Shukan Gendai’s latest response to DSE
By Zach Arnold | April 22, 2006
By Zach Arnold
After being threatened with legal action 9 days ago by DSE President Nobuyuki Sakakibara, Shukan Gendai magazine is firing back with a new article (set to come out in this Monday’s new edition of the magazine). On Page 50, the weekly magazine will focus on the Kanagawa Police investigation into the supposed yakuza ties on Sakakibara, Fuji TV, and Nippon TV. The focus of the piece will be on the investigation into a man tied into Fuji TV and what his relationship is with the yakuza.
Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, Yakuza, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy reacts to suspension
By Mark Pickering | April 22, 2006
On April 14th FIGHTFEST held FF:1 at the Canton Civic Center, Ohio with an intriguing fight card that included the much anticipated clash between welterweight standouts Forest Petz and Dan Hardy.
The vacant FIGHTFEST Welterweight Title was in contention while England’s Dan “The Outlaw†Hardy put Cagewarriors version of the title on the line against Ohio native Petz in a five round unification bout.
The match pitted two of the divisions most feared strikers, with the winner scheduled to defend both titles against Arni “The Ice Viking” Isaksson at Cagewarriors Strike 6 in Coventry, England on May 27.
The headline bout went the distance and was touted as one of the best fights of 2006 but will be remembered by many for it’s controversial conclusion.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: All Topics, Mark Pickering, MMA, UK | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Fight Opinion Radio: Episode 15
By Zach Arnold | April 21, 2006
This week’s show is sort of a therapy session for our co-host Erin Bucknell, as we review the UFC 59 event that took place last weekend and the (to some fans) unfortunate loss that Andrei Arlovski suffered at the hands of (the new UFC Heavyweight champion) Tim Sylvia.
In addition, we take a look this week at some of the recent bizarre decisions made by judges appointed by athletic commissions in America in regards to MMA fights (Bonnar/Jardine, Tito/Forrest, etc.) Rob Sayers contributes his list of suggestions this week on how to improve the overall quality of MMA judges.
Also, some thoughts this week on the yakuza scandal in MMA (in Japan) and what it means ultimately for the future of the fight industry in that country.
The 15th edition of Fight Opinion Radio is now online and available to download. Here are your options for listening to the show:
Broadband (MP3) | Dial-up/Streaming
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: All Topics, Erin Bucknell, Fight Opinion Radio, Media, podcasts, Rob Sayers, Zach Arnold | 1 Comment » | Permalink | Trackback |
Legal briefings
By Zach Arnold | April 20, 2006
A hearing was held today in Tokyo district court, with the judge in the case (between Seiya Kawamata and the Nippon TV network) setting a final date for handing down a judgment. The date for July 3rd has been set. The judge stated that Kawamata is claiming 200 million yen was unpaid to him by Nippon TV, and he also wants 410 million yen for compensation for the cancellation of the 3-year contract.
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Rulon Gardner in PRIDE update
By Mark Pickering | April 20, 2006
Rulon’s manager has denied claims the Olympic Gold Medallist will return to the PRIDE ring on 5/5 to compete in the Open-Weight GP.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira listed him as a potential opponent in the upcoming tournament on his official website:
However his manager was quick to quell any speculation of her client making a surprise MMA return, “Rulon has a corporate speech scheduled for 5/5 in CA and a further two with the same company on 5/3 and 5/4 in Seattle.
She added: “He’s also the headliner of a Roast in his honor put on by the USOC and USAW on 5/8 in NJ.”
Topics: All Topics, Mark Pickering, MMA, PRIDE | 7 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Bas Rutten – Finished with PRIDE…again.
By Al Yu | April 20, 2006
By Al Yu
According to Sherdog Beatdown Radio, Bas Rutten has stated that he is finished with PRIDE.
Apparently it was a scheduling conflict of some sort. DSE didn’t think that one week from the inaugural IFL show to Total Elimination Absolute 2006 was enough time for Bas to prepare. Bas believed he was under contract with DSE, but DSE informed him not to show up for the tournament. He stated that the next PRIDE event would be in July. He wanted to put food on the table and needed to work the tournament.
Topics: Al Yu, All Topics, MMA, PRIDE | 15 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Rumble on the Rock preview
By Zach Arnold | April 20, 2006
Newspaper articles on the upcoming show in both the Honolulu Advertiser and Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Boxing: Cintron beats Estrada
By Zach Arnold | April 19, 2006
By Zach Arnold
A very interesting fight on Wednesday night’s ESPN2 telecast, with Kermit Cintron defeating David Estrada by TKO in round 10 (in Palm Beach, Florida). A lot of heavy hitting by both men, and while Cintron looked like he went through a war (in his post-match interview), he certainly delivered tonight. KW at FightReport.net has more details.
Topics: All Topics, Zach Arnold | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
PRIDE 5/5 Osaka Dome card line-up
By Zach Arnold | April 18, 2006
New matches announced today by the DSE office for the open-weight tournament:
- Kazuyuki Fujita vs. James Thompson
- Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum
Add these to the other matches already announced:
- Hidehiko Yoshida vs. Yosuke Nishijima
- Mirko Cro Cop vs. Ikuhisa Minowa
- Josh Barnett vs. Emelianenko Alexander
Three more matches need to be booked. Update: On his HP, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has Rulon Gardner listed as a potential opponent in the tournament.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: All Topics, Japan, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | 10 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
HERO’s 5/3 Yoyogi card line-up
By Zach Arnold | April 18, 2006
Four new matches announced today for the upcoming HERO’s event. Here’s the updated card line-up:
- 2006 Middleweight Tournament: Hideo Tokoro vs. Black Mamba
- 2006 Middleweight Tournament: Ryuki Ueyama vs. Gilbert Melendez
- 2006 Middleweight Tournament: Hidetaka Monma vs. J.Z. (Brazil/ATT) [ed — Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante?]
- 2006 Middleweight Tournament: Leonardo Franca Nogueira vs. Ivan Menjivar
- Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto vs. Kazuyuki Miyata
- Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Katsuhiko Nagata
Topics: All Topics, Japan, K-1, MMA, Zach Arnold | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Gryphon reacts to the yakuza story
By Zach Arnold | April 17, 2006
By Zach Arnold
Gryphon, one of the top Japanese internet writers on the MMA scene, has posted his thoughts on the Shukan Gendai article series. It is interesting to read because it will give you a clear perspective on where the battle lines are going to be drawn.
Added to this post is the reaction from some posters on the 2ch message board.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Yakuza, Zach Arnold | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Summary translation of 4/17 Gendai article
By Zach Arnold | April 17, 2006
By Zach Arnold
This is a summary translation of what was written in today’s newest article published in Shukan Gendai.
Continue reading this article here…
Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Yakuza, Zach Arnold | 4 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
PRIDE’s Las Vegas plans
By Zach Arnold | April 16, 2006
The Las Vegas Sun reports that DSE wants to run the Thomas & Mack Center on either 10/7 or 10/20.
That’s certainly an interesting story given everything that is currently happening.
Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |