Akihiro Gono cut from UFC
by Fedorable on Mar 28, 2009 11:03 PM EDT
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PrintFound this on Fiveouncesofpain.com, and im suprised I haven't seen anything about it here.
The UFC has decided to part ways with PRIDE FC veteran Akihiro Gono following his decision loss to Jon Fitch at UFC 94 in January. The loss was Gono’s second consecutive loss in the UFC and it dropped his overall record with the company to 1-2.
It doesn’t look as though Gono will be out of work for long though. According to the latest print edition of The Wrestling Observer, Gono is currently in negotiations with the Japanese-based Sengoku promotion. If Gono does sign with Sengoku it would mark the first time since 2006 the Japanese MMA veteran has fought overseas.
Gono has fought all over Japan in his long illustrious career. Since his MMA debut in 1997 he has competed for the Shooto, Pancrase, and PRIDE promotions among many others. His signing with the UFC in 2007 was huge news for PRIDE fans as Gono became a fixture for the company following wins over Hector Lombard, Gegard Mousasi, and others.
If Gono signs with the promotion, he could be added to Sengoku 8 on May 22 at the National Yoyogi Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.
I always found Gono to be entertaining, and to be a quality fighter. Although he never really had a shot at beating any top 10-20 welterweights, he still tended to put on exciting matches. I cant wait to see more of him, hopefully at sengoku.
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It’s not like they can’t sign other guys who are popular in Japan, heck it’s not like they can’t sign Gono back in the future. Gono hasn’t fought in Japan since NYE 2006, him going back and getting current exposure would help him as a later draw for the UFC if they decide to go. It would point to them not going to Japan right now but then we already knew that wasn’t likely.
I agree. Although he’s been fighting forever and is obviously not a prospect, nor a challenger, he is still entertaining and I assume quite a draw for the japanese market.
Heres a link:
http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2009/03/27/akihiro-gono-released-from-the-ufc-now-in-negotiations-with-sengoku/
Boo.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
FUCK!
It’s not fair – they give his make-or-break fight against Fitch, which was clearly a mismatch. Gono was fun and deserved better.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Mar 28, 2009 11:20 PM EDT reply actions
Correction
You might be saying this but i’ll just chime in anyways
He DID beat Hardy
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 29, 2009 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Dan Miragliotta’s actions in that fight make me sick.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
Not every day you see a fighter cold shouldered out of the air. Let alone twice.
And yeah, Gono beat Hardy.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Mar 29, 2009 2:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Watching some old IFL fights, it turns out Miragliotta was the one who stopped Nelson/Imes too soon. Should’ve known.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Mar 29, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m shocked on dana white has said that he loves the guy on numerous occasions and that he finds him entertaining in and out of the Octagon. On one of his vlogs they should Gono practicing his entrance for the fitch fight with White laughing and talking about hw much he loves him
Part of Gono’s appeal is how he plays to a crowd. The UFC didn’t even show his drag show against Fitch. If they aren’t going to use him right and televise his antics then its good he goes somewhere else
I think that’s the thing. All the UFC may have seen was a character, he wasn’t going to be of any real importance to them. I see a lot of people saying that the UFC is giving up on Japan, but they have enough talent to play to a Japanese crowd, with or without Gono. He’s a good fighter, but a 28/28 salary, along with his inability to really advance in the division makes him expendable. You could bring on two talented young WW prospects for what they were paying Gono.
by Gogo Platter on Mar 29, 2009 2:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Nooooooooooooooooo........
While he’s not the greatest fighter in the world the guy is definitely a character and very entertaining, I’m gonna miss him.
I doubt that
as Gono is actually a blown up 155… He might even be able to make it and could very realistically make 160 and Gegard is a legit 205 by now.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 29, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
cut from the ufc...and about to get a pay raise...
strange how that works…
Who knows perhaps Gono wanted to go back to fighting in Japan, lets face it he can fight more often in Japan and he can main event in Sengoku where he can’t even seem to get on a main card in the US. It wouldn’t surprise me if this was a mutual decision.
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