Kim Dae Hwan rocks Manila — the Japanese king gets a one‑step smackdown!
On Friday, 20 April, the Mall of Asia Arena was roaring with a full house, and the excitement didn’t stop at the lights. Fighters Kim Dae Hwan of South Korea (the “Ottogi”) and Masakazu Imanari from Japan (nicknamed “Ashikan Judan”) squared off in a bantamweight showdown. Spoiler alert: the Japanese legend’s signature leg‑lock swagger was put on pause, and Kim walked out of the fight victorious.
The Opening Act — Imanari’s “What’s in the Halo?”
- Right after the bell, Imanari tried the usual: roll, get leeway, pull a quick leg‑lock.
- Kim dodged the trick right on the spot, then cannon‑capped him with a powerful right hook.
- Imanari baited him with a flashy kick, but Kim was already catching the throw.
- In the classic “pull guard” move, Kim fought back with a series of hammer fists.
Despite the back‑and‑forth, Imanari kept pushing the hell out of lion’s‑eats—one more heel‑hook attempt, then a masterful “let’s get on top” grunt. Kim merely sidestepped, blew a rug on the mat, and responded by taking the Spanish back in a bold, street‑style style.
The Middle Act — Two Round Rumble
Round two was a theatrical mix: Imanari was dancing around while trying to have Kim fall into his trap. Almost halfway, Kim pulled free and swiftly dropped a flurry of elbows. Somewhere between the sweeps and landings, Imanari had a moment, but the older guard was ready for a strike. An unexpected left would send the Japanese offensive boy ankle‑deep without any chance to reply.
The Final Act — Kim’s Takeover
- Kim took side control, essentially diagonally, then dominated the half guard from the top.
- He sliced through Imanari’s attempts to stretch the fight, dropping striking clinches and finishing strikes whenever a seam opened.
- Through the third round, Imanari looked to trade legs again but Kim’s positioning left him snapping a connection of the back.
After three rounds of relentless pressure, the referee (Olivier Coste) lifted his hand and declared a unanimous decision. Three judges validated Kim’s victory. It means Kim’s record now reads 13‑3‑1, having ended a two‑bout skid with flair.
What does this mean for the MMA scene?
In the drama of the indie, this is a banner win for “Ottogi” Kim. He flips the chess board not only by stopping a renowned leg‑lock titan but also by emphasizing that one can score with combination moves, heavy hand strikes, and grit. The crowd in Manila witnessed a show that mixed skill and humor, and the outcome is a testament that perseverance, creativity, and a bit of swagger can change the world! The title, the $140,000? That’s just the icing on the cake. The real prize is that the South Korean proved his resilience and that the arena smelled of adrenaline and a tinge of comedic breakthroughs. If you have your heart beating, this is where it all feels real!
