Just yesterday, we passed along news that the Fertitta brothers postponed the upcoming PRIDE FC 2007 Lightweight Grand Prix because there was not enough time to coordinate the event.
Well, according to Dream Stage Entertainment (DSE) executive Nobuhiko Takada in an MMAWeekly.com article, the first round of the 16-man tournament will take place on July 16.
Here's the snip:
" ... the first round the tournament would happen on July 16th. The second and third rounds are expected to occur sometime in September and November."
Among the numerous top PRIDE FC fighters being considered (i.e. Shinya Aoki, Marcos Aurelio, Takanori Gomi, Joachim Hansen, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Gilbert Melendez and Hayato Sakurai, among others) the UFC is also expected to send a contingent of talent to participate in the event.
Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes, as well as Diego Sanchez, are two of the names that have been mentioned but unconfirmed.
Of course, Hughes and Sanchez are welterweights (170-pound limit) and the PRIDE FC lightweights fight at 160. Furthermore, the UFC mentioned that PRIDE FC fighters would fall into new weight classes to help unify the rules and true champions of the sport.
The UFC lightweight division weight limit is 155 pounds.
Needless to say, but the weight limit for the 2007 LWGP is a bit of a mystery, especially if Hughes and Sanchez are being discussed.
Regardless, it should be a hell of a show for which fans here in the states should be incredibly excited — the grand prix's are sick.
For more news on the PRIDE FC 2007 Lightweight Grand Prix check out our archives.
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