Fedor out of the Open Weight Grand Prix. Wanderlei Silva is IN!!

[USfighterFC]

http://completevaletudoaccess.blogspot.com

A confused PRIDE Openweight Grand Prix has gained some clarity.

PRIDE Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko has officially withdrawn from the PRIDE Openweight Grand Prix. Emelianenko, who underwent surgery on his right hand to repair a damaged thumb, will not be ready in time to compete on July 1st as was previously hoped. Dream Stage Entertainment slotted Emelianenko into the second round, giving him a bye through the first round on May 5th, hoping that he would be sufficiently healthy enough to fight. However, a Russian doctor informed DSE President Nobuyuki Sakakibara that the earliest that the metal plate in Fedor's hand could be removed is in June.

Emelianenko apologized to the Japanese fans for his lingering injury, and went on to state that he would like to fight any time in the late year, whether it be at the Openweight Grand Prix finale in September, at PRIDE's first American show in Las Vegas in October, or on New Years Eve at Otoko Matsuri.

In Emelianenko's place, will be PRIDE Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva. Silva, who was scheduled to be in the first round of the Grand Prix before contract disputes, is rumored to be taking on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

Also, Croatian superstar Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic's teammates from the Team Nokaut have confirmed that despite a deep bone bruise to his left ankle, Filipovic will indeed participate in the July 1st Openweight Grand Prix event at Saitama Super Arena.

[Hunter]

Thats really interesting maybe we will see a CroCop and Silva rematch

[USfighterFC]

I'm def not interested in that. I'm not interested in seeing any rematches. I'd only like to see new fights and props to Silva for coming into this like that. I really wanted to see Barnett versus Fedor.

[Hunter]

Barnett has a excellent chance at winning the tourny so maybe you will still get your wish of Barnett vs fedor

[kihop]

So is the winner of the final round going to fight Fedor?
How are they going to do this?

[USfighterFC]

So is the winner of the final round going to fight Fedor?
How are they going to do this?

I'm not even sure how they're gonna do this now. I know that if anything Fedor has to defend his title against the winner of the OWGP.

Actually MN fighter there is a rematch I'd like to see and its Cro-Cop Vs Nogueira.

[Icon]

http://completevaletudoaccess.blogspot.com

In Emelianenko's place, will be PRIDE Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva. Silva, who was scheduled to be in the first round of the Grand Prix before contract disputes, is rumored to be taking on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

That would be outstanding to see.

[Panzerfaust]

Wanderlei showing his balls of steel, just how in the hell people bash him is beyond me.

Every fighter that is left will be bigger than him although i believe he will try to come into the fight around 225lbs and he has until 7/1 to put it on in a good way, should'nt be to hard.

[BG]

Wanderlei showing his balls of steel, just how in the hell people bash him is beyond me.

Every fighter that is left will be bigger than him although i believe he will try to come into the fight around 225lbs and he has until 7/1 to put it on in a good way, should'nt be to hard.

No doubt, he bangs with everyone, one of my favs is when he fought Hunt, great fight.

[Ammar]

I love Wandy...I hope he suprises alot of people and moves deep. Wandy vs. Fujita would be sweet just to see how much Fujita can really take lol

But I am mad Fedor is not in it, Fedor vs. Wandy would be a dream match up. Even though I think Fedor would destroy him.

[J.S.N.]

i like this better. let fedor heal and see who's second best. i wouldn't mind seeing a crocop nog rematch though.

[simm]

i like this better. let fedor heal and see who's second best. i wouldn't mind seeing a crocop nog rematch though.

just wat i wanna see..i think this will happen or barnett and nog