This time its the bantamweights. After having two successful lightweight and welterweight tournaments last year, Cage Force came back in 2008 first with the featherweight tournament that took off back in February 11th, and now, in the upcoming April 5th show, the eight-man tournament to decide the champion at 61.2 kg & under will begin. So far seven fighters were confirmed for the tournaments. Three Japanese fighters spoke to the reporters at the press conference held at the office of GCM Communications.

Takeya Mizugaki's motivation is up, "I want to capitalize on this chance and win the tournament. If I win, then my life as a Kakuto-ka would change. I want to win and get attention. I have two full-round bouts in Cage Force so now I am used to fighting in the cage and elbow strikes to the face. I think me fighting any Japanese fighters in this tournament would be very interesting." Taiyo Nakahara is now cutting weight for this tournament, "Since I am in the new weight class I want to challenge myself as though this is my debut fight. (Yuji) Hoshino wins the featherweight and I will conquer the bantamweight. I will work hard to achieve the best results." Daichi Fujiwara who has the nickname "Kamikaze Unit Commander" was radical as usual, "Don't even think you can walk out of this tournament alive! I am going to turn the tournament upside down and make a mess!" The other four fighters confirmed for this tournaments are Paul McVeigh from England, Robson Moura from Nova Uniao, veteran Masahiro Oishi, and RYOTA from Kingdom Ehrgeiz. McVeigh is a current Cage Warrior champion at this weight class. He is 25 years old with a pro MMA record of 12 wins and 4 losses. On the other hand, Shooto veteran Oishi has fifteen years of a pro career under his belt. He is turning 40 in November of this year. He made first Cage Force appearance in September of last year and defeated Taiyo Nakahara. Cage Force supervisor Caol Uno has nothing but praise for this veteran, "In that fight, I saw a truly sophisticated technique. I want him to show the taste of a veteran." RYOTA is a rookie who came out of smaller shows. He was a runner-up at the open-weight Ehrgeiz tournament last year and this accomplishment caught the attention of the Cage Force matchmaker. Moura fought in Shooto's bantamweight which is 56 kg so he is coming up in weight class to compete in this tournament. But last year he came back to jiu-jitsu competition for the first time in four years and won the Mundial so although he is at a heavier weight class Moura has got to be one of the favorites in this tournament. For the last spot in the tournament, supervisor Caol Uno is recommending Seiya Kawahara from Pancrase P's LAB Yokohama who just scored a KO win with a high kick over Yuki Yamasawa in the Pancrase show January 30th. He is undefeated and also 2-0 in Cage Force.

Naoya Uematsu revealing his decision of fighting in the Cage Force.

In February 11th, another Shooto star made an announcement of fighting in Cage Force. The man who defeated Caol Uno in the final of the J Tournament back in 1997. A fighter who has experience taking on top fighters such as Joao Roque, Gilbert Melendez, and Jens Pulver. Yes its veteran Naoya Uematsu. He stepped inside the Octagon at the February 11th show and revealed his decision of fighting in Cage Force. "I have the experience of fighting in the Cage once in America but its going to be the first time in Japan so I am looking forward to it and I am feeling nervous as well." Uematsu is fighting in the upcoming April show but it seems like he is not going to be in the bantamweight tournament.

GCM Communication Presents 'CAGE FORCE 06'
Saturday, April 5th, 2008
At Differ Ariake, Tokyo, Japan
Doors Open - 16:00
Fight Starts - 17:00

Confirmed Cards (Subject to Change):

Cage Force Featherweight Championship Tournament First Round im5 n / 3R
Yuji Hoshino (Japan / Wajiu-tsu Keishu-kai GODS) vs. Antonio Carvalho (Canada / Shao Franco Martial Arts)

Cage Force Featherweight Championship Tournament First Round im5 n / 3R
Adrian Pang (Australis / Integrated Martial Arts) vs. Almondo Sanchez (USA / Joe Camacho MMA)

Confirmed fighters for the bantamweight championship tournament:
Daichi Fujiwara (Japan / Pancrase Inagaki-gumi)
Taiyo Nakahara (Japan / Wajiu-tsu Keishu-kai GODS)
Takeya Mizugaki (Japan / Shooting Gym Hakkei)
Paul McVeigh (UK / Cage Warriors Bantamweight Champion)
Masahiro Oishi (Japan / K'z FACTORY)
Robson Moura (Brazil / Nova Uniao)
RYOTA (Japan / Kingdom Ehrgeiz)

Also Scheduled to Fight:
Naoya Uematsu (Japan / Cross Point)

Ticket Prices:
SRS - 16,000 yen (including complimentary pamphlet)
RS - 10,000 yen
S - 7,000 yen
A - 5,000 yen