In advance of a planned Asian expansion, the UFC continues to add talent from that region, asKatsunori Kikuno (21-5-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has joined the world's largest MMA promotion.
MMAjunkie.com today confirmed with sources close to Kikuno that the former DEEP lightweight champion has signed a multi-fight deal with the promotion.
UFC officials have yet to announce the signing, and an octagon debut date for the fighter was not immediately clear.
I like the Kawajiri signing, but I don't get the point of this one. Kikuno is past his prime and was never anything particularly special to begin with. If they wanted a Japanese LW I'd have preferred Kitaoka or Koji Ando who seems like a decent prospect.
Tomato Can - I like the Kawajiri signing, but I don't get the point of this one. Kikuno is past his prime and was never anything particularly special to begin with. If they wanted a Japanese LW I'd have preferred Kitaoka or Koji Ando who seems like a decent prospect.
Ando would be good but perhaps he's not a free agent since he's with Legends. And I would say Kitaoka is in a similar spot in his career at Kikuno. Although, Kitaoka beat him recently, Kikuno is on a better run currently. But frankly I would like to see both in the UFC.
Tomato Can - I like the Kawajiri signing, but I don't get the point of this one. Kikuno is past his prime and was never anything particularly special to begin with. If they wanted a Japanese LW I'd have preferred Kitaoka or Koji Ando who seems like a decent prospect.
Kikuno is 31, Crusher is 34 or 35. Kikuno's been kicking ass lately too, and the UFC needs more Asian flavor if they're dead set on setting up shop over in the pacfic.
Tomato Can - I like the Kawajiri signing, but I don't get the point of this one. Kikuno is past his prime and was never anything particularly special to begin with. If they wanted a Japanese LW I'd have preferred Kitaoka or Koji Ando who seems like a decent prospect.
Kikuno is 31, Crusher is 34 or 35. Kikuno's been kicking ass lately too, and the UFC needs more Asian flavor if they're dead set on setting up shop over in the pacfic.
Makes total sense Tomato Can.
I just don't see him having an impact. Yea he's got 5 straight wins but those are against very low-level competition. The last 2 good fighters he faced (Kitaoka and Hirota) he lost to. He's not a good enough grappler to compete in the UFC, I doubt he'll win a single fight unless they give him very favorable matchups.
I agree I am all for more Asian talent but I see this one as relatively pointless since he'll probably be released after 1 or 2 fights.
Tomato Can - I like the Kawajiri signing, but I don't get the point of this one. Kikuno is past his prime and was never anything particularly special to begin with. If they wanted a Japanese LW I'd have preferred Kitaoka or Koji Ando who seems like a decent prospect.
Kikuno is 31, Crusher is 34 or 35. Kikuno's been kicking ass lately too, and the UFC needs more Asian flavor if they're dead set on setting up shop over in the pacfic.
Makes total sense Tomato Can.
I just don't see him having an impact. Yea he's got 5 straight wins but those are against very low-level competition. The last 2 good fighters he faced (Kitaoka and Hirota) he lost to. He's not a good enough grappler to compete in the UFC, I doubt he'll win a single fight unless they give him very favorable matchups.
I agree I am all for more Asian talent but I see this one as relatively pointless since he'll probably be released after 1 or 2 fights.
He's pretty surgical with those fucking kicks though. A well placed shot to someone's midsection, no matter who it is, could shut them down. He'll put asses in seats too, he's popular over there, and I can't remember seeing him in a dull fight. I like the signing, I think it'll do the UFC good by bringing him on, more so in the Asian markets.
Shinsplint - Cuts fighters. "We have too many fighters" "guys need more fights to pay the bills." DFW Four days later Signs more fighters.
Am excited to see these guys in the octagon however.
Well, 166 just happened, 13 fighters lost, some of which will get cut.
Yeah I expect Larsen/Rio/Sotiropolous to be cut. Possibly even Marquardt since he makes about the same amount as Okami did and is on a three fight losing streak, with two first round KO losses. I would like to see Marquardt stick around though.
