October 21
TOKYO, Japan (October 2, 2006) — In its highly anticipated United States debut, PRIDE Fighting Championships adds two bouts to “The Real Deal,” on Saturday, October 21 from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. In the first announced bout, Marvin “The Beastman” Eastman is scheduled to take on Kazuhiro Nakamura while New Mexico’s Joey “Dream Smasher” Villasenor will meet “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler of Team Miletich.
A former King of the Cage champion, Joey Villasenor may be new to PRIDE, but not to the world of mixed martial arts. One of the best young pound-for-pound fighters in the world, Villasenor is as well rounded as they come, and his “ground and pound” technique is among the most devastating in his weight class. His opponent, “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler made a name for himself fighting in the UFC and also as ICON sport’s former middleweight champion. Training out of Davenport, Iowa, in the Miletich Fighting Systems (under MMA legend Pat Miletich), Lawler brings his ferocious attitude, raw strength and MMA expertise to debut in the PRIDE ring October 21.
Also, Marvin Eastman will make his PRIDE debut, facing Japanese judo superstar Kazuhiro Nakamura. Eastman is a long time MMA veteran proficient in Muay Thai and grappling and has fought against the likes of Quinton Jackson, Vitor Belfort, and Alex Steibling. Training under Olympic gold-medalist Hidehiko Yoshida, Kazuhiro Nakamura is known for his calm demeanor and dangerous martial arts skills, having rolled with the best of the best: Josh Barnett, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, and Wanderlei Silva.
FIGHTCARD
Fedor Emelianenko (Russia) vs. Mark “The Hammer” Coleman (USA)
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (Brazil) vs. Kevin “The Monster” Randleman (USA)
Mark “The Samoan Monster” Hunt vs. Eric “Butterbean” Esch (USA)
Josh “The Baby Face Assassin” Barnett (USA) VS. Pawel Nastula (Poland)
“Dangerous” Dan Henderson (USA) vs. Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort (USA)
Marvin “The Beastman” Eastman (USA) vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura (Japan)
Joey “Dream Smasher” Villasenor (USA) vs. “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (USA)
Participants and fight card subject to change.
Tickets to PRIDE FC’s “The Real Deal,” sponsored by Caesars Palace, are available at www.pridefc.com or 1-866-US FIGHT. Ticket prices range from $50 to $700. PRIDE’s first U.S. card will also be featured on Pay-Per-View for $39.95. Check your local cable or satellite provider for details.
For more information about PRIDE Fighting Championships, visit www.pridefc.com.
