Michael Schiavello on 2009 in MMA and Kickboxing
Michael Schiavello is one the best known commentators in combat sports today, he is currently contracted to HDNet in the US and also does work for the Japanese shows K-1 GP, K-1 MAX, DREAM, DYNAMITE and The Contender Asia Reality TV Series and various other shows around the world. He has a unique insight in to the sport sitting ringside for some of the biggest events in the world and it is estimated that Michael has commentated over 5000 fights in K-1, MMA, boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, wrestling, Karate, All-Styles and more.. Michael took the time to give us his thoughts on the best fights and fighters of 2009 in both Kickboxing and MMA from his perspective.
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You have covered a lot of shows through out 2009 can you tell us your favourite and why?
My favourite show was DREAM 10 from the Saitama Super Arena. This was an MMA show for the pursists, there were no freaks, no gimmicks, no Super Hulks, just good fights all night and the climax of a thrilling welterweight tourney. Zaromskis was on fire as he came through as underdog to win the title with two stunning knockouts. Plus we saw Kikkuno’s DREAM debut against Dida, we saw a strange kickboxing match between Aoki and Shaolin… it was just a solid and highly enjoyable card overall. I also loved DREAM 11 and Adrenaline IV in Iowa with Jason Riley vs Tim Sylvia and Sherman Pendergast vs Houston Alexander.
What was your favourite kickboxing/Muay Thai fight for 2009?
Masato versus Andy Souwer in the very last fight of the year at Dynamite. That was five rounds of insane action, with Masato getting a knockdown and Souwer giving his all. It was a fitting farewell fight for Masato in which he delivered a career best performance. That was just wicked and a fight I could watch over and over again and not get bored.
What was your favourite MMA fight for 2009?
I think it would have to be either Takaya / Fernandes from DREAM 11 or Tokoro / Cullum from DREAM 9. I will probably lean in favour of Tokoro vs Cullum as it had everything including good striking, awesome groundwork, crazy sub attempts and escapes and reversals and a real see-sawing tempo to it.
Best KO in 2009?
In MMA it had to be Akihiro Gono getting KO’d by Dan Hornbuckle at Sengoku IX. That was intense and a little disturbing. In K-1 it was Alistair Overeem’s KO of Ewerton Texeira in the K-1 Grand Prix quarter finals. That was scary the way Ewerton fell face first to the canvas.
Best submission of 2009?
Of the fights I commentated, I would say Sakuraba over Galesic at DREAM 12 goes close just for the fact that Saku was getting absoluetly tooled and pounded on and he hung on to pull out a trademark sub. Aoki breaking Hirota’s arm at Dynamite was awesome if a little sickening, especially after the way he just handled Hirota for the whole of that short fight then just snapped his humerus. But submission of the year goes to Minowaman Achilles Lock over Hong Mann Choi at Dream 11. That was epic.
Who do you rate as Pound for Pound best Kickboxer in 2009 internationally and locally?
Internationally it has to be Giorgio Petrosian. He is the K-1 MAX king and just ran through every opponent in his debut year like a hot knife through butter. Locally is hard to say as there is so much good talent going around, but I think Carnage is right up there.
Who do you rate as Pound for Pound best MMA fighter in 2009 internationally and locally?
I havent seen enough local content to really comment effectively but internationally… well that is hard. You still must rank Fedor with his wins over Arlovski and Rogers; you can’t overlook someone like BJ Penn or GSP. You have to give attention to Gegard Mousasi as well. Also Marius Zaromskis, Shinya Aoki, they did great things in 2009.
Who is your up and coming fighter for 2009?
Marius Zaromskis. He won the DREAM welterweight title but he’s going to go a long way. He’s the welterweight Cro Cop.
What are your predictions for kickboxing in 2010 both locally and internationally? do you have any inside info on upcoming big name fights?
Locally I think we will see more of the same with Queensland leading the Muay Thai charge. I’m looking forward to seeing some of the new B-tier talent emerge into A class stars, guys like Taylor Harvey and Tomahawk Thompson and Flip Street. Also we should see the second season of The Contender Asia finally happen which will again be a big boost for the sport here, what with Eli repping Australia in the series.
Internationally K-1 is planning a big year with a rumored four European shows, a return to mainland USA and maybe even a reality TV show.
What are your predictions for MMA in 2010 both locally and internationally? do you have any inside info on upcoming big name fights?
Locally I cant comment except to say it’s great that UFC is coming to Sydney and will do big things for MMA exposure Down Under. Internationally look for DREAM and SENGOKU to do their usual big shows, with DREAM possibly having a light heavyweight tourney this year. Also I am hoping we may see DREAM and STRIKEFORCE combine for shows in the US and Japan, much like DREAM and SENGOKU did for Dynamite.
What does the new year hold for you?
A huge year! I’m contracted to HDNet TV in the USA and they are looking at doing about 40 live shows around the world this year which will be insane. I can’t wait! Also more from me on Fox Sports and of course calling all the K-1 action all over the place. It’s going to be nuts… plus there’s a few other exciting things in the pipeline but I can’t say too much.
To read more about Michael Schiavello visit his official website www.thevoiceofficial.com/