The main event will feature former Sumo Yokozuna Akebono in his Free fight Rules debut. Here, Akebono will tangle with Jiu-jitsu master Royce Gracie. Bred of the MMA world's most respected family of fighters, Gracie is a three-time UFC Tournament Champion. But the weight difference here is incredible -- while Gracie tips the scales at just 81kg (179lb), Akebono weights in at a whopping 220kg (484lbs), darn close to three times as much as his Brazilian opponent. Can Akebono use his bulk to his advantage?

"My opponent is a legend, but I have been training hard for this fight and I will do my best," said Akebono to the standing room only gaggle of media, friends and fans. Replied Gracie: "Many people have told me this will be an easy fight for me, but Akebono achieved the highest ranking in Sumo, he has a lot of heart, he is big, and this is a big challenge for him. And so it will also be a big challenge for me, and no matter who wins it is going to be a good fight!"

There is tremendous interest in the penultimate bout, a showdown between K-1 veteran Jerome Le Banner of France and American Bob "The Beast" Sapp. This four-rounder will be fought using two distinct sets of rules -- the first and third rounds will be conducted under regular K-1 Rules (three minutes each), and fighters will switch gloves and mix it up under Free Fight Rules (five minutes each) in the second and fourth rounds.

"It will be like fishing for a big fish on the last day of the year," mused a relaxed LeBanner, "I am looking forward to it!" Retorted Sapp, mindful no doubt of LeBanner's punishing punch and kick attacks: "What I am looking forward to is first showcasing my K-1 talents in the first round, and then submitting him in the second!"

Also contested under Free Fight Rules will be the battle between Japanese Pro-wrestler Kazuyuki Fujita and Karam Ibrahim of Egypt, gold medallist in Greco-Roman Wrestling at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Said Fujita: "I want to show my respect and do my best" A man of few words, Ibrahim said: "I just came here to win!"

In a K-1 Rules fight between two of Japan's most popular 70kg (154lb) weight class fighters, 2003 World Max Champion Masato will take on the explosive Norifumi "KID" Yamamoto. The Kid has looked very strong this year, and has yet to lose in K-1 under any rules.

Masato aims to break that perfect record: "Kid, you will see real some real K-1 kicks tomorrow," he warned his opponent. But Yamamoto seemed unfazed: "Masato is a very strong and popular fighter," he said dryly, "and so it will be interesting."

Musashi has advanced to the last bout of the World GP Finals two years in a row, and here Japan's best K-1 fighter will go toe-to-toe with legendary American pro wrestler turned contact fighter Sean O'Haire in a K-1 Rules bout.

Said Musashi: "It's my first Dynamite fight, and Osaka is my hometown, so I will do everything to please my fans here." Replied O'Haire: "I have a great deal of respect for Musashi, but this is a fight. I promise to bring two things to the ring tomorrow -- viciousness and entertainment!"

Also under K-1 rules, the matchup between Kiwi Ray Sefo and Gary Goodridge of Trinidad and Tobago has all the makings of a real slugfest. Both of these fighters are known for fast starts, both like to step in and mix it up, and neither is known to give an inch.

"Gary comes to fight, so I won't have to look for him, it'll be a great fight" said Sefo. Replied Goodridge: "Thanks to Ray for the respect, we are friends, but we will steal the show tomorrow. My style is one round, down or out, it will be war and I am looking forward to it."

In another of the Free Fight Rules contests, the legendary Don Frye of the United States will do battle with Japanese wrestler Yoshihiro Nakao. "I put in a solid five days of training," joked Frye, "and I hope to get this fight over with fast so I can get home and finish my laundry -- I left in a hurry and my place is in a mess!" Replied Nakao: "Don is funny, but I don't like the look his big bushy mustache. I think maybe I'll knock it off tomorrow!"

Twenty-nine year-old Japanese fighter Caol Uno, a Pro Shooto Fourth Welterweight Champion, will take on former Lumpinee Stadium Light Weight Champion Chandet Sorpantrey of Thailand in a Free Fight. Said Uno: "I hope to achieve my best" Replied Sorpantrey: "I will show you real Muay Thai, and I will win"

Francois "The White Buffalo" Botha impressed many at the K-1 World GP Final, getting past Peter Aerts and then almost beating eventual Champion Remy Bonjasky in the semis. Here the South African boxer will get down in a Free Fight with Yoshihiro Akiyama, a Japanese judo stylist who won it all in the 81 kilo class at the World Judo Championship  last year.

Said Akiyama: "I will fight my fight tomorrow!" Replied Botha: "I always come out to fight, so it's going to be a 'dynamite' fight, just like the name says!"

Frenetic French kickboxer Cyril Abidi will step in against Bobby Ologun in Free Fight Rules bout. A popular television personality in Japan, Ologun hails from Nigeria and will be making his ring debut here.

"Abidi is strong, but I am too," drawled Ologun in his signature labored Japanese. "For ten long months I've been training, and I will show you the results tomorrow." Abidi, who saves his razzle dazzle for the ring, simply promised, as usual, to do his best.

Pro-wrestler The Predator will be appearing in his second Dynamite event here, opening the card with a Free Fight Rules bout against another two-time Dynamite participant, Kristof "The Phoenix" Midoux of France. "I will hit hard and hit fast," promised The Predator. Chimed Midoux, "I will show you a true match tomorrow."

New Year's Eve fight events are a hot ticket in Japan, and Dynamite is expected to fill the Osaka Dome and draw a tremendous television audience across the nation. Speaking in English, K-1 Games Producer Nobuaki Kakuda addressed the international audience when he said, "We are happy that K-1 has found a great deal of new fans all over the world, people who were not previously interested in fighting sports. We have many top-level fighters appearing tomorrow from many different styles and many different countries. I promise that the rules will be strictly enforced and that we will have a first-class event."

The K-1 Dynamite 2004 kicks off at 4:00 pm Japan time on December 31 at the Osaka Dome. It will be broadcast in Japan on the TBS television network and on a delayed basis elsewhere, check with your local providers for details. Check the K-1 official website (www.k-1.co.jp) for complete coverage soon after the final bell.