Hongman Choi: Difference between revisions
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==Military Service== |
==Military Service== |
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In April 2008, Choi joined the Korean army for his 26 months military service. After failing two medical tests, he was relieved from his military duty. The main reason was a problem with the sight in his left eye, which was the result of a brain tumor. On June 9, the tumor was finally removed through surgery. |
In April 2008, Choi joined the Korean army for his 26 months military service. After failing two medical tests, he was relieved from his military duty. The main reason was a problem with the sight in his left eye, which was the result of a brain tumor. On June 9, the tumor was finally removed through surgery. He is in love with his boyfriend kevin Robson |
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==Comeback to K-1 in late 2008== |
==Comeback to K-1 in late 2008== |
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Revision as of 18:11, 21 October 2009
| Choi Hong-man | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Choi Hong-Man October 30, 1980 Jeju, South Korea |
| Other names | The Techno Goliath Korean Colossus Che Man |
| Nationality |  Republic of Korea |
| Height | 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in) |
| Weight | 144.9 kg (319 lb; 22.82 st) (October 5th 2009 Weigh in) |
| Style | Ssireum, Kickboxing |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 18 |
| Wins | 12 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| Losses | 6 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 5 |
| Wins | 2 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Losses | 3 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 2 |
Choi Hong-man (Korean: 최홍만, Hanja: 崔洪萬, South Korean born on October 30, 1980 in Jeju-do) is a Korean kickboxer and former ssireum wrestler. In Asia he is called "Che Man". He currently competes in K-1 and stands 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in) and weighs between 144.9 kg (319 lb; 22.82 st) and 166.6 kg (367 lb; 26.24 st).
Career
He debuted in K-1 fighting at the World GP 2005 event in Seoul in March, 2005, which he won in the final vs. Kaoklai Kaennorsing. In the Final Elimination he defeated Bob Sapp with a 2-0 decision, eventually losing to Remy Bonjasky in the World Grand Prix Final.
Choi's K-1 losses came via judges' decision against Remy Bonjasky, Ray Sefo and twice Jérome Le Banner, knockout by Mighty Mo, and technical knockout (rib injury) by Badr Hari.
He got his nickname "Techno Goliath" (테크노 골리앗) when he was a ssirum wrestler in South Korea, as after a victory he would dance to techno music. He is referred to on Japanese television and news articles as the 'Korean Monster' (Koreanモンスター).[1]
One of Choi's most notable fights was against current K-1 World Champion Semmy Schilt at the World GP 2006 event in Seoul. Choi won the fight on points. The fight was unique due to the enormous size of both fighters.
On September 30, 2006, Choi fought Jérôme Le Banner in the final eliminations, and lost after 3 Rounds and 1 extra Round on points. After the fight, Le Banner said: "He is dangerous, his knees are already almost at the level of my head, he's not human! But he's a good guy and I like him, he's very tough, maybe the strongest guy in K-1, and he has hard bones -- when I kicked him, it hurt my leg! I'm sure with more experience, in two years no one will be able to knock him out!"[2]
On December 31, Choi easily won his first Mixed martial arts fight on K-1 Dynamite in Osaka. He decisively beat former TV star Bobby Ologun in just 16 seconds in what was considered a huge mismatch.[3]
On March 4, 2007, he was knocked out for the first and to this day only time in his career. Mighty Mo landed an overhand right to the chin and Choi was not able to stand up again. In this fight he weighed 165.4 kg (365 lb; 26.05 st), was very slow and many say it was his worst performance.[4]
Choi was scheduled to face former WWE, IWGP, and NCAA national champion amateur wrestler Brock Lesnar at the combined promotion event K-1 Dynamite!! USA, a major pay-per-view event at the massive Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, on June 2, 2007.[5] However, reportedly due to a benign tumor on his pituitary gland,[6] Choi was denied his California fighter's license on May 23, 2007, putting Dynamite!! USA's main event in jeopardy only 10 days before its scheduled occurrence. Choi was replaced in the fight by fellow Korean fighter Kim Min-soo.
On August 5. at the Asia World Grand Prix in Hong Kong, he beat Gary Goodridge by KO at 1:34 in the first round.[7] He weighed 163.5 kg (360 lb; 25.75 st), the same when he fought Schilt in June 2006. Notable on this fight was his stance. Since his K-1 debut in 2005, he has fought using an orthodox stance. However in this fight, he adopted for the first time a southpaw stance.
On September 29 at the K-1 Final Eliminations in Seoul, he redeemed his previous loss and defeated Mighty Mo by decision. The win was disputed, however, due to a kick Choi delivered to Mighty Mo's groin in the second round that was inexplicably ruled a knockdown. Mighty Mo was quoted in the post-fight interview: "He (Choi) seemed a little bit stronger because I hit him with some good shots and he didn't fall down so I was surprised, actually harder than the ones I hit him with before. He must have been practicing taking punches."[8]
In the World Grand Prix Final 2007 tournament on December 8, he again lost by decision to Jérôme Le Banner.[9] Choi was announced by Jimmy Lennon Jr. as weighing in at 166.6 kg (367 lb; 26.24 st)[10], to date his heaviest pre-fight weigh-in.
He was confirmed to fight MMA heavyweight and former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko at Yarennoka on New Year's Eve.[11] Choi landed twice on top of the two takedown attempts of Fedor. He escaped an armbar attempt on the first takedown, but after the second one was forced to tap to another armbar applied by Fedor at 1:54 of the first round.
Military Service
In April 2008, Choi joined the Korean army for his 26 months military service. After failing two medical tests, he was relieved from his military duty. The main reason was a problem with the sight in his left eye, which was the result of a brain tumor. On June 9, the tumor was finally removed through surgery. He is in love with his boyfriend kevin Robson
Comeback to K-1 in late 2008
On September 27 at the K-1 final Elimination in Seoul, he came back to K-1 and fought against the current Heavyweight champion Badr Hari. After 3 rounds of fighting, Choi's corner threw in the towel due to a rib injury. Although Hari was unable to faze Choi with two heavy punches thrown in the first and second rounds, in the third round he began targeting Choi's ribcage with punches and kicks.
Since his last fight, Choi has lost much weight. He was announced with a weight of 149 kg (328 lb; 23.5 st).
Choi was picked as a first reserve fighter against Ray Sefo at the 2008 k-1 Championship Finals which he lost by Unanimous decision.
Choi fought again in MMA against Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović on December 31 in Sataima, Japan. Filipovic defeated Choi with multiple kicks to the legs.
He fought retired baseball player Jose Canseco in an MMA match on May 26 for the promotion Dream as part of its Super Hulk Tournament. He beat Canseco in 1 minute 15 seconds.[12]
Outside the Ring
He made a rap single featuring vocals by the model Kang So Hee.[13]
He recently began a singing career with supermodel Kang Soo Hee in Korea under the name of Beauty & The Beast. [14][15]
Since 2008, he has worn his surname "Choi" as a tattoo on his left shoulder. [1]
In 2009 he will make his movie debut in the Japanese film "Goemon."
K-1 Kickboxing Record
| 18 matches | 12 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 2 |
| By decision | 5 | 4 |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 12-6 |  Ray Sefo
|
Decision (Unanimous) | K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 Final | December 6, 2008 | 3 | 3:00 |  Yokohama, Japan
| |
| Loss | 12-5 |  Badr Hari
|
TKO (Corner Stoppage) | K-1 World GP Final 16 2008 | September 27, 2008 | 4 | 0:00 | Seoul, South Korea
|
K-1 WGP 2008 Final Elimination |
| Loss | 12-4 |  Jerome Le Banner
|
Decision (Unanimous) | K-1 World GP Final 2007 | December 8, 2007 | 3 | 3:00 | Yokohama, Japan
|
K-1 WGP 2007 1/4 |
| Win | 12-3 |  Mighty Mo
|
Decision (Majority) | K-1 Seoul GP 2007 | September 29, 2007 | 3 | 3:00 | Seoul, South Korea
|
K-1 WGP 2007 Final Elimination |
| Win | 11-3 |  Gary Goodridge
|
KO (Knee strike) | K-1 Hong Kong GP 2007 | August 5, 2007 | 1 | 1:34 |  Hong Kong
| |
| Win | 10-3 | Mike Malone
|
KO | K-1 Hawaii GP 2007 | April 28, 2007 | 2 | 2:02 | Hawaii, United States
| |
| Loss | 9-3 | Mighty Mo
|
KO (Right overhand) | K-1 Yokohama GP 2007 | March 4, 2007 | 2 | 0:50 | Yokohama, Japan
| |
| Loss | 9-2 | Jerome Le Banner
|
Decision (Unanimous) | K-1 Osaka GP 2006 | September 30, 2006 | 4 | 3:00 | Osaka, Japan
|
K-1 WGP 2006 Final Elimination |
| Win | 9-1 | Akebono
|
KO (Left Hook) | K-1 WORLD GP 2006 in Sapporo | July 30, 2006 | 2 | 0:57 | Sapporo, Japan
| |
| Win | 8-1 |  Semmy Schilt
|
Decision (Split) | K-1 Seoul GP 2006 | June 3, 2006 | 3 | 3:00 | Seoul, South Korea
| |
| Win | 7-1 | Sylvester Terkay
|
Decision (Unanimous) | K-1 Las Vegas GP 2006 | April 29, 2006 | 3 | 3:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
| |
| Loss | 6-1 | Remy Bonjasky
|
Decision (Unanimous) | K-1 World GP Final 2005 | November 19, 2005 | 3 | 3:00 | Tokyo, Japan
|
K-1 WGP 2005 1/4 |
| Win | 6-0 | Bob Sapp
|
Decision (Unanimous) | K-1 Osaka GP 2005 | September 23, 2005 | 3 | 3:00 | Osaka, Japan
|
K-1 WGP 2005 Final Elimination |
| Win | 5-0 | Akebono
|
TKO (Referee Stoppage) | K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Hawaii | July 29, 2005 | 1 | 2:52 | Hawaii, United States
| |
| Win | 4-0 | Tom Howard
|
KO (Knee Strike) | K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Hiroshima | June 14, 2005 | 1 | 2:11 | Hiroshima, Japan
| |
| Win | 3-0 |  Kaoklai Kaennorsing
|
Ext.R Decision (Unanimous) | K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Seoul | March 19, 2005 | 4 | 3:00 | Seoul, South Korea
|
K-1 Seoul GP 2005 Champion |
| Win | 2-0 | Akebono
|
TKO (Corner Stoppage) | K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Seoul | March 19, 2005 | 1 | 0:24 | Seoul, South Korea
|
K-1 Seoul GP 2005 1/2 |
| Win | 1-0 | Wakashoyo
|
KO (Left Hook) | K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Seoul | March 19, 2005 | 1 | 1:40 | Seoul, South Korea
|
K-1 Seoul GP 2005 1/4 |
Mixed Martial Arts Record
| 5 matches | 2 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 1 |
| By submission | 1 | 2 |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 2-3 | Ikuhisa Minowa
|
Submission (Heel Hook) | DREAM.11: Super Hulk Grand Prix 2009 Semi-Finals | October 6, 2009 | 2 | 1:27 | Saitama, Japan
|
Dream Super Hulk Grand Prix Semi-Finals |
| Win | 2-2 |  Jose Canseco
|
Submission (Punches) | DREAM.9: Super Hulk Grand Prix 2009 Opening Round | May 26, 2009 | 1 | 1:17 | Yokohama, Japan
|
Opening Round Dream Super Hulk Grand Prix |
| Loss | 1-2 |  Mirko Filipović
|
TKO (Low Kick) | Dynamite!! 2008 | December 31, 2008 | 1 | 6:32 | Saitama, Japan
| |
| Loss | 1-1 |  Fedor Emelianenko
|
Submission (Armbar) | Yarennoka! | December 31, 2007 | 1 | 1:58 | Saitama, Japan
| |
| Win | 1-0 |  Bobby Ologun
|
TKO (Punches) | K-1 Premium Dynamite!! 2006 | December 31, 2006 | 1 | 0:16 | Osaka, Japan
|
Titles and Accomplishments
- 2005 K-1 World Grand Prix in Seoul Champion
- 2004: Hamyang Competition '04
- 2004: Jungwal Competition '04
- 2003: The General Championship '03
- 2003: Jinan Competition '03
References
- ^ スポーツナビ｜格闘技｜K-1｜速報
- ^ k1 News
- ^ K-1 OFFICIAL WEBSITE
- ^ K-1 OFFICIAL WEBSITE
- ^ GRACIE & LESNAR AT L.A. COLISEUM OFFICIAL. MMAWeekly.com, Friday March 23, 2007.
- ^ Rua "Likely" to Fight, Baroni Knows Wed
- ^ K-1 OFFICIAL WEBSITE
- ^ K-1 OFFICIAL WEBSITE
- ^ K-1 OFFICIAL WEBSITE
- ^ Jerome Le Banner vs Hong-Man Choi - K-1 WGP 2007 Final (dailymotion.com)
- ^ やれんのか！大晦日！２００７ Supported by M-1 GLOBAL [12月31日(月) さいたまスーパーアリーナ]
- ^ "Canseco beaten in MMA debut".
- ^ YesAsia.com: Beauty And Beast Single Album - Beauty And Beast - Korean Music - Free International Shipping
- ^ Beauty & The Beast Live Performance
- ^ Wrestler Choi Hong-man Now Grapples With a Mic
External links
- K-1 Profile
- Professional Kickboxing record
- Choi Hong Man's Singing Debut Performance
- Please use a more specific IMDb template. See the documentation for available templates.
- Homepage