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Tokyudo · 06-05-2006, 07:10 AM

Sakakibara Speaks On Welterweight GP, Gomi's Future

As always, the finale of a PRIDE event was punctuated by the commentary of Dream Stage Entertainment President Nobuyuki Sakakibara.

While PRIDE's fighters close their evenings by speaking to the Japanese media, the final word always belongs to DSE boss Sakakibara. Sakakibara was questioned first on his thoughts regarding three of the four Japanese fighters in the Welterweight Grand Prix advancing in their quarterfinal bouts. Sakakibara said that he predicted that the Japanese fighters may not advance due it being a Grand Prix in a higher weight class, where the Japanese are not traditionally as strong, but he said that the Japanese fighters fought strategically and were very impressive. Sakakibara stated he was specifically impressed with Denis Kang, who knocked out Murilo "Ninja" Rua in only fifteen second, as well as the debuting Hector Lombard who lost to Akihiro Gono, who Sakakibara feels has a lot of potential.

Read more here.

06-05-2006, 07:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tokyudo Status: Rookie Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 50	Sakakibara Speaks On Welterweight GP, Gomi's Future Sakakibara Speaks On Welterweight GP, Gomi's Future As always, the finale of a PRIDE event was punctuated by the commentary of Dream Stage Entertainment President Nobuyuki Sakakibara. While PRIDE's fighters close their evenings by speaking to the Japanese media, the final word always belongs to DSE boss Sakakibara. Sakakibara was questioned first on his thoughts regarding three of the four Japanese fighters in the Welterweight Grand Prix advancing in their quarterfinal bouts. Sakakibara said that he predicted that the Japanese fighters may not advance due it being a Grand Prix in a higher weight class, where the Japanese are not traditionally as strong, but he said that the Japanese fighters fought strategically and were very impressive. Sakakibara stated he was specifically impressed with Denis Kang, who knocked out Murilo "Ninja" Rua in only fifteen second, as well as the debuting Hector Lombard who lost to Akihiro Gono, who Sakakibara feels has a lot of potential. Read more here.