Gono cut from UFC, now in talks with Sengoku

[Aaron]

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2009/03/27/akihiro-gono-released-from-the-ufc-now-in-negotiations-with-sengoku/

Akihiro Gono released from the UFC, now in negotiations with Sengoku

March 27, 2009 by Dustin James

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The UFC has decided to part ways with PRIDE FC veteran Akihiro Gono following his decision loss to Jon Fitch at UFC 94 in January. The loss was Gono’s second consecutive loss in the UFC and it dropped his overall record with the company to 1-2.

It doesn’t look as though Gono will be out of work for long though. According to the latest print edition of The Wrestling Observer, Gono is currently in negotiations with the Japanese-based Sengoku promotion. If Gono does sign with Sengoku it would mark the first time since 2006 the Japanese MMA veteran has fought overseas.

Gono has fought all over Japan in his long illustrious career. Since his MMA debut in 1997 he has competed for the Shooto, Pancrase, and PRIDE promotions among many others. His signing with the UFC in 2007 was huge news for PRIDE fans as Gono became a fixture for the company following wins over Hector Lombard, Gegard Mousasi, and others.

If Gono signs with the promotion, he could be added to Sengoku 8 on May 22 at the National Yoyogi Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.

tough luck..kinda fed to the wolves at the end there....

[bbjd7]

Yea they kinda gave him no chance in his last fight but Gono did have two solid performances in his first two fights.

I don't really like this cut very much but the UFC is so loaded it's hard to complain too much.

[ToeZup]

Exactly bbjd.
Well, Sengoku would be a great place for him to go right now.
It's getting coverage, the fighters aren't starving and it's a great promotion in my opinion they put on a good show.

[bbjd7]

Yea I just wonder how long Sengoku won't be around.

They are doing small arenas and aren't getting good numbers.

[PunchDrunk]

This kinda sucks, but not really surprising to me. Hope he does well over there.

[JT42]

Even after his entrance before his Fitch fight?!?!?!?!

I think he will do well in Sengoku though and it will fit him better as I dont think he was quite at the level necessary to get ahead in the UFC

[Toxic]

Come on he may have lost his last fight but the entrance was epic and Dana him self even said in his video blog he loved Gono,

[Thaispider]

ahhh damn i will miss gono his entrances are awesome , hopefully Sengoku will put him to good use and juding by their recent matchmaking he will be.

[JT42]

ahhh damn i will miss gono his entrances are awesome

At least in Sengoku we might actually get to see his entrances unlike the UFC since he was relegated to the undercard

[Brad.Taschuk]

Another Japanese guy heading home after not really doing what he could have in the UFC. Sure, he didn't get a fair shake in his last fight, but he had opportunities.

Anyways, Gono will have so many more fun fights in Sengoku than he can have in the UFC.

[PirateNinja415]

i'm kind of sad to see him leave, kind of set up to loose against fitch. sengoku will take care of him well though, so i'm not too upset

[stitch1z]

I'm happy to see him leaving the UFC. American audiences don't really get his theatrics and the ring and rules in Japan will cater to his style more.

[MilesHackett]

I'm happy to see him leaving the UFC. American audiences don't really get his theatrics and the ring and rules in Japan will cater to his style more.

Which really doesn't make much sense to me, seeing as professional wrestling is still huge in North America lol.

[stitch1z]

Which really doesn't make much sense to me, seeing as professional wrestling is still huge in North America lol.

It's quite the conundrum. :D

[Shamrock-Ortiz]

Anyways, Gono will have so many more fun fights in Sengoku than he can have in the UFC.

Not sure about that. In what way?

I would loved to have seen this guy fight people like Lytle, Hazelett, Davis, Brown... Or guys like Kampmann and Condit, Karo..... I think the list of fun matches for him in the UFC are endless. Yoshida, Kim and Goulet even. They all sound like match-ups I'd love to see.

Who would he fight in Sengoku? They can bring in your Nick Thompson's and Mike Pyle's I suppose... It's fairly limited though as to what you can do with him.

All the best welterweights are in America... This shows when you look at the difference in quality between DREAM'S WW tourney and all it's others. They have to bump guys up in weight like Aoki.

I am not happy about this, but what can you do? :mad:

Definitely an undeserving cut.

[Brad.Taschuk]

Yeah, that was really a dumb call by me. There aren't many good WWs outside of the UFC at all and I know that. So he definitely doesn't have better fights, but I think he'll be more appreciated over in Japan.

I was looking for a way to spin what I said, like I just got the wording wrong, but no. It was just dumb.

[ThatGuyJae]

Too bad wish they would have given him one more fight, if he dropped 3 in a row then yea ok cut him. Putting him against Fitch wasn't a good measuring stick IMO.

[FunkYou]

early cut by the UFC but hardly a surprise. I really wish the UFC would give fighters like Gono more of a chance to build themselves.

[plazzman]

So he wins 1 in great fashion, has a fantastic fight the 2nd, loses his 3rd to a top 3 WW and he gets cut? Man, there's zero respect for the overseas fighters in the UFC.

[Wise]

So he wins 1 in great fashion, has a fantastic fight the 2nd, loses his 3rd to a top 3 WW and he gets cut? Man, there's zero respect for the overseas fighters in the UFC.

Yep. I dont even understand why they sign these guys in the first place. To put them on under cards then turn them away like this. Fitch is still the number 2 WW in the world IMO so its nothing to be ashamed of losing to him by decision.

Go back to Japan where people appreciate you Gono. Sengoku could really use you as a draw and I cant wait to see your sweet entrances shown in their entirety and glory.