In official statement through their official website, PRIDE promoter Dream Stage Entertainment has made official their first match-up for the upcoming Open Weight Grand Prix to be held at Osaka Dome in May 5th.
Despise previous report from DSE official expressing no interest in matching former pro boxer turned MMA fighter Nishijima Yousuke against a grappler due to the risk factor of placing Yousuke's limited ground game against a more experienced mat technician, DSE has once again shocked the MMA community by announcing the official match up between Yousuke and fellow countryman, judoka and 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist, Hidehiko Yoshida.
Furthermore, Nishijima has said that if Hidehiko Yoshida wears his judo gi in the ring, he would like to wear his boxing gloves in the ring. He has submitted his request to DSE, and DSE President Nobuyuki Sakakibara is currently mulling over the possibility. Sakakibara said that while boxing gloves are not part of MMA, PRIDE has seen rule modifications before, in fights such as Royce Gracie versus Kazushi Sakuraba. He will contemplate the idea, and discuss it with the rest of DSE, Yoshida, and television broadcasters.
On the topic of Fedor Emelianenko, Sakakibara confirmed that the champion would not be able to fight in May. However, he did say that Emelianenko may be ready in time to fight in July. The idea of seeding Emelianenko in the second round is being discussed, with only fourteen fighters competing in the opening round in May. Sakakibara said that because Emelianenko has shown such strength in his past fights, he is worthy of a first round bye, justifying the possible second round seeding.
Dream Stage Entertainment Presents PRIDE: Openweight Grand Prix 2006, Opening Round
May 5th, 2006
Kyocera Osaka Dome
Osaka, Japan
Doors Open: 15:00
Fights Start: 17:00
2006 Openweight Grand Prix First Round Elimination
Open, 3R 10M/5M/5M
Hidehiko Yoshida (Yoshida Dojo) vs. Yousuke Nishijima (Takada Dojo)
Also Official To Participate:
Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (A-Square)
Also Scheduled To Participate:
Josh Barnett (AMC Pankration)
Mirko Filipovic (Cro Cop Squad Gym)
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Brazilian Top Team)
Wanderlei Silva (Chute Boxe)
Mark Hunt (Oceania Super Fighters Club)
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