Pride GP Total Elimination 2004 Preview
Rodrigo Nogueira vs Hirotaka Yokoi
Apr 21, 2004
Rodrigo
“Minotauro” Nogueira vs. Hirotaka Yokoi
RODRIGO NOGUEIRA: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, 2-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, RINGS King of Kings 1999 Tournament runner up, RINGS King of Kings 2000 Tournament Champion, former PFC heavyweight Champion, 2000 Abu Dhabi Combat Championships 99kg division tournament quarterfinalist, UFO veteran, former WEF Heavyweight Champion, , trains with Murilo Bustamante, Ricardo Liborio, Ricardo Arona, Mario Sperry and Rogerio Nogueira and the rest of the Brazilian Top Team, with a 21-2-1 record in MMA, making his 11th appearance (9-1) in the ring of the PFC
Abbreviated Fight History:
Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira began his MMA career in the U.S. at the World Extreme Fighting shows and earned the WEF heavyweight title by defeating Jeremy Horn. He also began competing in RINGS events the same year. Rodrigo became the RINGS King of Kings 2000 Tournament Champion by defeating Valentijn Overeem in the final and moved on the more open MMA rules of Pride. In just his third appearance in the PFC, Nogueira fought for and won the heavyweight title defeating Heath Herring. This bout is Rodrigo’s first return to action since losing the title to Emelianenko Fedor last March. Below are a number of Nogueira’s most significant contests.
Nogueira/Jeremy Horn: Nogueira was awarded the WEF Superfight Championship title after his bout with Jeremy Horn at WEF 8. In the course of the match, he tagged Horn repeatedly, almost at will with some impressive combinations. The problem was Jeremy appeared unfazed after each exchange. At the time, Rodrigo had a habit of dropping his hands, making him susceptible to a barrage of headshots. Horn nailed Nogueira twice in the head with kicks but couldn’t drop him. Rodrigo took the title via decision.
Nogueira/Heath Herring: This one had everything you could hope for in a title bout and goes down as one of the best MMA fights and possibly the best title fight in the history of the sport. Nogueira controlled the action throughout but could never conquer the fighting spirit of Herring. It went the distance but the victor was never in doubt.
Nogueira/Bob Sapp: Rodrigo fought the Maurice Smith trained giant Bob Sapp at the Pride Shockwave show and nearly got himself killed. The PFC heavyweight champion performed commendably but the risks he took to do so were immeasurable. Sapp was not the simply the freakish beast most took him for but showed conditioning and skill with a future in the sport. Rodrigo was able to constrict one of Sapp’s giant limbs and secure the armbar late in the second round.
Nogueira/Emelianenko Fedor: Rodrigo could do nothing to solve the mystery of Fedor for three rounds. Nogueira tried for submission after submission but Fedor gave a sambo clinic, pulling his arm out of locks whenever he felt like it and smashing the face of the Brazilian champion. Fedor took a unanimous decision and the PFC heavyweight title home to the Russian Top Team.
Nogueira/Ricco Rodriguez: We all know about the controversy here. Both fighters stayed busy on the mat with Nogueira constantly working for submission and Rodriguez grounding and pounding from the top. A restart late in the round put them back on the mat rather than from a standing position. When they did get to the feet, Rodrigo was scoring better combinations but Rodriguez brought it back down at the first sign of trouble. In the second and third, Ricco still looked somewhat uncomfortable on the feet (other than some really solid right leg kicks and some flying knees) but on the mat he was in complete control. Rodriguez got out of everything and his G’n’P was top notch. However they want to explain it, I call them like I see them and Ricco beat Rodrigo without question.
Nogueira/Mirko Filipovic: Bout examined under Mirko Filipovic bio
Also worthy of note: Nogueira battled Valentijn Overeem (win/submission, win/submission), Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (draw), Kiyoshi Tamura (win/ submission), Hiromitsu Kanehara (win/ submission), Gary Goodridge (win/ submission), Enson Inoue (win/ submission), Sanae Kikuta (win/KO) Mark Coleman (win/submission) and Semmy Schilt (win/ submission)
Strengths And Weaknesses: As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, the ground is obviously his forte. No other heavyweight fighter in professional MMA has the submission skills of “Minotauro”. Frank Mir and Ricco Rodriguez are likely the closest. However those who follow Nogueira know he has developed serious striking skills and isn’t afraid to hang on the feet with anyone. His hands have evolved greatly in a short time and he can be considered a serious threat standing. His grip from the guard can also be very difficult to deal with. Many fighters have had a hard time getting away from “Minotauro”. Nogueira will pursue a victory by submission until it works and he usually gets it (except for against Fedor). It is tough to narrow down a weakness because he so complete a fighter but I guess I’d have to say his kicking ability. I still wouldn’t want to be kicked by him mind you, but his hands are far superior to his feet.
How He Can Beat Yokoi: Standing or on the ground. Not to completely dismiss Yokoi’s abilities here but Nogueira has him beat in both realms. Nogueira has a solid stand-up game and has been training with boxers in Cuba to hone his craft. He’s also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt so his ground skills are superior to most of the fighters in the heavyweight division. Either way Yokoi has a battle on his hands. However, it is more likely that “Minotauro” will take him to the mat and submit him there since he needs to both conserve his hands for later bouts in the tournament and withhold aspects of his game as a surprise for future opponents.
HIROTAKA YOKOI: Japanese wrestler, Zero-One professional wrestler, judo stylist, RINGS veteran, HOOK’n’SHOOT South East Light Heavyweight Champion, trains with Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, Wataru Sakata and PFC veterans Hiromitsu Kanehara and Norihisa Yamamoto and members of RINGS Japan, with a record of 10-0 in MMA, making his 2nd appearance (1-0) in the ring of the PFC
Abbreviated Fight History: Hirotaka Yokoi is a Japanese pro wrestler with the Zero-One promotion. His background is in Judo and he trains at the Kinki University. Currently Yokoi is training with PFC and RINGS veterans Hiromitsu Kanehara, Wataru Sakata, Norihisa Yamamoto and UFC/RINGS veteran Tsuyoshi Kohsaka. He’s 10-0 in MMA and began his career in Shooto as a B-class fighter under the name Shinya Abe. Yokoi made the move to RINGS and is 5-0 in that organization and 1-0 in Pride, beating Dutch kickboxer Jarrel Venetiaan with an armbar.
Yokoi/Ricardo Fyeet: Yokoi bursts across the ring at the bell and is stopped dead in his tracks with a punishing right hook. However, he is able to maintain focus and score a single leg takedown. Hirotaka stands over Ricardo, working for the guard pass and eventually obtains half mount. Securing an armlock, Yokoi moves to side mount but the Dutchman is hanging tough. Back on the feet, Yokoi eats a knee to the face en route to a takedown. Yokoi applies a forearm choke from half mount but Fyeet does enough to release the danger. With the submission lost, Yokoi frees himself and avoids a reversal to set up for another one. He punishes Fyeet with strikes to the body and finishes him with an armbar.
Yokoi/Katsuhisa Fuji: The fighters seemed evenly matched early in a slow developing bout. The pace wasn’t pushed until late in the match. Fuji’s leg kicks did considerable damage to Yokoi and kept him from easing into his game. Hirotaka wanted to trade punches in the third but he powerslammed Fuji to the mat and the bout stayed grounded for several minutes. Fuji committed a foul by kicking Yokoi in the head while he was on all fours. The blow looked as though it was partially blocked with only Fuji’s knee making contact but Hirotaka used it for what it was worth and continued to fight. They traded strikes on the feet late in the third but other than a neck crank and a takedown from Yokoi, it was a forgettable match. Yokoi wins the decision and the foul in the third round was the difference.
Yokoi/Jerrel Venetiaan: Hirotaka controlled the positioning in both rounds. He looked good but not as effective as he has in other bouts. Yokoi was able to armbar Venetiaan late in the second round to win his Pride debut.
Yokoi/Wilson Goveia: Goveia lands a right roundhouse kick at the bell and he is met with an overhand right and takedown from Yokoi. On the mat Goveia was able to keep Yokoi at bay using his legs to keep the distance but before long Hirotaka figured him out and started landing bombs inside the guard. When they got back to the feet, Goveia put together a solid combination of punches that seemed to rock Yokoi but it did not deter him. Yokoi did some striking of his own and eventually got the takedown where his right hand was definitely a factor. Wilson had an armbar but Yokoi slammed out of it and they finished the round on the mat. Goveia tags Yokoi with a knee to the body early but the Japanese fighter walks through it and pushes Wilson into the corner. He dominates the striking on the mat and Goveia looks ready to go out, even holding his head, but they are stood up and continue. Late in the round Goveia pushes Yokoi down, takes his back and pummels him with strikes but the second round ends as Yokoi shakes him. In the third Yokoi dominates on the ground and it takes everything Goveia can do to hold on for the two minutes until the referee stops the bout. Yokoi wins the H’n’S South East 205 lb championship title.
Yokoi/Masaya Kojima: From the bell, both fighters run from their corner and sidekick each other. Kojima, who looks to be 20 lbs lighter than Yokoi, hits the mat and Hirotaka quickly jumps into his guard. They grapple on the mat with Yokoi striking the body sadistically and obtaining side mount. Hirotaka obtains half mount and attempts an armbar but Kojima keeps moving. He switches to a Kimura but fails and again works for the armbar. A wristlock fails and finally going to the well a third (or fourth) time pays off as the armbar is finally in place for the win. I guess he must’ve bet someone he’d win by armbar huh?
Yokoi/Ken Orihashi: Yokoi’s striking was vicious here. From the bell he was in Orihashi’s face and pounding him in the head. Uppercuts, hooks and knees to the body were thrown at will and Orihashi had no answer to them. Yokoi brought Orihashi to the mat and punished him with body shots from half guard. Once Orihashi reversed position, Yokoi was able to stand up and regroup. They exchanged heavy strikes standing and finally Orihashi eats a hard right hook to the jaw that sends him to the mat. Ken is allowed to continue with a standing-8 count but the end is never in doubt. Yokoi wins by KO.
Also worthy of note: Yokoi battled Memo Diaz (win/decision), and Bulldozer George (win/submission)
Strengths And Weaknesses: Yokoi has solid ground skills but he is a very aggressive striker and has a serious chin. His submission abilities are good, as he has 4 wins on the canvas, and his wrestling prowess enables him to move smoothly from a stand-up to ground encounter. Hirotaka can take a punch too. He has shown Wanderlei Silva-like tendencies to walk through his opponents’ punches and keep coming. Yokoi is not easy to put away and has the ability to go the distance if he doesn’t find a way to finish you.
How He Can Beat Nogueira: With strikes. I’d have a hard time concocting a scenario where Yokoi could submit a grappler of Nogueira’s caliber. “Minotauro” has shown he can take punch but sometimes it only takes one. If Yokoi can land a hard shot on the button, Nogueira will fall and Hirotaka will be the upset kid that turns the rest of the tournament on its ear.
MY PICK: Nogueira. Had Yokoi been paired with anyone but Fedor, Mirko, “Ninja” and “Minotauro”, I think he would have advanced in the tournament. I would say it was simply a case of bad luck but he requested Nogueira so he knows what he is in for. His biggest problem here is that Nogueira does everything he does well but “Minotauro” does it even better. It is a great bout for Rodrigo because he gets to vanquish what could be a legitimate threat in the tournament later on while he is still fresh. I feel it will be Nogueira by submission late in the 1st Rd.
RODRIGO NOGUEIRA: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, 2-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, RINGS King of Kings 1999 Tournament runner up, RINGS King of Kings 2000 Tournament Champion, former PFC heavyweight Champion, 2000 Abu Dhabi Combat Championships 99kg division tournament quarterfinalist, UFO veteran, former WEF Heavyweight Champion, , trains with Murilo Bustamante, Ricardo Liborio, Ricardo Arona, Mario Sperry and Rogerio Nogueira and the rest of the Brazilian Top Team, with a 21-2-1 record in MMA, making his 11th appearance (9-1) in the ring of the PFC
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Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira began his MMA career in the U.S. at the World Extreme Fighting shows and earned the WEF heavyweight title by defeating Jeremy Horn. He also began competing in RINGS events the same year. Rodrigo became the RINGS King of Kings 2000 Tournament Champion by defeating Valentijn Overeem in the final and moved on the more open MMA rules of Pride. In just his third appearance in the PFC, Nogueira fought for and won the heavyweight title defeating Heath Herring. This bout is Rodrigo’s first return to action since losing the title to Emelianenko Fedor last March. Below are a number of Nogueira’s most significant contests.
Nogueira/Jeremy Horn: Nogueira was awarded the WEF Superfight Championship title after his bout with Jeremy Horn at WEF 8. In the course of the match, he tagged Horn repeatedly, almost at will with some impressive combinations. The problem was Jeremy appeared unfazed after each exchange. At the time, Rodrigo had a habit of dropping his hands, making him susceptible to a barrage of headshots. Horn nailed Nogueira twice in the head with kicks but couldn’t drop him. Rodrigo took the title via decision.
Nogueira/Dan Henderson: at Pride 24, “Minotauro” battled the one
man to defeat him in MMA competition. Although they fight in
different weight classes, Dan Henderson accepted the challenge (in
a non-title affair) and gave Nogueira a true test. Henderson was
submitted for the first time in his career via armbar late in round
three.
Nogueira/Heath Herring: This one had everything you could hope for in a title bout and goes down as one of the best MMA fights and possibly the best title fight in the history of the sport. Nogueira controlled the action throughout but could never conquer the fighting spirit of Herring. It went the distance but the victor was never in doubt.
Nogueira/Bob Sapp: Rodrigo fought the Maurice Smith trained giant Bob Sapp at the Pride Shockwave show and nearly got himself killed. The PFC heavyweight champion performed commendably but the risks he took to do so were immeasurable. Sapp was not the simply the freakish beast most took him for but showed conditioning and skill with a future in the sport. Rodrigo was able to constrict one of Sapp’s giant limbs and secure the armbar late in the second round.
Nogueira/Emelianenko Fedor: Rodrigo could do nothing to solve the mystery of Fedor for three rounds. Nogueira tried for submission after submission but Fedor gave a sambo clinic, pulling his arm out of locks whenever he felt like it and smashing the face of the Brazilian champion. Fedor took a unanimous decision and the PFC heavyweight title home to the Russian Top Team.
Nogueira/Ricco Rodriguez: We all know about the controversy here. Both fighters stayed busy on the mat with Nogueira constantly working for submission and Rodriguez grounding and pounding from the top. A restart late in the round put them back on the mat rather than from a standing position. When they did get to the feet, Rodrigo was scoring better combinations but Rodriguez brought it back down at the first sign of trouble. In the second and third, Ricco still looked somewhat uncomfortable on the feet (other than some really solid right leg kicks and some flying knees) but on the mat he was in complete control. Rodriguez got out of everything and his G’n’P was top notch. However they want to explain it, I call them like I see them and Ricco beat Rodrigo without question.
Nogueira/Mirko Filipovic: Bout examined under Mirko Filipovic bio
Also worthy of note: Nogueira battled Valentijn Overeem (win/submission, win/submission), Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (draw), Kiyoshi Tamura (win/ submission), Hiromitsu Kanehara (win/ submission), Gary Goodridge (win/ submission), Enson Inoue (win/ submission), Sanae Kikuta (win/KO) Mark Coleman (win/submission) and Semmy Schilt (win/ submission)
Strengths And Weaknesses: As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, the ground is obviously his forte. No other heavyweight fighter in professional MMA has the submission skills of “Minotauro”. Frank Mir and Ricco Rodriguez are likely the closest. However those who follow Nogueira know he has developed serious striking skills and isn’t afraid to hang on the feet with anyone. His hands have evolved greatly in a short time and he can be considered a serious threat standing. His grip from the guard can also be very difficult to deal with. Many fighters have had a hard time getting away from “Minotauro”. Nogueira will pursue a victory by submission until it works and he usually gets it (except for against Fedor). It is tough to narrow down a weakness because he so complete a fighter but I guess I’d have to say his kicking ability. I still wouldn’t want to be kicked by him mind you, but his hands are far superior to his feet.
How He Can Beat Yokoi: Standing or on the ground. Not to completely dismiss Yokoi’s abilities here but Nogueira has him beat in both realms. Nogueira has a solid stand-up game and has been training with boxers in Cuba to hone his craft. He’s also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt so his ground skills are superior to most of the fighters in the heavyweight division. Either way Yokoi has a battle on his hands. However, it is more likely that “Minotauro” will take him to the mat and submit him there since he needs to both conserve his hands for later bouts in the tournament and withhold aspects of his game as a surprise for future opponents.
HIROTAKA YOKOI: Japanese wrestler, Zero-One professional wrestler, judo stylist, RINGS veteran, HOOK’n’SHOOT South East Light Heavyweight Champion, trains with Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, Wataru Sakata and PFC veterans Hiromitsu Kanehara and Norihisa Yamamoto and members of RINGS Japan, with a record of 10-0 in MMA, making his 2nd appearance (1-0) in the ring of the PFC
Abbreviated Fight History: Hirotaka Yokoi is a Japanese pro wrestler with the Zero-One promotion. His background is in Judo and he trains at the Kinki University. Currently Yokoi is training with PFC and RINGS veterans Hiromitsu Kanehara, Wataru Sakata, Norihisa Yamamoto and UFC/RINGS veteran Tsuyoshi Kohsaka. He’s 10-0 in MMA and began his career in Shooto as a B-class fighter under the name Shinya Abe. Yokoi made the move to RINGS and is 5-0 in that organization and 1-0 in Pride, beating Dutch kickboxer Jarrel Venetiaan with an armbar.
Yokoi/Ricardo Fyeet: Yokoi bursts across the ring at the bell and is stopped dead in his tracks with a punishing right hook. However, he is able to maintain focus and score a single leg takedown. Hirotaka stands over Ricardo, working for the guard pass and eventually obtains half mount. Securing an armlock, Yokoi moves to side mount but the Dutchman is hanging tough. Back on the feet, Yokoi eats a knee to the face en route to a takedown. Yokoi applies a forearm choke from half mount but Fyeet does enough to release the danger. With the submission lost, Yokoi frees himself and avoids a reversal to set up for another one. He punishes Fyeet with strikes to the body and finishes him with an armbar.
Yokoi/Katsuhisa Fuji: The fighters seemed evenly matched early in a slow developing bout. The pace wasn’t pushed until late in the match. Fuji’s leg kicks did considerable damage to Yokoi and kept him from easing into his game. Hirotaka wanted to trade punches in the third but he powerslammed Fuji to the mat and the bout stayed grounded for several minutes. Fuji committed a foul by kicking Yokoi in the head while he was on all fours. The blow looked as though it was partially blocked with only Fuji’s knee making contact but Hirotaka used it for what it was worth and continued to fight. They traded strikes on the feet late in the third but other than a neck crank and a takedown from Yokoi, it was a forgettable match. Yokoi wins the decision and the foul in the third round was the difference.
Yokoi/Jerrel Venetiaan: Hirotaka controlled the positioning in both rounds. He looked good but not as effective as he has in other bouts. Yokoi was able to armbar Venetiaan late in the second round to win his Pride debut.
Yokoi/Wilson Goveia: Goveia lands a right roundhouse kick at the bell and he is met with an overhand right and takedown from Yokoi. On the mat Goveia was able to keep Yokoi at bay using his legs to keep the distance but before long Hirotaka figured him out and started landing bombs inside the guard. When they got back to the feet, Goveia put together a solid combination of punches that seemed to rock Yokoi but it did not deter him. Yokoi did some striking of his own and eventually got the takedown where his right hand was definitely a factor. Wilson had an armbar but Yokoi slammed out of it and they finished the round on the mat. Goveia tags Yokoi with a knee to the body early but the Japanese fighter walks through it and pushes Wilson into the corner. He dominates the striking on the mat and Goveia looks ready to go out, even holding his head, but they are stood up and continue. Late in the round Goveia pushes Yokoi down, takes his back and pummels him with strikes but the second round ends as Yokoi shakes him. In the third Yokoi dominates on the ground and it takes everything Goveia can do to hold on for the two minutes until the referee stops the bout. Yokoi wins the H’n’S South East 205 lb championship title.
Yokoi/Masaya Kojima: From the bell, both fighters run from their corner and sidekick each other. Kojima, who looks to be 20 lbs lighter than Yokoi, hits the mat and Hirotaka quickly jumps into his guard. They grapple on the mat with Yokoi striking the body sadistically and obtaining side mount. Hirotaka obtains half mount and attempts an armbar but Kojima keeps moving. He switches to a Kimura but fails and again works for the armbar. A wristlock fails and finally going to the well a third (or fourth) time pays off as the armbar is finally in place for the win. I guess he must’ve bet someone he’d win by armbar huh?
Yokoi/Ken Orihashi: Yokoi’s striking was vicious here. From the bell he was in Orihashi’s face and pounding him in the head. Uppercuts, hooks and knees to the body were thrown at will and Orihashi had no answer to them. Yokoi brought Orihashi to the mat and punished him with body shots from half guard. Once Orihashi reversed position, Yokoi was able to stand up and regroup. They exchanged heavy strikes standing and finally Orihashi eats a hard right hook to the jaw that sends him to the mat. Ken is allowed to continue with a standing-8 count but the end is never in doubt. Yokoi wins by KO.
Also worthy of note: Yokoi battled Memo Diaz (win/decision), and Bulldozer George (win/submission)
Strengths And Weaknesses: Yokoi has solid ground skills but he is a very aggressive striker and has a serious chin. His submission abilities are good, as he has 4 wins on the canvas, and his wrestling prowess enables him to move smoothly from a stand-up to ground encounter. Hirotaka can take a punch too. He has shown Wanderlei Silva-like tendencies to walk through his opponents’ punches and keep coming. Yokoi is not easy to put away and has the ability to go the distance if he doesn’t find a way to finish you.
How He Can Beat Nogueira: With strikes. I’d have a hard time concocting a scenario where Yokoi could submit a grappler of Nogueira’s caliber. “Minotauro” has shown he can take punch but sometimes it only takes one. If Yokoi can land a hard shot on the button, Nogueira will fall and Hirotaka will be the upset kid that turns the rest of the tournament on its ear.
MY PICK: Nogueira. Had Yokoi been paired with anyone but Fedor, Mirko, “Ninja” and “Minotauro”, I think he would have advanced in the tournament. I would say it was simply a case of bad luck but he requested Nogueira so he knows what he is in for. His biggest problem here is that Nogueira does everything he does well but “Minotauro” does it even better. It is a great bout for Rodrigo because he gets to vanquish what could be a legitimate threat in the tournament later on while he is still fresh. I feel it will be Nogueira by submission late in the 1st Rd.
