Comment of Sanae Kikuta (Gono`s second)

Sanae Kikuta who is the second of Akihiro Gono updated his blog after the fight in UFC 78.

Gono won by arm bar in 2R.  Gono himself was disappointed not to be able to take the initiative in 1R.  It was not easy fight for him because his opponent had a long reach and this was his first fight in UFC under UFC rules.  He had hard time adjusting his weight and training for the Octagon.  After the fight he said he is more comfortable fighting in the ring compared to the cage.  He was also upset about the opening because he could not hear his entrance music and did not know when he started to walk to the cage.  After fighting, he changed into an costume and went to the interview.  

Akihiro Gono, Comment from his blog

Akihiro Gono debuted in UFC 78.  His style is Jujitsu and kickboxing.  He fought in PRIDE bushido and Pancrase in Japan and defeated Tamdan McCrory in UFC 78 tonight.

He updated his blog from NJ.  He usually feels a lot of pressure on the day of the fight and cannot eat anything, but he felt fine today and could eat a lot.  His weight is 176lb this morning.  His fight starts 20:10.  He appears in the first fight from blue corner.  He said he will not stay in this position and will be a top fighter in UFC.

 

his passport & visa photo

His contract with UFC is 4 fights. UFC was the first organization which offered a contract after PRIDE and he signed up without hesitating. He had said he would be a Japanese Sensation in UFC at the inverview on 25 Sep.

 

at the interview on 25 Sep

DEEP Middleweight Championship starts in Feb, 2008

DEEP President, Shigeru Saeki, had an interview in `FIGHTING ROAD presents DEEP 33 IMPACT' in Tokyo on 16 Nov.

He announced that he would hold the middleweight championship in Feb and Apr.  The current DEEP middleweight champion, Ryo Chonan, announced to fight in UFC and the title he has will be returned to DEEP soon.

Shigeru Saeki also answered the question about the news regarding Fedor and M-1. He said he thinks `M-1 global' will not have their debut event in Japan with such a short notice.

The first event of World Victory Road

WVR is going to have their first event in Tokyo Budokan on 15 Feb.  

Fedor fights in Japan in New Years Eve !?

Fedor Emeliaenko announced that `M-1 Global' is going to have the first event in Saitama Super Arena in NYE.  Fedor will fight in the main event.

`M-1 Global' has not announced any official statement yet.  

In `Kamipro', I read about an organization formed by former PRIDE employees.  This organization reserved Saitama Super Arena in NYE and will have a big event.  Shinya Aoki, Mach Sakurai and Tatsuya Kawajiri are going to fight in this event.

Fedor Interview with KAMIPRO

A private interview with Fedor Emeliaenko is published in the Japanese MMA magazine, KAMIPRO, from 13 Nov.  This interview took place on 22 Oct.  

- Why did you sign with `M-1 Global', instead of UFC?
My manager, Vadim Finkelstein, managed the contract.  I was satisfied when I saw an offer from `M-1 Global' first time. I was looking for an organization which can arrange the fights with the best opponents for me, and that is `M-1 Global'. I can fight outside the organization and `M-1 Global' will arrange to fight the champions in other organizations for me. I believe `M-1 Global' will be a real international organization and will be the best MMA organization in the world.

- Could you tell me about the offer from UFC? What the main reason you decided not to fight in UFC?
Vadim: The offer from UFC was very advantageous for them but not for us. UFC only has right to make a decision of picking the opponent, to terminate the contract and to change the contract. I have never had such an unfair offer like that in past 10 years. We were working with UFC and FEG, but could not come through to the signing with both of them.

- UFC President, Dana White, said `crazy russian' about you. What do you think?
Vadim: I would say he is a crazy American. I respect Dana White because he is the person who made MMA very popular in USA. But the downside is, he wants to control MMA market in US and outside of US, tie fighters with the unfair contract and push his policy and his business theory to fighters. He cannot control all MMA organization in the world from now on. UFC have to change and need to cooperate with other organizations.

- What do you think about PRIDE?
PRIDE was the best event because I had a lot of opportunity to fight the best fighters in the world. I say `M-1 Global' has the closest business idea to PRIDE.  `M-1 Global' is going to hold an event in Japan next summer.

`PANCRASE 2007 RISING TOUR' Nakanishi vs Wada

Takuya Wada had an open training on 12 Nov.  He fights the current champion, Yuichi Nakanishi, on 28 Nov in `PANCRASE 2007 RISING TOUR`.  This is his 4th challenge to get a title.  He lost against Nakanishi by the split decision last December, and he remember that Nakanishi was well rounded fighter and was not easy fight.  He believes he could have won if he did not bleed from the knee kick.  He trains hard everyday and he has been in the great condition.  He says this fight will be his last fight in this weight class if he loses.