- DSE ADDS MORE FIGHTS TO THEIR FINAL PRIDE EVENT
by Ricardo Mendoza - MMAWeekly.com
Dream Stage Entertainment has announced two more bouts for Pride 34, the company's last show before it is officially taken over by the Fertitta brothers, who also own 90% of the UFC.
British brawler James Thompson takes on rugged UFC, Pride, and Hero's veteran Don Frye. Thompson suffered a knockout loss to Eric 'Butterbean' Esch at Cage Rage 20 in his last fight, while Frye scored a knockout victory over Kim Min Soo at Hero's 7 in his last fight.
It was originally announced last week that Frye would be fighting Ikuhisa "Minowa Man" Minowa, but the fight was changed to Frye vs. Thompson for unknown reason. Frye's future participation in Pride cards, once it's owned by the same people who own the UFC, is questionable due to Frye's status as a coach in the IFL.
Brazilian Top Team heavyweight Edson Drago will take on Japanese heavyweight Yoshihiro 'KISS' Nakao. Drago is coming off an unsuccessful debut in Pride, losing by submission to Pawel Nastula at Pride Critical Countdown Absolute 2006. Nakao is coming off a lackluster decision loss to Kazuhiro Nakamura at Pride Final Conflict Absolute 2006.
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Wanderlei Silva is still tentatively scheduled to participate on the card, pending clearance to fight by doctors in Japan and then having the Nevada State Athletic Commission authenticate the doctors' findings. Silva is medically suspended until April 11th, but the NSAC may lift his medical suspension three days early if a doctor medically clears him to fight.
Pride 34: Kamikaze
Saitama Super Arena
April 8, 2007
-Ricardo Arona (#3 Light Heavyweight in the World)* vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
-Shinya Aoki (#6 Lightweight in the World)* vs. Brian Lo-A-Njoe
-Zelg Galesic vs. Makoto Takimoto
-Kazuyuki Fujita vs. Jeff Monson
-Don Frye vs. James Thompson
-Yoshihiro Nakao vs. Edson Drago
-Bazigit "Volk" Atajev vs. Gilbert Yvel
-Eric "Butterbean" Esch vs. Wagner da Conceicao Martins (aka Zuluzinho)
-Wanderlei Silva (#5 Light Heavyweight in the World)* vs. TBA [pending Silva's medical clearance]
* Based on MMAWeekly Rankings
