Zuffa signs Shooto ace Hiroyuki Takaya to compete in WEC

[smoogy]

December 7, 2007
by Jordan Breen (jbreen@sherdog.com)

The "Streetfight Bancho" is set for stateside action.

A source has confirmed to Sherdog.com that standout 145-pounder Hiroyuki Takaya has signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa-owned World Extreme Cagefighting. The 30-year-old Japanese fighter is expected to debut on the February WEC card, which is tentatively scheduled to feature a lightweight title clash between "Razor" Rob McCullough and Jamie Varner, as well as a welterweight title defense by reigning champion Carlos Condit.

Takaya last saw action in November, when he stopped Antonio Carvalho (Pictures) in the third round of a sensational striking clash. The bout came on the heels of Takaya's return to the featherweight division in September, which brought a knockout win over American Jarrod Card in Cage Force. Following the victory over Card, Takaya revealed that he wanted to move stateside and was especially interested in fighting WEC 145-pound kingpin Urijah Faber.

Takaya began his career in pro Shooto at 143 pounds. He was quickly targeted as a future contender for then-champion Alexandre Franca Nogueira. However, following a December 2004 loss to Gilbert Melendez, Takaya opted to move to 154 pounds for the opportunity of more lucrative paydays in K-1 HERO'S.

http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=10267


When I initially saw this rumour it indicated that he would be loaned to Zuffa, but apparently this is an outright signing. Its a great move because with Curran and Faber fighting for the belt, you need to groom the next contender soon, and frankly theres not much reason to believe Jens Pulver or Cub Swanson or anyone else they already have is going to be ready.

Takaya, on the other hand, is a contract killer who has fought above his natural weight for much of his career. After losing to Gil Milendez in Shooto he had a rocky stretch in HERO's at 154lbs, going 3-3 against some rough competition. Since leaving K-1 he is 2-0 with a KO win in Cage Force followed by an impressive TKO stoppage of top Shooto contender Antonio Carvalho to solidify himself as one of the top 10 featherweight fighters in the world.

The fact that Zuffa has finally brought in a top Japanese contender at a lighter weight is a great sign and I'm pumped they brought over Takaya in particular, he is probably the best-equipped guy from Shooto to lay a whoopin on Faber if given the opportunity.


Here is some Takaya footage for the unitiated:



His Cage Force KO win vs. Jarrod Card:



The end of the Shooto fight with Carvalho:

[Bullock]

Good signing.

[valheruking]

Yeah, great news, some diversity in the division for sure, i expected Carvalho to win their fight, so i was impressed, he has heavy hands.

[LethalStriker]

Now the WEC needs to sign Takeshi "Lion" Inoue and Alexandre Franca "Pequeno" Nogueira.

[smoogy]

Originally Posted by LethalStriker

Now the WEC needs to sign Takeshi "Lion" Inoue and Alexandre Franca "Pequeno" Nogueira.

I'd like to see Lion Takeshi but he is one of Shooto's top guys and will probably stay there. Franca on the other hand is a pussy who refused to defend the title when he had it.

My wishlist for FW fighters in the WEC could be:

-Antonio Carvalho
-Bibiano Fernandez
-Rumina Sato

[NinjaShogunRua]

Sato isn't what he once was. I don't think he'd make much of an impact in the WEC. He'll most likely stay in Shooto.

I agree about Pequeno though, he doesn't ever want to fight top competition. He's sort of the FW version of David Terrell.

Carvalho would be a great addition. I think Hioki would too, even though he hasn't been as good of late.

I'd really like to see Fernandes get rematch with Faber. He really impressed me in his last fight against Kid Yamamoto.

[lovebuzzkurt]

Damn thanks for posting those vids that Antonio Carvalho vs Hiroyuki Takaya fight was a war. Man good addition i guess to a org ive never seen (no cable )

[AJL416AZ]

from what ive heard, Shooto pretty much sent Takaya as a rep of sorts to take out Faber.

[smoogy]

Originally Posted by AJL416AZ

from what ive heard, Shooto pretty much sent Takaya as a rep of sorts to take out Faber.

Thats what I heard initially too, but if Breen says Takaya SIGNED with Zuffa thats probably what happened.

[neonatural45]

Originally Posted by AJL416AZ

from what ive heard, Shooto pretty much sent Takaya as a rep of sorts to take out Faber.

and that he will do

and I agree with smoogy, Zuffa needs to try and get Lion Takeshi and Carvalho, both are great fighters and IMO way better then Faber


they should also sign the winners of the Cage Force tournament like initially planned, I was looking forward to that