UFN 9: Jeff Joslin vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka?

by MMAmania.com on Jan 30, 2007 9:51 AM EST in UFC News

jeff joslin ufn 9
Canadian karate ace Jeff Joslin (5-3) and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt from Japan, Kuniyoshi Hironaka (10-3), have agreed to square off at UFC Fight Night 9 on April 5, according to Sherdog.com.

The match up is one of many in April that will showcase a gaggle of Japanese talent, including Dokonjonosuke Mishima (17-5-2), Naoyuki Kotani (16-5-5) and Caol Uno (22-9-4).

In addition to the April 5 show, the UFC will also hold a pay-per-view event two days later in Houston, Texas. UFC 69 will be headlined, of course, by UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre vs. Matt Serra, as well as feature Uno versus Joe Stevenson (26-7), among other fights.

Joslin is coming off of a disappointing loss to Josh Koscheck (8-1) at UFC Fight Night at Miramar this past December. "Inferno" lost a unanimous decision, but looked good in his UFC debut despite the defeat. He simply could not stop the relentless takedowns of the former collegiate wrestling champion.

Back in October, Hironaka also lost on all three judges scorecards to 170-pound standout Jon Fitch (12-2) at UFC 64. He looked to have the fight in hand with a guillotine choke early in the match, but Fitch survived and went on to lump up Hironaka with kicks and punches for the remainder of the bout.

Joslin and Hironaka are both extremely talented fighters with a lot to prove in their second UFC appearances. The loser will most likely find himself wondering whether or not he still has a future with the organization.

Expect an exciting fight.

As we passed along weeks ago, Mishima is slated to face Kenny Florian (4-3) the same evening. And, Kotani will also fight that night against fellow UFC newcomer and lightweight prospect from Brazil, Thiago Tavares (10-0).

With these competitors — and more lined up — the UFC is quickly becoming quite a melting pot of international MMA talent.

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Comments

Kinda funny and ironic…

Kuniyoshi is from japan and does BJJ.
Hello,,, there is enough great fighting arts in Japan Karate,Judo, Aikido,Sumo, and Jui Juitsu(however you spell it).

Whats wrong with even going off the Island for a small jaunt and doing Tai Kickboxing or Chinese boxing or Kung Fu.

Or TKD,Ninjitsu or Ballet, ok maybe those are a little out there. But really thats like saying…

A canadian playing cricket instead of Hockey.
(you could do it but why? when there is such a high level of professionals right there in the same country)

Its all kinda ironic that a person with so many fighting sports/martial arts to choose from has to go to the other side of the world, considering BJJ is just another deviation of the real thing from Japan.

Did anyone see the clip where helio gracie said he learned from someone who was a judo guy. Of course Judo is the little brother of Jui Juitsu (I really should learn how to spell it) and the guy was probably profecient in both.

Either way you slice it, it really doesnt matter. It just struck me as odd.

by Robin on Jan 30, 2007 11:48 AM EST reply actions

I guess its no weirder than a canadian Karate Ace…

“ACE” what were they thinking. Talk about making the fight sound even more wacky…

by Robin on Jan 30, 2007 11:51 AM EST reply actions

I see Jeff “Inferno” Joslin being A top 5 guy in the next year.

In his first UFC fight he fought a highly regarded Josh Koscheck in very Hostile territory for a Canadian, the event took place in a US military hanger full of troops (and these guys are wild man).

Other than takedown’s Koscheck did nothing. About 3 elbows landed clean for him while he was in Joslin’s guard, wich is where Koscheck spent most of his time. Joslin seemed to have a better stand up game and looked pretty comfortable on his back. Ju-Jitsu guy’s like the bottom position, they can apply a number of submission holds from there and Joslin almost caught Koscheck in a triangle choke at the end of one of the rounds.

I truly believe that had that fight taken place anywhere else in the world, Jeff Joslin would have won that fight.

Josh Koscheck “looks” like a champion but fortunatley this sport isn’t about looks.

I look forward to seeing Joslin take on Hironaka. If Joslin wins, he’ll be considered a serious threat in the UFC.

by dusty irish on Jan 31, 2007 12:34 PM EST reply actions