Just yesterday, we passed along news that the Fertitta brothers postponed the upcoming PRIDE FC 2007 Lightweight Grand Prix because there was not enough time to coordinate the event.
Well, according to Dream Stage Entertainment (DSE) executive Nobuhiko Takada in an MMAWeekly.com article, the first round of the 16-man tournament will take place on July 16.
Here’s the snip:
” … the first round the tournament would happen on July 16th. The second and third rounds are expected to occur sometime in September and November.”
Among the numerous top PRIDE FC fighters being considered (i.e. Shinya Aoki, Marcos Aurelio, Takanori Gomi, Joachim Hansen, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Gilbert Melendez and Hayato Sakurai, among others) the UFC is also expected to send a contingent of talent to participate in the event.
Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes, as well as Diego Sanchez, are two of the names that have been mentioned but unconfirmed.
Of course, Hughes and Sanchez are welterweights (170-pound limit) and the PRIDE FC lightweights fight at 160. Furthermore, the UFC mentioned that PRIDE FC fighters would fall into new weight classes to help unify the rules and true champions of the sport.
The UFC lightweight division weight limit is 155 pounds.
Needless to say, but the weight limit for the 2007 LWGP is a bit of a mystery, especially if Hughes and Sanchez are being discussed.
Regardless, it should be a hell of a show for which fans here in the states should be incredibly excited — the grand prix’s are sick.
For more news on the PRIDE FC 2007 Lightweight Grand Prix check out our archives.
12 Comments »
Now this is what i’m talking about,finally, this is going to be some good shit.
i think you got it wrong, pride 35 is suppose to happen in Cali in june, and the LWGP isnt suppose to happen til july and im assuming thats not happening in the cali, check mmaweekly, i think you read it wrong.
[quote comment="35102"]i think you got it wrong, pride 35 is suppose to happen in Cali in june, and the LWGP isnt suppose to happen til july and im assuming thats not happening in the cali, check mmaweekly, i think you read it wrong.[/quote]
Thanks Stokes — made the change. A little too excited
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UFC would be risking a lot with their two golden boys. Hopefully it happens, Melendez is going to win this thing no matter who the UFC puts in there!
ok now we got a date, all we need now is who’s fighting and at what weight, this is gonna be awesome, i can’t wait…also i doubt matt hughes is gonna pass up a shot at his title again to fight in this thing, i think he’s gonna focus on matt serra, but diego is a different story, this is perfect for him…
forget dirty sanches and gay boy hughs i wanna see some guys like roger huerta in the mix maybe farnk edger the guy that beat tyson griffin and what i wanna know is when is zuffa gunna make urija faber move his ass back up to lightweight and get him in the ufc, that guy is too much fun to watch to waste him in the wec, as for the tourney im stoked and i wanna see hell boy go all the way
i think if the ufc wants to put in top talent that isnt in title contention they should throw in
Kenny Florian
Joe Stevenson
Roger Huerta
and possibly Tyson Griffin or Frank Edgar
that is of course if the grand prix is held at 155 if it is held higher its a different story
Finally some real competition for Diego Sanchez. I’m excited to see who comes out on top.
Sanchez
BJ
Lytle
Daddy
Huerta
Florian
Griffen or Edgar
Any of these guys can go from 155-165 and perform well. Those that are at 170 can easily make the weight as well. Which would be Sanchez,Lytle, and BJ. This is a good group that need this in their career. Hughes will not go. it will truly suprise the hell out of me if he goes.
I cant effing wait. All I have to say. The GPs are super-sick. I hope USA based MMA fighters ( and fans ) understand what these mean to the rest of the world. There is no higher title in MMA than a Pride GP title.
The GP’s are a pretty awsome concept, but I still think the standard should be based on the concept of the regular title. Two men putting it all on the line to beat the other, and who is better. But the GP is new and should be many good fights in a short time. Very entertaining.
BJ would be great, besides Pulver, he dont have much going on, Hughes I cant see happening like already mentioned, he is rather large if the limit is any of what the rumors have said so far, and has a title fight coming up most likely.
Diego has no reason not to go, and would be an awsome representative for the UFC. Sherk should, he should be getting bored by now anyway, and Stevenson.
Even if Matt and Diego don’t show it will be an awesome LWGP.