Riki Fukuda Replaces Dong Sik Yoon, Set to Face "Ninja" Rua at DREAM.8
by Chris Nelson on Apr 4, 2009 2:32 AM EDT
in News
6 comments
According to a blog post from GRABAKA teammate Sanae Kikuta, Riki Fukuda (13-4) has agreed to step in against the returning Murilo "Ninja" Rua (16-9-1) at Sunday's DREAM.8 on less than 48 hours' notice.
From Suki at MMA Fighting:
Sanae Kikuta updated his blog on Saturday and said that his teammate Riki Fukuda took a chance to fight Murilo Ninja at Dream.8 on April 5.
[Dong Sik Yoon], who was scheduled to fight Murilo "Ninja" Rua on Sunday, canceled his fight due to injury.
Fans in the States might remember the pro wrestler Fukuda from his pair of EliteXC bouts in 2007, including a tough split decision loss to Joey Villasenor. Since then, Fukuda has posted a 5-1 record in DEEP's welterweight division, including a pair of wins over former champion Ryuta Sakurai and one over DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix participant Yuya Shirai.
The former EliteXC Middleweight Champion Rua has not fought since a demoralizing TKO loss at the hands of Benji Radach on last October's infamous "EliteXC: Heat" card. DREAM.8 will mark "Ninja's" first bout in Japan since 2006, when he was knocked out in shocking fashion by Denis Kang in the opening round of PRIDE's Welterweight Grand Prix.
[UPDATE] The bout will now take place at a catchweight of 89kg.
Here's how the final card looks. If you're staying up to watch, don't forget to join us at 3AM ET on Sunday morning for the liveblog!
DREAM.8
April 5, 2009
Nippon Gaishi Hall
Nagoya, Japan
Welterweight Grand Prix Bouts
Hayato "Mach" Sakurai (34-8-2) vs. Shinya Aoki (20-3)
Yuya Shirai (15-7) vs. Jason High (6-1)
Marius Zaromskis (8-2) vs. Seichi Ikemoto (18-14-5)
John Alessio (24-12) vs. Andre Galvao (2-0)
Featherweight Grand Prix Bout
Hideo Tokoro (21-15-1) vs. Daiki "DJ.taiki" Hata (10-5-3)
Heavyweight (93kg+) Bout
Sergei Kharitonov (16-3) vs. Jeff Monson (28-8)
Catchweight (89kg) Bout
Riki Fukuda (13-4) vs. Murilo "Ninja" Rua (16-9-1)
Lightweight (70kg) Bout
Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro (19-2) vs. Katsuhiko Nagata (4-4-1)
Catchweight (86kg) Bout
Andrews Nakahara (1-1) vs. Shungo Oyama (7-11)
Catchweight (88kg) Bout
Ikuhisa "Minowaman" Minowa (41-29-8) vs. Katsuyori Shibata (2-6-1)
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That is a fine replacement on short notice, Fukuda should’ve got the win over Villasenor.
by smoogy on Apr 4, 2009 1:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, this is about as good as you could ask for. I love the Donger but I’m way more into this fight. I’m saying Fukuda by decision.
by Chris Nelson on Apr 4, 2009 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fukada vs Ninja is a fight that should have happened in EliteXC.
Really good replacement fight in such a short notice.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Apr 4, 2009 4:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Awesome replacement. DREAM.8 is going to be pretty sweet.
by AnonymousA on Apr 4, 2009 6:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’ll be great to see Shaolin back in action, the guy is a great fighter. Aoki/Sakurai will be entertaining for sure.
by Hellsing on Apr 4, 2009 7:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Impressive replacement.
"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 Apr 4, 2009 11:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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