Additional Matches Announced For PRIDE Fighting's

Critical Countdown 2005

June 26, 2005

Saitama Super Arena

Saitama, Japan

 



TOKYO, Japan -

Two non-tournament bouts have been announced for PRIDE FIGHTING’S next event, CRITICAL

COUNTDOWN 2005. In the first, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira of the Brazilian Top Team will take on

Poland’s 1996 Judo Olympic gold-medalist, Pawel Nastula. In the second bout, Russia’s Sergei

Kharitonov takes on veteran heavyweight, PedroThe RockRizzo of Brazil.

 

     

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Brazil) vs. Pawel Nastula (Poland)

 

PRIDE’s former heavyweight champion, Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira is a fighter who needs no

introduction. A finalist in the 2004 heavyweight Grand Prix, “Minotauro” is the total package, coupling

outstanding Jiu Jitsu skills with a solid boxing background. Nogueira has been in legendary matches with the

likes of Bob Sapp, Fedor Emelianenko, Heath Herring, and MirkoCro Cop Filipovic. His opponent

will be the legendary Judoka, Pawel Nastula. The 1995 and 1997 Judo World Champion and 1996 gold

medalist at the Olympic games in Atlanta, Nastula brings his legendary Judo skills to the PRIDE ring to

compete against the world’s elite mixed martial artists.

 

In the second bout, Russia’s Sergei Kharitonov will take on UFC veteran, Pedro “The Rock” Rizzo.

Kharitonov is one of PRIDE’s toughest heavyweights, boasting wins over Choi Mu Bae, Semmy Schilt, and

MuriloNinja Rua. Kharitonov reached the semi-finals of the 2004 heavyweight grand Prix. Pedro “The

Rock” Rizzo will be making his PRIDE debut, but he is no stranger to mixed martial arts. This Brazilian

striker trains under Marco Ruas and has career wins over Ricco Rodriguez, Tra Telligman, Andrei

Arlovski, and Mark Coleman. Kharitonov versus Rizzo … which of these heavy-hitting strikers will be left

standing?

 

In addition to these matches, there is the second round of the Grand Prix tournament. Defending tournament

champion, Wanderlei Silva, reached the second round of the tournament after a hard-fought split decision

victory over Hidehiko Yoshida. Yoshida’s protégé, Kazuhiro Nakamura, considered an underdog by many

in the first round, advanced by defeating American Kevin Randleman by unanimous decision. Japanese

fighter, Kazushi Sakuraba, advanced via a thirty-eight second first round KO of Korean judoka Yoon Dong

Sik. Ricardo Arona advanced after winning a unanimous decision over Dean Lister. Chute Boxe’s rising

star, MauricioShogunRua, reached the second round by knocking out 2003 tournament finalist,

Quinton Rampage Jackson, in the first round. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira of the Brazilian Top Team

advanced by submitting Team Quest’s Dan Henderson via armbar. Igor Vovchanchyn advanced by

winning a unanimous decision over Japanese Yuki Kondo. Golden Glory fighter Alistair Overeem advanced

by submitting UFC tournament representative Vitor Belfort via guillotine.

 

PRIDE FIGHTING’S 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament spans three events … TOTAL ELIMINATION

(opening round), CRITICAL COUNTDOWN (Second Round) and FINAL CONFLICT (Semi-Finals and Finals).

The date for FINAL CONFLICT will be announced soon.

 

Tournament Matches:

Wanderlei Silva (Brazil) vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura (Japan)

Kazushi Sakuraba (Japan) vs. Ricardo Arona (Brazil)

Mauricio Shogun Rua (Brazil) vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Brazil)

Igor Vovchanchyn (Ukraine) vs. Alistair Overeem (Holland)

Additional Matches (Non-Tournament):

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Brazil) vs. Pawel Nastula (Poland)

Sergei Kharitonov (Russia) vs. Pedro Rizzo (Brazil)
 

Additional match ups to be announced soon.

(Participants and Matches Subject to Change)

 

CRITICAL COUNTDOWN 2005 premieres on North American pay per view via iNDEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH

NETWORK, UrbanXtra, TVN1, VU!, and Viewer’s Choice Canada on July 1st at 10:00pm EST, 7:00pm PST

(including a countdown show at 9:30pm EST, 6:30pm PST). For additional replay times, please contact your

pay per view provider or pridefc.com.

 

For more information on PRIDE FC, visit pridefc.com!

 

 

- From Dream Stage Entertainment with a little editing from us (color, highlights, etc...)

 

 

 

(5/25/05)