His second bout under the Pride banner, a knockout loss to wrestler Dan Henderson, is a topic of controversy and it looked like Murilo would get his rematch in this action packed event. For whatever reason, the bout could not be signed and subsequently a healthy Henderson is off the fight card. Now Murilo is coming off the only back-to-back losses in his career (Jackson and Henderson) and has had his share of problems distancing him self from the UFC, even taking a year off from fighting to finish his contract with the organization.
He battles Nakamura in a bout rumored to be part of last month’s Pride Bushido 4 “Brazilian Top Team vs. Team Japan” mini tournament. And though fighting against a heavyweight, Bustamante needs a win here to remain a force in Pride’s slowly developing middleweight division and to get a possible shot at fighting legend Kazushi Sakuraba before he hangs up his little blue gloves.
NAKAMURA: As the All-Japan 100-kilogram Division Judo Champion and protégé of Olympic Judo Champion and World Gold Medalist Hidehiko Yoshida, Kazuhiro Nakamura has made a name an impressive transition to MMA fighting. With five fights to his credit (all in Pride) and a 3-2 record, Kazuhiro has shown a steady improvement in his overall game. He was only submitted in his debut at Pride 25 against Rogerio Nogueira and it took Nogueira again a year and a half later to deal Nakamura his second defeat.
Kazuhiro showed good stand up and the ability to take a punch against Daniel Gracie at Pride Bushido 1 and displayed some of his ground game with a submission win over Chalid Arrab at Pride Bushido 3. Stamina shouldn’t be a factor as he has gone the distance three times (one bout going 20 minutes) and he always appears to be in shape. The biggest question right now will be his health, fighting less than a month after his bout at Pride Bushido 4.
MY PICK: Bustamante. Nakamura is a late replacement for Dan Henderson and Bustamante is upset about it. Murilo is also the best fighter Kazuhiro has faced and the Japanese fighter’s only advantage is weight. Bustamante has the edge in experience, his boxing and stand-up game is solid and their submission application knowledge is worlds apart. Nakamura has a better chance on his feet where he could catch Bustamante with strikes but once it hits the mat, Murilo will be in control. Bustamante by submission in round three.