Sakurai employed fast and highly effective inside low kicks in his lightweight quarterfinal match-up against American veteran Jens Pulver (Pictures). These kicks really put Pulver off balance and afterwards backstage at his post-fight interview area the inside of Pulver’s right leg was welted and swollen, a testament to how hard Sakurai can kick.
Sakurai answered Pulver’s fists with several charging flurries of his own, eventually landing a big two-punch-knee combo that knocks down the American. Sakurai followed with knee strikes and hammerfists. The referee stepped in and stopped the fight 8:56 of the first round, sealing Sakurai’s TKO victory.
In a great back-and-forth battle, the Hansen faced off against veteran Yves Edwards (Pictures). Both fighters scored several takedowns and were constantly moving on the ground, working to pass guard and gain dominate positions.
Hansen got his trademark knee-on-belly several times, also scoring the mount and taking his opponent’s back, working for a choke. Edwards defended Hansen’s submission attempts on the ground, working for a Kimura attempt, but fell victim to a Hansen stomp.
Both fighters displayed some excellent striking on their feet and Edward threw his sharp knees from the clinch.
This fight had a good balance of stand-up and ground work and was very even. In the end, Hansen was awarded the split decision.
ZST veteran Noayuki Kotani’s debut in a PRIDE ring didn’t last very long. He was pitted against Chute Boxe fighter Luiz Azeredo (Pictures) and the Brazilian connected with a big right hand just seconds after the opening bell, knocking the Japanese fighter to the mat. Azeredo followed, connecting with a huge soccer kick to Kotani’s face, then finishing him with knees on the ground. This affair lasted just 11 seconds, with Azeredo picking up the KO victory.
In a highly anticipated match-up, Takanori Gomi (Pictures) faced current SHOOTO welterweight champion Tatsuya Kawajiri (Pictures). There has been bad blood and nasty words running between these two since Gomi’s SHOOTO days. At the pre-fight press conference the two fighters avoided making eye contact.
Kawajiri threw several big, swinging right hands that Gomi expertly dodged. Soon it was Gomi who started scoring counterpunches that rocked his SHOOTO rival. Staggered, Kawajiri went for a shot, only to have Gomi sprawl out and fire in more knees to his head.
Gomi continued to stalk and pick away at Kawajiri with punches, often reaching out and touching the SHOOTO champ only to drop a big left hand.
Once on the ground, Gomi was able to take his opponent’s back. With Kawajiri stomach-down on the ground, Gomi began to pepper the sides of his head with strikes. From here he applied a rear-naked choke to force a tapout victory.