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[smoogy]

Werd to Loretta Hunt

SOKOUDJOU, WHERE ARE YOU?

Two months ago, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (4-1) was the hottest acquisition on the block. Today, the dreadlocked 2001 US Open Judo Champion has all but fallen off the radar, stuck in a holding pattern seemingly at the orchestration of Fight Entertainment Group’s K-1 HERO’s organization.

An unknown in February’s PRIDE 33 “The Second Coming” in Las Vegas, the 1500-1 underdog knocked out Olympic boxing hopeful Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (12-3) in 23 seconds. He topped that performance less than two months later at April 8’s PRIDE 34 “Kamikaze,” sending Brazilian Top Team’s Ricardo Arona (13-5) into unconsciousness in a minute and 59 seconds in the last event held under Dream Stage Entertainment’s banner.


With PRIDE purchased by UFC owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta in late March, and with Sokoudjou not under contract with any organization, the sky became the Cameroon native’s limit.

K-1 tried to secure Sokoudjou’s services at a July 16 Olympia HERO’S event in Kanagawa, Japan, luring the Team Quest fighter away from a verbal agreement Pro Elite’s Gary Shaw said Sokuoudjou had made with his EliteXC promotion. However, a proper visa could not be obtained in time. The next K-1 HERO’s event rolls around Sept. 17, but Sokoudjou will not be fighting on it at this time, while Shaw publicly bowed out of the chase for the athlete last July.

"K-1 has been pretty slow in getting back to us,” said Dan Henderson, patriarch for Murrieta, Calif. Team Quest gym where Sokoudjou resides. “We're still working on a deal with them."

POSTED -- 09/07/07

http://thefightnetwork.com/news_detail.php?nid=4768

Akiyama won't be on the card because he had caused a stir with the event sponsors. He will probably be on the NYE show, hopefully along with Judo Thierry.

As for the crazy rumour... this is totally unverified at the moment, but I've heard that Manhoef's opponent may be Rogerio Nogeuira, and that another bout they are adding is Min Soo Kim vs. Pawel Nastula, an Olympic Gold medal Judo rematch. Like I said, its only a rumour at this point, but we'll see soon enough I guess...

[neonatural45]

damn, hope the first crazy rumor isnt true. I wanted to see lil Nog in the UFC

but I would love to see two great Judo practitioners battle it out, id take Pawel to win

[dagreat1]

Hopefully those rumors turn out to be valid. Lil Nog is a huge pickup and Nastula hasn't had much of an opportunity to showcase his skill, having to face Big Nog, Aleks and Barnett. I hope K-1 picks him up and maybe a Soko vs Nastula fight will surface.

[ArMnHC]

damn what is it with these orgs and not signing Soko, or keeping him on the shelf for that matter??? are they retarded?

[BigBanda]

Originally Posted by ArMnHC

damn what is it with these orgs and not signing Soko, or keeping him on the shelf for that matter??? are they retarded?

Yeah I feel the same way. Some may have to do with Soko thinking he deserves "X" amount of money. The word was that was the case with not signing with the UFC according to Dan Henderson.

[baba]

I want Soko and Lil Nog in Vegas under Zuffa. wtf.

[udenied]

crazy rumours... :grinsmile26:

[Gmunit]

Originally Posted by smoogy

Werd to Loretta Hunt



http://thefightnetwork.com/news_detail.php?nid=4768

Akiyama won't be on the card because he had caused a stir with the event sponsors. He will probably be on the NYE show, hopefully along with Judo Thierry.

As for the crazy rumour... this is totally unverified at the moment, but I've heard that Manhoef's opponent may be Rogerio Nogeuira, and that another bout they are adding is Min Soo Kim vs. Pawel Nastula, an Olympic Gold medal Judo rematch. Like I said, its only a rumour at this point, but we'll see soon enough I guess...

the "stir" that happened probably had something to do qwith the Saku fight


hopefully the other Lil Nog fights sometime soon, i think its clear that Dana isn't gonna sign him

and Natsula will kill Min Soo Kim IMO, he looked like shit vs Lesnar, but Natsula has been gone for a while

[kaindakiller]

if i was sokujo i'd go talk to mark cuban,apparently he is willing to pay top dollar to his fighters.

[Dork8503]

Soko shouldnt be asking for crazy amount of money.

I wanted to see lil nog in the ufc but if not oh well i dont really care for k-1