On July 4, 1999, Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC heavyweight tournament champion, further solidified his position in the Japanese MMA scene.
This year, Mark Kerr was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame`s Pioneer wing during International Fight Week.
The legendary fighter`s life, including his nickname `The Smashing Machine`, is the subject of an upcoming movie where he will be played by Dwayne `The Rock` Johnson.
Despite later challenges in PRIDE, Kerr established himself as a premier fighter upon his debut.
At PRIDE 6 on July 4th, Kerr stepped into the ring to avenge a highly disputed loss incurred by one of his esteemed teammates, facing a prominent Japanese opponent.
Mark Kerr Submits Nobuhiko Takada, Avenging Mark Coleman`s Dubious Loss
At PRIDE 5, Nobuhiko Takada had defeated Mark Coleman via second-round submission, a bout widely regarded as questionable or potentially fixed.
Coleman himself has hinted that the fight might have been `worked` or fixed, a suspicion shared by many fans, particularly given the nature of his submission loss to a heel hook.
Kerr, a former pro wrestler himself, recently mentioned on the JAXXON podcast that Takada`s infamous fight against Rickson Gracie was also likely a `work` designed to elevate the promotion and its stars.
When Kerr and Takada finally met at PRIDE 6, Kerr left no doubt about the legitimacy of the outcome.
Takada managed some success with strikes and demonstrated resilience by getting back to his feet after initial takedowns.
However, following his third and decisive takedown, Kerr established dominant top control and secured a tight kimura submission.
Takada attempted to resist the submission, but it only tightened, leading him to tap out while clearly in significant pain.
The `Unspoken Rule` Regarding Fixed Fights in Japan, According to Mark Kerr
While predetermined outcomes may have contributed to PRIDE`s growth, the persistent allegations of fixed fights continue to cast a shadow over its historical legacy.
For many years, fighters remained silent on this topic publicly. However, figures like Mark Kerr have begun to speak out, though many aspects and rumors surrounding these events remain unconfirmed.
During his appearance on the JAXXON podcast, Kerr explicitly stated that acknowledging a `worked` fight was an unspoken, fundamental rule in the Japanese scene.
He recounted: “Oh, I know there was and again, it’s one of those unwritten rules, like if it was a work, you’re never going to f—— mention it. Ever. It was crazy because over there in Japan, you didn’t know you f—– up until they went, ‘Oh, you f—– up.’”
He added, comparing it to implied knowledge: “It was like these unwritten rules that existed, they’re called ‘implied rules,’ right? You’re supposed to know that gravity, if you jump off a 50-story building, it’s going to kill you. You didn’t know that? Like, what the f—.”
Gareth Pendleton