Wheelie
09-09-2004, 15:03
puroresupower.com:
Sakakibara stated that while DSE matchmakers would like to have Fedor vs. Nogueira in a re-match for the Man Festival 2 show on 12/31 in Saitama, that the re-match won't be 'forced' upon the two fighters if they aren't medically cleared to fight by that scheduled date. Regarding the GP tournament money prize of 20 million yen that was supposed to be given to the winner on 8/15... DSE is considering either splitting up the purse between the two fighters when a re-match happens or doing a winner-take-all scenario.
Sakakibara stated that if Mirko wins his fight on 10/31 in Saitama (presumably over Josh Barnett), that Mirko will go on to face Fedor for the PRIDE Heavyweight Title on 12/31 in Saitama (if Nogueira cannot perform due to surgery/injury), with the 12/31 winner facing Nogueira in 2005. Interesting note - Sakakibara said that if Barnett won the fight against Mirko that he would not automatically get a title shot against Fedor. In other words, Barnett has little to gain by taking the fight. Sakakibara admitted that Barnett vs. Mirko is "more than a rumor."
The DSE boss also mentioned plans being finalized for Stefan Leko & Mark Hunt to work dates in October either on 10/14 at Osaka Castle Hall for Bushido Vol. 5 or 10/31 in Saitama.
Sakakibara admitted that DSE was making a heavy push towards recruiting Japanese athletes that were just involved in the Athens Olympic games.
On a final note, the boss said that Surin Balachinskiy's participation (he's the guy from the Russian Top Team that the boss thought he could book against Barnett on 10/31 - back in August) in October was unlikely to happen due to Balachinskiy recovering from a knee injury.
Sakakibara stated that while DSE matchmakers would like to have Fedor vs. Nogueira in a re-match for the Man Festival 2 show on 12/31 in Saitama, that the re-match won't be 'forced' upon the two fighters if they aren't medically cleared to fight by that scheduled date. Regarding the GP tournament money prize of 20 million yen that was supposed to be given to the winner on 8/15... DSE is considering either splitting up the purse between the two fighters when a re-match happens or doing a winner-take-all scenario.
Sakakibara stated that if Mirko wins his fight on 10/31 in Saitama (presumably over Josh Barnett), that Mirko will go on to face Fedor for the PRIDE Heavyweight Title on 12/31 in Saitama (if Nogueira cannot perform due to surgery/injury), with the 12/31 winner facing Nogueira in 2005. Interesting note - Sakakibara said that if Barnett won the fight against Mirko that he would not automatically get a title shot against Fedor. In other words, Barnett has little to gain by taking the fight. Sakakibara admitted that Barnett vs. Mirko is "more than a rumor."
The DSE boss also mentioned plans being finalized for Stefan Leko & Mark Hunt to work dates in October either on 10/14 at Osaka Castle Hall for Bushido Vol. 5 or 10/31 in Saitama.
Sakakibara admitted that DSE was making a heavy push towards recruiting Japanese athletes that were just involved in the Athens Olympic games.
On a final note, the boss said that Surin Balachinskiy's participation (he's the guy from the Russian Top Team that the boss thought he could book against Barnett on 10/31 - back in August) in October was unlikely to happen due to Balachinskiy recovering from a knee injury.