From PRIDE Critical Countdown 2005 (6/26/2005). Because not much is going on this morning and I’ve been wanting to run the fight that produced this:
From Sakuraba’s divebomb attacks in the first round, to Arona’s relentless knees, to the “holy shit” moment when the second frame is over and Saku’s roadkill-face emerges, it’s a minor classic. Enjoy.
First, the Arona/Rampage Jackson fight from 2004, which went down at PRIDE - Critical Countdown and was cloaked in controversy. At the 1:10 mark, Arona lands a kick and several shots to Rampage’s melon that seems to temporarily KO Jackson. After pleading with the ref to stop the fight before Rampage pulled it together, Arona found himself again on the bottom-side of the grappling match. Exactly a minute later, Rampage power-slams Arona — which included an accidental, yet illegal head-butt — to end the fight.
And here’s Arona’s last fight, which happened at PRIDE 34 around a year ago. In case your memory is as shitty as mine, the handy internet tells us that Arona got KTFO by Sokoudjou at 1:59 of the first round.
Here’s hoping when Arona comes back he retains the form he showed against guys like Kazushi Sakuraba, Dean Lister, Dan Henderson, Murilo Rua, Guy Mezger, and Jeremy Horn (twice). Only time will tell…
“I have some options to fight, but this time away was very important to me, getting some things right on my life too, but the important is that I really wanna fight and come back ready to the ring…. I was invited from events of both countries [Japan and the United States], but I’ll fight where comes the better proposal. I’ll think what’s the best to me. Actually, I don’t have anything in mind for now, some Japanese come, but there’s nothing right yet.”
– Ricardo Arona talks to Tatame.com about the reasons behind his recent inactivity, which included “getting some things right” on his life, as well as his plans for the future and more. Nothing is certain at this point, but the Brazilian sounds as if he’s ready to get back to competition some time soon in 2008. He has not seen action since a knockout loss to Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at Pride 34: “Kamikaza” in April 2007. It was his third loss in four fights — a tough stretch for a very talented fighter.
PRIDE vet Ricardo Arona has stated he’ll be back at it very soon. It’s been exactly a year and a day since Sokoudjou KO’d him in the first round at PRIDE 34 and Arona says he spent the time off training and getting his shit together — my words, not his. He has been working on his physical training as well as becoming a better student of the game, and now both US and Japanese organizations are courting him to fight. So he’s weighing his options. While no specific date was revealed or a possible opponent named, a fight for the native of Brazil appears on the horizon.
Any fighter who is outta’ there for more than a year is prone to collecting a little rust, but Arona, who is 13-5 overall, isn’t worried about losing his timing:
Undoubtedly, if you compete all the time you’ll get always better at the ring, but I’m not worried with this kind of challenge. Although I don’t get into the rings, I’ve faced challenges all day in my life, in everything I do. Being well prepared, the mind will be ready too and I’m not worried about that, I’m worried of being 100%.
Good theory, but the challenges I face in everyday life — like pretending I’m not looking at the cashier’s boobs while she rings up my case of beer and pound of jerky — doesn’t really prepare me for anything other than avoiding being creepy while in public. Maybe Arona will have a different experience.
Since the downfall of PRIDE, Arona has been linked to the UFC, Yarennoka!, and HCF events, but none of those panned out. A bout of Dengue Fever further kept Arona out of action. If you don’t know anything about Dengue Fever, it’s not the start of a good week — unless you enjoy a good rash.
Moving on…“Shaolin” Ribeiro is also ready for action again and says he is recouped from his eye injury. He is slated to fight on a DREAM card in the near future, but it’s not clear who he will fight or which event it will be. “Shaolin” had this to say:
“I’m training full-contact fighting as usual and can do everything. My eye’s 100% and this was just another injury like any other. I should fight in April or May, I’m ready for them to call me, whether its a normal match, part of the GP or a reserve fight, I have a contract with K-1 and I’m ready. On the winners of the first phase of the GP, I wasn’t suprised by anything, all the ones to win were really tough, including Eddie Alvarez who beat Andre Dida. I already knew of him from Bodog. He’s really tough and I knew that if he wasn’t doing well standing, he’d take him down.”
The Brazilian lightweight is 19-2 overall and is a veteran of Shooto, Cage Rage, and K-1 Heroes.
MMANews.com has posted a translated excerpt of an interview that Ricardo Arona conducted with Brazilian MMA website and magazine, Tatame.
During the interview, Arona denies reports that he’s signed with M-1 for a potential fight with Fedor Emelianenko in December:
“I have not signed anything with M-1. I’ve heard rumors about it but no offer to fight against Fedor. To be honest I never heard of this event. I’ve gotten a few offers from the U.S., Canada and Japan, but I’m still weighing in my options before I sign. I’ll probably have a contract to fight in December.”
“Expecting to settle a deal with UFC, the BTT black Belt Ricardo Arona, that don’t fight since April 8, when he was defeated by the Camaroonean Thierry Romeau Sokoudjou at Pride 34, will teach in a seminary for the Rafael Haubert pupils at the Brazilian Top Team filial at Barcelona, Spain. BJJ Mundial champion and ADCC champion, Arona will pass his knowledge at next October 6.”
– PRIDE FC 205-pound standout, Ricardo Arona, is apparently in contract talks with the UFC. The Brazilian would be a fantastic addition to the light heavyweight division — Arona has competed against and defeated some of the most talented fighters in the sport.
“I have some options to fight, but this time away was very important to me, getting some things right on my life too, but the important is that I really wanna fight and come back ready to the ring…. I was invited from events of both countries [Japan and the United States], but I’ll fight where comes the better proposal. I’ll think what’s the best to me. Actually, I don’t have anything in mind for now, some Japanese come, but there’s nothing right yet.”
