December 31 Showdown: The Most Iconic Fights from Japanese MMA’s Biggest Night
In Japan, New Year’s Eve (known as Ōmisoka) is the biggest night of the year for combat sports. From the golden era of PRIDE FC’s Shockwave/Dynamite!! events to the modern RIZIN cards, December 31 has delivered massive spectacles at Saitama Super Arena, blending elite matchups with high drama.
These fights often capped grand prix tournaments or featured dream bouts under PRIDE’s unique rules (ring, soccer kicks, knees to grounded opponents). While some were “freak shows,” others produced all-time classics.
Here are a few greatest MMA fights to ever happen on New Year’s Eve, based on excitement, historical significance, and legacy.
The Trilogy Closer: Fedor vs. Nogueira
Pride Shockwave 2004 – December 31, 2004
On New Year’s Eve 2004, the Saitama Super Arena erupted as two heavyweight legends clashed for the third time. Fedor Emelianenko, the stoic “Last Emperor” from Russia, defended his Pride Heavyweight Championship against Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, the durable Brazilian jiu-jitsu master known as “Minotauro,” who held the interim title. This bout also served as the finals of the 2004 Pride Heavyweight Grand Prix, delayed after their August rematch ended in a no-contest due to an accidental headbutt.
Fedor, riding an unbeaten streak, dominated from the start with his explosive sambo throws and relentless ground-and-pound, rag-dolling Nogueira and controlling the pace. Though “Big Nog” showcased his legendary toughness and threatened with submissions, he couldn’t overcome Fedor’s pressure. After three grueling rounds, the judges awarded a unanimous decision to Emelianenko, unifying the titles and cementing his status as the era’s pound-for-pound king.
This epic trilogy finale remains one of Pride FC’s most iconic battles, a testament to the golden age of MMA where skill, heart, and brutality collided under the bright lights.
Wanderlei Silva vs. Mark Hunt
PRIDE Shockwave – December 31, 2004
On New Year’s Eve 2004, at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan, Pride Fighting Championships delivered one of its most memorable upsets. Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva, the reigning Middleweight (205 lb) champion on an epic unbeaten streak spanning five years, stepped up to heavyweight to face K-1 kickboxing standout Mark “Super Samoan” Hunt.
Originally slated to brutalize Kazushi Sakuraba for a fourth time, Silva found himself opposite the hard-hitting Hunt—a late replacement weighing in at around 275 lbs—after Sakuraba’s injury. The size disparity was stark, but Silva’s ferocious style made him a fan favorite.
The fight was a brutal stand-up war. Silva pressed forward with his trademark aggression, landing knees and punches, but Hunt’s devastating power shone through. He rocked Silva multiple times, including a vicious uppercut-right hook combo that dropped the Brazilian.
In one unforgettable moment, Hunt followed up with a hilarious yet effective “atomic butt drop,” slamming his full weight onto the downed Silva.
Despite nearly being finished, Silva survived stomps and ground strikes, showcasing his legendary chin. The bout went the full three rounds, ending in a controversial split decision victory for Hunt—snapping Silva’s incredible run and marking a career-defining upset for the underdog heavyweight.
This clash remains a Pride classic: a reminder of the era’s anything-goes excitement, where size, power, and heart collided in spectacular fashion. Hunt’s win propelled him forward, while Silva’s resilience only added to his mythic status.
Ryo Chonan vs. Anderson Silva
PRIDE Shockwave – December 31, 2004
The greatest New Year’s Eve MMA fight ever featured one of the most jaw-dropping finishes in history. Japanese underdog Ryo “Piranha” Chonan faced an undefeated Anderson “The Spider” Silva, who was already terrifying opponents with his striking.
Chonan weathered early storms and, in round 3, launched a flying scissor heel hook—a rare, acrobatic submission—to force the tap. It remains one of the biggest upsets and most creative finishes in MMA, shocking the world and etching Chonan’s name in legend on the sport’s biggest annual stage.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Hong Man Choi
Yarennoka! – December 31, 2007
As PRIDE’s era ended, Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko faced 7’2″, 350-pound K-1 kickboxer Hong Man Choi in a classic David-vs-Goliath matchup.
The size difference was staggering, but Fedor’s composure shone through. He closed the distance, took down the giant, and forced a first-round armbar submission.
This fight captured the entertaining “freak show” side of Japanese NYE events while showcasing Fedor’s unmatched skill against any opponent. It was a poignant send-off for an era.
These bouts exemplify why New Year’s Eve in Japan became MMA’s unofficial holiday. Though RIZIN continues the tradition with stacked cards (as seen in recent years with title fights and grand prix finales), nothing has surpassed the PRIDE-era magic for pure historical impact. As we approach another December 31, fans can only hope for more moments that live forever.
