Dream Stage Entertainment, promoter of the PRIDE Fighting Championships, this evening held a press conference at the FOX Sports Grill in Irvine, Calif., officially announcing two bouts for its October 21 “Real Deal” event at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In a rematch from 2004, heavyweight ace Fedor Emelianenko faces UFC and PRIDE tournament champion Mark Coleman on the bill’s main event.
Coleman heads into October’s showdown looking to build on a two-fight win streak, including a shocking TKO victory over “Shogun” Mauricio Rua last February.
Emelianenko, widely considered the most dominant athlete in the sport, will compete on U.S. soil for the first time in his illustrious 24-fight career.
Also announced on the card, the aforementioned “Shogun” returns to action for the first time since suffering a devastating elbow injury at the hands of the 41-year-old Coleman at PRIDE 31 “Dreamers,” to face popular Hammer House fighter Kevin Randleman.
The bout also marks a return to action for the Columbus, Ohio native, who was forced off Strikeforce’s June bill due to post-surgical complications following a shoulder injury.
Another interesting note from the press conference was the presence of former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, whom DSE offered no comment when asked if he will fight for the promotion.
PRIDE “Real Deal”
October 21, 2006
Thomas & Mack Center,
Las Vegas, Nevada
Fight Card:
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Mark Coleman
Mauricio Rua vs. Kevin Randleman
In a rematch from 2004, heavyweight ace Fedor Emelianenko faces UFC and PRIDE tournament champion Mark Coleman on the bill’s main event.
Coleman heads into October’s showdown looking to build on a two-fight win streak, including a shocking TKO victory over “Shogun” Mauricio Rua last February.
Emelianenko, widely considered the most dominant athlete in the sport, will compete on U.S. soil for the first time in his illustrious 24-fight career.
Also announced on the card, the aforementioned “Shogun” returns to action for the first time since suffering a devastating elbow injury at the hands of the 41-year-old Coleman at PRIDE 31 “Dreamers,” to face popular Hammer House fighter Kevin Randleman.
The bout also marks a return to action for the Columbus, Ohio native, who was forced off Strikeforce’s June bill due to post-surgical complications following a shoulder injury.
Another interesting note from the press conference was the presence of former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, whom DSE offered no comment when asked if he will fight for the promotion.
PRIDE “Real Deal”
October 21, 2006
Thomas & Mack Center,
Las Vegas, Nevada
Fight Card:
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Mark Coleman
Mauricio Rua vs. Kevin Randleman
