OSAKA, Japan, April 22 — While waiting for the world famous Shinkansen (Bullet train for us gaijins) at Shin Yokohama station, I was thinking what a great week we MMA fans just witnessed with the TUF finals and UFC 52. From the war between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar to Matt Hughes making one of the best comebacks in MMA to finish Frank Trigg to Chuck Liddell finally realizing his dream of becoming top dog in the UFC light heavyweight division, we had one hell of a ride with the sport we love.

After several minutes my thoughts vanished in thin air as the train arrived and a female voice announced my next transportation was bound to stop in Osaka. Reality check came quickly and while the train started to speed up I told myself, PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix 2005 here I come.

To start the PRIDE weekend and for the first time ever DSE/PRIDE FC held an official weigh-in open to the press and a selected lucky group from the PRIDE Official fan club to watch. With all the fighters gathered in the usual blue and red spots on opposite corners inside a beautiful Rihga Royal Hotel ball room, we witnessed a room full of energy from fans cheering and fighters just waiting to pass the difficult process of making weight.

The fighters weigh-in order was based in the official show order with Kevin Randleman and Kazu Nakamura being called first as PRIDE’s main referee, Yuji Shimada, stood at the scale. This order continue along with Dean Lister, Ricardo Arona, Igor, Yuki Kondo and so on.

Now let’s see some of the more interesting points from the first official PRIDE weigh-in:

All the fighters look in perfect shape and condition.

Randleman appeared much bigger than Nakamura. Actually the difference in build and frame is so obvious it made you think that both fighters belonged in different divisions.

Yuki Kondo is the lightest fighter in the tournament, weighing 87 kg.

The largest fighter in the group, believe it or not is Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, who came in at 93.5 kg. “Shogun” was the only fighter who didn’t make the official weight limit of 92.9 kg., so he was asked to cut the weight before the event.

We learned another major difference between UFC and their Japanese counterpart PRIDE concerning weight-limit politics in that state sanctioning bodies which oversee most American events (like the Nevada State Athletic Commission) give fighters two hours to make weight if they are over the official limit. PRIDE, however, allows a fighter as much time as he needs to make weight before the event.

According to PRIDE president Sakakibara, current PRIDE middleweight and middleweight grand prix champion Wanderlei Silva was “nervous” before the official weigh-in because he didn’t want to be overweight.

“Rampage” Jackson walked to the scale wearing a huge cross hanging from his neck. After refusing several times the advice from PRIDE referee Toyonoga to take off the cross, Jackson stepped on to make perfect weight.

UFC representative Vitor Belfort looked in very good shape but the height and reach difference with Alistair Overeem is very evident.

Sakuraba and his opponent Yoon Dong Sik look like long, lost twin brothers.

Sakakibara said Sakuraba was in the best shape of his life. (After a quick poll between Masa and myself, we agreed that Sakuraba look fat.)

Sakakibara told the press Wanderlei Silva is not “smiling” like before and that he’s not acting like his usual, relaxed way because of the fight versus Hidehiko Yoshida.

Finally the “Funny Quote” Award of the weigh-in goes to the famous coach from California “Coach O” trying to explain to “Ninja” Rua how to help his brother “Shogun” Rua make weight before facing Rampage.

This is all for now until tomorrow, Saturday April 23, with the event report show, more pictures, videos and reports from the Middleweight Grand Prix tournament directly from Osaka.