Former yokozuna Akebono, who lost to Bob "The Beast" Sapp in his K-1 debut on New Year's Eve last year, is set to face Japanese fighter Musashi next month at Saitama Super Arena, K-1 organizers said Thursday.
Akebono was overwhelmed by the American former NFL player Sapp, who sent the Hawaiian behemoth crashing to the canvas with sledgehammer punches in the first round of their fight on Dec. 31.
"I'm an ex-yokozuna but this time I want to learn from my opponent and just do my best," Akebono said of Musashi, who was a finalist at the K-1 World Grand Prix last December.
K-1 event producer Sadaharu Tanikawa said he believes Akebono is ready for another go at the sport, which combines elements of karate, kickboxing and taekwondo.
"Akebono weighed about 202 kg today but he has shaped up a lot. He's been practicing so I think he is in good condition," Tanikawa said.