At the PRIDE Dojo in Takeshiba, Tokyo, DSE held a signing ceremony for the PRIDE Bushido Lightweight Grand Prix Final Match between Takanori Gomi vs. Hayato Mach Sakurai. Mach's comment was rather simple, "I am just gonna fight. It doesn't make sense for me to say anything" and Gomi was the same, "I am with Mach, I don't think too much of it, I'm gonna let my body move naturally, and fight with abandon. It's not only the result but I want to deliver the excitement to 40,000 fans."

(from left to right) Takanori Gomi, DSE President Nobuyuki Sakakibara, Hayato Mach Sakurai.

During the ceremony, neither of them looked into their opponent's eyes, and till the end, there was no handshake. The fellow disciples of Kiguchi Wrestling School showed nothing but a bustling sense of tension. At this point, according to the fighters themselves, Gomi is at 75 kg (165.38lbs)
and Mach is at 76 kg (167.58 lbs). Gomi, after the press conference, told reporters, "By looking at him, he seems solid. He is probably doing well cutting his weight down."

Till recently Mach had been training in Seattle so Gomi was the only one who had been doing all the talking.
He already expressed his desire to step up to a heavier weight class after conquering this GP, and even talked about possibility of fighting Kazushi Sakuraba. Also, just few days before this ceremony, he revealed his plan of using 10 million yen (approximately 87,000 US dollars) from his GP winning purse as the start-up cost for his own dojo. On top of all that, of course, he said that it's time for Mach to pass the torch.
Gomi is putting a lot pressure on himself.

On the other side, Mach kept himself outside the Japanese media frenzy, in Seattle, concentrating on just training, and even at the signing ceremony, he didn't have too much to say.
Does this mean that Mach is nervous, or is he completely prepared and his mind already dancing in the fighting zone?

Masakazu Imanari (standing) giving few tips Ken Kaneko on leg submissions.

An-actor-turned-MMA-fighter Ken Kaneko practiced in front of the media on December 26th at the PRIDE Dojo.
On this day, Kaneko invited Masakazu Imanari as a special coach and learned how to get out of being mounted on the ground.
Imanari taught Kaneko how to get out by using a TK Reversal, then countering with an ankle lock. Kaneko even sparred three minutes and defended well against Imanari‚s attacks; such as knee bars and omo platta. Kaneko, at least, from his jiu-jitsu experience, displayed that he does have the fundamental understanding of defense on the ground.

Kaneko then showed little bit of his striking ability by hitting the mitt for one minute.
Here, he showed mainly straight punches, knee shots and a kick to the midsection.
His hips however didn't look solid.
He knew how to fake a punch and shoot but in striking itself he is still looking very awkward.
"I want to bring the fight to my usual gig, that is, to the ground."
Kaneko, at least, has the right idea. (12/26/2005)

DSE decided to match two Japanese stars either of whom had an opponent for the upcoming PRIDE show.
Kazushi Sakuraba will take on Ikuhisa Minowa.

Both fighters were at the press conference held on the 20th in Tokyo. Minowa first gave a greeting to reporters, "Hello. I am Minowa. This time, I would like to thank fans, promoters, for choosing this match-up. For a while, I heard Sakuraba-san saying 'Red pants! Red pants!' so I was, sort of anticipating, 'Maybe he wants to fight me?' I always wanted to fight Sakuraba-san. My theme for the next bout is 'Burst Wave: 20's Last Challenge'and it fits perfectly for this match-up. I don't know what to say, that's how much I think this is the best match-up I have ever had. I am so happy and thankful."

Then Sakuraba followed it with a short comment, "I think Minowa, as a professional, is a first-rate fighter so I am sure we both will try to put up an exciting fight."

(from left to right) Sakuraba, Takada, Minowa. Everyone looked happy at the press conference.

DSE, after the breakdown of negotiation with Kiyoshi Tamura, presented a few candidates to Sakuraba. Among the names of foreign fighters, Sakuraba spotted Minowa's name, "I thought he is the opponent who can connect, perhaps resonate with the audience, so I chose him."

This is going to be the first time Sakuraba is facing a Japanese fighter in an MMA bout.
According to PRIDE General Director Nobuhiko Takada, Sakuraba was already talking about Minowa a couple years ago because "He has got a professional aura, and he always puts up an entertaining fight."
Sakuraba himself said, "I don't remember saying that" but he showed high regards to his opponent, "From the entrance to the exit, he is a great professional. I get excited watching his fights. When he wins the fight, he raises his right fist, right? Just like his fans, it made me feel like I wanted to raise my fist with him also."

Just for the record, Minowa has trained at the Takada Dojo in the past but ever since November, he has been training under a different environment.

There will be no contract weight for this bout but considering their natural weight, we can consider this as PRIDE middleweight match. (205 lbs & under)

Takada expressed his expectation for this fight, "I think this one will have high artistic quality, the type of fight both MMA fans and pro-wrestling fans can enjoy."

In addition, DSE announced two additional cards. Judo master from Poland Pawel Nastula will take on Aleksander Emelianenko from the Red Devil Team, and the monster from the U.K. James Thompson is going to face Giant Silva from Brazil.

Takada explained, "The Thompson Silva match-up is for beginners, so those who have never seen PRIDE, can enjoy the show." (12/21/2005)

Yuki Kondo from Pancrase invited the media to his yoga session on December 19th.
Kondo's interest with yoga began back in 2000 when the co-founder of Pancrase Masakatsu Funaki started yoga as part of his preparation to fight Rickson Gracie.

Yuki Kondo working at Yoga dojo in Kita-Senju district of Tokyo.

Since then Kondo has been attending a yoga dojo twice a month, "I've acquired this sensation of making my consciousness face towards the inside."
Kondo continued, "I can control my emotions better, I don't get distracted anymore. (Even in practice) I can actually feel that I am really concentrating. (In the fight) When I am winning the fight, I don't get too carried away, and although I may be in bad shape, I can keep my cool."

His opponent on New Year's Eve, Kazuhiro Nakamura from Yoshida Dojo, is known for winning fights by decision but Kondo thinks, "If this one becomes a long haul, then I would have an advantage." But Kondo's tactic is not to win the fight with a decision, "There are going to be a lot of fans who will be watching this fight on TV so I want to be a bit conscious about an 'easy to understand' concept. I would like to go for, what would make the spectators feel refreshed, a KO win." (12/20/2005)

Ken Kaneko (left) and Charles "Crazy Horse" Bennett wearing a ski mask at the press conference held in Tokyo on December

Both Charles "Crazy Horse" Bennett and Ken Kaneko were at the press conference that took place at a Tokyo hotel on December 16th.
DSE announced that the fight between these two would be held under special PRIDE rules where, on the ground, fighters are prohibited to kick and knee to the head.
DSE also revealed that Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Kiyoshi Tamura match-up is not going to happen this New Year's Eve.

Bennett showed up wearing a ski mask because "I want to fight Gomi, Pulver, and Hansen but now I am fighting an actor. I don't want people to see me as an amateur, just like him."
Bennett was relentless in insulting an actor turned MMA fighter, "This fight is a waste of time for me. I want him to stick with acting for rest of his life. The fight is real. It's not acting. This sport is not that easy. There are so many fighters out there, in the world, who train hard to make it to PRIDE. I want to fight those fighters."

Kaneko didn't react to any of Bennett's criticism "It's within the scope of the assumption so I don't think anything in particular."
Kaneko then followed it with aggressive remarks, "I know the possibility of me wining the fight is very low but I don't think it's 0%. If I've got a 1% possibility, then I will go for the kill."
Kaneko also revealed that besides his training at Takada Dojo and boxing gym, he now goes to Gutsman Shooto Dojo to be coached by Rumina Sato.

DSE President Nobuyuki Sakakibara also explained about the Sakuraba Tamura situation, "It just wasn't the right timing. It's before an issue of the purse, it was a problem within the basic premise."
In terms of Sakuraba's opponent on New Year's Eve, it will be some non-Japanese fighter but since it is now too late to apply for a Brazilian visa, it is going to be a non-Brazilian fighter.
DSE is scheduled to announce Sakuraba's opponent sometime early next week. (12/16/2005)

Ikuhisa "The Punk" Minowa has done it again.
This time in the batting cage, using a baseball.
Every MMA fans in the world must know by now that Minowa posses that pro-wrestler's mentality, therefore he engages in these bizarre but sometimes fantastic (?) training methods that somehow seem to capture the fascination of pro-wrestling and some MMA fans in Japan. We all have seen Minowa chasing a flying airplane, throwing rocks at the top of mount Fuji, or unleashing his favorite spinning heel drop underneath the bridge, in the stinky muddy river.
Here is a fighter, during the fight, that screams "I am a pro-wrestler!" while dropping down punches.
Is he crazy? No, actually, it's completely the opposite.
Minowa is a tactician and perhaps a marketing genius that knows how to secure his place in the Japanese pro-wrestling world although he is, for now, just concentrating on MMA fights.
On December 14th, a customary "Minowa Theatre" took place at the batting cage in Tokyo where he revealed his new, out-of-the-cartoon-like "secret practice."

Ouch! Minowa's new secret training at the batting cage looked quite painful.

However, this practice indeed was a very dangerous one.
Minowa stood right on top of home base, and fended off from a baseball, coming at him, right before it touches his body, "To nourish a will to concentrate and a sense of tension."
Thank God, he used a soft-type baseball instead of a regular official MLB baseball because when he performed this practice in front of the reporters, Minowa did get hit more than few times. Although he mainly got hit in the hands, Minowa's bitter facial expression said it all.

From his youth, Minowa had no connection with baseball. He never understood, "Why does a player, after hitting the ball, have to run to the first base?" but Minowa, from a comic book he read in the past, got this idea of incorporating the batting cage into his MMA practice. Minowa's motivation was, in order for him to be "The Real Pro-Wrestler" experiencing these special trainings done by his old cartoon heroes is mandatory.
At first, Minowa went to the batting cage to "Test how it feels to get hit by a baseball" checked on its teeth.
Minowa, in an open-faced manner, told reporters that it is very difficult to conduct this practice at the batting cage and not get caught by the staff but "When I shy way from that ball, just in the right timing, by my ear, I can hear a hum, and that makes me feel good."
Minowa has already established his goal, "Now, I am working with the slowest ball, at 49 mph, but soon, I want to be able fend off an 80 mph fast ball."

Although Minowa still doesn't have an opponent on New Year's Eve, in the first match of the show, he is looking to "Demolish this standard of weight difference."
Since he is turning 30 on January 12th, 2006, for his usual theme, Minowa has decided on "Burst Wave: 20's Last Challenge."
Spring Breeze, Go To Summer, Hot Blast, Tailwind Dash, and now, Burst Wave. As always, Minowa is in his own world.

In addition, DSE announced that Charles "Crazy Horse" Bennett is going to be the opponent for popular actor Ken Kaneko's MMA debut fight.
Bennett lost to Takanori Gomi in his PRIDE debut but then knocked out Yoshiro Maeda from Pancrase in PRIDE Bushido vol. 05 but he was outclassed by Dokonjonosuke Mishima in the Bushido Lightweight GP reserve match. Kaneko, who is around 170, will have a substantial advantage in the weight department since Bennett is even a bit small at the lightweight category, however, in order for an actor turned MMA fighter to win, he will need more than just a few pounds on his side.
The rules of this match will be announced soon. (12/16/2005)
Of course, the question reporters came up with was, "Do you think about Bobby Ologun (who is fighting in K-1 Dynamite!!)?" and 29-year old actor Ken Kaneko replied, "Not really."

Apparently many assumes that this is PRIDEs answer to K-1 Dynamite!!
K-1 included a TV talent so PRIDE went with an actor.
On December 8th, DSE announced that Kaneko's professional MMA debut is set for New Year's Eve.

Ken Kaneko (middle) with DSE President Nobuyuki Sakakibara and the producer from Junk Sports.

Kaneko made the breakthrough as a movie actor in 1996 winning a Japanese Academy award with the role of a boxer turned into a gangster in Takeshi Kitano's Kid's Return Kaneko then went on to star in few prime time TV dramas and joined the MC's of a very popular TV talk show called Junk Sports. In this show, where world's top athletes share their secrets of life, Kaneko found an interest in making his body stronger and joined Kevin Yamazaki's Total Workout gym.
The eye-opener to MMA however came two years ago when Kaneko started to learn jiu-jitsu at AXIS Jiu-jitsu Academy next to Meiji University in Tokyo.
Finally, on February of this year, Kaneko consulted with the producer of the show, "For the first time in my life, on my own will, I found something I really want to pursue. I am going to quit acting and become a Kakuto-ka" then on March 7th, Kaneko officially joined the Takada Dojo.

Although his fight is going to be in the "challenge match" segment that takes place before the preliminary bouts, and Kaneko insists, "I have no plan of going back to acting. I want to put up a fight that won't be embarrassing in the standards of PRIDE," no one can deny the fact that this indeed is a big change of course for PRIDE, the promotion that is supposed to be engaging in the world's best MMA competition.

Kaneko's prior sports experiences are surfing, basketball and golf, which obviously have no connection to fight sports, so it is needless to say that he is in PRIDE because he is a popular actor not because he is a chosen athlete.
Sure Kaneko went to Brazil with Kazushi Sakuraba to train at the Chute Boxe Academy for three weeks and according to DSE, Wanderlei Silva supposedly said, "He has a good ground technique" but whether he is qualify to be in the PRIDE ring or not is a different issue.

At the press conference, DSE President Nobuyuki Sakakibara said, "The entire approach Kaneko is taking is completely different (from Bobby Ologun). And For his opponent, I will match a first-rate fighter, someone suitable for PRIDE" then one must wonder why Kaneko's fight will be held under "somewhere very close to the official PRIDE rules."

Kaneko had an answer for this, "PRIDE is the place for top athletes to battle, but my purpose is to give hope and dreams to people whose goal is to be in PRIDE. So my fight should be considered to be in a different position." The producer of Junk Sports also added, "In comparison to baseball and soccer, the number of persons with martial arts experience is still relatively low so if this fight became one of triggers for increasing that population, then as a person who is involved in the MMA business, I would be very happy."

The popularity of baseball in the States or Japan, and the fan base of "futbol" soccer worldwide, or even the number of athletes in any sports weren't built by an actor who has decided to try something new. It can be considered a new approach or Japanese approach but this is also proves that the entertainment philosophy that came from the pro-wrestling world is still deeply rooted in the Japanese MMA world.

The day before this announcement, DSE revealed three additional cards for the upcoming PRIDE Otoko Matsuri show on New Year's Eve.
The current PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko will face Zuluzinho from Brazil, Mirko Cro Cop will take on 2001 K-1 World GP champion Mark Hunt. Finally, the rematch between Wanderlei Silva and Ricardo Arona. This time, the PRIDE middleweight title is on the line. DSE also told the media that both Sakuraba and Ikuhisa Minowa will definitely be fighting in the show. Their opponents will be announced soon. (12/11/2005)

On December 8th, DSE announced three additional cards for the upcoming PRIDE Otomo Matsuri (a.k.a. Shockwave) show on New Year's Eve:

Mirko Cro Cop vs. Mark Hunt

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Zuluzinho

Wanderlei Silva vs. Ricardo Arona for PRIDE Middleweight Title

In addition, DSE announced that both Kazushi Sakuraba and Ikuhisa Minowa will fight in this show. For Sakuarba's opponent, DSE is still negotiating with Kiyoshi Tamuara.

(12/07/2005)

The day after the announcement of Ogawa vs. Yoshida that rocked the Japanese society, DSE followed it with two very interesting match-ups.
On November 15th, DSE held a press conference in Tokyo and announced that Makoto Takimoto and Kazuhiro Nakamura of Yoshida Dojo will challenge veterans, Sanae Kikuta and Yuki Kondo.

(from left to right) Yuki Kondo, Makoto Takimoto, and Sanae Kikuta.

In Japan, the fans are now viewing Kikuta as sort of like the "backroom" or "behind-the-scene," perhaps hidden champion.
When Kikuta became the first on the only Japanese conquer of the ADCC World Championships in 2001, the entire Japanese fight world was buzzed by his accomplishment. Kikuta was supposed to be the next big thing in the MMA.

However, in 2002, when Kikuta made a comeback into PRIDE as the best grappler in the world, he was treated like nobody. During the fight, his opponent, Alexander Otsuka, repeatedly kneed Kikuta's groin but the referee Yuji Shimada not only ignored Alexander's illegal tactic but also didn't even issue a warning.
This was one of the ugly performances ever displayed in the history of PRIDE.

Since then Kikuta stayed away from PRIDE concentrated on fighting in Pacnrase shows so the fans never got to see world champion grappler Kikuta facing big name fighters in the big stage and that made him, in fan∂s perception, like a secret champion.

Kikuta seemed like he is well aware of what the fans are thinking, "On New Year's Eve, I am not just going to be 'behind-the-scene' world's best grappler, I want to submit an Olympic Gold Medallist. I think I am a flameout. (laugh) But for past ten years, I am feeling proud that I have been one of the tops of the world. At this juncture, I am glad I can fight another world∂s top grappler. Finally, the man from the back channel is getting an opportunity to prove it on the front stage, that's how I feel like."

Takimoto, however, was thinking about something else, "I am not going to insist on the ground game. In the last fight fans booed me so I didn't feel good. So, this time, I am looking to brush away the cobwebs and win in a way spectators would be feel consent."

Nakamura was absent because he is currently training in Brazil but his opponent Kondo attended the press conference, "In last fight (vs. Igor Vovchanchyn), I couldn't produce good result nor good fight. I want to be intense take ippon. (submission or KO) I think I am on the absolute edge. I can't lose this fight. I want to win."

In order for PRIDE to win in a TV rating war against K-1 Dynamite!!, battle between Japanese fighters were necessary.
At the end, DSE President Nobuyuki Sakakibara added a crucial quota, "Fighters who couldn't get accepted by TV rating and the fans, that would have an effect in the future matchmaking in PRIDE."

(11/15/2005)

This card was DSE's ace in the hole in a TV ratings war against K-1 Dynamite!!
On November 14th, DSE held a press conference at the hotel in Tokyo and officially announced Naoya Ogawa vs. Hidehiko Yoshida on New Year's Eve.

"This will be my third New Year's Eve show. For the fans, I would like to put up a good fight."
Yoshida began with a model speech but Ogawa, with a stern face, explained his decision to once again enter the PRIDE ring, "Recently I believe the (Japanese) pro-wrestling (industry) is in the deep end. I want to bring that heat back to the world of pro-wrestling. As a representative of pro-wrestling, I will do my best."

Naoya Ogawa (left) and Hidehiko Yoshida (right) at the press conference. Both fighters never looked at each other.

Ogawa and Yoshida were teammates in the Meiji University judo team.
Yoshida explained, "We practiced together. He was a very quiet senpai (older member of the club) so I am actually a bit surprise to see him working hard in pro wrestling."

When a reporter asked Ogawa about his impression of Yoshida, Ogawa replied, "Nothing in particular."

Then another reporter asked both fighters to share their thoughts on how they would like to win the fight, Yoshida answered, "I don't know till I start fighting" but Ogawa was frustrated, "I don't even want to answer to such a petty question."

Sandwiched by two fighters, at the press conference, DSE President Nobuyuki Sakakibara was dashing, "Our goal is to surpass the 50 % mark in the flash TV rating. We would like to defeat 'Red & White Singing Contest'(on NHK)."

PRIDE General Director Nobuhiko Takada added, "This card is a miracle. I take pride in stating here that this is the match-up the entire country of Japan would be interested in seeing. I have done these press conferences in the past but I have never felt this type of heavy atmosphere. I can feel it in the air. I also feel like there is a combat area on my both sides."

Back in 1994 at National Judo Championships, in the semi-final, these two met and Yoshida won it in a decision (2-1). Of course, that was a judo match and this one is going to be an MMA fight, for Ogawa, this is going to be a revenge fight.

At the end of press conference, when reporters asked the fighters to stand and pose for the camera, Ogawa and Yoshida only stood up and faced the reporters for just three seconds. They never looked at each other, and when they were asked to shake hands, both of them refused.

At last, DSE announced the subtitle of this year's show. It is going to be "ITADAKI" and it means "top" in Japanese. The battle of two Japanese heavyweights will decide who is the best in Japan. (11/14/2005)

(from left to right) Naoya Ogawa, PRIDE General Director Nobuhiko Takada, DSE President Nobuyuki Sakakibara, and Hidehiko Yoshida.

On March 11th, DSE President Nobuyuki Sakakibara revealed that he is moving forward with a super fight between Naoya Ogawa vs. Hidehiko Yoshida for New Year's Eve.

Sakakibara even told the media that he has began negotiating with both fighters, "This match-up is beyond this dimension, another level of reality. Many fans want to see this one."

Ogawa and Yoshida were team mates at Meiji University judo team, and at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Yoshida won gold in the 78 kg / 171.99 lbs. & under while Ogawa was stopped in the finals of the 95 kg / 209.48 lbs & under division.

So far, in PRIDE, Ogawa has defeated Gary Goodridge, Masaaki Satake, Stephan Leko, and Giant Silva but lost to Fedor Emelianenko.

Compared to Yoshida, who always walked on the elite road of the judo world, Ogawa fought his way up from Hachiouji High School, an institution not exactly known for its judo program.
Some Japanese media have reported that when those two intersected at Meiji University, Ogawa developed more than just the keen sense of rivalry towards Yoshida and since then they have remained at odds.

DSE actually tried set-up this fight last year but negotiations failed.
There fore, Sakakibara began talking early this year. Then Yoshida expressed his desire to compete in next year's PRIDE Heavyweight GP so Sakakibara came up with an opponent suitable for Yoshida's "enduring test" to the heavyweights, and that fighter was Ogawa.

However, everything changed on March 12th.
Sakakibara, again, invited the media, and this time, held an emergency press briefing.
There, Sakakibara expressed displeasure to some media that had reported Ogawa vs. Yoshida as officially on. Sakakibara explained that because of this erroneous report by some media, "We lost credibility and both fighters now don't have such a high motivation. I want this fight to take place. This weekend is going to be the huge highlight. (of negotiation) In a worst case scenario, both fighters won't be fighting on New Year's Eve."

The president of J-Rock, Yoshida∂s management company, was at the press conference but he seemed reluctant about this match-up, "Because of the false start by the media, he (Yoshida) is now very nervous. A possibility? Probably fifty-fifty."

Ogawa vs. Yoshida was the bargaining chip DSE has been working on since the beginning of the year. For PRIDE to square off against K-1 Dynamite!!, in a TV ratings war on New Year's Eve, this fight, between very popular pro-wrestler Ogawa and one of PRIDE'S most popular Japanese fighters, Yoshida, is absolutely necessary.

Sakakibara is still negotiating with both sides.
The decision regarding this match-up should be announced sometime after the weekend.

Back in October 31st, DSE held a press conference and did announce Kazushi Sakuraba, Hidehiko Yoshida, Fedor Emelianenko, Mirko Cro Cop, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Wanderlei Silva, and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua would be fighting on the New Year's Eve show but none of these fighters' cards have been announced yet.
Now, while PRIDE's arch rival K-1 continues announcing fight cards – it began with Genki Sudo vs. Norifumi KID Yamamoto, then Royce Gracie vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama, followed by Akebono vs. Bobby Ologun - PRIDE, at this point, only came up with two GP finals that were decided back in September 25th. DSE needs to make Ogawa vs. Yoshida happen. (11/12/2005)

DSE Presents ‘PRIDE OTOMO MATSURI (Man’s Festival) 2005 - ITADAKI - ’
December 31st, 2005
At Saitama Super Arena
Door Open: 13:00
Fight Start: 15:00

Confirmed Cards (Subject to change):

PRIDE Middleweight Title Bout 10 min 1R, 5 min 2R & 3R

Wanderlei Silva (Brazil / Chute Boxe Academy) vs. Ricardo Arona (Brazil / Brazilian Top Team)

PRIDE GP 2005 Lightweight (73 kg / 160.96 lbs & under) Final

Takanori Gomi (Japan / Kiguchi Wrestling School) vs. Hayato "Mach" Sakurai (Japan / Mach Dojo)

PRIDE GP 2005 Welterweight (83 kg / 183.02 lbs & under) Final

Dan Henderson (U.S.A. / Team Quest ) vs. Murilo Bustamante (Brazil / Brazilian Top Team)

Heavyweight Bout 10 min 1R, 5 min 2R & 3R

Naoya Ogawa (Japan / Freelance) vs. Hidehiko Yoshida (Japan / Yoshida Dojo)

Middleweight Bout 10 min 1R, 5 min 2R & 3R

Sanae Kikuta (Japan / GRABAKA) vs. Makoto Takimoto (Japan / Yoshida Dojo)

Middleweight Bout 10 min 1R, 5 min 2R & 3R

Yuki Kondo (Japan / Pancrase-ism) vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura (Japan / Yoshida Dojo)

Heavyweight Bout 10 min 1R, 5 min 2R & 3R

Mirko Cro Cop (Coratia / Team Cro Cop) vs. Mark Hunt (New Zealand / Oceania Super Fighters Club)

Heavyweight Bout (Non-Title Bout) 10 min 1R, 5 min 2R & 3R

Fedor Emelianenko (Russia / Red Devil) vs. Zuluzinho (Brazil / B-TOUGH)

Special Challenge Match - PRIDE Special Rules 5 min / 2R

Charles "Crazy Horse" Bennett (U.S.A. / Freelance) vs. Ken Kaneko (Japan / Freelance)

PRIDE Rules Bout (no contract weight) 10 min 1R, 5 min 2R & 3R

Kazushi Sakuraba (Japan / Takada Dojo) vs. Ikuhisa Minowa (Japan / Freelance)

Heavyweight Bout 10 min 1R, 5 min 2R & 3R

James Thompson (U.K. / Team Trojans) vs. Giant Silva (Brazil / Freelance)

Heavyweight Bout 10 min 1R, 5 min 2R & 3R

Pawel Nastula (Poland / Takada Dojo) vs. Aleksander Emelianenko (Russia / Red Devil)

Ticket Prices:
VIP - 150,000 yen (including special gift), RRS - 32,000 yen, Stand S - 19,000 yen, Stand A - 9,000 yen