan
| {{small|The fight was with both Mixed Martial Arts and K-1 rules.<ref name="Dynamite2004">{{cite web
 |url=http://www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp/b04_1231.htm 
 |title=FieLDS K-1 PREMIUM 2004 Dynamite!! 
 |accessdate=September 17, 2009 |publisher=K-1 Grand Prix Website 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505045123/http://www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp/b04_1231.htm 
 |archivedate=May 5, 2009 }}</ref>}}
|-
{{end}}

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="width:75px;"| Year
! style="width:250px;"| Title
! style="width:150px;"| Role
|-
| 2003
| ''Bob Sapp: Sapp Time The Movie!''
| Himself
|-
| 2003
| ''[[You're Under Arrest (manga)|You're Under Arrest]]''
| Bob Hage
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Izo]]''
| Monk
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Elektra (2005 film)|Elektra]]''
| [[Stone (Marvel Comics)|Stone]]
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Devilman (film)|Devilman]]''
| World Newscaster
|-
| 2005
| ''{{sortname|The|Longest Yard|dab=2005 film}}''
| Switowski
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Big Stan]]''
| Big Raymond
|-
| 2009
| ''Frankenhood''
| Frankie
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Blood and Bone]]''
| Hammerman
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Blood Out]]''
| Uncredited
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Conan the Barbarian (2011 film)|Conan the Barbarian]]''
| Ukafa
|-
| 2012
| ''JourneyQuest'' (6 episodes, Season 2)
| Karn, the Barbarian King
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Miss Pilot]]''
| Roy
|-
| 2018
| ''Big in Japan''
| Himself
|}

== See also ==
* [[List of professional wrestlers by MMA record]]
* [[List of gridiron football players who became professional wrestlers]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bob Sapp}}
* {{Sherdog}}
* {{IMDb name|1452211}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110129020159/http://www.k-1.co.jp/en/fighter/player.php?index=sapp Profile] at [[K-1]]

{{Morris Trophy}}
{{Voodoo Murders}}
{{Bears1997DraftPicks}}
{{IWGP Heavyweight Championship}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sapp, Bob}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:African-American male actors]]
[[Category:African-American professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:African-American mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Japan]]
[[Category:American football offensive linemen]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male kickboxers]]
[[Category:American male mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:American male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:American sportspeople in doping cases]]
[[Category:Doping cases in American football]]
[[Category:Expatriate television personalities in Japan]]
[[Category:Expatriate professional wrestlers in Japan]]
[[Category:IWGP Heavyweight champions]]
[[Category:Kickboxers from Colorado]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists from Colorado]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Colorado]]
[[Category:Heavyweight kickboxers]]
[[Category:Super heavyweight mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling]]
[[Category:Washington Huskies football players]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing kickboxing]]
[[Category:Chicago Bears players]]
[[Category:Minnesota Vikings players]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Colorado Springs, Colorado]]
[[Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers who competed in MMA]]