Sapp vs. Nortje Headlines Strikeforce Event: Sapp Wants Emelianenko Next

The following excerpt was posted at www.mmajunkie.com

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

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

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

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

The 33-year-old will now take on Nortje, who is actually one of his former training partners.
The 6-foot-11, 330-lb. South African owns a 6-13 record fighting for the K-1 organization. Nortje also owns a perfect 10-0 mark as a professional boxer.

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

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

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

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

As far as Sapps plans go, he has his sights set on the invincible Fedor Emelianenko. In fact, Sapp is set to sign a new deal with K-1, and the organization plans to partner up with M-1 Global, which is Emelianenko’s new home.

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

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