Bob Sapp

Bob "The Beast" Sapp (born September 22, 1974 in Colorado Springs, Colorado) is an American kickboxer/MMA fighter. He is famous in Japan, where he appears in many commercials, television programs and has released a CD, "It's Sapp Time." After arriving in Japan, he was initially very successful in K-1 kickboxing. He twice defeated 4-time K-1 champion Ernesto Hoost by KO. Sapp's initial successes with his intimidating blind chase-and-punch attack method slowly peetered out into disqualifications for bullrushing and punching after referee stops when experienced opponents found Sapp's weak points: His glass chin and his weak legs. In what marked the beginning of Sapp's K-1 decline, he was knocked out by Croatian Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic in 86 seconds in the March 30, 2003 Saitama event. After Filipovic landed several solid kicks to Sapp's sides and legs, a fatal right kick to the lower ribs left a kneeled Sapp gasping for air, too weak to even stand up and beat the count. K-1, which has become less popular in the past couple years, soon lost both Sapp (to movies and wrestling) and Filipovic (to rival organization, Pride).

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Bob Sapp has also competed as a professional wrestler, starting out in NWA Wildside of 2001. In 2004, Sapp competed for New Japan Pro Wrestling, winning their prestigious IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, though it was vacated shortly thereafter due to a mixed martial arts fight loss and Sapp leaving Japan for film commitments for the 2005 films Elektra and The Longest Yard. In June 2005 Sapp won the K-1 Japan Grand Prix to become one of 16 fighters qualified for the 2005 K-1 GP Final. In the Japan GP, Sapp showcased greatly improved stamina as well as better technique than in his previous fights.

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Sapp began his athletic career in college football as a standout offensive lineman for the University of Washington, where he won the Morris Award. Expected by some to get high notice from pro scouts in the 1997 NFL draft, he slipped to the third round before being chosen by the Chicago Bears at 69th overall. Although he was under pro contract for the next four seasons (with four different teams, each of which cut him within that season), he appeared in only one regular season game.

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Sapp also had a role as Switowski in the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard, starring Adam Sandler and Burt Reynolds.

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Sapp stands 6'5 (~ 1.96m) and weights around 350 lbs (~ 160 kg).

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September 22: September 22 is the 265th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (266th in leap years). There are 100 days remaining....

1974: 1974 is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar)....

Colorado Springs: redirect Colorado Springs, Colorado...

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