Mirko vs Randleman II officially Official

[( o Y o )]

http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/pride/headlines/20041206-00000019-spnavi-spo.html

Kinda sad I think.....many more people I`d like to see both of them face than each other.

If Mirko beats him, he beat blown up LHW. If Randleman pulls off another win, Mirko can kiss a belt shot goodbye for awhile.

Too much risk, not enough excitement.

[Charuto]

I would like to see Mirko redeem this loss only because I like to see the bad guys (in this case Mirko since he's an "arrogant asshole") seem perfect/invincible before they challenge the hero (Fedor since he's holding the belt).

[Mago]

Call me a coward, but I rather see Mirko fighting Randleman than battling with Hunt at this point. It would be just painful to watch, and they would probably get hurt pretty badly from a k1 fight "without" gloves, specially Hunt (much more opened to kicks and ground game), with no benefit for either MMA wise. If Pride wants to get the better of Hunt, who is a fantastic fighter, they should put in their mind that although guys like him, Mirko or Leko are unparalleled in terms of striking skills and power, they know as much as the ordinary guy about the whole wrestling and jiu-jitsu stuff (well, not Mirko anymore) and should face lower level of competition in order to gain experience and adapt properly, like all great mma fighters did in the past.

[RedHawk]

I can see why this fight had to happen. Mirko's ego won't let him sleep at night until he claims victory over Kevin. I'll bet that Cro Cop has watched video of that KO loss, more than 1,000 times. He sees it when he closes his eyes at night.


In Mirko's own words "He destroyed me."


Mirko's ego was destroyed after that fight. That fight changed him. He's become more focused, more determined.


Anyone else feeling sorry for Randleman?

[Grant Ellis]

Well, I will root for Randleman simply because he is a friend, but I do see Mirko winning the rematch.

These two should not be fighting.

Mirko by KO in the first.

[Shinobu]

This is a match-up that sparks no interest in me at all. Mirko will take it but apart from the "I want to redeem myself" factor I see no sense in this.
Problem is with Mirko's work-rate he has fought so much that there is not really much of an option for him left. Yokoi maybe but after seeing him vs Herring I don't know if that would be pretty to watch.
Personally I would like to see Hunt-CC but I can see it being more risky than a match vs. Randleman...
It's really time for Fedor-CC...

[LeftHookKO]

If Cro Cop wins, I think Mirko deserves to be #1 contender. He should fight the winner of Nog vs Fedor. The man fights more then any other big name in the biz.

Regarding the thread, I agree that there isn't a lot for either fighter gain.

[Grant Ellis]

I don't think Mirko can be the number one contender simply by defeating Randleman.

Kharitonov maybe, but Randleman has lost 4 of his last 5 fights. (KO loss, Armbar submission, kimura submission, kimura submission)...

I mean, Mirko only has Fedor left to fight, so the fight is very unnecessary.
However, Coleman or Kharitonov would provide unique challenges to him.

Sergei defeated Nobunaga and Peterson by submission, KO'd chute boxe fighter Murilo Ninja (former middleweight contender in PRIDE), TKO'd Semmy Schilt (former KOP and PRIDE heavyweight contender), and really has only gone the distance once, with Nogueira, and though he lost the fight he did pretty well for someone so young.

I think Kharitonov vs. Cro-cop makes sense because:
1) Kharitonov was one fight away from the GP finals. His performance was better than the other semi-finalist who was defeated that evening (Ogawa) and therefore should be ranked slightly higher.

2) Kharitonov is 4-1 in PRIDE these past two years, Randleman is 1-4. 80% win percentage is greater than 20%.

3) Kharitonov went farther than Kevin Randleman and Mirko Cro-cop in the GP. Mirko may have kept active and looked good against Aleksandre, but Sergei looked to be in top form against Ninja, Schilt, and Nogueira.

I can understand PRIDE's position in pushing for a Mirko title fight before Mirko is either overspent or made to look human again. Kharitonov still can go very far in PRIDE. In fact, Sergei could fight Kevin or Coleman at the moment and it might be understandable.

However, Mirko should be taking fights in which he can prove himself. I know he wants to avenge his loss, but I don't think that beating Randleman proves much for him.

[freefightdave]

I think Randleman may very well take him out yet again, the speed and reflexes of The Monster easily matches the ones of Mirko. I have a feeling Crocop will submit Randleman tho.

[Grant Ellis]

You know, I would really like it if Mirko won by submission. I have been anxious all year to see his improved ground game.

Aside from bullying Kanehara in an uninspired performance, I haven't seen too much of it, but I am sure it is there.

[-=[DM]=-]

I have a feeling Crocop will submit Randleman tho.

I have a really hard time seeing CroCop go for submissions in this fight, there is to much at stakes for him to play around with things that isn't his bread and butter. He has to win this fight, he can't afford to loose to randleman twice, and to do that he will stick to what he does best; look for the KO standing up and if it goes to the ground he will stall from the bottom and look for the referee to stand them back up.

[Kobayashi]

Respect to Randleman for taking this rematch.