2010 Fight of the Year: Part 6

Last Updated on Saturday, 22 January 2011 08:02 Monday, 27 December 2010 21:42

Written by Fraser Coffeen

Our next entry is the 2nd fight from K-1's big double Final 16 weekend, and is a fight you knew had to be on this list...

"Iron" Mike Zambidis v. Chahid Oulad El Hadj (K-1 MAX Grand Prix Final 16, October 3)

It's rare that we get fights like this - fights where both men throw down with so much passion that the energy just grabs you.  Where neither man wants to give in, and both push each other to the limit.  In the UFC, Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar had one of those fights, and it helped save the company.  This one likely won't have that same impact on K-1 MAX, but if things were right with the world, it would.  This is, quite simply, an amazing fight; you can tell from the passion in the commentary, the cheers from the crowd, and hopefully your own feelings while watching.  What makes it even better is that it is a fight between two men who always were able to deliver excitement, but had not found themselves on the winning side lately.  Zambidis's last K-1 appearance was a loss to Hinata, while Chahid had recently recovered from a terrible 2009.  Neither man seemed like they would be a real factor in the Grand Prix, but together they provided the greatest highlight of MAX's year.

Enough words... sit back and enjoy.

Previously featured:

Tyrone Spong v. Jerome Le Banner

Bovy Sor. Udomson v. Takaaki Umeno

Yuya Yamamoto v. Scott Shaffer

Tetsuya Yamato v. Yuta Kubo

Peter Aerts v. Ewerton Teixeira

There will be 10 fights total posted.  Fights 7 & 8 on Tuesday, and 9 & 10 conclude on Wednesday.  Fights are featured in chronological order moving through the year.  Voting will be open Wednesday night to determine the winner.

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