Kempo Chris
03-23-2004, 07:59 AM
BARONI JOINS NEW FIGHT TEAM...ENSON IN CORNER
MMAWeekly’s Mick Hammond got a hold of Enson Inoue as he prepares to battle Tom “Trauma” Sauer in his return match to MMA competition at the upcoming Superbrawl 35 on April 16th in Hawaii. Enson had plenty to say about the fight and his new relationship with Phil Baroni.
During the conversation with MMAWeekly, Enson stated that, most likely, the upcoming SuperBrawl fight will take place near 210 pounds rather than under 205 pounds as originally slated because, according to Inoue, “I’ve heard Tom may be having a hard time coming down to 205, so the contract was signed at 210. If he can make it under 205, then I will as well.”
Inoue also mentioned that he’s been in contact with K-1 to fight at their May 22nd show under MMA rules as well; however, he is still in negotiations and a possible opponent has yet to be named to him. He’s also been talking about a return to PRIDE for whom he has not fought since being choked out at the hands of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at PRIDE 19 in February of 2002.
Possibly most interesting of all, Enson stated that the “New York Bad Ass” Phil Baroni has joined Enson’s Purebred Fight Team and is currently in Japan training with him as Baroni prepares to fight Evan Tanner in a rematch of their controversial fight that took place last November. “Phil’s a part of the family now. He’ll be with me in my corner in Hawaii and I’ll be in his when he fights Tanner in Vegas,” said Inoue. When asked if he’d like to make it possibly a team vs. team affair, Enson commented, “Yeah, I’ll fight Randy (Couture, Tanner’s Team Quest partner). He’s the best in my weight class, so you bet I’d get in the octagon with him.”
When asked about his contract situation with Antonio Inoki’s New Japan Pro Wrestling organization, Enson said, “I only have a per match contract, not a full 1-year contract like other wrestlers. I’m concentrating on MMA now and will do pro-wrestling on the side.”
Lastly, when asked how he’s feeling about his upcoming fight with Sauer, Inoue stated, “I’m 100% healthy and ready for this fight. I hear he’s a brawler, so if he wants to stand and trade, we’ll do that. If he wants to go to the ground, I’ll do that too and I’ll submit him.” When asked if he’ll be better prepared to defend a triangle choke, which cost him his fight against Nogueira 2 years ago, Enson emphatically stated, “If I get caught in a triangle again, I’ll pick the guy up and throw him out of the ring!”
thx to MMAWeekly.com
MMAWeekly’s Mick Hammond got a hold of Enson Inoue as he prepares to battle Tom “Trauma” Sauer in his return match to MMA competition at the upcoming Superbrawl 35 on April 16th in Hawaii. Enson had plenty to say about the fight and his new relationship with Phil Baroni.
During the conversation with MMAWeekly, Enson stated that, most likely, the upcoming SuperBrawl fight will take place near 210 pounds rather than under 205 pounds as originally slated because, according to Inoue, “I’ve heard Tom may be having a hard time coming down to 205, so the contract was signed at 210. If he can make it under 205, then I will as well.”
Inoue also mentioned that he’s been in contact with K-1 to fight at their May 22nd show under MMA rules as well; however, he is still in negotiations and a possible opponent has yet to be named to him. He’s also been talking about a return to PRIDE for whom he has not fought since being choked out at the hands of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at PRIDE 19 in February of 2002.
Possibly most interesting of all, Enson stated that the “New York Bad Ass” Phil Baroni has joined Enson’s Purebred Fight Team and is currently in Japan training with him as Baroni prepares to fight Evan Tanner in a rematch of their controversial fight that took place last November. “Phil’s a part of the family now. He’ll be with me in my corner in Hawaii and I’ll be in his when he fights Tanner in Vegas,” said Inoue. When asked if he’d like to make it possibly a team vs. team affair, Enson commented, “Yeah, I’ll fight Randy (Couture, Tanner’s Team Quest partner). He’s the best in my weight class, so you bet I’d get in the octagon with him.”
When asked about his contract situation with Antonio Inoki’s New Japan Pro Wrestling organization, Enson said, “I only have a per match contract, not a full 1-year contract like other wrestlers. I’m concentrating on MMA now and will do pro-wrestling on the side.”
Lastly, when asked how he’s feeling about his upcoming fight with Sauer, Inoue stated, “I’m 100% healthy and ready for this fight. I hear he’s a brawler, so if he wants to stand and trade, we’ll do that. If he wants to go to the ground, I’ll do that too and I’ll submit him.” When asked if he’ll be better prepared to defend a triangle choke, which cost him his fight against Nogueira 2 years ago, Enson emphatically stated, “If I get caught in a triangle again, I’ll pick the guy up and throw him out of the ring!”
thx to MMAWeekly.com