PRIDE Bushido: The Tournament

[Lei Tong 0]

Lightweights

 

(Reserve Match) Charles Bennet vs. Dokojonosuke Mishima

Unless Bennet can somehow get Mishima hooked on whatever he's on himself, he's going to get taken down early and most likely submitted in short order. Then again, Mishima is something of a goof-off with a questionable chin, but Bennet is simply too easy a target on the mat to resist.

-Mishima via submission, Rd.1

 

Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Takanori Gomi

A really bad match-up for Gomi. Kawajiri throws powerful, straight counters that will hurt even Gomi's iron jaw, and has good enough wrestling to put Gomi on his back while relying on his superb takedown defense to keep Gomi from doing the same. Also, Kawajiri is a good guard passer and has good G&P from every position. Gomi's jaw & KO power will keep him competitive, but I think Kawajiri takes it.

-Kawajiri via unaninmous decision

 

Naoyuki Kotani vs. Luiz Azaredo

See Naoyuki. See Naoyuki get pummled by anyone resembling a competitive lightweight. See Luiz advance easily.

-Azeredo via TKO, Rd.1

 

Joachim Hansen vs. Yves Edwards

Yves has been loonsig better and better on the ground over the years, and though Hansen still has the decided edge if this turns into a ground battle, Yves has the tools to survive Joachim's submission attmepts. Hansen isn't afraid to throw leather on his feet, and though Yves has been overly tentative in the past, I think Hansen will get caught in a prolonged striknig exhance late.

-Edwards via TKO, Rd.2

 

Jens Pulver vs. Hayato Sakurai

I have worlds of respect for Jens, but 155lbs+ is not the place for him. He still carries enough power to KO most people at this weight, but the size disadvantage he's likely to face here and in the future will cause him lots of trouble. Sakurai isn't the same epitome of awesomeness he once was, but he's still got well-rounded skills, and now no worries of being completely overpowered like at 167-185lbs.

-Sakurai via submission, Rd.2

 

(LW Semifinal) Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Luiz Azeredo

Kawajiri doesn't have Gomi's stubborn pride to try and beat Luiz standing, and after a tough fight with Takanori I expect him to do what he needs to do: take Azaredo down, pass, mount, pummel.

-Kawajiri via TKO, Rd.2

 

(LW Semifinal) Yves Edwards vs. Hayato Sakurai

Woe is the day I can't favor Sakurai to make the finals of a LW tournament, but that's what we have here. Yves height and reach advantage could give Sakurai problems in the striking department, and though not entirely unrealistic, I have a hard time seeing Sakurai G&P'ing Yves. Instead, I think Yves sprawls and brawls, battering Sakurai for the duration of the match.

-Edwards via unanimous decision

 

Welterweights (Middleweights)

 

(Reserve Match) Paulo Filho vs. Ryuta Sakurai

Gono called this exactly right when he asked 'What the hell is (Filho) doing in a reserve match?" Granted, I have no real love for Filho or his style, but he's a skilled ground fighter who could take out a good majority of the field if given the chance. Instead, he's relegated to beating the piss out of Ryuta in the reserve match. Sakurai has for far too long relied on his physical abilities to garner him wins (and even then none-too-often did that happen), and now he's fighting someone not just more skilled but equally as strong as well. Should be a relative squash.

-Filho via submission, Rd.1

 

Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Phil Baroni

Though "smart gameplan" has never been a phrase I've equated with Minowa's unorthodox style, I don't see him being dumb enough to waste his energy (and risking another KO) via prolonged striking excanges. While Baroni's a good wrestler and has toughed out a few bad positions and submissions in the past, Minowa is very good at catching guys with their pants down on the ground, especially with leglocks.

-Minowa via submission, Rd.1

 

Murilo Bustamante vs. Masanori Suda

Though viewed by many as a favorite to make it to the finals, I think Bustamante's MMA career is nearly over. Frankly, the Bustamante of old would've schooled Ryuta horribly, but instead, we saw an old, shopworn Busta struggle with a neverwas. Suda himself is most likely in the twilight of his career, but he's still a competitive MW with some good ground skills and some pop in his punch. I don't expect him to especially punish Busta, but I think Suda will give him grief throughout.

-Suda via majority decision

 

Dan Henderson vs. Ryo Chonan

It would seem Chonan went from being one of MMA's most protected fighters to a marked man in short order, but in reality, I think this match-up isn't going to be nearly the devastating win for Henderson many are expecting. Much like Busta, I think Dan's career is catching up with him, and while some would expect a Couture-esque career rejuvination from going down in weight, I think Randy was more of the exception than the rule. Chonan, is if nothing else, extremely scrappy, and should keep on bringing it to Dan, even as Dan continouly looks to unload with that big right. I see Dan struggling to finish, but winning convincingly nonetheless.

-Henderson via unanimous decision

 

Akihiro Gono vs. Daniel Acacio

- GONO! GONO!! GONO!!!.... ahem. Anyways, Gono is good counter striker who's no stranger to Chute Boxe fighters. Though Shogun caught him cold a while back, Shogun has gone on to be quite the player at 205, and even then Gono gave Mauricio some problems. Acacio fits the stereotypical CBA mold of "wild, aggressive striker," though he's also shown a knack for getting out of bad grappling situations. In the end, I think Gono has the tools to give Daniel problems both standing and on the ground, countering when he can and wrestling when he needs to.

-Gono via unanimous decision

 

(Welterweight semifinal) Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Masanori Suda

Pancrase vs. Shooto, pt.57. Few expect to see this semifinal, but I'm smelling upsets in this tournament. Anyways, I question Minowa's gas tank is still a question, and though Suda is no stranger to humiliating defeats, I suspect he'll go tit-for-tat with Minowa standing or on the ground, and control the pace of the bout.

-Suda via unanimous decision

 

(Welterweight semifinal) Dan Henderson vs. Akihiro Gono

Assuming the opening round bouts go as I've predicted, I think Dan will be a parody of his old self by the semis, looking simply to unload a big right hand, which Gono will see coming a mile away. Gono doesn't have the tools to put Dan away, but I could see him giving Dan enough problems to squeek a decision out.

- Gono via split decision

 

 

Other predictions?

[Guest Brian]

I think Minowa's just going to end up standing with Baroni and getting KTFpWn3d. I hope not, but this is one of those pride over brain situations.

 

So, where are the Canadian's looking to supply me with a tape of this show?

[AmericanDragon 0]

Bushido 9 Results

 

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfi...es&eventid=3212

[Lord of The Curry 0]

Me and Rudo will be doing a (hopefully) drunken MMA report after we're done watching it tonight. America may get all the MMA shows but at least us Canucks don't have to wait until November to see it.

 

Brian, where do you live?

[Guest Brian]

Seattle. I can DVD-R UFC 30 or 34 for you guys if you'd like to trade. Rudo didn't answer my pm.

[Lei Tong 0]

My quick thoughts:

 

Gomi has me eating crow. I'll acknowledge him as the #1 LW...

 

...unless the awesomeness that is Sakurai has been reborn. Beating Pulver was no suprise, but to beat a legit Top 5 LW like Hansen inspires me to hope. Gomi will probably prove too much, but I have my fingers crossed.

 

As for the MW's, I was totally off on Dan & Busta being shopworn, though I'm happy Gono aquitted himself well before Dan took him out.

[AboveAverage484 0]

Me and Rudo will be doing a (hopefully) drunken MMA report after we're done watching it tonight. America may get all the MMA shows but at least us Canucks don't have to wait until November to see it.

 

Brian, where do you live?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I think DirecTV viewers can still order it. Dish Network users, on the other hand, are kind of screwed.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

A trade works for sure. I'm too tired to post full thoughts but suffice to say it's the card of the year and the best PPV purchase I've probably ever made.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Best show I've ever seen.

 

No words. Should have sent a poet.

[Guest Brian]

One of you guys send me a pm and tell me what I can send you. How long was it overall?

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

I don't think I can convey how good this show was with a simple "thumbs up". As a formality...

 

Thumbs Up.

 

I can't compare this show to WM 17, which is still thought to be the standard bearer for a great PPV. The reason being, WM 17 is to Bushido: The Tournament, as the WOW PPV was to WM 17. This is the new standard. I don't think anyone who hasn't seen this show can properly understand how amazing this show was. It is an absolute tragedy that most audiences in the states won't be able to see it until November. If you had the ability to see this show and didn't choose to, you made a huge mistake. Pick up the replay. If you didn't have the right cable company, find a tape of the show any way you can. I can't compare this show to any other show I've seen before it, Super J Cup 94, WM 17, Final Conflict 2003, When Worlds Collide.. they simply wouldn't do it justice.

 

Best Match:

 

Gomi vs. Kawajiri

Sakurai vs. Pulver

Gono vs. Acacio

Edwards vs. Hansen

Hansen vs. Sakurai

Gomi vs. Azeredo

 

These are all FOTYC's, in my opinion. And this is 2005. The same year as Uno/Hansen and Bonnar/Griffin - I'm putting these 6 matches up with those.

 

Worst Match:

 

Baroni/Minowa

 

The story of Gomi/Kawajiri was perfect. You had Kawajiri, the SHOOTO champion, the guy who doesn't seek fame or fortune, the guy who just wants to be recognized as the best - which many thought he was. Against Gomi, who has been Mr. Bushido, who has been getting all the fame and recognition that many thought Kawajiri deserved. This match had Gomi taking the title of #1 fighter in the world. That he's the real deal. Kawajiri threw some hard shots at him and he took them. Gomi threw some hard shots at Kawajiri and Kawajiri took them. However,.the longer it went, the more Kawajiri shrank and the more Gomi grew.

 

Sakurai/Pulver, had Pulver as the much smaller man trying valiantly -but ultimately fruitlessly- to beat the seemingly brand new Mach. The leg kicks by Sakurai were sick. The combinations and body shots and exchanges were tremendous. This was a constant throughout the night, and it made for exciting battles.

 

Gono/Acacio really got the ball rolling. Superb leg kicks, almost chopping the Brazilian down. About halfway through the fight I was like "hey, this is a really freakin good fight", and they just kept going. Gono throwing double leg kicks and bodyshots and hooks with the same hand was nuts.

 

Edwards/Hansen - debatable finish, as Edwards put together some INSANE combos, up to the point of 7 or 8 strikes put together in one flurry. He was also better on the ground than Hansen. The last 3 minutes of the fight were dominated by Hellboy (german suplexes!), so I can sorta accept the decision, but I don't necessarily agree with it. At a point in the second round I figured Hansen would have had to finish the fight in order to win it.

 

Hansen/Sakurai - Sakurai completes his comeback beating a top ranked fighter like Hansen. I guess I am not so mad that Hansen won the Yves fight simply because this fight was so good. An Andy-hug style spinning back kick was the highlight for me, but this was all good. If I had to choose, it would either be this fight or Gomi/Kawajiri as FOTN.

 

Gomi/Azeredo - Gomi just proves his heart here, as he clearly wasn't at 100% going into it, and Az was after his quick win. Gomi just throwing everything he has into the flurries was pure guts. Awesome, awesome, awesome.

 

This show was not only fantastic, but it also set up 2 HUUUUGE matches in Sakurai/Gomi and Henderson/Bustamante. The first time Dan and Murilo met up, it was a huge disappointment. This time, at this level, for the title that both should have been fighting for instead of moving up in weight, greatness will happen. The story of Sakurai and Gomi, training at the same gym. Gomi being the hot new star, while Sakurai making the comeback of the year and looking incredible in the process. Sudo/Yamamoto has some competition.

 

I also have to say that Mauro and Rutten were top notch. Letting the final moments of the last fight speak for itself was a nice touch, and they didn't ruin the fights when they go to the ground by bringing up the "boring" label. Mauro deferred to Rutten excellently at times, and Rutten was really doing some of his best work here explaining the holds and counter-holds. Ranallo got over the importance of the tournament and how really freakin good it was, and made it seem special. I also liked the pre-fight B&W UFC-style interviews. It helped get over the characters of the fighters. Now if they could get David Sahadi to do their promo vids, they'd be perfect

[Guest Brian]

UFC needs to bring back their lightweight title. God, I miss those fights.

[AmericanDragon 0]

 

He won't be smiling anymore.

[AboveAverage484 0]

Edwards far from "dominated" Hansen on the ground. That fight was fucking hard to judge. Hansen controlled the action on the ground and was pretty active. Yves had the better standup, but it seemed like most of his strikes looked great, but on the one replay Hansen blocks all 4 or 5 of the punches as well as the highkick. I think the German was the deciding factor in the outcome.

 

Bring back extra rounds !!!!

[Styles 0]

I am cursed with cable, but I found a way to see this show. Best MMA show I have ever seen. It was 4 hours packed with all good to great fights. A++++ for Bushido: The Tournament!

[Brush with Greatness 0]

So anyone know where I can find a torrent of this? PM me please and thank you.