Report: Blagoi Ivanov -- "the Man Who Beat Fedor" -- Set to Face Kazuyuki Fujita at Sengoku IX

by Leland Roling on May 4, 2009 10:05 AM EDT Comment 19 comments

According to Nightmare of Battle, Japanese newspaper Tokyo Sports is reporting that the Bulgarian, Blagoi Ivanov, who defeated Fedor at the Sambo Championships will face PRIDE veteran Kazuyuki Fujita at Sengoku IX. At this point, this isn't confirmed, but we do know that Ivanov is with Sengoku and Fujita is a definite possibility in terms of an opponent. Hopefully this will be confirmed soon:

I reported earlier today that according to newspaper Tokyo Sports, Blagoi Ivanov will face Kazuyuki Fujita at SENGOKU IX in August. After finding an April interview with Ivanov on YouTube, it looks like the Tokyo Sports article is closer to being one of their non-false ones. Ivanov says that he is with SENGOKU and that he might fight there three times.

NoB also linked this video in the posting as proof that Ivanov has, in fact, signed with Sengoku for potentially 3 bouts.

It looks like Sengoku is getting pretty serious about pushing Ivanov's win over Fedor into the spotlight and getting him some solid MMA bouts under his belt. If Ivanov can use his size, strength, and wrestling techniques effectively in MMA, he'll be a success.

He does have one aspect of his skillset that is lacking, and it could be his crutch. His striking in very slow, likely due to his size. Even though he managed to defeat Fedor in their Sambo bout, Fedor dropped him hard during the matchup with a huge overhand. Many fans who have seen the footage believe Ivanov was lucky it happened late in the matchup, and Ivanov resorted to a lay n' pray gameplan once he recovered. I'm sure Fujita will be hoping to tag him with his huge power when they battle it out. It should be a strong test for Ivanov.

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this is some good matchmaking

if they push this right they’ve got “the man who beat Fedor” vs the “man who almost beat Fedor” which should carry some weight with the Japanese fans.
My fear is that they’ll push King Mo to fight at heavyweight against these monsters.

"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"

by Kid Nate on May 4, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They’re building a LHW division around Mo with challengers like Xande and Nedkov, and Mo’s even said he could go down in weight, so hopefully we don’t see him at heavyweight for some time to come.

Like you said, I like the matchmaking here, but I also think it’s Fujita’s fight to lose unless Ivanov turns into an MMA monster over the summer.

by Chris Nelson on May 4, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

do they still have Barnett?

Will the winner of this fight be looking at a shot at Josh?
Barnett’s loyalty to Yoshida and WVR makes me doubt the hype about a DREAM/Affliction partnership putting together Fedor vs Barnett.

"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"

by Kid Nate on May 4, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The rumor (from the same article that reported Ivanov-Fujita) is Barnett vs. Antonio Silva at Sengoku IX. Tokyo Sports isn’t always spot-on with their rumors, but since the Ivanov report seems to have legs…

by Chris Nelson on May 4, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that would be hot

I’d rather see Arlovski vs Barnett but would prefer Bigfoot vs Barnett to Fedor vs Barnett

"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"

by Kid Nate on May 4, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why would you rather see Bigfoot vs Barnett than Fedor vs Barnett?

Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken

by Richard Wade on May 5, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Barnett can’t fight Fedor and Bigfoot in August. With M-1 Global saying the Fedor fight is close to signed this becomes a interesting development/rumor as far as the Affliction show goes.

by who me on May 4, 2009 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know. I think this is a solid matchup for Ivanov to put himself on display. He’s a mammoth guy to have on top, and his Sambo is pretty effective. His striking is what was lacking in the championships, but he’s had time to improve that. I think this is going to be a tough fight for Fujita for the fact that Ivanov has some powerful ground techniques, but Fujita also has a solid chance to win as well.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on May 4, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sweet. I’m interested to see what he can do. I just hope that he comes out with a t-shirt on that says “I Love Jesus” or gives somebody a bible in the ring.

"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 May 4, 2009 12:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL, he’ll come out with a shirt that says “Jesus trained me!”

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on May 4, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

“Jesus is my cardio coach!”
=)

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 4, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WOW!

You REALLY have to love what WVR is doing and the way they are building up their weight classes and talent. It is an absolutely beautiful thing to watch. What makes it even more incredible is that they are doing it in Japan.

Just amazing.

by MMASuPreMaCy on May 4, 2009 1:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Fujiuta's going to derail this hype train before it leaves the station.

by subo on May 4, 2009 5:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the funny thing about Ivanov...

is that it was COMPLETELY obvious that if the fight had been under MMA rules, that Fedor would’ve absolutely mauled him.

Fedor was freaking lighting Blagoi up on the feet (which doesn’t really count for much under Combat Sambo rules). I’d take Fedor by 1’st round (T)KO or Sub.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on May 4, 2009 7:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hasn’t Fedor beat the guy at Sambo before?

by who me on May 4, 2009 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are correct, sir.

Fedor beat him in ’07, and lost to him in late ’08 (I think…) at the Russian National Combat Sambo Championships. Ivanov won on points the second time.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on May 4, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s what I thought. Winning the world Sambo championship is quite the feat and worthy of respect but I think the whole “man who beat Fedor” bit gets overdone.

by who me on May 4, 2009 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs