PRIDE Final 8 Set

The final spot has been announced to round out the eight man Pride middleweight tournament that will take

place on August 10, 2003 from the Saitama Super Arena in Japan with the conclusion to take place on

November 9, 2003 from the Tokyo Dome. 

Kiyoshi Tamura, a RINGS specialist, will round out the field.

We were hoping that a Gracie would participate after the initial press conference where Renzo Gracie

stated that Pride couldn't hold a tournament without a Gracie but we guess things just didn't work out. 

Pride also announced that this will not be a bracket tournament which means that the fights will be scheduled ahead of time. 

Ready for the line-up:

Fight 1

Quinton Jackson vs. Ricardo Arona

Fight 2

Vanderlai Silva vs. Kazushi Sakuraba

Fight 3

Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Hidehiko Yoshida

Fight 4

Alistair Overeem vs. Chuck Liddell

Sakuraba has lost twice to Silva and lost his last bout. He's out for redemption and from all accounts, is

100% healthy. This could be the turning point in his career if he can recapture the form that made him

famous. Sakuraba is due for a huge win. Silva, no doubt, knows Sakuraba's game and is really wanting to

fight Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Is he looking past Saku towards Jackson? That would definitely be a

mistake. Saku in an upset. 

(7/8/03)