Saturday, April 07, 2007

Pride 34 Kamikaze (Final Japanese Run Show)


Sokoudjou shocked the world with his stunning quick and definite KO of Anotonio Rogerio in his Pride debut. Now teammate Ricardo Arona seeks vengeance for his partner. I can't see Soko getting the upset again, but who thought he'd win the last one? The human tank style of Arona should get this to the floor where he dismantles the inexperience fighter, and G&P's his way to victory. One thing's for sure, if Soko pulls the upset again, he will be for real!
WINNER-Arona by TKO
Aoki burst onto the scene with his amazing rubber guard and ju jitsu, slaying everyone in his path. Brian's a sub par fighter with a losing record=Aoki tune up fight.
WINNER-Aoki whenever and however he wants
Zelg is a TKO wizard vs the 2-3 record of the struggling Takimoto. The crowd's on his side, but the odds aren't. My eyes are welling up.
WINNER-Zelg by shockingly TKO
Butterbean is actually the more stylistically sound striker against someone who actually out weighs him in Zulu. Its a battle of the blubber, as these bigguns duke it out in a stand up fight. Who wins and who cares? Freak fight, freak fight!
WINNER-Butterbean by KO
The attempt at the 1st Pride FC vs UFC fighter is on. Both men are wrestlers by trade, but Fujita has that scientifically proven "Ironhead," while Monson is the submission Abu Dabi champion. Surely Monson can get him to the ground, but if not, expect destruction on the feet via Fujita blows. Not sure Monson can hold Fujita down, and in the final Japan owned fight card, Fujita finds a way to gut it out for the victory. I'm actually crying now.
WINNER-Fujita by decision
Through the tears I see an out of shape, and past his prime Don Frye trying to slug it out with the schizophrenic Josh Thompson. Thompson sometimes fights well, and at other times looks like a rookie. Surely, he can out box the old man and eek out a boring win. Frye has no business fighting anymore.
WINNER-Thompson by decision
The final bout has two actually decent fighters going at it. Nakao has fought some good name people, and Drago is a talented striker with only one defeat. Drago should take this if he stays away from the Pro Wrestler on the ground.
WINNER-Drago by decision
I'm now bawling my eyes out because this is the final Pride FC, Japanese run show, before Zuffa takes them over officially. We get only 7 bouts on this weak, weak card, and no real compelling fights. How sad to see this once proud company not go out with a bang, but only a whimper. They once ruled the MMA world, and now can't even put together a full card of fights (Gilbert Yvel's opponent got cut, I can't remember why, and Wanderlei Silva vs Igor Vovchanchyn seems to not be happening as well, with Silva not getting medical clearance in time). A rough day for MMA when Pride FC tries to bow out gracefully, before the new regime takes over. Goodby soccer kicks and knees to downed opponents. So long great ring that once housed legendary fights like Rickson Gracie vs Takada, Sakuraba vs Renzo Gracie or Carlos Newton, Rampage Jackson vs Wanderlei Silva, Fedor vs Cro Cop, Antonio Nogueira vs Shogun Rua, Gomi vs Kawajiri, Frye vs Takayama and many many more. Thank you Pride FC for all the great memories and beautiful shows. Here's hoping the soul isn't taken from the name, and the new owners do it justice.

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