TOKYO, Aug. 22 — Dream Stage Entertainment, promoter of the PRIDE Fighting Championship, held a press conference on Tuesday to announce two bouts for the upcoming PRIDE Final Conflict Absolute 2006 card.
“The first half [of the tournament] was not as exciting as everyone expected it to be,” said PRIDE General Manager Nobuhiko Takada (Pictures). “However, fights like Wanderlei Silva (Pictures) versus Kazuyuki Fujita (Pictures) and Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic versus Hidehiko Yoshida (Pictures) had more impact in the second round.”
“With this in mind, Nishijima versus ‘Cyborg ‘will be an interesting match,” Takada continued, “since they have both lost in their previous match. Nishijima lost to Hidehiko Yoshida (Pictures) in the opening round of the Open-Weight Grand Prix, while ‘Cyborg’ lost to Yoshida’s student, Nakamura. In this match, we can expect a new and improved Nishijima from his fight against Yoshida back in May.”
In a soft-spoken tone, Nishijima told the media, “I will be fighting a very good striker from Chute Boxe. I would like to use my punching and striking skills against him.”
On an Interesting note, a comment from Santos was read to the media after Nishijima’s opening statement. “Cyborg” kept the war of words short and simple by stating: “bring it.”
As for Nakamura and Nakao, Takada made short comments.
“This will be a Japanese versus Japanese fight, which I believe they will be fighting for their own pride,” Takada said. “They both have strong desire [and] feeling to win this match.”
Takada’s comments about the match between Nakamura and Nakao were quickly followed by both fighters’ first comments of the evening.
“This will be a wrestling versus judo match and I would like to leave a great impression to the fans that will be coming to the arena,” said Nakao, infamously known for kissing Heath Herring (Pictures) before their scheduled bout in K-1 HERO’s. “I would like to become ‘Mr. PRIDE’ eventually.”
“I think in his previous fight, Nakao had an opponent who was also new to the PRIDE ring like he was,” Nakamura responded. “However, I think just because he had one win against a guy and makes statements like ‘PRIDE is No. 1’ is not appropriate. I will teach him how tough PRIDE can be.”
After the usual “fight pose” photos, each fighter sit down individually to answer short questions from the media, starting with Yoshihiro Nakao (Pictures), who stayed true to his new PRIDE character.
Know in Japan as “Kiss” after the much talked incident with Herring back in 2005 that left him unconscious in the middle of the ring after the American veteran nailed him with a short punch before the opening bell, Nakao spoke first.
Nakao:
Q: Will you kiss Nakamura?
A: I really don’t know what will go on, and I really don’t know what I’ll do. I’ll leave it up to my instincts.
Q: Impression of Nakamura.
A: I think he’s living small. He should be living bigger and should have more fun as a professional.
Q: Do you have any pressure, since this is a match against someone of the same background?
A: First, I wanted to fight against Mark Hunt (Pictures) because I think he’d be able to bring out my techniques and skills. I’m seeing this match against Nakamura as a step closer to fighting against Mark Hunt (Pictures). I’d like to knockout Nakamura, and will leave a lasting impression to the fans.
Q: What techniques or skills of Nakamura are you cautious of?
A: What if he kisses me despite all that tough acting? I should definitely be cautious of that.
Nakamura:
Q: Why did you not give us a picture of your “fight pose” against Nakao?
A: It just seemed a bit odd for me. He’s a very different opponent whom I will be facing for the first time unlike other fighters.
Q: What did you think of his comments regarding “Mr. PRIDE”?
A: He doesn’t get it. PRIDE is a lot tougher than he thinks. I will definitely teach him how tough PRIDE can get. I really can’t tell from his previous fight since it was too short.
Q: There are rumors about you fighting in PRIDE’s Las Vegas show.
A: If I have the opportunity, I would like to fight in PRIDE Las Vegas. I am fighting to gain experience for the next year’s (middleweight) Grand Prix.
Nishijima:
Q: What type of training are you doing now?
A: I am now practicing judo. I wear a gi and train. It’s a pro for me, since I know how the mechanism of the gi works.
Q: Impression of Cyborg?
A: I’ve seen his fights, and he has very strong striking skills. I think this will be a very good fight. I would like to win for my next fight.
Q: What are your thoughts regarding Mike Tyson appearing at the press conference in Southern California.
A: I was very impressed. Mike Tyson is a superstar, and I would like to fight him, if I have the opportunity.
Q: Under what rules?
A: I will fight him under PRIDE rules.