Sengoku featherweight grand prix quarterfinal match ups announced
World Victory Road held a recent press conference to announce the pairings for its featherweight grand prix quarterfinals, which will take place at “Sengoku 8″ on May 2 at the National Yoyogi Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.
Tournament favorite and promotion poster boy, Hatsu Hioki, has been put to the task of facing the very formidable Ronnie Mann in what could promise to be a riveting ground war.
The often overlooked Michihiro Omigawa — who earned his spot in the quarterfinals by dominating and garnering a hard fought decision victory over L.C Davis (13-2) — will have another tough test when he faces the always dangerous Nam Phan.
Masanori Kanehara will collide with the explosive Jung Chan Sung. Kanehara would do best in trying to avoid getting in a slugfest with the Korean brawler if possible.
Featherweight King of Pancrase Marlon Sandro will do battle with heavy-handed Nick Denis, which should present an interesting styles clash when both fighters but their perfect records on the line come fight time.
In non-tournament action will be Japanese Olympic judo gold medalist Makoto Takimoto in a welterweight clash against Brazilian Michael Costa. And Kazunori Yokota will meet Leonardo Santos in what is being regarded as a title eliminator bout, with the winner likely facing Satoru Kitaoka for the Sengoku Lightweight Championship sometime this summer.
Also set to be competing will be jiu-jitsu phenom Alexandre “Xande” Ribeiro who will take on veteran of the sport Keiichiro Yamamiya in a Light Heavyweight bout.
Here is the current line-up for “Sengoku 8:”
Featherweight GP Quarterfinals:
Hatsu Hioki (18-3-2) vs. Ronnie Mann (17-1-1)
Michihiro Omigawa (5-7-1) vs. Nam Phan (15-5)
Masanori Kanehara (12-5-5) vs. Jung Chan Sung (3-0)
Marlon Sandro (13-0) vs. Nick Denis (7-0)
Non-tournament bouts:
Alexandre Ribeiro (1-0) vs. Keiichiro Yamamiya (34-23-9)
Michael Costa (9-4) vs. Makoto Takimoto (4-5)
Kazunori Yokota (8-2-3) vs. Leonardo Santos (6-2)
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