Rob
10-05-2007, 07:45 PM
Two Japanese MMA veterans, Ryo "The Piranha" Chonan (14-7) and Akihiro Gono (27-12-7) are both scheduled to make their UFC debuts at UFC 78: Validation on November 17th. Gono's opponent has yet to be announced, but he is apparently confirmed to fight on the card. Chonan is rumoured to be fighting Thiago "Pitbull" Alves (12-3).
Ryo Chonan fought extensively in Japan's DEEP organisation, as well as in numerous Pride Bushido events. He holds notable wins over Hayato "Mach" Sakurai (albeit by cut), Carlos Newton, Roan Carneiro, Nino "Elvis" Schembri, Joey Villasenor and two wins over Ryuta Sakurai. However, he is probably most famous for his victory over current UFC Middleweight Champion, Anderson Silva, at Pride Shockwave 2004, when he submitted Silva halfway through the third round with what is often regarded as the most, or second-most famous submission in major MMA history, when he pulled off a Flying Scissor Heel Hook. For the record, Chonan was well on his way to winning a decision had he not applied the crazy submission hold, but that hold solidified his legacy in Pride. A rematch with Silva could be a big draw for the UFC, especially if they show footage of the submission from Shockwave. This, of course, requires Silva to get past Anderson Silva at UFC 77.
Akihiro Gono is a veteran of Pride, Shooto and Pancrase. He holds notable victories over Ivan Salaverry (via spectacular TKO by spinning back kick to the ribs), Crosley Gracie, Daniel Acacio and Yuki Kondo. He fought to a draw with Murilo "Ninja" Rua, but has been defeated previously by Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, "Dangerous" Dan Henderson and former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes. Despite his high-profile defeats, Gono is still a force to be reckoned with, and could be a part of some very interesting fights in the UFC.
Ryo Chonan fought extensively in Japan's DEEP organisation, as well as in numerous Pride Bushido events. He holds notable wins over Hayato "Mach" Sakurai (albeit by cut), Carlos Newton, Roan Carneiro, Nino "Elvis" Schembri, Joey Villasenor and two wins over Ryuta Sakurai. However, he is probably most famous for his victory over current UFC Middleweight Champion, Anderson Silva, at Pride Shockwave 2004, when he submitted Silva halfway through the third round with what is often regarded as the most, or second-most famous submission in major MMA history, when he pulled off a Flying Scissor Heel Hook. For the record, Chonan was well on his way to winning a decision had he not applied the crazy submission hold, but that hold solidified his legacy in Pride. A rematch with Silva could be a big draw for the UFC, especially if they show footage of the submission from Shockwave. This, of course, requires Silva to get past Anderson Silva at UFC 77.
Akihiro Gono is a veteran of Pride, Shooto and Pancrase. He holds notable victories over Ivan Salaverry (via spectacular TKO by spinning back kick to the ribs), Crosley Gracie, Daniel Acacio and Yuki Kondo. He fought to a draw with Murilo "Ninja" Rua, but has been defeated previously by Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, "Dangerous" Dan Henderson and former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes. Despite his high-profile defeats, Gono is still a force to be reckoned with, and could be a part of some very interesting fights in the UFC.