Sakuraba continues fighting...

Kazushi Sakuraba trained with his friend, Mr.Shimoyanagi who is a Japanese baseball player.  They have trained together for the last 5 years.  Shimoyanagi is now 39 years old and still plays as a pitcher with the Tigers.  His goal is to keep playing until he is 45 years old.  Sakuraba said he would like to fight longer than him.

  

http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/headlines/etc/20080211-00000018-spnavi_ot-fight.html

Thought after the surgery: Gono

Akihiro Gono updated his blog and talked about his condition on Feb 10.

My operation went well and I left the hospital yesterday.  I hope I recover soon.  It was a 5 hours operation, cutting a part of bone in radius and transplanting it in my right hand.  I have never been so tired and feeling destroyed like this time.  It was extremely tough operation and I am having the worst pain ever after the operation.  I almost gave up and ran away from everything.  Although, I have nothing to do but fighting , so I continue to being MMA fighter.  

I couldn't sleep well because my right hand is in pain even if I take pain killer pills.  I realized how hard to do everything by my left hand.  I want to get married so bad now.  I'm 33 years old and this is my first time to dream about getting a wife.  I want someone who is attractive and respectful.  I should be competitive to be chosen by my dream girl though. 

Anyway, thank you for supporting me and my operation went well.  After dinner, I will study English which is a part of my project to be an attractive guy.

 

Takada talks about Yarennoka!

Takada had an interview with the Japanese MMA magazine, Kakuto Tsushin.  

- Any thoughts about Yarennoka!?

I feel like that event was held a long time ago.  I cannot believe it is only a month since NYE.  Don't you think so?  That was a really dramatic event and I wonder if I was dreaming or saw an illusion. 

- You said Yarennoka! was the last event of PRIDE.  Did you think you created a good finale?  

I think so.  I believe there are many people who still believe PRIDE will come back someday.  I understand their feeling because Yarennoka! mentioned the possibility of their future event at the end.  I am, however, sure that PRIDE is over and there is no another event which has PRIDE style.

- Any comments to Japanese fighters?  I got an impression Aoki had a hard time.

I say Aoki was confused not only about his opponent but fighting in a very last fight in that event.  I believe he will be tougher by getting through that experience.  I was impressed to see Kawajiri`s fight.  He had a great performance by showing his strength and passion.  He never hesitated to fight aggressively.  I thought Ishida trained well and developed his performance by showing his takedowns, but I consider Melendez had the fighting spirit of top fighters, he tried to finish by punching.  

- I think that was tough fight though?

He did what he could do not to lose and he dragged Melendez into his fighting style.  He controlled the fight by blocking Merendez's move.  As a top fighter he had to perform more exciting fight.  

 

http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/column/200802/at00016207.html

Sakurai video interview

Here is the interview video of Sakurai with HDnet in Yarennnoka.  

What he is saying in this interview is he always fights champions again and again.  This is me doing some translation!  Sorry for the messed up video at the beginning.  

Gono is going to be hospitalized

From Gono's blog.

I'm going to go hospital.  I'm having surgery every year in last 5 years and this is my 11th in my life.  Whenever having a surgery with the general anesthesia, I will lay on an operation table with a thin surgery uniform.  So not to be ashamed of being seen by anybody, I built my muscles before the surgery.

I trained as much as I could and am ready for the post surgery environment.  Now I go hospital by taking the train this morning.

 

Gomi updated his blog

Takanori Gomi updated his blog.

I was revived after announcing my next fight.  I'm excited to do anything whenever I have something to put my heart into.  My old teammates and my friends came back to support me and even K-taro called me.

I didn't have any goal last year.  I believe I needed a year to move on to the next step.  I have my friends around me now and I will enjoy spending time with my friends after fights.  I have many things I want to do now, but I'm saving them until my next fight is over.  So now I just read books in my free time.  

I enjoy fighting and the moment I'm fighting in the ring is the happiest moment for me.  My 2008 starts from there on Mar 05.  I cannot wait!  Enjoy your 2008!

Okami talks about UFC 81

Yushin Okami updated his blog and talked about his impression of UFC 81.

After I trained punching at the gym during the day, I went home and watched UFC 81.

Minotauro was terrific.  That sweep was artistic.  I was amazed to see his mental strength and his submission techniques.  I found a lot to learn from his fight.  I was also surprised to see how quick Sylvia gave up and tapped out though.  It seems the American style.  

Lesnar, he was a monster!  His physical ability was tremendous.  I heard that he was a huge but super fast, and he was an athlete who has speed and power.  I cannot wait to see his next fight.  I felt sorry for K-taro.  His fight was good.  His combination of the punching and the tackling was perfect.  I should get those movements.  I look forward to seeing his next fight.  Almeida was strong too.  I would like to fight him near the future.  

I see many middle weight fighters now in UFC.  I have to keep training to do a good job.