Aoki is preparing for his next fight.

Shinya Aoki updated his blog.  

He had a meeting with his tights` designer, tatsuzawajapan,  for his next fight.  He has not announced where he fights next but there is a rumor that he fights in HERO`S.  

Yoshida vs Barnett in Sengoku on Mar 5

WVR had a press conference about the MMA event, Sengoku on Mar 5, and announced that Hidehiko Yoshida fights Josh Barnett.  

Yoshida's comment:

This is a great match and an appropriate main fight for the debut event of Sengoku.  I hope this will be an exciting and unforgettable fight.  Barnett is a strong and the most well known fighter in Japan comparing to my other candidates.  Thought I didn't chose to fight Barnett, I felt a fight against him would have a big impact and be a good fight.  This launching event is key if Sengoku can continue having more great fighters in the future.   Whether I win or not, I feel I have a responsibility to attract audiences and increase MMA fans by having a terrific fight.  I train boxing every other day and work on other striking techniques as well.  He is a tough opponent for me but I'm doing my best preparing for this fight.  Barnett is heavier and taller.  I didn't feel he was bigger than me by that much and the size difference won't be a disadvantage.  I won't announce if I wear gi or not till Mar 05.  I won't forget the spirit as a challenger.  

Barnett`s comment:

I could not fight last year, not because I was injured, but because I didn't have my home ring.  I'm glad to announce that I fight in Sengoku and am lucky to fight Yoshida in a main event in this very first event.  He is a well skilled Judo specialist who is willing to learn techniques other than Judo.   Judo and Catch Wrestling are long time rivals.  This is my 3rd time to fight a Judo specialist and would like to show something new and would like to surprise audiences.  I signed up to fight with Naoya Ogawa in IGF on Feb 16.  I will fight Yoshida even if I'm injured.  I haven't decided yet if I have another fight in Sengoku.  I will decide based on the result of my first fight.  

Naoya Kinoshita, the president of WVR, said he is considering to hold a championship fight or a championship tournament this year.  

http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/column/200802/at00016170.html

What's Genki Sudo up to?

Genki Sudo is now filming a movie named R246STORY. His movie is a short movie.  Five other artists make short films based on the same theme, Route 246, and make a 1 omnibus movie. He writes, produces and plays in this movie. This movie will be released this summer. Also, his other book will be at stores in the end of Feb.

Gomi updated his blog

Takanori Gomi updated his blog on Jan 31.

I have an announcement to make.  I have been taking a break for a long time, but now I've decided to come back to the ring.  

Last year, I didn't fight, had no goals, and was not even sure if I wanted to fight.  I know my fans were longing to see me fight, but I couldn't respond to their expectations.  I don't like to be influenced by anyone when I make a decision, such as where and when I fight.

I've been training with my students and focused on my roots.  Sometimes, I felt lazy and did nothing.  I had a hard time because I was irritated and didn't know what to do.  It was not meaningless but a valuable year for me.  The year of 2008 just started and I'm enjoying training such as boxing and wrestling.  I'm refreshed and even feel like I'm new in MMA.

I had several choices about where I fight next.  Though I believe my fans have their opinions and hopes about my next stage, but I decided to fight in the Sengoku.  I can trust them as a fighter.

I'm preparing for my next fight on Mar 05.  I will be the best condition physically and mentally.  I hope many people come and enjoy this new event, and I look forward to starting a new life as an MMA fighter in the new event.

*** His other comments from this press conference ***

"I would like to deliver a fight which has more impact than before."

"By watching UFC on NYE, I felt the MMA boom for the past 10 years had ended.  I felt I wanted make a new start and I confirmed that a new event is where I fight next."

" Fighting outside of Japan attracts me, but I decided to fight close to most of my fans."

Gomi fights in Sengoku

WVR(World Victory Road) announced that Takanori Gomi who was the Pride Lightweight Champion signed up with Sengoku, and he will fight in its debut event on Mar 05.  

To the question why he choose Sengoku, Gomi said I wanted to fight in a new and fresh event.

  He will fight in the Lightweight Devision (under 70 kg) and his opponent will be announced soon.

http://gbring.com/sokuho/news/2008_01/0131_sengoku.htm

Ryo Chonan talked about the Akiyama vs Misaki fight.

Ryo Chonan talked about the Akiyama vs Misaki fight in his blog.

I said in my blog that NYE events were tremendous. Now I would say the fact that Yarennoka turned over the result was a disgrace. It was surprising for me to know that the decision a referee made was overturned easily and the way this event contracted with fighters, not by written but verbal agreement.  

Is there any meaning for Yarennoka to contract 2 fights?  I was at a loss when I first heard of this.  Misaki has been criticized by sponsors because he announced to fight in Sengoku before completing the contract with Yarennoka.  FEG announced that Japanese MMA events have to stand together and work together. Then, why aren't they in alliance with Sengoku as well?

I fight in the UFC now and should not say anything about events in Japan, but I think MMA events in Japan are now miserable. All the great fights I and many fans watched on NYE were spoiled by event producers. 

Even so, I`m going my way.

Kid Yamamoto updated his blog

Kid Yamamoto was invited to a high school in Miyagi and made a speech in front of graduates.