3 Pride tournaments in 2005!

[WEREWOLF]

From MMAWeekly.com:

Most people have heard about about plans for the 160 pound Pride Grand Prix. You can hear Jens Pulver refered to at the Pride Post-Fight Press Conference. But MMAWeekly.com has learned that not only is the 160 pound Grand Prix in the works, but there is also a 185 lbs. Grand Prix being talked about along with a 205 lbs. Grand Prix scheduled for 2005.

In the 160 pound tournament you've probably heard some of the names like Marcus Aurelio,Tetsuya Kawajiri, Jens Pulver, Buscape, Takanori Gomi, Dokonjonosuke Mishima....

MMAWeekly.com has heard that the 185 pound Grand Prix might include Ryo Chonan, Murilo Bustamante, Jeremy Horn, Anderson Silva, Kikuta, Sakuraba, and others.

The 205 pound Grand Prix is rumored to feature of course the heart of the divison like Wanderlei Silva, Ricardo Arona, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Dan Henderson, Yuki Kondo, and possibly Vitor Belfort, whose contract is up with the UFC after his fight with Tito Ortiz.

Speaking of Wanderlei Silva, of course Pride will be working hard to re-sign him for future fights especially for the Grand Prix, but as we mentioned K-1 would also like to have a guy like Silva as well. What about the UFC you ask?

MMAWeekly.com contacted UFC President Dana White yesterday and this is a brief statement told to MMAWeekly. "We are interested in Wanderlei Silva and Minotauro Nogueira".

It's not known what the asking price would be to try to get Silva and Noguiera to the UFC, but in a bidding war between the three biggest companies in MMA, you know it wouldn't be cheap.

[thicknick]

When is the next HW grand pri?

[Solaris Flare]

I'm glad Pride is finally setting up the smaller weights. I wish the UFC would use the tournament format for the middleweight belt since no one holds that right now.

[Shamrocked]

The last I had heard they were supposed to be holding an open weight tournament this year? That's the one thing I hate about Pride, they talk so much bull**** it's hard to believe any of it. To their credit they usually find a way to deliver the goods though.

[Grappling-fan]

Solaris the UFC can't use the tourney format the NSAC won't allow it.

[themunchies]

Can you imagine a 185 lbs tournament? And can you imagine if Saku entered that tournament at his natural weight! Or Kondo! ****, those two would absolutely plow through that tournament and meet in the finals.

[Cbear]

Can you imagine a 185 lbs tournament? And can you imagine if Saku entered that tournament at his natural weight! Or Kondo! ****, those two would absolutely plow through that tournament and meet in the finals.
I'm afraid Sakurabas days of plowing through competition might be at an end. He hurt his back and broke 1 or 2 ribs (depending on reports) just training for Silva. Now, some will say that just shows how hard he trains. I think it is indicative that his body is just not able to stand up to the physical rigors this sport demands. Even if nothing is hurt, Sakus knees are still horrible. He might still have one last great effort in him but I hate to see him hurt before and after every fight.

[WEREWOLF]

If this is true some of the potential match ups are incredible.
Horn/Zombie Chonan
Sakuraba/Bustamante
Vitor/Rampage (only interesting if Vitor proves he isn't shot by knocking out Tito)
Arona/Silva

[Solaris Flare]

I bet Saku wishes he was few years younger so he could join both the middle weight and the light heavy weight tournies. :)

[ACIDBATHBELFORT]

A 185 tournament would be good. But many of the best at that weight or in the UFC. If Pride got Horn and Silva to enter that would be great. Those guys wouldnt be an easy fight, Sak and Kondo would not walk through those guys. They are on the same level.

[forescore]

Horn and Silva? Chonan is the #1 MW in the world, he should be the one getting consideration especially after subbing Anderson Silva(the previous #1).

Either way, if Kondo's in the tournament he'll win it.

[Shamrocked]

Can you imagine a 185 lbs tournament? And can you imagine if Saku entered that tournament at his natural weight! Or Kondo! ****, those two would absolutely plow through that tournament and meet in the finals.Kondo has to beat Henderson first.















Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

[muhr]

A 185 tournament would be good. But many of the best at that weight or in the UFC. If Pride got Horn and Silva to enter that would be great. Those guys wouldnt be an easy fight, Sak and Kondo would not walk through those guys. They are on the same level.

Apparently, Horn will be fighting in Pride some time soon and if I'm not mistaken he'll be in the 185 tournament. At least that's what JHR (at mma.tv), Horn's biggest fan has said and he has close ties to MFS so I trust his word.

As far as other fighters go I hope Suloev gets a shot, his striking and wrestling would give any 185er a great deal of trouble.

[kimura]

Good point with Suloev man. I wish Kondo would come down to 185, I think Hendo could do it too. So we've got Saku, Busta, Chonan, Anderson, Suloev, Horn, ****, put Lister in there, he's a good filler for the grand prix. Maybe Takase and Newton too, Tamura... I love these news!!! I just can't wait!!!

[ACIDBATHBELFORT]

Thats a good one kimura, Lister would probably lose to the top guys, but he has great sub skills. I think too many people think this would be a walk in the park for Kondo. Horn and Silva are certainly just as good.

[cyril]

Somebody have a date of next pride ?
Thank :wink:

[muhr]

Good point with Suloev man. I wish Kondo would come down to 185, I think Hendo could do it too. So we've got Saku, Busta, Chonan, Anderson, Suloev, Horn, ****, put Lister in there, he's a good filler for the grand prix. Maybe Takase and Newton too, Tamura... I love these news!!! I just can't wait!!!

That's a good list and after looking at the other posts on the thread I see nobody mentioned Minowa, he'd be good as well.

[kimura]

Minowa definitely, I wish they'd get Royce there too...

[don king]

I'm afraid Sakurabas days of plowing through competition might be at an end. He hurt his back and broke 1 or 2 ribs (depending on reports) just training for Silva. Now, some will say that just shows how hard he trains. I think it is indicative that his body is just not able to stand up to the physical rigors this sport demands. Even if nothing is hurt, Sakus knees are still horrible. He might still have one last great effort in him but I hate to see him hurt before and after every fight.
Thanks for saying this Cbear. It saves me some typing. I agree 100%. I love Sak, but his best days are long gone. No shame in that ... after all, he is only human.

[Cbear]

Thanks for saying this Cbear. It saves me some typing. I agree 100%. I love Sak, but his best days are long gone. No shame in that ... after all, he is only human.
His spirit is willing but the body doth protest.

[robbypark]

Call me crazy, but I still think Sak can compete with anybody in the MW division. Sak is injured and he's out of his prime but his P4P skill level is so high that at his natural weight I think he can give anybody hell.

[kimura]

I also think so too Robby. Only if he came in really light like he used to against guys like Newton, Belfort and Royce, I mean, he looked more slim than he has looked in some of his more recent fights. I think he'd fare really well, considering the fight he had with Little Nog, who's a light heavyweight by the way. Sakuraba only lost that decision because he slipped when he tried a high kick, I think it would have gone either way if that hadn't happened.

[ACIDBATHBELFORT]

A younger Sak would surely win a MW tourney. I think he has slipped too much to win one now, but I do think he would be a tough fight for any of the top fighters. I wouldnt doubt him winning though.

[kimura]

Oh boy if these news really are true, we're in for a treat! I just came back from a family dinner, which always manages to bore the **** out of me, so me and my bro started talking about the possible 160 pound and 185 pound tournaments and I almost started drooling when I thought about both.

Imagine the talent we might get to see in the 160 pound tournament: PRIDE already has Gomi, Jens, and I'd actually add that Krazy Horse dude to the tournament too, but he seriously needs to learn more grappling first. Also Buscape! Rumoured names have also included Kawajiri, the recently crowned Shooto champion. And think about all the other talent around the world they could invite, like Yves and Hermes from the UFC, BJ Penn from K-1 and Duane "Bang" Ludwig as well. Oh boy is all I can say!

[kai]

Hermes Franca officially does not fight for the UFC anymore.

[ACIDBATHBELFORT]

IF they could bring in all those top names it would easilly be the best and most competitive tournament ever.

[kimura]

I forgot to add Genki Sudo.