Hunt x Nelson, the main fight of UFC Japan. Photo: Produção SUPER FIGHTS (Disclosure/UFC)
Next Saturday (20), the UFC will make its first and only visit to Japan in 2014. UFC Fight Night 52, which will be held at the traditional PRIDE arena, the Saitama Super Arena, will feature two big names – literally. The “fatties” Mark Hunt e Roy Nelson will be responsible for the main event of the night, which will also feature 11 other fights.
Together, the fighters in the main fight weighed 237 kg at the weigh-in, which took place this Friday. However, those who allow themselves to be carried away by appearances are mistaken. Both Nelson and Hunt are two of the most exciting heavyweights in the division, having several impressive knockouts under their belts.
Nelson is coming off a devastating knockout in Rodrigo Minotauro at UFC Abu Dhabi in April. In fact, all seven of Nelson's UFC victories were achieved by knockout or technical knockout. Hunt is a long-standing figure in Japan, having shone in the “Land of the Rising Sun” in the K-1 striking event in past decades. With a tough chin, the New Zealander won his last two victories in the country, defeating Cheick Kongo and Stefan struve by technical knockout.
UFC FN 52 will also feature local idols
If the main fight is made up of two foreigners, the rest of the card is full of Japanese fighters. In the co-main fight of the attraction, local hero Takanori Gomi will try to win his second consecutive victory in the UFC in a very difficult mission: the former PRIDE lightweight champion will face the promising and undefeated North American Myles Jury.
Not as beloved in Japan as Gomi, Yoshihiro Akiyama will return to action after a long period away. Born in South Korea, “Sexyama” will face TUF 7 champion Amir Sadollah, who, like him, also had his last fight in 2012. Still on the main card, the former title challenger Miesha Tate will face newcomer and undefeated Rin Nakai in the only women's fight of the night.
The event will start at 1:30 am from Friday to Saturday, according to Brasília time, with live broadcast on the Combate channel.
MAIN CARD
Mark Hunt (119,7 kg) x Roy Nelson (117,9 kg);
Myles Jury (70,7 kg) x Takanori Gomi (70,3 kg);
Yoshihiro Akiyama (77,1 kg) x Amir Sadollah (77,1 kg);
Miesha Tate (61,2 kg) x Rin Nakai (61,2 kg);
Kiichi Kunimoto (77,5 kg) x Richard Walsh (77,5 kg);
Kyoji Horiguchi (56,7 kg) x Jon Delos Reyes (56,7 kg);
PRELIMINARY CARD
Alex Caceres (61,2 kg) x Masanori Kanehara (61,2 kg);
Katsunori Kikuno (66,2 kg) x Sam Sicilia (65,7 kg);
Hyun Gyu Lim (77,5 kg) x Takenori Sato (76,6 kg);
Michinori Tanaka (61,2 kg) x Kyung Ho Kang (61,7 kg);
Kazuki Tokudome (70,3 kg) x Johnny Case (70,7 kg);
Maximo Blanco (66,2 kg) x Dan Hooker (65,7 kg)
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