Konan
01-05-2013, 06:48 PM
The UFC's return to Japan has two new fights, including the promotional debut of a fighter imported from the soon-to-close Strikeforce organization.
Japanese fighter and onetime Strikeforce competitor Mizuto Hirota (14-5-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is dropping from lightweight for a bout with featherweight Rani Yahya (17-7 MMA, 2-1 UFC).
Additionally, welterweight Marcelo Guimaraes (8-0-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) takes on promotional newcomer Hyun Gyu Lim (10-3-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC).
UFC on FUEL TV 8 takes place March 3 (but airs live in the U.S. on March 2 due to the time difference) at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The main card airs on FUEL TV following prelims on Facebook.
Hirota vs. Yahya likely will be part of the main card, and Guimares vs. Lim is expected to be part of the prelims.
Hirota, a former World Victory Road/Sengoku and DEEP lightweight champion, made his Strikeforce debut this past year and suffered a close decision loss to Pat Healy in July. Prior to the defeat, the 31-year-old striker was on a 4-1 run, and the lone loss came to notable Shinya Aoki via submission.
He now takes on Yahya, a former WEC fighter who holds notable wins over Mike Brown, Eddie Wineland and Yoshiro Maeda. However, the 28-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt likely saved his job in August, when he defeated former No. 1 contender Josh Grispi, which ended Yahya's 1-3 skid in the WEC and UFC.
Guimaraes, meanwhile, kept his undefeated record intact in July, when he made his UFC debut and scored a narrow split-decision defeat over Dan Stittgen. It marked the 29-year-old's first fight outside of his native Brazil. Guimaraes then was slated to fight Lim at UFC on FUEL TV 6 in November. However, David Mitchell replaced an injured Guimaraes, and then Lim wasn't cleared to compete just prior to the event's weigh-ins.
Lim, a Korean fighter, now gets a second booking with Guimaraes. The M-1 vet makes his delayed UFC debut on the strength of a five-fight win streak (with five first-round stoppages) on the regional fight scene, mostly with the PXC organization. Nine of his 10 wins have come via stoppage, including seven via knockout.
The latest UFC on FUEL TV 8 card now includes:
Wanderlei Silva vs. Brian Stann
Mark Hunt vs. Stefan Struve
Takanori Gomi vs. Diego Sanchez
Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Mizuto Hirota vs. Rani Yahya
Riki Fukuda vs. Brad Tavares
Bryan Caraway vs. Takeya Mizugaki
Cristiano Marcello vs. Kazuki Tokudome
Alex Caceres vs. Kyung Ho Kang
Marcelo Guimaraes vs. Hyun Gyu Lim
Japanese fighter and onetime Strikeforce competitor Mizuto Hirota (14-5-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is dropping from lightweight for a bout with featherweight Rani Yahya (17-7 MMA, 2-1 UFC).
Additionally, welterweight Marcelo Guimaraes (8-0-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) takes on promotional newcomer Hyun Gyu Lim (10-3-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC).
UFC on FUEL TV 8 takes place March 3 (but airs live in the U.S. on March 2 due to the time difference) at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The main card airs on FUEL TV following prelims on Facebook.
Hirota vs. Yahya likely will be part of the main card, and Guimares vs. Lim is expected to be part of the prelims.
Hirota, a former World Victory Road/Sengoku and DEEP lightweight champion, made his Strikeforce debut this past year and suffered a close decision loss to Pat Healy in July. Prior to the defeat, the 31-year-old striker was on a 4-1 run, and the lone loss came to notable Shinya Aoki via submission.
He now takes on Yahya, a former WEC fighter who holds notable wins over Mike Brown, Eddie Wineland and Yoshiro Maeda. However, the 28-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt likely saved his job in August, when he defeated former No. 1 contender Josh Grispi, which ended Yahya's 1-3 skid in the WEC and UFC.
Guimaraes, meanwhile, kept his undefeated record intact in July, when he made his UFC debut and scored a narrow split-decision defeat over Dan Stittgen. It marked the 29-year-old's first fight outside of his native Brazil. Guimaraes then was slated to fight Lim at UFC on FUEL TV 6 in November. However, David Mitchell replaced an injured Guimaraes, and then Lim wasn't cleared to compete just prior to the event's weigh-ins.
Lim, a Korean fighter, now gets a second booking with Guimaraes. The M-1 vet makes his delayed UFC debut on the strength of a five-fight win streak (with five first-round stoppages) on the regional fight scene, mostly with the PXC organization. Nine of his 10 wins have come via stoppage, including seven via knockout.
The latest UFC on FUEL TV 8 card now includes:
Wanderlei Silva vs. Brian Stann
Mark Hunt vs. Stefan Struve
Takanori Gomi vs. Diego Sanchez
Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Mizuto Hirota vs. Rani Yahya
Riki Fukuda vs. Brad Tavares
Bryan Caraway vs. Takeya Mizugaki
Cristiano Marcello vs. Kazuki Tokudome
Alex Caceres vs. Kyung Ho Kang
Marcelo Guimaraes vs. Hyun Gyu Lim