Masato retires - Not fighting in the Max GP

[Hironaka]

He will fight in July in an exhibition against Hiroya and then will have a retirement match at Dynamite.

[adrian]

Nooooooooooooooooo! :(

But seriously. Disappointing he won't do a superfight with Souwer. He's avenged every other loss in Max.

[dekker]

Shame one of the best around out there

[Richie]

Wow, massive news.Any idea as to why? Injury or just felt he has done his time? Regardless, good on him for retiring on top.

[Imsta]

Oh what a shame. :( I will always remembered when every one thought he had no chance against Baukaw and I picked him to beat Baukaw and to win the max... and I lost $2G to Voice. [B)]

[Voice]

quote:Originally posted by Imsta

Oh what a shame. :( I will always remembered when every one thought he had no chance against Baukaw and I picked him to beat Baukaw and to win the max... and I lost $2G to Voice. [B)]

haha, c'mon Im you have to get over that else you will die a ragged and bitter old man! [V]:D:D

I suspect Masato will still figure in superfights or a variant fighting art for a while but the guy is superstar staus in Japan so why get beaten up when he can make loads more money on the commentary team and endorsing those silly little Japanese widgets that are commonplace in Japan but which never are seen here. (ie. furry i-pod warmers etc).
It is a shame that we won't see him bang on at this Max but he shows sense and good judgment.

[MichaelSchiavello]

One of my favourite fighters of all time. For my own selfishness I say it's a shame as I want to keep seeing him more and more, but it is also good to see a fighter retire while on top of his game and not on the downhill where others can take his legacy, as we have seen with so many.

One of the greatest thrills for me commentating was calling the shots as Masato won the 2008 MAX title. Will never forget it. And also when he defeated Buakaw at the Budokan in 2007, which remains one of my favourite fights ever. Masato is just one of those fighters who you watch and you know you're watching someone really special -- one of the greats.

He says his last fight will be on NYE at Dynamite against whoever the MAX Champion is this year. So he will definitely go out fighting the best. True Masato spirit!

"The Voice" Michael Schiavello

[Imsta]

Bushi,

I am over it. Masato in my opinion is the best 'homework' fighter I have seen. We have seen him get smashed by Buakaw in 2005? final and turns around in their next meeting to take his revenge. Good on him.

[jabout]

A sad day for me.

[Hironaka]

I'm still hoping that it was an April Fools joke.

[Voice]

Hey Shiv,
remember these great times in Tokyo my friend? I think we got snaps of nearly every Final 8 fighter. This was at the press conference 2 days before that epic bout against Buakaw.


http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/2061/pa020318fg5.jpg


http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/2299/pa020317as9.jpg

[MichaelSchiavello]

Ah now I can see them...

Aaaah great memories... like the corners of my mind... misty water coloured memories... of the way we were... scattered pictures...


"The Voice" Michael Schiavello

[Dynamite Drew]

on official K-1 website

on japanese version , 3 articles aready up : http://www.k-1.co.jp/jp/index.php

on english version , nothing !!! : http://www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp/index.htm

[Hironaka]

I have that tie.

[Voice]

quote:Originally posted by Hironaka

I have that tie.

he borrowed it from me as he didn't have one on and I told him he'd better sharpen the f*** up because we wanted some pics...notice I'm missing one from my suit?

[Makaba]

How old is Masato? Good to see him retire on top whatever his age. Not many fighters do so good on him.

[Hironaka]

quote:Originally posted by Voice

quote:Originally posted by Hironaka

I have that tie.

he borrowed it from me as he didn't have one on and I told him he'd better sharpen the f*** up because we wanted some pics...notice I'm missing one from my suit?


There is no way you are that stylish Neale. I mean, look at the size of your suit jacket. Where did you get that from? Lowes?

[Voice]

haha, cheeky f***.
Brooks Brothers Ginza if you must know. It's the only place us gaijin can get fitted in town. lol

[Hironaka]

I'd suggest a new tailor.

Look where your top button is positioned in comparison to his. Masato's is about two inches higher, despite him being around three inches shorter.

[Hironaka]

Also, I dig how Shiv gives the thumbs up. The raised fist is so cliched.

[Dynamite Drew]

quote:Originally posted by Makaba

How old is Masato? Good to see him retire on top whatever his age. Not many fighters do so good on him.


he was 30 last month .....

http://www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp/ctop.htm

[kocho]

masatoo was a champp
always watched him wen he fought

[zito]

well to bad so sad .........


1st fight with zambo was a rip off [:0]

[Hironaka]

quote:Originally posted by zito

well to bad so sad .........


1st fight with zambo was a rip off [:0]




To protect the integrity of this board, can a mod please delete this?

[matt champion]

some ways this is good get some new fighters in max some more kyshenkos the new era

[Hellfighter]

Hiro, since when is posting ones opinion lowering the integrity of this forum? you for one have gone under the level many times

[nagas]

Haha lucky Dynamite Drew does'nt like Masato otherwise this thread would well and truly go to shlt.
Masato's a great warrior and very adaptable to different styles, which made him a great fighter.
Very good in the 3 round format.
All the best to him he's a true champ.

[Dynamite Drew]

quote:Originally posted by nagas

Haha lucky Dynamite Drew does'nt like Masato otherwise this thread would well and truly go to shlt.
Masato's a great warrior and very adaptable to different styles, which made him a great fighter.
Very good in the 3 round format.
All the best to him he's a true champ.


actually i dont like him that much , i think he a tad over rated and not as good as some make him out to be

he has gotten a lot of help over the years from the biased judging and rule changes made to suit him

but hey , its their show and Masato is their pin up boy but he still a good fighter to get some of the wins he got

[adrian]

The two Souwer losses are a bit of a stain on his legacy.

Also I guess if you gave the first Zambidis fight to Masato where Zam came back strong after the knockdown, it's hard to not find the Masato vs Sato and Kyshenko fights contraversial as he came back after the knock downs but I guess did he come back more than Zambidis came back?

You can't deny the greatness of his first Kraus victory and his Buakaw victory though.

[zito]

Hiro ,

What happen your not a MOD anymore ?

[Hironaka]

No.

[supermario]

Props to the champ, gave us a thrilling K-1 Max finals last year, two of the best fights I've ever seen, and both in one night, won by the same man. Respect. I hope Kyshenko wins the Max.

[ZeusAcademy]

Masato is a great fighter & champion.
He is retiring IMO at the right time.

I think the match with Hiroya is not really fair.
I like Hiroya & I think he will be one to watch in the future...
Hiroya might be the next 'future Masato' but is still young & has way less experience than Masato.

[Hellfighter]

it's an exhibition match, doesn't mean it will an all out war as if it is part of the finals... that being said, I really hope that Hiroya slips in a nice short right hand and drops Masato in front of a capacity crowd!!!

[Voice]

quote:Originally posted by Hellfighter

it's an exhibition match, doesn't mean it will an all out war as if it is part of the finals... that being said, I really hope that Hiroya slips in a nice short right hand and drops Masato in front of a capacity crowd!!!

have you ever seen pigs fly?
Hiroya is 61kgs and 17yrs old. They will be wearing shinpads over the 3min bout so don't be expecting fireworks.

[Hellfighter]

why do you appear you take everything posted so seriously, Voice?

[Voice]

quote:Originally posted by Hellfighter

why do you appear you take everything posted so seriously, Voice?

oh, you were joking were you Hell? I will remember that for next time.