Top-ranked Japanese featherweight Hatsu Hioki signs UFC deal

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • CrimsonGhost56
    True Blue
    • Feb 2009
    • 5981

    Top-ranked Japanese featherweight Hatsu Hioki signs UFC deal



    Former World Victory Road/Sengoku featherweight champion Hatsu Hioki (24-4-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) officially is octagon-bound.

    UFC officials today announced the top-ranked Japanese star is the newest addition to the roster of the world's biggest MMA promotion.

    Officials did not reveal Hioki's debut appearance and first opponent.

    "FYI – guard-smashing savant Hatsu Hioki, a top-ranked featherweight, has been signed to the UFC roster," UFC officials stated on the promotion's official Twitter account. "Welcome!"

    The 27-year-old holds an incredible 12-1-1 record in his past 14 outings, with the lone loss coming in controversial split-decision fashion to current UFC fighter Michihiro Omigawa in a Novemebr 2009 Sengoku bout.

    Fighting almost exclusively in Japan during his near-nine-year career, Hioki has earned 16 of his 24 career wins via stoppage, including 12 via submission. Hioki has fought three times in Canada, a run that includes a pair of victories over recent UFC 145-pound title-challenger Mark Hominick.

    Hioki also owns career victories over notables Jeff Curran, Ronnie Mann, Marlon Sandro and Rumina Sato, among others.

    Hioki, who was the reigning Sengoku champion, follows the path of Brazilian middleweight Jorge Santiago, who also recently vacated his title in Japan in favor of fighting for the UFC.
  • EmpireWF
    Giants in the Super Bowl
    • Mar 2009
    • 24082

    #2
    Assuming they don't go straight to Aldo/Hioki because they have their sights set on Aldo/Florian...who would you match him up with first?

    Mendes/Yahya winner?

    Some lesser level guy so he can be put on display?


    Comment

    • SHOGUN
      4 WR 1 RB 0 TE. 24/7/365.
      • Jul 2009
      • 11416

      #3
      I'd say give him Florian. Dana has reneged on title shot promises before, what's wrong with one more.

       
      "Sometimes I just want to be with my family and watch movie and eat some popcorn. But when I step on the mat I know there is no other place I'd rather be." - Marcelo Garcia

      Comment

      • EmpireWF
        Giants in the Super Bowl
        • Mar 2009
        • 24082

        #4
        Originally posted by SHOGUN
        I'd say give him Florian. Dana has reneged on title shot promises before, what's wrong with one more.
        Florian doesn't have a promised shot, everyone just assumes they're going that route since Mendes is fighting in August.


        Comment

        • SHOGUN
          4 WR 1 RB 0 TE. 24/7/365.
          • Jul 2009
          • 11416

          #5
          Hioki is going to be fighting George Roop at UFC 137. A bit tough matchup because of Roop's reach, but a very winnable fight. I'm kinda shocked they didn't completely toss him to the wolves in their debut like they do the other imports.

           
          "Sometimes I just want to be with my family and watch movie and eat some popcorn. But when I step on the mat I know there is no other place I'd rather be." - Marcelo Garcia

          Comment

          • Liquidrob
            Izzy is a bum
            • Feb 2009
            • 11785

            #6
            Glad they didn't give him a grind out the clock wrestler, aldo needs someone to fight
            Liquidrob's Top 10 Fighters Rankings


            The 10 Fighters Who Changed The Game

            Comment

            Working...