Like the lightweight tournament, the deck is stacked with five Japanese hopefuls to ensure the home team will have someone to cheer for. However, unlike the lightweight event, this Japanese field for the PRIDE welterweight (183 pounds) crown is nowhere near as strong.

Chonan I understand. He’s been impressive. Gono beat a Gracie so he’s in. Suda is an interesting free-agent acquisition. Sakurai? He only has losses in PRIDE. And then there’s Minowa. “The Punk” has been fighting mainly heavyweights. Was there some rule that states they had to have five Japanese fighters in there? Anyone remember a guy named Yuki Kondo (Pictures)? Used to fight in this Pancrase thing? He’s Japanese too.

The non-Japanese side of the bracket is solid. Bustamante has had a rough time in the PFC but I can see him bouncing back. Acacio is unquestionably the real deal. And the other Brazilian entry, an undefeated Filho is vanquished to the reserve bout.

From the U.S. we have one who’s all class and one who’s a total … surprise since he left the UFC. Henderson is never boring and he knows a thing or two about winning tournaments. And then there’s Baroni. What can I say? If nothing else he’s entertaining. But fear not, chances are the cream will rise to the top and we’ll have a spectacular title bout later this year.

The PRIDE GP Welterweight Tournament quarterfinals start with freelance fighter Ikuhisa Minowa (Pictures) facing American brawler Phil Baroni (Pictures) in a rematch. Club J grappler Masanori Suda (Pictures) and Murilo Bustamante (Pictures) of the Brazilian Top Team take to the ring to fight for the right to face the Minowa-Baroni winner.

Freelance fighter Ryo Chonan (Pictures) battles Team Quest wrestler Dan Henderson (Pictures) in the other bracket while GRABAKA camp member Akihiro Gono (Pictures) meets Daniel Acacio (Pictures) of the Chute Boxe Academy.

And in the reserve match, Tops wrestler Ryuta Sakurai (Pictures) challenges Paulo Filho (Pictures) from the Brazilian Top Team.