Tag: Gesias+JZ+Cavalcante

Nippon Weekly: ‘Japan Cup’ Bantamweight GP in the Works

Filed under: DREAM, Strikeforce, K1, JapanThree months into the year and still, not one major event has been planned for Japan yet. Not surprisingly, Japanese fighters and staff are growing restless.

In this edition of Nippon Weekly: former Pride FC V…

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Three months into the year and still, not one major event has been planned for Japan yet. Not surprisingly, Japanese fighters and staff are growing restless.

In this edition of Nippon Weekly: former Pride FC Vice President Hirouki Kato and Pride FC President Nobuyuki Sakakibara have opened up an office and started work on the “Japan Cup,” DREAM fighters and staff head to Strikeforce and kickboxing, and FEG’s troubles continue as they have K-1 branding issues in South Korea.

Nippon Weekly: Former Pride Boss Nobuyuki Sakakibara Back in MMA?

Filed under: DREAM, K1, Sengoku, JapanWhen former Pride FC president Nobuyuki Sakakibara stepped down from his post in response to exposed Japanese mafia ties, it signaled the end of an era in MMA. Now, with Japanese MMA at it’s lowest, Sakakibara may …

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When former Pride FC president Nobuyuki Sakakibara stepped down from his post in response to exposed Japanese mafia ties, it signaled the end of an era in MMA. Now, with Japanese MMA at it’s lowest, Sakakibara may be working on starting a new era.

In this edition of Nippon Weekly: Sakakibara may be planning a comeback with some of the biggest players in Japanese MMA, FEG finally gives us a timeframe for its return, fighters flock from Sengoku, Gomi and Gono return to their roots and fat guys fight in Deep.

Josh Thomson Blasts Rankings in Defense of Opponent JZ Cavalcante

Filed under: StrikeforceWith Nick Diaz and KJ Noons less than five feet apart, separated by only Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker during Thursday’s press conference, it would have seemed a safe bet that the verbal fireworks would come courtesy of the bitter…

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With Nick Diaz and KJ Noons less than five feet apart, separated by only Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker during Thursday’s press conference, it would have seemed a safe bet that the verbal fireworks would come courtesy of the bitter rivals.

Instead, the two avoided anything close to enmity. In the absence of the expected scene, it was former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson who stole the show, blasting the media for its lightweight rankings. Interestingly, Thomson wasn’t defending his own placement on the list, but rather that of his Saturday night opponent, Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante, who is 15-3 with one no contest in his career.

Though Cavalcante’s lost two of his last three, Thomson believes he is among the top lightweights in the world, saying “he should be ranked in the top five.” But Thomson was just getting started, eventually taking aim at the WEC 155-pound champ, Ben Henderson.

Sarah Kaufman Says Fighters Need to Stand Up for What They Deserve

Filed under: StrikeforceStrikeforce 135-pound women’s champion Sarah Kaufman will get her wish when she takes on Marloes Coenen on the main card of Strikeforce’s next big Showtime event on October 9 in San Jose, and she has no regrets about what she ha…

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Strikeforce 135-pound women’s champion Sarah Kaufman will get her wish when she takes on Marloes Coenen on the main card of Strikeforce’s next big Showtime event on October 9 in San Jose, and she has no regrets about what she had to do to make it happen.

“I think it’s important for fighters to stand up for what they deserve,” Kaufman said on Friday afternoon’s Strikeforce media call, responding to questions about her post-fight remarks following a victory over Roxanne Modafferi on a Strikeforce Challengers card in July.

“You don’t want to make your organization look bad, but if your issue needs to be said, I’m happy I said what I said and I think my fight kind of backed that up,” Kaufman added. “Whether it was me talking or the fans reacting or the fight itself getting highlighted on ESPN, I think they all worked together in helping push the division and have a title [fight] on the main card.”

That title fight pits the undefeated Kaufman against a Dutch challenger who posted a loss in her last outing – a 145-pound title scrap against Strikeforce champ Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos – only don’t try telling Coenen that she doesn’t deserve back-to-back title shots in different divisions.

Strikeforce Announces Josh Thomson vs. Gesias ‘JZ’ Cavalcante for Oct. 9

Filed under: Strikeforce, NewsA lightweight fight between Josh Thomson and Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante has been set for Strikeforce’s Oct. 9 card in San Jose, Calif., the promotion announced Friday.

And according to Strikeforce’s official release on the f…

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A lightweight fight between Josh Thomson and Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante has been set for Strikeforce’s Oct. 9 card in San Jose, Calif., the promotion announced Friday.

And according to Strikeforce’s official release on the fight, the winner could get the next title shot against lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez.

DREAM.15: Aoki vs. Kawajiri Preview and Predictions

Filed under: DREAM, JapanA bout that has been in the making for years and the most important bout ever under the DREAM banner. On July 10 at DREAM.15 champion Shinya Aoki and challenger Tatsuya Kawajiri will meet in a lightweight title fight to decide …

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A bout that has been in the making for years and the most important bout ever under the DREAM banner. On July 10 at DREAM.15 champion Shinya Aoki and challenger Tatsuya Kawajiri will meet in a lightweight title fight to decide who will be Japan’s representative to the world.

Also Gegard Mousasi, Melvin Manhoef and Jake O’Brien will attempt to advance towards light-heavyweight gold, Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante will attempt to rebound against Katsunori Kikuno and Mitsuhiro Ishida and Michihiro Omigawa will return in featherweight action.

Below, a full breakdown of FEG’s latest effort with predictions so good, I like to call them pre-fight results.