GunjinX....Ok here goes
Marcus, ATT & PrideFC had agreed to fight Mishima at 73 kg (160 lbs)..when it was all said and done.
When Marcus arrived in Japan.....his weight was fine...around 164 (3 days before the fight)
The people from Pride greeted Marcus & ATT warmly, and then when ATT brought Marcus to the weigh in 3 days later(before his meal)....Marcus weighed in normally at around 73 kg (almost under weight)....No problem right?....They leave to go and eat.
He and ATT proceed to go for their post weigh-in meal....and like normal Marcus' weight goes up to around 170...maybe a little more
Mishima weighed in much later after Marcus did and Mishima's weight was light. His camp finds out that Marcus weighed in at 160 like they agreed to, and began pulling the ole..."We never agreed to fight him at 160...We agreed to fight him at 155"...(untrue)
ATT would NEVER have even left to Japan if there was a contract problem of any kind.....right?
So now here we are....3 am the morning the day of the fight(fight is at 4:30)...and the people from Pride knock on Liborio's hotel room and tell him that Marcus either comes down in weight to make 155 within 3 hours or Marcus doesn't get to fight.
So ATT suggested to Marcus..."Dont do it....you'll have other opportunities here....You'll be exhausted"
After 30 minutes of discussion, Marcus said..."I dont care...I want to fight him at any weight he wants....I'll be ready in 3 hours"
So after 3 hrs of unsuccessful weight cutting to make 155....Pride (realizing their BS) gives Marcus 3 more hrs to weigh in at 155....
Finally at 9:30 am (the day of the fight) he makes weight at 155 and is visibly exhausted & dehydrated. He goes and eats & rests until they wake him to leave for Nagoya Hall to fight at 4:30 pm
Marcus puts on a super tough, gutsy, aggressive fight with endless submission attempts, and gets a (2 pt deduction) for a head butt. Then he proceeds to take big right hands from Mishima that almost closed his left eye and yet he keeps fighting like a PitBull. Marcus continues to put the heavy pressure on Mishima with right hands that sent Mishima reeling. Following the fight, Mishima was exhausted & Marcus was the fresher fighter.
Mishima ends up getting the split decision (both Jaanese judges had Mishima ahead by 1 point...American judge Matt Hume has Marcus winning a split decision)
This is one of many reasons why I sponsor and support Marcus Aurelio....I'm sure you guys can only imagine the political BS that he endured (with that BS smiling....We're so sorry...from Pride)& then put on a performance like he did...against one of the best lightweights in the world. You gotta love this kid.
SteinerWear will continue to support Marcus and all Team SteinerWear fighters regardess of win,loss or draw.
If doubting this....Ask anyone at ATT to attest to this story
Ron