Kempo Chris
12-29-2003, 01:04 PM
PRIDE FC - SHOCKWAVE 2003
December 31, 2003
Saitama Super Arena Tokyo, Japan
The air is beginning to clear in the Land of the Rising Sun, as PRIDE FC becomes the first of the New Year's Eve events that announces a full card. Still to be announced are Japan's K-1 and the Inoki BOM BAY YE events, in what has been a brutal, cutthroat competition for TV ratings. PRIDE has beaten the other events to the punch, revealing their full plans just three days prior to the event occuring.
There are rumors of further changes in the air, mainly around the opponent of Japanese star Kazushi Sakuraba. Rogerio Nogueira is the opponent of record for Sakuraba, but there is word Rogerio may fight Murilo 'Ninja', and Sakuraba would face Matt Lindland instead. When Rogerio Nogueira left Brazil on the 26th of December, he was supposed to fight Kasushi Sakuraba, but in the back of his mind, he was aware that Pride could change the match at the last minute, due to the pressure of the TV ratings.
When he left Brazil, Murilo Ninja did not have an official opponent yet. Now, his opponent will be the last victim of his brother Shogun, Akira Shoji.
ONe of the first changes involved Mario Sperry, who was supposed to fight Don Frye, but his opponent switched to Japanese star Yuki Kondo.
There is word that Ryan Gracie is out, and his spot goes to his cousin Daniel Gracie.
Due to the New Year's competitions and the pressure from Japanese TV, this year seems more frenetic than usual. Another Japanese star, Kiyoshi Tamura was mentioned as an opponent for Sakuraba in what would have been a classic all-Japanese bout, but they Tamura will face Ronny Sefo as of this time.
Pride FC wisely signed as many Japanese fighters as possible for this card. The only matchups wihout a japanese fighter are the retirement match for Gary 'Big Daddy' Goodridge against Don Frye and the Heath Herring versus 'Giant' Silva bout.
Former SHOOTO star and champion Hayato Sakurai takes on fellow countryman Daiju Takase, who comes off a big win against highly regarded Anderson Silva.
COMPLETE CARD:
- Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson v. Ikuhisa 'The Punk' Minowa
- Heath Herring v. 'Giant' Silva
- Hayato Sakurai v. Daiju Takase
- Murilo Ninja v. Akira Shoji
- Royce Gracie v. Hidehiko Yoshida
- Don Frye v. Gary 'Big Daddy' Goodridge
- Daniel Gracie v. Wataru Sakata
- Ze' Mario Sperry v. Yuki Kondo
- Kiyoshi Tamura v. Rony Sefo
- Kazushi Sakuraba v. Rogerio 'Minotouro' Noguiera
December 31, 2003
Saitama Super Arena Tokyo, Japan
The air is beginning to clear in the Land of the Rising Sun, as PRIDE FC becomes the first of the New Year's Eve events that announces a full card. Still to be announced are Japan's K-1 and the Inoki BOM BAY YE events, in what has been a brutal, cutthroat competition for TV ratings. PRIDE has beaten the other events to the punch, revealing their full plans just three days prior to the event occuring.
There are rumors of further changes in the air, mainly around the opponent of Japanese star Kazushi Sakuraba. Rogerio Nogueira is the opponent of record for Sakuraba, but there is word Rogerio may fight Murilo 'Ninja', and Sakuraba would face Matt Lindland instead. When Rogerio Nogueira left Brazil on the 26th of December, he was supposed to fight Kasushi Sakuraba, but in the back of his mind, he was aware that Pride could change the match at the last minute, due to the pressure of the TV ratings.
When he left Brazil, Murilo Ninja did not have an official opponent yet. Now, his opponent will be the last victim of his brother Shogun, Akira Shoji.
ONe of the first changes involved Mario Sperry, who was supposed to fight Don Frye, but his opponent switched to Japanese star Yuki Kondo.
There is word that Ryan Gracie is out, and his spot goes to his cousin Daniel Gracie.
Due to the New Year's competitions and the pressure from Japanese TV, this year seems more frenetic than usual. Another Japanese star, Kiyoshi Tamura was mentioned as an opponent for Sakuraba in what would have been a classic all-Japanese bout, but they Tamura will face Ronny Sefo as of this time.
Pride FC wisely signed as many Japanese fighters as possible for this card. The only matchups wihout a japanese fighter are the retirement match for Gary 'Big Daddy' Goodridge against Don Frye and the Heath Herring versus 'Giant' Silva bout.
Former SHOOTO star and champion Hayato Sakurai takes on fellow countryman Daiju Takase, who comes off a big win against highly regarded Anderson Silva.
COMPLETE CARD:
- Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson v. Ikuhisa 'The Punk' Minowa
- Heath Herring v. 'Giant' Silva
- Hayato Sakurai v. Daiju Takase
- Murilo Ninja v. Akira Shoji
- Royce Gracie v. Hidehiko Yoshida
- Don Frye v. Gary 'Big Daddy' Goodridge
- Daniel Gracie v. Wataru Sakata
- Ze' Mario Sperry v. Yuki Kondo
- Kiyoshi Tamura v. Rony Sefo
- Kazushi Sakuraba v. Rogerio 'Minotouro' Noguiera