LAS VEGAS, Oct. 20 — Before a cheering throng of fans in the Caesars Palace Roman Plaza, all 16 fighters scheduled for PRIDE FC’s initial foray into the North American market made weight.
Saturday’s card will take place at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
A raucous crowd showered PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures), who weighed 224, with an extended ovation that left the star slugger humbled by the welcome.
“Thank you very much for coming and I really would like to thank you for such a warm, warm welcome,” Emelianenko said through an interpreter. “I really did not expect this.”
American veteran Mark Coleman (Pictures), also 224 pounds, did not seem too enthused by the crowd’s bombastic reception for the champion.
“I'm not sure if we're in America or Russia from the applause I hear for this man,” the former UFC champion said of the reaction for Fedor. “I respect him as much as you do. He already deserves it. I don't have a death wish but I want to let you know: I'm not afraid. I'm not afraid! And I'm going to find a way to beat this guy, period.”
Emelianenko returned the accolades to the man he vanquished two-and-a-half years ago.
“I think Mark is one of the biggest, one of the best fighters in the world,” the Russian said. “I think he is a legend and it's my honor to fight him.”
Official Weights:
Mark Coleman (Pictures) (224) vs. Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) (224)
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (Pictures) (206) vs. Kevin Randleman (Pictures) (203)
Pawel Nastula (Pictures) (235) vs. Josh Barnett (Pictures) (243)
Eric "Butterbean" Esch (Pictures) (398) vs. Sean O'Haire (
