PRIDE 2005 YEAR END SHOW

[DUCE]

Below are some of the official and unoffical matchups that are being circulated in the Japanese media for the PRIDE card on December 31st. A total of 10-11 matchups is expected to take place on the card:


Fedor Emelianenko vs. Hidehiko Yoshida
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs. Mark Hunt or Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira
Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira vs. Sergei Kharitonov or Mark Hunt
Vanderlei Silva vs. Ricardo Arona
Dan Henderson vs. Murilo Bustamante
Takanori Gomi vs. Hayato Sakurai
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. TBA
Ken Shamrock vs. 'Tank' Abbott
Paulo Filho vs. Ryo Chonan
'Zuluzinho' vs. TBA

[DUCE]

My take on this;

first match
'Zuluzinho' vs. TBA
I dunno what this is but I think its Pride calling out Rickson Gracie. Rickson Gracie's big match in Brazil in the mid 80s was against 'Zulu'. This Zuluzinho guy is the son of 'Zulu'. I don't know why it makes him worth putting on your top card of the year. Even if its the opening match.
-Whoever is fighting him I hope wins. Lame.

Second Match
Paulo Filho vs. Ryo Chonan
Why is Paulo not given better opponetts? Dean Lister was talking shit a couple of months back. Why not feed him Lister? Ryo Chonan is being put out to pasture and Paulo is being groomed for Dan Henderson if he wins against Bustamante.
-The winner is Paulo. No doubt. He is the superior fighter.

Third Match
Ken Shamrock vs. 'Tank' Abbott
FINALLY! No quick stoppages! No broken anythings! Nobody be sick! Get go out there and quick talking about it! Glamrock could still have it to tap Tank out. But Tank probally just wants to do a quick finish. I could see Tank with a huge grin after laying on Ken slowly pounding his face to mush.
-I still want to see if it will actually happen....

Fourth match
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. TBA
;)Sak could fight anybody. MAYBE TAKADA! Yes! HOW ABOUT HARD GAY RAZOR RAMON!?


Fifth Match
Takanori Gomi vs. Hayato Sakurai
;D A classic or a
-Worth watching! I'll root for Gomi( the trashman, cause Gomi means Trash in japanese)

Sixth Match
Dan Henderson vs. Murilo Bustamante
:DThe final of the welterweight tourny and rematch.
-I want to see Paulo versus Dan for that title.

[MAgog1]

Thank you duce for that immensly disturbing pick .

Heh Tank versus Ken.. this should be damn ammusing.

[DUCE]

LoL, its just Ogawa's Hustle Pro Wrestling star "Hard Gay Razor Ramon" with his triangle choke headlock....

[CP]

Sakuraba's rumored opponent for this show is Kiyoshi Tamura. Tamura and Sakuraba have a long past, as it was Tamura who trained Sakuraba to be a pro wrestler. Some said that Tamura was even a little abusive to Sakuraba, but no one knows if it was to teach discipline or if Tamura was an ass to Sakuraba.

This would be a huge fight for the Japanese fans as it has been teased for the last 3 years. Sakuraba would try to gain some revenge for Tamura beating Takada in Takada's retirement fight, and Tamura would like to show that he was always better than Sakuraba.

The only confirmed matches are:

Vanderlai Silva vs. Ricardo Arona (Middleweight Title)
Dan Henderson vs. Murilo Bustamante (Welterweight Title)
Takanori Gomi vs. Hayato Sakurai (Lightweight Title)

To add more matches to the rumor mill:
Paulo Filho vs. Murilo "Ninja" Rua (not Chonan)
Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Jens Pulver (It seems closer to confirmation as Kawajiri was scheduled to defend his Shooto Title against Joachim Hansen at the big year end even for Shooto, but that fight has been delayed to February)

[CP]

3 fights have been confirmed in the last 2 days.

First is the battle of Olympic Medalists in Judo: Hidehiko Yoshida vs. Naoya Ogawa. This is a huge match for the Japanese fans, and this isn't the first time they met in a competition. They faced off in a Judo match many years ago and Yoshida won despite giving up size and weight, as Ogawa was a lot bigger than what he is now.

Sanae Kikuta (Team Grabaka) vs. Makoto Takimoto and Yuki Kondo vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura.

With these 3 fights along with Gomi/Sakurai and possibly Tamura/Sakuraba, it is pretty interesting to see more fights between Japanese fighters. I am wondering if they doing to boost a great TV rating after the foreigner heavy PRIDE 30 bombed in both attendance and TV ratings.

There is also K-1, which is way more popular than PRIDE, and their Dynamite show on the same day and different network. They have one of the biggest fighting draws in the country, "Kid" Yamamoto (the TV ratings he draws is amazing), in a feature bout against Genki Sudo. There is also the NHK New Year Show that draws monster ratings.

[DUCE]

The Japanese media is reporting that the following matchups have a possibility of taking place on the PRIDE card on December 31st:


Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira vs. 'Zuluzinho'
Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua vs. Frabricio Werdum

[ryanm2k4]

3 more matches confirmed for the show:

Mirko Cro Cop vs. Mark Hunt (They had a great K-1 fight in 2002, and this should be a war)

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Zuluzihino

Wanderlai Silva (c) vs. Ricardo Arona for the PRIDE Middleweight Title

Kazushi Sakuraba and Ikuhisa Minowa will also have a fight planned for the show.

On a side note, there is a rumor flying around that Naoya Ogawa is being paid $1.7 Million (US) to agree to fight Hidehiko Yoshida.

[DUCE]

Below are some of the official and unoffical matchups are that scheduled for the PRIDE card on December 31st. A total of 10-12 matchups is expected to be announced:


Officially announced matchups:
Vanderli Silva vs. Ricardo Arona
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs. Mark Hunt
Fedor Emelianenko vs. 'Zuluzinho'
Hidehiko Yoshida vs. Naoya Ogawa
Dan Henderson vs. Murilo Bustamante
Yuki Kondo vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura
Sanae Kikuta vs. Takimoto
Takanori Gomi vs. Hayato Sakurai
Ken Kaneko vs. TBA

Unofficially announced matchups:
Alexander Emelianenko vs. Fabricio Werdum
Rogerio 'Minotoro' Nogueira vs. Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua or Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson
Murilo 'Ninja' Rua vs. Paulo Filho

Other fighters possible scheduled to participate on the card:
Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira
Anderson Silva
Alistair Overeem

[DUCE]

Ok time for Duce to give his predictions on the biggest night of the year for Pride!
Offical matches as of 9DEC05

Vanderli Silva vs. Ricardo Arona
result; [glow=red,2,300]Draw[/glow] This is going to be a battle! One that will continue into the new year.

Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs. Mark Hunt
prediction; Hunt didn't get knocked out in there K-1 match up but Hunt did lose it by decision. Can Hunt use his weight advantage or will the more experienced MMA fighter win? I think [glow=red,2,300]Mirko has him in the first round by TKO[/glow].

Fedor Emelianenko vs. 'Zuluzinho'
prediction; [glow=red,2,300]Fedor will destroy him. [/glow]

Hidehiko Yoshida vs. Naoya Ogawa
www005.upp.so-net.ne.jp/doraneko-21/gallery/parody/DBHG.htm
image.blog.livedoor.jp/cdj_1000mk2/imgs/5/f/5f885d28.jpg
image.blog.livedoor.jp/cdj_1000mk2/imgs/e/9/e93e8503.jpg
what the? Ogawa!? How could you condone that in your federation!? Suspend that man! LoL I can't get enough of that layzor ramon HG guy. Its awful and funny at the same time...
Prediction; [glow=red,2,300]HARD GAY RUNS IN AND YOSHIDA ROLLS HIM UP FOR THE PIN!!![/glow]

Dan Henderson vs. Murilo Bustamante
Prediction; [glow=red,2,300]Dan by KO[/glow]
Yuki Kondo vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura
Sanae Kikuta vs. Takimoto
image.blog.livedoor.jp/cdj_1000mk2/imgs/7/a/7a66f94c.jpg
Prediction; Unless Sumitani Masaki runs in or special referees the fight then its the 26-4-3 Kikuta by triangle.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masaki_Sumitani

Takanori Gomi vs. Hayato Sakurai
Prediction; [glow=red,2,300]Gomi[/glow]

Ken Kaneko vs. TBA
www.jdorama.com/artiste.391.htm <-this guy is fighting?

Alexander Emelianenko vs. Fabricio Werdum
lets see it again!

Rogerio 'Minotoro' Nogueira vs. Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua or Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson
either or lets see it

Murilo 'Ninja' Rua vs. Paulo Filho
awesome matchup... this will be Paulo's time to step into the spot light and get worldwide exposure. Look out Dan Henderson or Busta this is the #1 contender match!

[habbalah]

I'm rooting for Hunt, Cro Cop rubs me the wrong way. I'm picking Dan because he's talented and he's part of team quest, and Gomi because he's the best thing I saw at Bushido (no disrespect to Sakurai).

[ryanm2k4]

In regards to Mirko vs. Hunt, the trash talking has started. Here are comments made by Mirko on the PRIDE site:

Let me say one thing. Today's announcement took too long. Hunt, wasn't it you that called me out from the ring last year? What have you been worrying about all this time?

Wasn't it you that chased me to PRIDE, where the truly strongest fighters gather, to pay me back for Nagoya 2002?

I have no idea what you've been doing this year. I've been sweating and bleeding in the ring, constantly fighting the strongest me non-stop.

I'll show you the difference between us on December 31 st . You will regret calling me out last New Year's Eve.

I'm sure you still remember what it felt like when my left high-kick hit your neck. That won't be my only weapon this time, though.

Merry Christmas.

[habbalah]

Cro cop, the Bret heart of MMA. A legend in his own mind. (lol damn nice speech though. You'd think he was reading a movie script).

[hawk]

Mirko Cro Cop's only three losses in pride came from the two best HW fighters in the world, and a fluke KO. He should beat Hunt fairly easily in MMA. If Hunt starts giving him problems, Mirko has gotten to the point where he CAN take the fight down.

Considering Mirko's only been MMA training for a few years, his improvement has been downright scary.

[habbalah]

hawk said:

Mirko Cro Cop's only three losses in pride came from the two best HW fighters in the world, and a fluke KO. He should beat Hunt fairly easily in MMA. If Hunt starts giving him problems, Mirko has gotten to the point where he CAN take the fight down.

Considering Mirko's only been MMA training for a few years, his improvement has been downright scary.

I know he's good and yes I conceed if he fought Nog. (i really should get off my ass and stop abbreiveiting the name it's disrespectful to call him Nog.. damn sherdog habbits) he would have a good chance to beat him in the rematch. I just don't like him. He has a world of talent but I feel his errogance rubs me the wrong way. I might actaully pity him for being stuck as the third best guy ine world if he wasn't so in love with himself.

[ryanm2k4]

I am going in the predictions route with what will happen at the 12/31 PRIDE show:

Hidehiko Yoshida vs. Naoya Ogawa

This fight is being put on for big TV ratings draw. NHK New Year's show and the K-1 Dynamite shows have blown out PRIDE's Shockwave for the last two years. While the result will probably be the same this year, but they are looking for this fight to show that they can compete with the big boys in the ratings war. Ogawa is being paid a ton of money for this fight (Rumors have it that is up to $1.7 million). They have met once in a Judo match in which Yoshida won despite giving up a lot of weight. I am predicting the same result with Yoshida by submission in R2.

PRIDE Middleweight Title: Wanderlai Silva (c) vs. Ricardo Arona

I am interested to see what goes down. Will Wanderlai go balls-to-the-wall or will he show respect to Arona's grappling skill like in the first fight? If Wanderlai goes in the first route (like Shogun), then he has a better chance to win. I am personally rooting for Arona as he brings new life as champion while Wanderlai retaining would continue the dream PRIDE vs. UFC fight discussions that will never happen (and he won't fight Shogun for obvious reasons). I'll take Arona by decision

PRIDE Welterweight Title: Dan Henderson vs. Murilo Bustamante

While I don't see Henderson winning as quickly as he did last time, but I think Henderson will pull out another victory via decision.

PRIDE Lightweight Title: Takanori Gomi vs. Hayato Sakurai

This will be awesome. Although the Sakurai comeback story is great, but I am going with Gomi. Best thing about this is that this fight might not even be the best Lightweight fight on New Year's Eve. I am taking Gomi by decision.

Mirko Cro Cop vs. Mark Hunt

This will be a stand up war like their K-1 fight. It will be interesting to see if Hunt not fighting for a year or Mirko looking burned out for taking so many fights plays a role in determining the finish. I am predicting Mirko by triangle ;D

Yuki Kondo vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura

Tough call on this one. Kondo is super tough and Nakamura is getting better. I am going with Kondo via KO in the third round.

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Zuluzinhino

Fedor gets an easy payday with a KO in under a minute.

Sanae Kikuta vs. Makoto Takimoto

This should be fun for the grappling fans. I am picking Kikuta (due to more MMA experience) via decision.

Ken Kaneko vs. TBA

This is PRIDE's answer to Akebono vs. Bobby Olgon. Hopefully they will bring in Giant Silva to match the freakshow quota that K-1 is putting on.

[DUCE]

LoL at Mirco by triangle!

[DUCE]

Officially announced matchups:
Vanderli Silva vs. Ricardo Arona
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs. Mark Hunt
Fedor Emelianenko vs. 'Zuluzinho'
Hidehiko Yoshida vs. Naoya Ogawa
Dan Henderson vs. Murilo Bustamante
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. TBA
Yuki Kondo vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura
Sanae Kikuta vs. Makoto Takimoto
Takanori Gomi vs. Hayato Sakurai
Ken Kaneko vs. Charles Bennett

Unofficially announced matchups:
Alexander Emelianenko vs. Fabricio Werdum
Rogerio 'Minotoro' Nogueira vs. Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson
Murilo 'Ninja' Rua vs. Paulo Filho
Anderson Silva vs. Ikuhisa Minowa

[ryanm2k4]

3 more fights have been officially confirmed:

Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Ikuhisa Minowa
James Thompson vs. Giant Silva (that's more like it )
Alexander Emelianenko vs. Pawel Nastula

[DUCE]

James Thompson will knock out Giant Silva!
Sak will submit the punk with a arm bar!
Alexander will knock out Pawel NAstula!