UFC 137 houses a lot of names that have a lot riding on their fights. BJ Penn, Nick Diaz and Mirko Cro Cop all have a lot riding on their fights.
But there is one guy who has more riding on his shoulders then these guys, Hatsu Hioki.
Hioki came over and is currently ranked by many inside the Top Five of the featherweight division. Hioki comes over to try and prove his skill against a very game George Roop.
If Hioki pulls off the victory he scores one for Japanese MMA. If Hioki loses though, he is yet another failed Japanese fighter who was ranked too high for his own good.
With the UFC returning to Japan the UFC needs to bring some successful Japanese fighter to the show.
Hioki could possibly be that man. With his high ranking he could be considered within range for a shot at current UFC featherweight champion, Jose Aldo.
He has been dominant over in Japan amassing a record of 24-4-2 with wins over Mark Hominick, Jeff Curran and Marlon Sandro.
Hioki has won 12 of 14 with one of those being a draw with Hiroshi Nakamura and the other being a loss to Michihiro Omigawa by split decision.
Hioki’s career pretty much rides on this fight with Roop. Has he been deserving of his high ranking? Or is Hioki another failed Japanese product?
Only UFC 137 will be able to answer that question.
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