If there was a pictorial glossary of MMA terminology, this fight would undoubtedly be the entry under the word “slobberknocker.”
The PRIDE 21 clash between [autotag]Don Frye[/autotag] and [autotag]Yoshihiro Takayama[/autotag] remains one of the craziest fights ever captured on camera as the two hulking specimens – one a professional mixed martial artist and one a towering professional wrestler – went toe to toe and threw bombs at each other.
The usual rules of unarmed combat didn’t apply here. There was no feeling-out process. The only time they spent assessing each other was during their unforgettable staredown, which could be thrown into the Hall of Fame alone for its intensity. But, as it turned out, the electrifying faceoff between the pair was a mere appetizer for what was to come. And boy were we unprepared for what came next.
The pair flew out of their respective corners and immediately started to throw punches. No circling, no probing for openings, just straight ahead, all guns blazing.
After Frye connected with three big punches, Takayama closed the distance and initiated the clinch, but was met by more heavy-handed strikes from Frye. Takayama then used his size advantage to back Frye into the corner before the most incredible exchange in the history of MMA unfolded in front of an enthralled Saitama crowd.
With each man holding the back of the other’s head with one hand, the pair unloaded haymaker after haymaker as they hammered away at their opposite number. We’ve tried to count the shots in that wild corner exchange and we reckon they threw 13 rapid-fire haymakers each during their incredible synchronized punching salvo.
Frye eventually got the better of things, with his ludicrously strong chin and his more professionally-honed strikes proving the key difference maker as he eventually finished a battered and bruised Takayama at the 6:10 mark of the first round.
It was named fight of the year for 2002 by the Wrestling Observer and remains one of the most iconic bouts from the wild, glory days of PRIDE Fighting Championships.
Kick back, crack open a beer and enjoy. They don’t make fights like this any more.
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