Official Pride GP 2 round Matches

[Shooto Panama]

Sakuraba vs. Arona
Silva vs. Nakamura
Shogun vs. Nogueira
Allistair vs. Vovchanchyn

A little bit dissapointed here but still some good matches.

[( o Y o )]

I'm at work so cannot check, but this is on sportsnavi or DSE? Kinda bummed out, though it'll still be good.

[Shooto Panama]

DSE official. Should be out in Sportnavi soon.

[roadfighter3]

shogun vs nogueira should be an amazing match. those guys are 4 and 5 on my top 10 list right now (nog being 4 and shogun being 5).

here's how i see the rest playin out...

silva over nak (i dont see it any other way, really)
sets up for a fight vs arona after he beats sak
nog (if nog wins) vs igor after igor pounds out a tko over overeem in the 2nd round

orrr

silva over nak fights against igor over overeem
shogun (if shogun wins) fights arona over sak

arona squeezes out a UD over shogun to meet silva/igor in the finals

[Shinobu]

Not my dream match-ups for sure. Well still hoping for a great show.

[sandrey1]

Silva vs. Naka - I called this one right
Shogun vs. Nogueira - I hope lil' Nog has the same chin as his brother, this could be very interesting
Allistair vs. Vovchanchyn - gonna be fight of the night
Sakuraba vs. Arona - Arona gonna overpower Saku to desicion

[Charuto]

My thoughts...

Arona x Saku

How many times will Arona not get to fight Silva? DSE goes against the rumors and gives Saku his best chance to advance (don't say Nakamura since that was never an option. 39 won't fight against Japanese opponents unless their name starts with "T" and ends with "amura"). This'll still be tough, as Arona's strong, ADCC proven and his low kicks have been looking really good lately. Sak's been able to catch BJJ black belts, but nobody with the combined strength and skill of Arona. With all that said however, I'll never root against Saku. "Where there's a will..."

Silva x Naka

The Randleman fight was not that bad alright? I swear Nakamura stays underrated (maybe not here but...). This guy has solid skills in every department and is constantly improving. Yeh maybe he should finish more, but he's still relatively young as far as his MMA career is concerned. He should put up a good fight, but Silva's still just too good right now. I get the feeling Silva's not going to walk out of this tourney as the champion, but Naka won't be the one to x him.

Shogun x Nog

What's more impressive, TKO over Rampage or Subbing Hendo? Who's shadow is bigger WAND or Minotauro's? Shogun's been KO'ing left and right, while Lil Nog has been showing the crowd that he has skills, although not "wow'ing" them like his brother when he first broke out in PRIDE. Physically the two are pretty much the same, slim with long reach. Strikes obviously go to Shogun, subs to Mino. This'll be a war, but I'll give a slight edge to Rog Nog since Shogun's been subbed before while Rog Nog's never been put away. The winner here probably has the best chance to steal the crown.

Overeem x Vov

Appearance-wise it's the meeting of the opposites. Overeem's tall and lean while Vov is short and stout. As far as fighting goes however, they appear to be evenly matched. They both like to stand, with the most notable difference being the respective advantages in reach and power. Also, both have recently showed us improved ground games, with Overeem subbing Belfort and Vov managing to control Kondo on the mat. Experience fears the hand of youth but I think the reborn Vov should be able to catch Allistair since he has a habit of gassing.

[Toffa]

I am very happy with these matchups, mostly because Igor isnt fighting a sub artist.

I really hope Shogun will advance but Nog is a very tough opponent. Shogun definitely has the edge standing but I fear Nog may take this by sub, hope not though.

Igor, well I think Igor could KO him standing but this could also work out like the Yvel fight: the opportunity presented itself so Igor took him down. Either way I cant see Igor losing this one except maybe by guillotine.

Other than that I think that Wand will TKO Nak (im quite looking forward to seeing this fight) and Arona will outpoint Sak.

[( o Y o )]

http://www.prideofficial.com/free/result/event/1115873188.html

http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/headlines/images/20050512/20050512-00000026-spnavi-spo-view-000.jpg

[Baggen]

I dont think theese are to strange matchups makes sense from a propotors point of view. If they would feed us now with all we wanted (like they can) what would be left for the final? This way they are more or less making sure that second round wont blow away the final and perhaps we will also se less of the usual fighter x had an easier semi final opponent. There will be no bitching about fighters not deserving coming to the finals this time, atleast i hope so.

[FieldingMellish]

No surprise they've matched up Shogun and Noguiera, should be a great fight too and I'm definitely looking forward to Igor and Alistair (yay, a guaranteed European in the semis) but don't like Sakuraba or Nakamura's chances of getting through. Will be a little strange if the semis are 3 Brazilians and a European.

Still, if Saku beats Arona there'll be much squealing and jumping up and down and excited wetting of pants in the Mellish house.

[kaakun]

Decent matchups. I'm excited.

I am a lifelong fan of Sakuraba, but I'm afraid this could be the most disappointing fight of the night. Unless Sak pulls something spectacular (which can always happen, don't get me wrong), I can see this as a boring decision for Arona...

Shogun/Nog will be the fight of the night, in my opinion. I will be rooting for Nog to pull of a submission.

Nakamura is tough, and easily one of the most improved young talents in the game. Silva will take it though, by decision.

I MUST see Igor TKO Overeem, to set up a Silva/Igor semifinal...

[MexicanFighter39]

Nice Match-Ups, Silva vs. Nakamura Is A Smart Business Move By DSE. If Nakamura Gives An Impressive Performance Against Silva Even If He Loses, He Could Become A Decent Draw In The Future For DSE After Both Saku And Yoshida Are Retired.

[RedHawk]

Was hoping to see Lil Nog vs Silva. Guess I'll have to wait for the finals for that one.

[K++s]

Sakuraba vs. Arona
Silva vs. Nakamura
Shogun vs. Nogueira
Allistair vs. Vovchanchyn

A little bit dissapointed here but still some good matches.

Really?

They were pretty much what i expected. I'm excited.

I think Arona vs. Saku is actually going to pretty good up until arona powerbombs Saku through the mat...

[mata-leao]

i'm not dissapointed w/ the match-ups. it looks like a good 2nd round.

anyways, i'm reallllly excited for the shogun vs nogueira fight...i think this will definitely be the fight of the night. i'll be rooting for nogueira to get the sub (in which i believe he can pull off). if rogerio has his brothers chin, shogun won't be KOing him...and once it goes to the ground, i think nogs will dominate completely.

arona vs sak...in the last DSE conference, arona said he was dissapointed that he didn't finish lister and wants to win his next match with a KO or submission. sooo if he takes more risks...this could potentially be a great match since saku is known to take a lot of risks on the ground. if not...this could potentially be a very boring match w/ arona using his strength and weight advantage to neutralize sakuraba. i didn't think arona vs lister was boring though soo i expect an at least decent match between these two.

alistair vs vov...i'm also excited about this...i was hoping they'd be matched up. i think alistairs gonna wanna go to the ground...i hope they stand though, it would be an all out war. i definitely think vov is gonna take this match...i don't see him getting KO'd or subbed by alistair soo if this match goes the distance i think alistair will eventually gas and vov ground and pounding him.

silva vs nak...of course i would of rather seen silva vs nogs or silva vs arona but still...i'm happy w/ this match. nak is improving each time i see him...i think were gonna see nak give it his all in this match...should be entertaining.

[Grant Ellis]

Shogun vs. Nogueira: Nogueira by submission.
Arona vs. Sakuraba: Arona by decision.
Silva vs. Nakamura: Silva by decision.
Igor vs. Alistair: Igor by TKO.

I actually don't like Igor being matched with Alistair. Alistair is REALLY tall and has a lot of tools. Igor hits extremely hard, and I hope Alistair just can't handle the power of Vovchanchyn, but I dunno. It has the makings of an upset (again.)

Arona vs. Sakuraba... who knows...I don't think Arona is going to do much damage outside of the standing position. He will probably win a decision. If Sakuraba pulls it off, there will be much rejoicing. (Say, Arona gasses after trying to KO Sakuraba, drops to his butt, and eats shots for 5 minutes... but I don't see it happening)

Nogueira vs. Shogun is just scary. Shogun is a scary fighter. He hits hard, he has good accuracy, and his killer instinct is just as high as Silva's. This might either work against him or for him. Nogueira is far more technical on the mat, but I think Shogun has the potential of a second upset in a row.

Silva vs. Nakamur, eh, what can I say. Nakamura will probably get caught standing, but he will probably look good in the fight.

[K++s]

Shogun vs. Nogueira: Nogueira by submission.
Arona vs. Sakuraba: Arona by decision.
Silva vs. Nakamura: Silva by decision.
Igor vs. Alistair: Igor by TKO.

I actually don't like Igor being matched with Alistair. Alistair is REALLY tall and has a lot of tools. Igor hits extremely hard, and I hope Alistair just can't handle the power of Vovchanchyn, but I dunno. It has the makings of an upset (again.)

Arona vs. Sakuraba... who knows...I don't think Arona is going to do much damage outside of the standing position. He will probably win a decision. If Sakuraba pulls it off, there will be much rejoicing. (Say, Arona gasses after trying to KO Sakuraba, drops to his butt, and eats shots for 5 minutes... but I don't see it happening)

Nogueira vs. Shogun is just scary. Shogun is a scary fighter. He hits hard, he has good accuracy, and his killer instinct is just as high as Silva's. This might either work against him or for him. Nogueira is far more technical on the mat, but I think Shogun has the potential of a second upset in a row.

Silva vs. Nakamur, eh, what can I say. Nakamura will probably get caught standing, but he will probably look good in the fight.

I totally agree with you except that I think that Alastair isn't going to stand with Igor and he's going to guillotine him for the win by sub.

[Baggen]

No surprise they've matched up Shogun and Noguiera, should be a great fight too and I'm definitely looking forward to Igor and Alistair (yay, a guaranteed European in the semis) but don't like Sakuraba or Nakamura's chances of getting through. Will be a little strange if the semis are 3 Brazilians and a European.

Still, if Saku beats Arona there'll be much squealing and jumping up and down and excited wetting of pants in the Mellish house.

You will be wetting those pants :D

[mugen67]

Looks good to me, it seems like no matter how they matched it up people wouldn't really be happy with it. Silva isn't fighting Sakuraba so that's good. When I voted on it I think I voted for the same card except with Silva fighting Arona and Sakuraba fighting Nakamura. Of course if that card happened, and Silva won, everyone would complain that DSE just wanted a Japanese fighter in the finals and would be pissed when they put Silva against Nakamura in the first round. Shogun and Rogerio should be a great fight, Igor and Allistair should be interesting. I think Nakamura should give Silva a good fight if he doesn't get caught early, you never know, he has a chance at an upset if he can follow the Yoshida gameplan (with some adjustments). I don't know if Saku has much of a chance against Arona, but it's probably the best matchup for him at this point.

Either way, barring any freak injuries, people won't be able to say that the final four isn't legitimate, round 2 will probably be a good show. The only problem I see is that there is a pretty good chance of there being 2 BTT members in the final four which is why I voted for the BTT vs. Chute Boxe card.

[Yotsuya]

Arona is a bit boring opponent for Sak and I was hoping to see Allistair vs. Vovchanchyn in the next round but otherwise I'm more than happy with these matches.