What if Aoki fought Melendez in M-1?

[reamark3]

I was looking at the rumored fighters for the M-1 event, and just seeing the possibility of Aoki vs. Melendez got me excited. I really think this could, and definitly should happen. Melendez ground and pound and Aoki's guard could make for an amazing fight.

[troyk]

that would be a great fight. i thought melendez was w/ strikeforce?

[BulldogWrestler]

I was thinking yesterday how Aoki would be a GREAT last minute replacement against Matt Hughes as a UFC main event

[Onion]

I was thinking yesterday how Aoki would be a GREAT last minute replacement against Matt Hughes as a UFC main event

I like the idea, but don't you think Hughes would be too big got Aoki? I think his brute strength would be too much for his gaurd. Hughes by GnP.

[BulldogWrestler]

Doubtful. Aoki would catch him.

[reamark3]

I was also thinking they could easily make this a title fight. Lets just hope the M-1 match makers see the potential of this fight.

[troyk]

is melendez a free agent or signed w/ m-1? isn't he w/ strikeforce? i'm confused.

[reamark3]

Most promotions, except one... achem, have open contracts where they allow the fighters to fight in other promotions. Strikeforce are able to work together to get great fighters on a card and put on a good show. The UFC wants to monopolize the industry so they don't let their fighters fight in other shows. Hence why BJ Penn was out of the UFC for a while after he fought Bang in Japan. I actually think if the UFC let their star fighters go to other promotions it would only help their cause. If you send your champs around the world and beat other orgs champs, well your organization looks strong. Oh well i don't see the UFC changing their policy, but luckily it looks like M-1 and strikeforce and working together. Elite XC does the same **** with strikeforce.

[dcapps953]

Most promotions, except one... achem, have open contracts where they allow the fighters to fight in other promotions. Strikeforce are able to work together to get great fighters on a card and put on a good show. The UFC wants to monopolize the industry so they don't let their fighters fight in other shows. Hence why BJ Penn was out of the UFC for a while after he fought Bang in Japan. I actually think if the UFC let their star fighters go to other promotions it would only help their cause. If you send your champs around the world and beat other orgs champs, well your organization looks strong. Oh well i don't see the UFC changing their policy, but luckily it looks like M-1 and strikeforce and working together. Elite XC does the same **** with strikeforce.
Bodog lets Prangley fight at strikeforce too. Also HCF or wahtever shares contracts (Riggs and Babalu) with Strikeforce.

Melendez is fighting March 29 against Josh the Punk Thomson at Strikeforce (8).

BTW M1 is smart to try and take over as the new PRIDE.

[troyk]

i just saw the list of guys for this card

confirmed

fedor
mach
aoki
crusher
ishida
aleks e
zentsov

possible

hellboy
arona
melendez
azeredo
misaki

thats a helluva card if they pull it off. fedor vs arona II would be a tits matchup. if M-1 manages to pull this card off w/ some good matchups, then i will actually take them seriously as a legit threat to the UFC.

[Gomi]

This would be a very interesting fight ...

I think Melendez takes it by decision.

[fightfan80]

To clear up a common misconception that I see over and over on this board and others:

The event on New Years is not going to be run by M1. It is being run by Takada and other ex-pride execs. As I understand things, M1 is involved only with "lending" Fedor to the event (for a good sum of $).

[JinJuice19]

i just saw the list of guys for this card

confirmed

fedor
mach
aoki
crusher
ishida
aleks e
zentsov

possible

hellboy
arona
melendez
azeredo
misaki

thats a helluva card if they pull it off. fedor vs arona II would be a tits matchup. if M-1 manages to pull this card off w/ some good matchups, then i will actually take them seriously as a legit threat to the UFC.


only for more seasoned MMA fans... it'll still depend on how they market it in the States for the more casual fan... another prob is that most of these casual fans are unfamiliar w/ the former Pride guys

[LuckyD]

This would be a very interesting fight ...

I think Melendez takes it by decision.

Of course it would be by decision, that's all Melendez gets his wins by...

I happen to think that Aoki would beat Melendez here, I'm not sure about the chances of Aoki catchin him in a sub, but I think he can do well enough to get the nod in a decision.

[BulldogWrestler]

Aoki would sub Melendez.

I want to see Aoki vs Fedor.

[jolietconvict]

only for more seasoned MMA fans... it'll still depend on how they market it in the States for the more casual fan... another prob is that most of these casual fans are unfamiliar w/ the former Pride guys

I doubt they'll be marketing this in the States at all. I'm pretty sure the PPV schedules are set in advance so unless they setup some kind of last minute streaming thing I doubt you'll be seeing this in the US at all.

[Roundhouse]

I doubt they'll be marketing this in the States at all. I'm pretty sure the PPV schedules are set in advance so unless they setup some kind of last minute streaming thing I doubt you'll be seeing this in the US at all.

Unfortunately, you're probably right.

As for Aioki and Melendez, has there been any talk that they will be matched up against each other? If so, that would be one hell of a matchup. Hard to say who'd win, but clearly it would be either Shinya via sub or Gilbert by decision.

Also, any talk about Fedor fighting Barnett on this card is probably wishful thinking. I can't see M1 letting Fedor take such a risky fight when they don't have Barnett contracted to them. That fight is much more likely to take place in an M1 event. That way if Barnett wins, they can still reap the benefits of promoting him (and a possible rematch).

[fightfan80]

Unfortunately, you're probably right.

As for Aioki and Melendez, has there been any talk that they will be matched up against each other? If so, that would be one hell of a matchup. Hard to say who'd win, but clearly it would be either Shinya via sub or Gilbert by decision.

Also, any talk about Fedor fighting Barnett on this card is probably wishful thinking. I can't see M1 letting Fedor take such a risky fight when they don't have Barnett contracted to them. That fight is much more likely to take place in an M1 event. That way if Barnett wins, they can still reap the benefits of promoting him (and a possible rematch).

Monte Cox said that the yareneka sp? crew would decide fedor's opponent. That was part of the deal.

[wgrapple]

What a great fight this would be...I would have to take Melendez but man would it be the fotn.