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PRIDE 31 main card line-up
By Zach Arnold | February 6, 2006
- Mark Hunt vs. Yosuke Nishijima
- Tsuyoshi Kohsaka vs. Mario Sperry
- Mauricio Shogun vs. Mark Coleman
- Sergey Kharitonov vs. Alistair Overeem
- Josh Barnett vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura
- Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Yoon Dong Sik
- Jon Olav Einemo vs. Fabricio Werdum
- Pedro Rizzo vs. Roman Zentsov
This looks brutal.
Topics: All Topics, Japan, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | 14 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Why does Pride hate Yoon Dong Sik so much?
I’m guessing, since there was nor formal announcement, that this is just the warm up for the big Openweight tournament. Cause it seems like a heavyweight v. Middleweight themed show. Good to see Barnett on card, hopefully he can actually win one in Pride, or Nakamura will tie him up and drag him to another boring as hell fight.
I expect to see Barnett beat Nakumera. He needs to and then they could probbaly have him face Noguiera.
After Hunts wins is it Fedor for him next. Or maybe Hunt v Sergey Kharitonov if he beats Overeem.
This is bad, it’s like intentionally leading a blind man into traffic. Pride is risking a fighter’s death on this crap.
There’s still 1 to 2 fights to be added to the show according to Sakakibara, including Nogueira’s fight.
You sure about that Jarred?
NAKAMURA is now,”The most hated MMA fighter”in japan.
Because his comment is arrogant,but he can not get clear victory,decision,decision,decision……….But DSE push him because of political balance to YOSHIDA Hidehiko’s Gym.
So,Many deep MMA fan mock his fightstyle.
Although this card is japanese vs Amerikcan,
Josh is not Heel,many fans (and me)treat Josh as babyface
Only 1 or 2 really competitive looking fights on that card (Shogun/Coleman (assuming Coleman comes in half decent shape) and maybe Kohsaka/Sperry). Not really my idea of a great ‘warm up’ card to start the new year, but if it sets up the dream fights (or some) for the OP GP opening round, that’s fine by me. Just seems too top level (or near top) vs. lower end with little inherent competitive potential (though you never know what will happen in a fight).
Kharitonov/Overeem may be a decent fight as well, assuming Overeem doesn’t gas quickly. Unfortunately for him, he won’t have the big height advantage in this fight (I think they are about the same height), which may hinder his advantages a decent amount.
I though they would have tried to build up Jon Olav Einemo in his 1st match. Nishijima and Dong Sik are both gonna get killed. Pretty craptacular card.
jon olav vs werdum should be awesome
Hopefully Barnett will be able to pull of the German suplex.
Interesting comment by Gryphon about Nak being hated. Apparently, while Yoshida is very popular, fans see through Nak being pushed because he is Yoshidas protege. I’m always entertained by Yoshida but Nak’s matches are time for a bathroom break.
I do think that John Olav will surprise a lot of people and I do believe his striking is better than Werdums and his groundgame is not inferior either. Only thing is that this is jonnas first fight in Pride and also his first MMA fight in a long time. If he can overcome that I think he will win.