Recalling events from July 4, 1999, the two-time UFC heavyweight tournament champion, Mark Kerr, continued to build his career momentum in Japan.
Earlier this year, during International Fight Week, Mark Kerr was officially inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame as part of the Pioneer wing.
The storied mixed martial arts figure, known by his nickname ‘The Smashing Machine’, is slated to be the subject of an upcoming film titled after his moniker, with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson set to portray him.
Although Mark Kerr experienced challenges later in his PRIDE FC career, upon his initial arrival, the American swiftly established himself as a premier fighter within the promotion.
At PRIDE 6, he faced a major Japanese star in a bout that offered him the chance to avenge one of his legendary teammate`s most contentious defeats.
Mark Kerr Submits Nobuhiko Takada to Avenge Mark Coleman’s Controversial Defeat
At the preceding event, PRIDE 5, Nobuhiko Takada had defeated Mark Coleman via submission in the second round. This fight has become infamous due to widespread suspicion surrounding its legitimacy.
Mark Coleman himself has previously hinted that the contest was a “work” or fixed, a belief long held by fans, particularly after he appeared to tap quickly to a heel hook.
Takada, a former professional wrestler, was reportedly involved in several questionable fights. Mark Kerr recently shared on the JAXXON podcast that Takada`s fight against Rickson Gracie was also likely a staged encounter designed to bolster the promotion and elevate its stars.
By the time Mark Kerr and Nobuhiko Takada met at PRIDE 6, Kerr ensured there would be no ambiguity or debate regarding the outcome`s authenticity.
Takada did manage to find some success on the feet and showed resilience in getting back up after several of Kerr`s successful takedowns.
However, after executing his third and final takedown, Kerr secured top position and systematically worked towards a kimura submission.
Takada attempted to escape the hold, but his efforts only worsened the situation, leading him to tap out in evident pain, clutching his arm.
Mark Kerr Describes Unspoken Rule in Japan About Discussing Fixed Fights
While potentially contributing to PRIDE`s initial popularity, the persistent allegations of fixed matches have cast a significant shadow over the promotion`s legacy.
For many years, fighters largely avoided discussing this publicly, but figures like Mark Kerr have begun to speak out, although many details and rumors still remain unconfirmed.
During his appearance on the JAXXON podcast, Kerr stated that it was an unspoken agreement or rule in Japan that participants would never acknowledge the true nature of “worked” fights.
“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 mention it. Ever. It was crazy because over there in Japan, you didn’t know you messed up until they went, ‘Oh, you messed up.’
“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?”
