Pride Bushido 4 took place on July 19th, 2004 at the Nagoya Rainbow Hall in Nagoya, Japan. Featuring a 3 fight series between Brazilian Top Team and Team Japan BTT won 2 fights to 1 with Rogerio Nogueira defeated Kazuhiro Nakamura by split decision. Paulo Filho defeated Shoji also by split decision while Takanori Gomi got the lone win for Team Japan. Wins by Mirko Cro Cop, Ikuhisa Minowa and Hayato Sakurai highlighted the rest of the event.
Affliction: Banned took place on July 19th, 2008 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Banned was the first MMA event promoted by clothing company Affliction. The event featured some of the biggest talent outside of the UFC with 6 former UFC champions competing but by doing so created alot of tension between the 2 companies. As well as the previously mentioned Silva vs Irvin event airing the same night as Banned the UFC also banned any fighter from getting sponsorship from Affliction hence the name of their event. The 2 companies eventually came to an agreement with Affliction stopped promoting MMA events while the UFC allowed Affliction clothing to be worn by their fighters. As for the actual event it was headlined by Fedor Emelianenko taking on Tim Sylvia, Fedor made quick work of the former UFC champion submitting him by rear naked choke just 36 seconds into the first round. In the co-main event Andrei Arlovski defeated Ben Rothwell by TKO 1:13 into the 3rd round. Josh Barnett, Babalu Sobral, Matt Lindland, Mark Hominick, Rogerio Nogueira, and Vitor Belfort also came up winners on the star studded event.
Birthdays
Ricardo Arona born on July 17th, 1978 in Niteroi, Brazil
"The Brazilian Tiger" is a highly decorated BJJ black belt and is a member of the Brazilian Top Team. Arona's grappling credentials include being the only competitor in ADCC history to have won a championship and to be undefeated. Even with his outstanding grappling Arona's possibly is most known for 2 losses on his record one was against Rampage Jackson where he was knocked out by a slam after attempting a triangle submission on Jackson. The other was a bout against Fedor Emelianenko in the Rings promotion in 2000 before either had fought in Pride, there are many in the MMA world that feel Arona won the bout against the future Pride champion. Arona has pretty much gone MIA since Pride was sold to Zuffa having only fought once since then but notable wins include Alistair Overeem, Wanderlei Silva, Kazushi Sakuraba, and Dan Henderson.
Jon Jones born on July 19th, 1987 in Rochester, New York.
The current UFC Light Heavyweight champion is the youngest UFC champion ever as he was 23 years and 242 days the day he won the title. Perhaps what is even more impressive than Jones's success at a young age is how relatively knew he is to the sport of MMA having only been training since 2008. With a UFC record reach of 84.5 inches, armed with an unorthodox striking style, an ever improving submission game and a solid wrestling base the sky is definitely the limit for "Bones" to where he will end up among the MMA greats when his career is all said and done. Notable wins for Jones already include Mauricio Rua, Ryan Bader, Brandon Vera and Stephan Bonnar.
Chris Leben born on July 21st, 1980 in Portland, Oregon.
"The Crippler" is one of the biggest fan favorites in the UFC today as he is known for his brawling style that usually ends up in a KO. The one time WEC Middleweight champion who has 14 career KO victories to his credit first gained in popularity while being a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter season 1. The biggest highlight of many in Leben's career has to been when he defeated Aaron Simpson by decision June 19th, 2010 and just 4 days later accepted a fight against Yoshihiro Akiyama on July 3rd, 2010 and defeated him by submission in the 3rd round in a bout that many call the best comeback fight of that year. Other notable wins for Leben include Wanderlei Silva, Alessio Sakara, Jorge Santiago and Patrick Cote.
Yushin Okami born on July 21st. 1981 in Kanagawa, Japan.
"Thunder" is a consistent threat to the UFC Middleweight title and holds an impressive 26-5 career record. Known for his grueling wrestling and top game to grind out decisions, Okami has shown on occasion his willingness to stand and trade strikes as well. Okami is the last man to have defeated UFC Middleweight champion albeit it was because of an illegal kick by Silva to a down Okami. Yushin however will be able to prove he infact can defeat Silva as he will get his first title shot at UFC 134. Other notable wins for Okami include Nate Marquardt, Mark Munoz, and Evan Tanner.
Also celebrating birthdays this week:
Hatsu Hioki born on July 18th, 1983 Nagoya, Japan
Ben Askren born on July 18th, 1984 in Scottsdale, Arizona
Aaron Simpson born on July 20th, 1974 in Phoenix, Arizona
Rory MacDonald born on July 22nd in Quesnel, British Columbia
Mark Hominick born on July 22nd, 1982 in Thamesford, Ontario
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