http://www.globalmma.com/Curly/fighters/title.jpg (http://www.pridefc.com/index_e.html)


From Dream Stage Entertainment
March 24, 2004

LOS ANGELES, California – Eight participants are now official for the sixteen man heavyweight tournament---TOTAL ELIMINATION 2004---which will take place on April 25th, 2004 from the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. The event is scheduled to debut on North American pay per view on same day delay.

Official Participants:

Fedor Emelianenko
Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic
“The Texas Crazy Horse” Heath Herring
“Ice Cold” Igor Vovchanchyn
Stefan “Blitz” Leko
Sylvester “The Predator” Terkay
Sentoryu

The remaining eight participants as well as the match-ups for the opening round will be announced at a press conference on March 31st. The schedule for the tournament will be as follows:

PRIDE FC 16-Man Heavyweight Tournament

TOTAL ELIMINATION 2004
April 25, 2004
Saitama Super Arena
(Opening Round)

CRITICAL COUNTDOWN 2004
June 20, 2004
Saitama Super Arena
(Second Round)

FINAL CONFLICT 2004
August 15, 2004
Saitama Super Arena
(Semi-Finals and Finals)

PRIDE FC: TOTAL ELIMINATION 2004 will premiere on North American pay per view through iNDEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH NETWORK, UrbanXtra, TVN1, Bell Express Vu, and Viewer’s Choice Canada on Sunday, April 25th, 2004. The premiere time is 9:00pm EST, 6:00pm PST and the count down show is at 8:30pm EST, 5:30pm PST. For additional replay times, please contact your pay per view provider or pridefc.com.

Participants and fight card are subject to change.

For more information on PRIDE FC, visit pridefc.com!

Go Mirko

I like a lot the "Blitz" but...WTF is he doing in this GP for his MMA starting career??

I would go with Mirko, but I don't know why, I'm going to go with Fedor...

If I had a house, I'd bet it on Minotauro.

The two lesser known guys on the bottom of the list. Do you think they should be there?

WO!!! Blitz is in the GP! Nice!! Two world class strikers are confirmed. I hope Stefan practices his sprawl....

Sentoryu? Predator? Leko? WTF?

Originally posted by mmafanman
Sentoryu? Predator? Leko? WTF?

The first 2 you are correct on, but not Leko. I think he's gonna give a few guys problems....

Ok, but do you honestly think he deserves to be in the GP? He has no MMA experience at all.

Yes, I do think he deserves to be in there. It's called mixed martial arts. His art is muay thai. Plus he's training just like Mirko did. Who says he won't light some guys up?

I could have thought of a few others to put in there. There are 8 more guys left to sign. Rumor has it that Coleman and Frye are going to sign. Any thoughts on who else should be in?

Not frye. I think he should retire. Even though I don't like him I'd like to see Josh Barnett in there. Maybe Jimmy Ambriz or Eric Pele. Also, I always wanted to see Mirko vs. Semmy Shilt. I think that would be interesting, In fact, they should have shilt in there just to have a 7 footer in there. He'd be a good match-up vs, other strikers. Remember Shilt beat Hoost and Hoost pretty much owned Mirko on 3 different occasions.

What about
Ron Waterman
Bob Sapp
Ricco Rodriguez (represent the UFC)
Dan Henderson (Look at the Nog fight)
Murilo Ninja
Mark Coleman
Who ever the BTT sends over
Sergei Kharitonov

Jimmy Ambriz, **** I forgot about him

Murilo Rua most likely will be in as Chute Boxe representative. I would love to see Barnett go in and get KTFO... Bob Sapp is also a good choice and so is Coleman, Kharitonov? Sure as hell, that man has mad skills.
I wouldn't wanna see Frye or Ambriz in the GP.

Silva said Ninja will be the Chute Boxe Rep.

Waterman is a good pick concidering he just fought for them...Probably upset a few people

Barnett, Sapp, and Fujita are under INOKI/K-1 CONTRACTS...Not a possible of them in it

Rizzo...Im praying for it, but doubt it

A UFC rep...I highly doubt this too

Coleman...Has been strongly rumored

Fyre....I think he will be picked up

Not sure about Schilt...I hope he is in it

Dan Henerson rumor has been dying. I dont see him in it.

Yamotto, is suppose to be in it for beating Kerr

I just want a Nog vs Fedor rematch or Cro Cop vs. Nog or Cro Cop Fedor GOD I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me neither, I would LOVE to see Crocop vs. Fedor.

Its only a month away now. YAY!!!

Originally posted by Nuno
Yes, I do think he deserves to be in there. It's called mixed martial arts. His art is muay thai. Plus he's training just like Mirko did. Who says he won't light some guys up?

I never said that he'd light some guys up. You need to re-read my post. My question is that DOES HE DESERVE to be in Pride's heavyweight GP. IMO, he doesn't merit an invitation simply because he has absolutely ZERO fights in MMA.
If Pride wants to tout this heavyweight GP as a prestigious MMA event, why aren't they filling the card with the best heavyweights out there? IMO, inviting Leko, the so-called Predator, and some guy named Sentoryu only cheapens the whole event. You might as well throw in Butterbean and Akebono as well.

Good point.

Originally posted by mmafanman
I never said that he'd light some guys up. You need to re-read my post. My question is that DOES HE DESERVE to be in Pride's heavyweight GP. IMO, he doesn't merit an invitation simply because he has absolutely ZERO fights in MMA.
If Pride wants to tout this heavyweight GP as a prestigious MMA event, why aren't they filling the card with the best heavyweights out there? IMO, inviting Leko, the so-called Predator, and some guy named Sentoryu only cheapens the whole event. You might as well throw in Butterbean and Akebono as well.

I agree. I was disapointed with the whole L.A giant thing. Some guy with ***** tits who never fought in mma before gets a shot at the GP? I think it's like an all star game though in Japan. What I mean is sometimes the best player isn't voted in to the game but the most popular with the fans and we all know how hard it is to figure out Japanese fans.

Originally posted by mmafanman
I never said that he'd light some guys up. You need to re-read my post. My question is that DOES HE DESERVE to be in Pride's heavyweight GP. IMO, he doesn't merit an invitation simply because he has absolutely ZERO fights in MMA.
If Pride wants to tout this heavyweight GP as a prestigious MMA event, why aren't they filling the card with the best heavyweights out there? IMO, inviting Leko, the so-called Predator, and some guy named Sentoryu only cheapens the whole event. You might as well throw in Butterbean and Akebono as well.

I understood your question perfectly and I answered it. His grappling skills are severly limited, but so were Mirko's and Ludwig's. I know this is his first official MMA fight, but my point is that he is a legitimate contender based on his performances in K-1.

We have to admit that due to contract issues Pride won't be able to get everyone we want, and there aren't as many HW as there are LHW out there. Therefore this tournament isn't going to be as balanced as the LHW one was.

In my opinion, Pride is making this a true Mixed Martial Arts event in which there will be famous fighters of different styles tossed in there to fill the gaps. Style vs style as it used to be called. This is what they have to do because of the limited HW.

Leko is damn good stand up fighter. If he develops a really good sprawl like Mirko, someone is gonna get KTFO!!!

Does he deserve to be in the HW GP? Yes.

if UFC was gonna send a heavyweight, how bout Tim Sylvia?

The events are too close together.

Here is a list of 14 other guys that are more deserving to be in this heavyweight GP than Leko, Sentoryu or The Predator:

Rizzo
Ricco
Eilers
Schilt
Matyushenko
Ambriz
Ausserio Silva
Coleman
Frye
Yvel
Eric Pele
Waterman
Hoffman
Sperry

And that list doesn't even include Barnett, Sapp, or Fujita.

mmafanman has tossed the salad of the correct.

Originally posted by Blue Dawg
mmafanman has tossed the salad of the correct.

?

http://digilander.libero.it/submissiongrappling/images/fighters/fp_rizzo.gif

damn all these good fighters, but if i had to choose any of them my moneys on santoryo. j/p go mirko!!!!!!!!!!

I heard Rizzo might be under Inoki contract...Ill try to find out for sure

taken from tatame:
http://www.tatame.com/ingles/


Pedro Rizzo might fight in Japan now

Now cleared at Ultimate Fighting Championship, other doors start to get wide open to Brazilian Pedro Rizzo. According to the fighter, a fight would be being scheduled to next March 28th at Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye in Japan. "There is nothing right yet. I received the invitation and I have been training hard since to be ready when this fight comes out," revealed the confident Rizzo. About UFC, the Brazilian keeps the mystery: "They are all about UFC 46. We gonna sit and talk after January 31st," guaranteed Rizzo.

Originally posted by Nuno
We have to admit that due to contract issues Pride won't be able to get everyone we want

Did you read this part mmafanman?

This tournament doesnt excite me as much as the middleweight one did. Go Fedor........

Originally posted by Nuno
Did you read this part mmafanman?

Did you give read my post where I gave you 10-plus guys who deserve to be the GP more than Leko? Are you saying they all have contractual obligations?

Also, Nuno...do you think Sentoryu and The Predator deserve to be in the heavyweight GP?

Originally posted by mmafanman
Did you give read my post where I gave you 10-plus guys who deserve to be the GP more than Leko? Are you saying they all have contractual obligations?

Here's what Pride had to say about Leko.

A lot of attention is being given to Leko, who will make his MMA debut. He's well known as one of the top fighters in K-1, on par with Mirko. General Director Takada said he has high expectations for Leko, “He, along with Mirko, has a very high skill level and physical ability that he can use in MMA. I think there's a big possibility for him to shine, even in MMA. It was his strong desire to fight in the Heavyweight GP that led use to our decision to put him in.”

Leko also appeared confident in his abilities. “I'm very happy that I can make my debut in the Grand Prix. However, I think fighting is the same in all fields. I'm training on the ground, too. I will be in my best condition and I'm going to win.”

This statement summarizes how I feel about his participation...

"He's well known as one of the top fighters in K-1, on par with Mirko."

Originally posted by mmafanman
Also, Nuno...do you think Sentoryu and The Predator deserve to be in the heavyweight GP?

Those two are a waste of space.

Chuck Liddell fought Rampage with a torn quad muscle.

Originally posted by Nuno
Here's what Pride had to say about Leko.

A lot of attention is being given to Leko, who will make his MMA debut. He's well known as one of the top fighters in K-1, on par with Mirko. General Director Takada said he has high expectations for Leko, “He, along with Mirko, has a very high skill level and physical ability that he can use in MMA. I think there's a big possibility for him to shine, even in MMA. It was his strong desire to fight in the Heavyweight GP that led use to our decision to put him in.”

Leko also appeared confident in his abilities. “I'm very happy that I can make my debut in the Grand Prix. However, I think fighting is the same in all fields. I'm training on the ground, too. I will be in my best condition and I'm going to win.”

This statement summarizes how I feel about his participation...

"He's well known as one of the top fighters in K-1, on par with Mirko."

That's hilarious that you would give so much credence to what Pride and Takada says about particular fighters. Takada can sell just about anyone to the public. He's done it with Sapp, Butterbean, Akebono and numerous others.
I'm tired of Pride always having to settle for less by filling their top shows with inexperienced MMA fighters and pro-wrestling actors. With the GP, Pride has an opportunity to make this event the most competitive ever. The MMA world shouldn't settle for less. You, Nuno, as a fan, shouldn't settle for less.

I wonder if they will match Mirko and Leko up in the first round. That would be interesting

Four more participants have been added to the Grand Prix
-Mark Coleman
-Sergei Kharatonov
-Giant Silva
-Yokoi Hirotaka

Originally posted by mmafanman
That's hilarious that you would give so much credence to what Pride and Takada says about particular fighters. Takada can sell just about anyone to the public. He's done it with Sapp, Butterbean, Akebono and numerous others.
I'm tired of Pride always having to settle for less by filling their top shows with inexperienced MMA fighters and pro-wrestling actors. With the GP, Pride has an opportunity to make this event the most competitive ever. The MMA world shouldn't settle for less. You, Nuno, as a fan, shouldn't settle for less.

I think you confused Pride with K-1(Akebono, Sapp, Butterbean). Having you been watching Pride lately? Takada may have been a ****ty fighter, but when he and this other guy took over Pride the shows have gotten way better. We've gotten some of the best matches ever.

I don't understand what you mean by settling for less. I don't see any other organizations setting up a GP like this one. Do you? Your complaining and you don't even know the full roster yet. Your basing your opinions on what you personally want. Pride has to consider what all of its fans want, including their most important fans, the japanese. They like their pro wrestlers, so Pride through one in their. They also love K-1 and Sumo, so for them the line-up must seem spectacular. For us they have the likes of Mino, Fedor, Mirko, Herring, etc...

C'mon man wake up and look at the big picture. This event is bigger than you think.

Originally posted by Nuno
I think you confused Pride with K-1(Akebono, Sapp, Butterbean). Having you been watching Pride lately? Takada may have been a ****ty fighter, but when he and this other guy took over Pride the shows have gotten way better. We've gotten some of the best matches ever.

I don't understand what you mean by settling for less. I don't see any other organizations setting up a GP like this one. Do you? Your complaining and you don't even know the full roster yet. Your basing your opinions on what you personally want. Pride has to consider what all of its fans want, including their most important fans, the japanese. They like their pro wrestlers, so Pride through one in their. They also love K-1 and Sumo, so for them the line-up must seem spectacular. For us they have the likes of Mino, Fedor, Mirko, Herring, etc...

C'mon man wake up and look at the big picture. This event is bigger than you think.

No Nuno, MMA is right. This event is going to be a shadow of the MW GP just because PRIDE wants to make it a 16 man event. Half of the fighters in that GP have NO RIGHT to even be in the same ring as the other half.

You, as a fan, shouldn't put up with that.

Originally posted by Creed
No Nuno, MMA is right. This event is going to be a shadow of the MW GP just because PRIDE wants to make it a 16 man event. Half of the fighters in that GP have NO RIGHT to even be in the same ring as the other half.

You, as a fan, shouldn't put up with that.

OK, I'll write to my congressman.<sarcasm>

Well, I'll be ordering most of this event. I might skip the opening round but I'll probably get the semis and definately the finals.

Originally posted by Nuno
I think you confused Pride with K-1(Akebono, Sapp, Butterbean). Having you been watching Pride lately? Takada may have been a ****ty fighter, but when he and this other guy took over Pride the shows have gotten way better. We've gotten some of the best matches ever.


What Pride have I been watching lately? Well, let's see...as a subscriber to the DirecTV network, where I pay sometimes up to $50 to view a Pride event when it comes out, I think it's safe to say I have a right to complain about the matches.
When Pride gives a Neo-Nazi fatso with ***** tits and extremely limited MMA experience some air-time and the opportunity to make it into this GP, I have a right to complain.
When Pride sends its perennial sacrificial lamb, Alexander "the Bleeder" Otsuka, to his usual 10-minute ass-whipping session, I have a right to complain.
And when Pride puts together a match between a pro-wrestler, who wears a mask into the ring and got knocked out in less than a minute by CroCop, and a Yoshida student who is as about as exciting as watching paint dry, I have a right to complain.
By the way, all these matches were in the last Pride "Inferno" event.
Nuno, what have you been watching?

Nice how you pointed out the only bad Pride show in the last year.

If your paying $50, you're getting robbed. I have never seen a Pride for more than $30.

But anyway, read everyones posts in the other threads about this to get the idea of how we feel about it.