Rumors circulate: Tournament Favorite Minowa, Bare Knuckle Fight King Gunn Questionable For Start Of Tournament

It was announced recently that there have been some questions raised as to the readiness of tournament favorite Ikuhisa Minowa and Bobby Gunn—bare knuckle boxing champion from the States. 

Minowa suffered a heartfelt loss last week at the hands of the tragic flood that took the lives of 26 people in Tokyo, one of Minowa’s elders being a victim.

Rumors have also circulated that Gunn has suffered injury during training camp and is not 100% ready to compete within a tournament of such high standards, though time will see.

In latest news Scandanavian MMA star Henrik Gustafson was arrested while flying into Tokyo for the tournament on suspicions of drug trafficking.  While no further information has been released at this time, tournament officials have immediately announced that he has been disqualified from fighting to keep the good name of the tournament.

The preliminaries for qualifying for the tournament begin next week, with the finals leading to the crowning of the champion commencing on August 9. 

The most skilled fighters in their discipline from around the world will engage in battle for the luxurious prize of $1 million dollars and the eligibility to walk on to any major fighting tournament across the world for the period of 12 months. 

“This tournament is shaping up to be quite the list of the usual suspects,” said Kazuyoshi Ishii, creator and founder of the Japanese Grand Prix Fighting Tournament.  “We have had our share of excitement this week, but it is imperative for each fighter to stay focused.  The winning fighter of this tournament will become the largest fight icon in the world, with access to countless endorsement deals worldwide and the opportunity to become a grand champion by winning all of the other major events.”

The highly anticipated tournament will begin July 30, with the finals promptly starting less than two weeks later. 

Time will tell who the ultimate warrior in the world is.

Japanese Grand Prix Tournament Put On Hold Til Mid July

It was released last night that the highly anticipated Japanese no-holds barred full contact fighting tournament has been postponed until July 21.  The reason for the postponement is because Japan’s own and tournament favorite Ikuhisa Minowa had sustained a rotator cuff injury during training. 

 

Mark Buckton of the Japanese Times reported that the tournament was put on hold because Minowa has been the biggest draw in recent years, and a major player in terms of bringing top corporate and ‘made’ men from around the world to the prestigious tournament.

 

This tournament is held in the highest regard of its kind as inside resources claim there will be some of the biggest multi-millionaire tycoons and various underground players present.  It is comparative to providing an entertainment allure of “Mardi Gras” for the two week fight period.

 

Unlike traditional tournaments held across the world, the Japanese Grand Prix features top fighters from various disciplines, each competing in a 3 fight, single elimination tournament where the final two fighters will compete for an estimated purse of $1 million. 

 

Although a complete list of competing fighters is yet to be disclosed, at this time we have been told that representing France is renowned Savate champion Miletic; from the United States, world bare knuckle boxing champion Gunn; from Argentina, Muay Thai champion Bosch, and countless other fighters to be named later.

 

This event has received international recognition as it is a giant forum for some of the best fighters in the world, competing on the grand stage in a winner take all tournament. 

 

In addition to the purse, the winner of the Japanese Grand Prix champion will be deemed “Full Contact Champion of the World”, and have availability to enter any pro fighting tournament within the 2012 calendar year.

 

The 2012 Grand Prix tournament will be held from July 20-31 at the Yokohama Areana in Kawasaki.

 

Super Fight League - is proud to announce the following fights for SFL 2: Todd Duffee V Neil Grove - Paul Kelly V Gabe Ruediger - Alexander Schlemenko V Ikuhisa Minowa (Minowaman)

India's First MMA Organization

Super Fight League is proud to announce the following fights for SFL 2:

Todd Duffee V Neil Grove
Paul Kelly V Gabe Ruediger
Alexander Schlemenko V Ikuhisa Minowa (Minowaman)

SUPER FIGHT LEAGUE 2
Chandigarh
Saturday 7th April

. FULL EVENT LIVE & EXCLUSIVE AT YOUTUBE.COM/SFL

(Mumbai, 20th March) Following the sell out success of SFL 1, India's first MMA Organization Super Fight League (SFL) is proud to announce the following fights have been confirmed for SFL 2 taking place on Saturday 7th April: Todd Duffee V Neil Grove, Paul Kelly V Gabe Ruediger and Alexander Schlemenko V Ikuhisa Minowa (Minowaman).

Once again, fans from all over the world can tune in and watch the event live and free on the official SFL YouTube channel: YouTube.com/SFL.

Todd Duffee is a veteran of the UFC and DREAM and still holds the distinction of the fastest ever knock out victory in UFC history when he beat Tim Hague at UFC 102 in 7 seconds. A fearsome striker and talented wrestler, Duffee brings his explosive style to India for the first time and will need all of his skills when he faces UK based South African Neil "Goliath" Grove at Super Fight League 2. A Bellator Season 5 Heavyweight tournament semi finalist and former UCMMA Heavyweight champion, Grove also holds a victory over James "Colossus" Thompson, who beat Bob "The Beast" Sapp at SFL 1. His impressive record features 11 victories, all of which have come via KO or TKO. While nothing is ever certain in MMA, you can bet on fireworks when these two heavy handed fighters meet inside the O-Zone.

Former WEC Lightweight champion Gabe Ruediger had it all, lost it then through grit and determination got himself back to where he wanted to be. Winning 9 straight fights to take the WEC title, Ruediger missed weight on the Ultimate Fighter reality show and left the UFC under a cloud. He went on to put together 6 fight win streak to force his way back into the UFC and proved his doubters wrong. A BJJ black belt and renowned submission specialist, Ruediger also has a number of TKO victories on his record making him a very dangerous man no matter where the fight goes. Two time "Fight of the Night" winner while with the UFC, Paul Kelly doesn't know how to have a boring fight. The native of Liverpool in England always brings a fearsome edge with him to his fights and likes nothing more than a tough, brutal war with his opponents and revels in pleasing the fans almost as much as he enjoys winning. Previously due to meet at UFC 123, an injury to Ruediger forced the bout to be cancelled. Now they will finally meet under the Super Fight League banner, where Ruediger Vs Kelly promises to be a high class technical battle packed full of excitement and explosiveness.

Alexander Schlemenko has 44 wins despite being only 27 years old. The Bellator Season 5 Middleweight tournament champion has won fights by almost every method there is, with KO victories littering his record alongside several submission victories too. Primarily a striker, Schlemenko has no fear of the ground either, winning the Bellator season 5 tournament by beating 2 time BJJ world champion Vitor Vianna. Currently riding a 7 fight win streak the Russian is only just entering his prime fighting years despite already having more wins than fellow Russian and MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko. Japanese MMA legend Ikuhisa Minowa or "Minowaman" as he is better known, knows no fear, regularly competing in open weight bouts where his opponents vastly outweigh him. Despite being a natural Middleweight, Ikuhisa, a veteran of 93 bouts, entered and won the DREAM "Superhulk" tournament, beating 330lb SFL 1 headliner, Bob "The Beast" Sapp, in the opening round, 7 foot giant and K-1 striker Hong Man Choi in the semi final and then Pride FC legend Rameau Thierry Sokoudjuo in the final to take home the belt. A legend in Japan and beloved by the fans, Minowaman has incredible grappling skills to go with his fearsome stand up. Schlemenko versus Minowa promises to be a thrilling showdown between two of the most experienced and athletic fighters currently competing in mixed martial arts and one nobody will want to miss.

SFL CEO Ken Pavia said: "I couldn't have been more pleased with the results of our first event. The Indian fans were gracious and electric. The event was grandiose and unique, not cookie cutter as some organizations have become. The response from the international community was very supportive. The line-up we have put together for SFL 2 shows a continued commitment to bring competitive elite level fights to an international stage for free on behalf of the new and present Indian MMA community. Look for big news in 2012 from the Super Fight League."