Robert Malcolm Sapp or Bob Sapp is an American professional wrestler, a mixed martial artist, an actor, and a former American football player.
Popularly known as “The Beast” because of his beastly nature inside the ring, Sapp has a combined fight record of 24-39-1.
He fought most of his matches in Japan, and while he was there, he became the first and only African American to win the title of IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
Sapp has managed to overcome many struggles, from being jobless and broke to having a net worth of several million dollars.
With over 400 products in his name and image, hundreds of TV commercials and shows, over 20 kickboxing matches, 20 MMA matches, and over 50 wrestling matches, he is loved by millions of fans, especially in Japan.
Let us read more about the talented Beast and how he got himself to where he is now. But, first, let’s go through the quick facts.
Quick Facts:
| Full Name | Robert Malcolm Sapp |
| Popular As | Bob Sapp |
| Birth Date | September 22, 1973 |
| Birth Place | Colorado, U.S.A. |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Nick Name | Bob, The Beast |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Black |
| Father’s Name | Unknown |
| Mother’s Name | Unknown |
| Siblings | Unknown |
| Education | Mitchell High School; University of Washington |
| Age | 48 Years Old |
| Height | 6 feet and 4 inches (193 cm) |
| Weight | 159 kgs |
| Reach | 82 inches (210 cm) |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Marital Status | Unknown |
| Relationship Status | Unknown |
| Profession | Professional Wrestler, Mixed Martial Artist, Actor, former American football player |
| Fighting out of | Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Division | Super Heavyweight |
| Net Worth | Estimated $4 million |
| Active Since | 2002-2014, 2016-present |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
| Last Update | August, 2022 |
Early Life, Family, and Education | Bob Sap
Sapp was born in Colorado Springs on September 22, 1974. He has loved American football since he was a young boy, growing up in the nation’s sports capital.
Most of his fighting careers were based in Japan because he was born there, the son of an African immigrant.
When Bob was a senior in high school, he began his path to becoming a professional football player.
Additionally, he participated in the Mitchell High School Junior League before winning a football scholarship to the University of Washington.
Bob Sapp | Height, Weight, and Age
It is no secret that the 48-year-old, multi-talented heavyweight wrestler has a huge frame.
Sapp is a gifted professional athlete who stands at 6 feet 4 inches tall. Due to his 159 kg (350.53) weight, he must be a superheavyweight competitor.
Additionally, Bob engages in a variety of exercises to keep his weight in check. He performs a mix of bodyweight endurance training and heavy lifts.
The ex-football player had black facial hair and dark brown eyes. He would rather remain bald or keep his hair quite short.
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Career in Football for Bob Sapp
Sapp has played football since his high school days. When he was a scholarship student at the University of Washington in 1996, he won the Morris Award for being a standout offensive lineman.
Later, in the 1997 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears selected Sapp. For the three seasons following his time with the Bears, Sapp had agreements in place with the Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, and Oakland Raiders.
SAPP COULD ONLY PLAY ONE NFL GAME BEFORE HAVING HIS ACCOUNT SUSPENDED FOR USAGE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS.
Unfortunately, Sapp’s financial adviser misled him, and the suspension drove him into poverty.
The former football player had to work in a funeral home lugging and hauling coffins because of his poverty.
After some time, Sapp followed the suggestion of his former teammate, Mike Morris, and entered the world of professional wrestling.
Career in Professional Wrestling for Bob Sapp
The National Wrestling Alliance was where Bob’s professional wrestling career began in 2001. He was contacted by the World Championship Wrestling shortly after that as a novice.
There, using a malicious Tarzan, he began to unleash the “Beast” within him.
However, after the World Wrestling Federation acquired the WCW, even his wrestling career was ended. Sapp made his professional wrestling debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2002 after a period of absence from the sport.
Beast made his professional wrestling debut as one of Antonio Inoki’s fighters in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling (2002–2005). Sapp defeated Manabu Nakanishi on October 14 in the K-1 kickboxing competition held in Japan because to Yoshihiro Takayama’s injury.
The Beast also defeated top competitors Ernesto Hoost and Akebono in addition to Takayama. Other wrestlers wanted to challenge Sapp after his triumph, but the American wrestler declined their offers.
Sapp returned to NJPW and AJPW the next year, in October 2003, among other fighters as a member of Inoki’s MMA army.
Aside from that, Bob Sapp became the first and only African-American to hold the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on March 28, 2004, after defeating Kensuke Sasaki.
Bob advanced to the finals of the Wrestle – 1 Grand Prix by defeating Giant Bernard and Jun Akiyama. However, the competition was called off before he could participate.
Sapp was successful in defeating many seasoned competitors. His unique fighting style, which was mostly based on his enormous build and weight, prevented him from rising to the top levels, though.
Sapp, however, was unable to effectively withstand the strikes from stronger opponents.
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2007–2008’s Hustle and the Independent circuit (2008-2009)
On October 16, 2007, the former American football player won his first match for Hustle’s Korakuen Event against Razor Ramon RG.
Following Sapp’s triumph, it was announced that he will compete at the Hustle Mania event at the Yokohama Arena, which Bob won.
Later, Sapp formed a tag team with Monster Bono, another superheavyweight. However, there was a disagreement between Sapp and Bono as a result of some miscommunication.
Sapp made his final appearance for Hustle in 2008 but lost to Bono in a rematch after being defeated by his opponents in the Hustle Grand Prix.
Similarly, Sapp competed in the WWA in South Korea that same year, and on October 26, 2009, he was awarded the WWA Heavyweight title.
Strangely, in a comic wrestling match, Sapp was pinned down and ultimately defeated with a kiss by Danshoku Dino, a wrestler who portrays a homosexual role.
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Resuming New Japan Professional Wrestling (2012–2013)
It was revealed on December 20, 2012, that Sapp would play a villainous chaos stable at Wrestle Kingdom 7 in Tokyo on January 4, 2013.
He and his allies, though, lost in the NJPW matches. But on September 8, 2013, Sapp defeated René Duprée and Zodiac with the aid of his tag team Keiji Mutoh in the Wrestle -1 event.
A “tomato can” is a simple target in wrestling that requires little fighting ability. Sapp was starting to earn the nickname “the tomato” due to the way he conducted himself during matches.
He frequently competed against up-and-coming stars and local fighters but lost in a flash. His athletic reputation was damaged as a result of his tomato can behavior.
When asked in an interview why he preferred failure to triumph, Sapp replied that he would not purposely damage himself for meager money.
“They say don’t fight business, but I’m in the money-making industry. How can I tell whether my fight was successful? Success is determined by how much you improved. Money is the benchmark for corporate improvement. According to Bob Sapp
Kickboxing and MMA Career of Bob Sapp
After leaving WCW, Sapp was contacted by FX earlier in 2002 for its amateur boxing program, The Toughman Competition.
Unexpectedly, the professional wrestler defeated Perry in the second round despite having no prior boxing training.
Kazuyoshi Ishii, the head of the Japanese kickboxing organisation K-1, extended an invitation to Bob to return to Japan in order to launch a new career.
Through a common friend, Sam Greco, who is also Bob Sapp’s trainer, Ishii obtained access to a tape of Sapp’s match.
Sapp completed his original six-month training program in the United States of America, and for the remainder of his career, he competed under both sets of rules.
In an unexpected change of events, Sapp declared his retirement from fighting in April 2014.But on August 4, 2017, in Saint Tropez, France, Sapp made a comeback at Fight Night following a two-year absence. Regrettably, and not surprisingly, he was defeated by Greg Tony in the opening round.
Fighting Federation of Rizin
Sapp and Akebono fought again at the Rizin Fighting Federation event on December 31, 2015. In contrast to his prior games, Beast won this one via technical decision.
Similar to this, Bob was knocked out in the first round of his fight against former sumo wrestler Osunaarashi in September 2018.
Sapp’s first MMA victory in nine years came in the second round, when he shockingly defeated the former sumo by unanimous decision.
against Minotauro, Bob Sapp
Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, a mixed martial artist from Brazil, is also known as Minotauro. Minotauro and Bob Sapp have a long history of working together.
It had been around 19 years since they had faced off. Fans still frequently recall the conflict.
When Bob Sapp initially learned that he would be competing against a professional wrestler who resembled the Hulk and Brazilian UFC Hall of Famer Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, aka Minotauro, he was astounded.
Sapp was actually opposed to fighting the Minotauro. Likewise, Minotauro had no desire to engage in combat with Sapp.
He was embroiled in a dispute with Sanae Kikuta, and he had decided against teaming up with a Japanese corporation to fight anytime soon due to weaker financial discussions.
But this time, Pride’s employees agreed to give him twice as much money. Then Minotauro consented to participate in the fight.
At 4:03 in Round 2, Bob Sapp—who was twice as big as his opponent Nogueira—was defeated via submission.
Bob Sapp | Career in Acting
Alongside well-known performers like Jason Momoa, Tracy Morgan, Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner, and many more, Bob Sapp has also had a successful acting career.
Below, you can find a list of films in which Bob has made his appearance.
- The Longest Yard
- Conan The Barbarian
- Elektra
- Blood and Bone
- Big Stan
- Frankenfood
- Player 5150
- Devilman
- Izo
- Remarkable Power
- Pride FC; Demolition
- Pride FC; Armed and Ready
Personal life of Bob Sapp
Bob Sapp enjoys hiding his private life from the public on social media. Unfortunately, not much is known about his personal life.
But according to a report in one of the Japanese media, he was charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend at home.
Sapp did not publicly address the matter, although a statement of apologies was released at the same time the incident was reported.
His most recent relationships are also unreported, and we appreciate his decision to keep them private.
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Bob Sapp’s earnings and wealth
It is always curious to learn Bob Sapp’s net worth given his multi-faceted career.
As of [current-year], Sapp’s estimated net worth as an American actor, professional wrestler, and former football player was $4 million.
He is well-known all around the world, and he is frequently requested for promotional events.
Sapp, who deliberately lost the match, has made a fortune through his passion to wrestling and many battles.
The Beast does not like to talk about his personal life, so information on his homes and cars is still unavailable.
Social Media Presence:
Instagram (@bobsappofficial): 10.1K followers
Twitter (@BobSappMMA): 5,401 followers
Some FAQs:
Did Mike Tyson fight Bob Sapp?
Although Bob had challenged Tyson, the fight never happened. Even if there were a match between the two, Tyson “The Baddest Man on the Planet,” the best heavyweight of all time, would have won against the Beast without a doubt.
Also, check out: <<66 Famous Mike Tyson Quotes that will inspire you>>
What is Bob Sapp doing currently?
Bon Sapp is currently under a contract with the Rizin Fighting Federation. However, the professional fighter has not disclosed any of his current plans.
What is Bob Sapp UFC record?
Bob Sapp has a professional UFC record of 11 wins, 20 losses, and 0 draws.
Have Bob Sapp and Kimbo Slice ever faced each other?
No, Bob Sapp and Kimbo Slice have never faced each other to date.
Did Bob Sapp win Emelianenko vs. Sapp?
No, Bob Sapp lost the fight via TKO(punch) in Round 1. He faced Alexander Emelianenko at Legend Fighting Show on May 25, 2013.
Did Cro Cop break Bob Sapp’s face?
During a kickboxing match between Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Bob Sapp, one incredible knockout happened in which Cro Cop rocked Sapp with a left punch. That punch from Mirko rendered Sapp stock-still and broke his cheekbone pretty well.