Look at who has signed for Man Festival 2

[( o Y o )]

http://ca.c.yimg.jp/sports/sn2004103016343600004069m/sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/pict/200410/im00004069.jpghttp://ca.c.yimg.jp/sports/sn2004103016163400004067m/sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/pict/200410/im00004067.jpg

[banky]

Excuse me of my ignorence but who is that(wrestler?)?

[( o Y o )]

Sorry....it is Rulon Gardner. The gold medalist from the Sydney Olympics that beat Karelin.

[FieldingMellish]

I wonder how much they had to throw at him for that. As far as I'm aware he has no MMA training whatsoever. And two months is hardly a great preparation time. Any ideas who they'll match him with?

Will be interesting to see how much press that gets in the US. Gardner's win over Karelin and that incident where he got lost in a blizzard and almost died made him a reasonably big name in the media. I can just imagine how they'll react to a sportsman like that competing in a sick human cockfight.

[( o Y o )]

Only says he wants a real fighter, that it is a multi fight contract, and that his debut will be under full PRIDE rules.

Opponent not mentioned yet.

Should be very interesting if nothing else.

[FieldingMellish]

Well I hope for his and their sake they don't give him a 'real fighter'. A win over a Japanese 'name' who can be depended on to put up a good fight but lose in the end. Not sure of his medical status nowadays (though I believe he's now back in pro wrestling) but if DSE want to throw a ton of money at this show, and with the expected bitter competition from K-1 then they could do a lot worse than ask Yoshihiro Takayama if he wants one last drubbing.

[( o Y o )]

Takayama would be a decent, and crowd pulling oponent, though I think he is still in "recovery". Not sure if he`ll ever really fight again, or that I`d like to watch it....I`d be wincing in fear for him with every shot he took. And you can bet that would be a few.

[Ring Girl]

Rulon won the bronze in the Olympics earlier this year and announced his retirement from amateur wrestling, so he is in good health. He has since signed with Real Pro Wrestling, but not as a competitor. I think the involvement of athletes the caliber of Olympic wrestlers can only help to elevate the sport - for people who aren't familiar, it brings a sense of validity when you mention Olympic athletes are involved.

[Grant Ellis]

His success will depend on his training.
Will he be the next Randy Couture or the next Kevin Jackson?

Only time will tell.
Best of luck to him.