In the heart of Saitama, Japan, RIZIN’s New Year’s Eve event wrapped up with a thrilling mix of action. Among the many bouts, one fighter managed to steal the spotlight, making a statement with a knockout.
Ed Polo King, a 23-year-old heavyweight, stands an imposing 6’8” tall, the tallest athlete ever to step into the RIZIN cage. And it didn’t take long for the massive fighter to show just how dangerous his height could be in the ring.
Facing off against Satoshi “Takakenshin” Kamiyama, who is no slouch at 6’3”, King proved his size is more than just a number. The fight started off with both men sizing each other up, but it didn’t take long for King to make his move.
After a few exchanges, Kamiyama attempted to duck under a left hook, but found himself caught in a Thai clinch. Before he knew it, King blasted him with a devastating knee right up the middle. Kamiyama, struggling to recover, took two massive right hands, each punch hitting with the force of a sledgehammer. The last one sent Kamiyama crashing to the mat, unable to continue.
💥 RIZIN’S TALLEST EVER FIGHTER, 6’8″ HEAVYWEIGHT EDOKPOLO KING HAS WON HIS RIZIN DEBUT BY FIRST ROUND KNOCKOUT!
[ #RIZIN_DECADE | LIVE on https://t.co/LChPUvqSqh ] pic.twitter.com/ePb4FtNHda
— RIZIN.tv (@RIZINTV_) December 31, 2024
King Edokpolo stops Takakenshin!!
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) December 31, 2024
After the fight, King spoke with Go Yamamoto and kept his feet on the ground, acknowledging his debut performance.
“I feel great. I don’t satisfy and will train lot. I’m too early for world level. I will improve step by step. I train with Lutte avec frappe [Senegalese wrestling] partners. They will debut someday. Please look forward to it.”
With that, King wrapped up his debut in style, delivering a first-round knockout that’s bound to make waves in the MMA community. The victory not only showcased his strength but also proved that this towering heavyweight is one to watch in the future.
King Edokpolo I feel great. I don’t satisfy and will train lot. I’m too early for world level. I will improve step by step. I train with Lutte avec frappe (Senegalese wrestling) partners. They will debut someday. Please looking forward it. #Rizin pic.twitter.com/CalxhF8jnh
— Go “Shiroobi” Yamamoto (@shiroobi) December 31, 2024
With such a dominant start to his career, Ed Polo King is already a name MMA fans will be keeping an eye on. His size, power, and readiness to develop suggest that there’s much more to come from this rising star in the world of MMA.
