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[NinjaShogunRua]

The press conference immediately following the end of PRIDE Bushido 12 was full of energy for those in Japan. Nobuhiko Takada spent some time displaying the pride both Japanese fans and himself possessed in the feats accomplished by native fighters. The most significant accomplishment belonging to GRABAKA's Kazuo Misaki, defeating Dan Henderson, the reigning Welterweight Champion, by unanimous decision. Hatsu Hioki and Shinya Aoki also received generous praise in their PRIDE debuts.

But the most significant point of the conference came from the mouth of DSE President Nobuyuki Sakakibara. PRIDE's Head Honcho announced that he wished to acknowledge in some way the wishes of the current Lightweight Champion, Takanori Gomi, in determining the contender for his November 5th defense on the Welterweight Grand Prix Finals card.

To that effect, Marcus Aurelio, who defeated the champion in April was naturally selected as a possibility. But more interesting was Gomi's nomination of Gilbert Melendez. Gomi expressed great dissatisfaction concerning Melendez' PRIDE debut victory over Team RASCAL teammate and DEEP Lightweight Champion Nobuhiro Obiya. The matter was unresolved at the conference however, and MMA fans around the world will have to wait for the official announcement due to in a few days.

source:completevaletudoaccess.blogspot.com

[yumitree]

a friend of mine is starting to train at the fairtex in sf and, apparently, melendez has been training striking there for a little while and said that he's gearing up for gomi... for whatever that's worth.

[fe4tw]

Originally Posted by NinjaShogunRua

Gomi expressed great dissatisfaction concerning Melendez' PRIDE debut victory over Team RASCAL teammate and DEEP Lightweight Champion Nobuhiro Obiya.

I agree with that sentiment, but shouldn't he be more dissatisfied about his own lost first? Since Ishida is still in the tournament, Aurelio should get first crack at him.

[TheBonger]

I think Aurelio should defiently have first crack at the Title. I mean if u beat the Champ in a "Non-title" match (should never happen outside of a tourny but thats a whole nother thread) doesnt that make you number 1 contender? If not I dunno what more you could do to get a shot.

[jmcmahan0206]

I will pay whatever amount of money to see Melendez and Gomi go at it . . .hell, a flight to Japan would almost be worth seeing that in my opinion.

[NinjaShogunRua]

Originally Posted by fe4tw

I agree with that sentiment, but shouldn't he be more dissatisfied about his own lost first? Since Ishida is still in the tournament, Aurelio should get first crack at him.

Ishida isn't in the tournament. It's the WW tourney going on right now not LW. I think Aurelio or Ishida should get a title shot before Melendez also, but I'd love to see Melendez/Gomi.

[WandAXE]

Originally Posted by NinjaShogunRua

Ishida isn't in the tournament. It's the WW tourney going on right now not LW. I think Aurelio or Ishida should get a title shot before Melendez also, but I'd love to see Melendez/Gomi.

Melendez lookn sharp, my boy was telling me about him , I really never got to see him , but I heard about him for a while now.

[LethalStriker]

If Gomi fights Melendez on this show then Ishida and Aurelio should rematch for the #1 contendership and fight Gomi at either Shockwave or the first Bushido event in 2007.

[NinjaShogunRua]

Originally Posted by WandAXE

Melendez lookn sharp, my boy was telling me about him , I really never got to see him , but I heard about him for a while now.

Melendez looked very good vs Obiya. He was like a machine. He just kept charging him, knocking him down, taking him down, and ground and pounding him. Obiya is a solid up and coming fighter too. I think Gomi might underestimate Melendez a little. It would definitely be a good fight IMO.

[NinjaShogunRua]

Originally Posted by LethalStriker

If Gomi fights Melendez on this show then Ishida and Aurelio should rematch for the #1 contendership and fight Gomi at either Shockwave or the first Bushido event in 2007.

I like that scenerio. I think Ishida would take Aurelio again. He just seems to do well against BJJ guys. It's really hard to sub him and he has some really good GnP.