Rulon Gardner To Fight At PRIDE 32?, Major Card Update

Matt Boone · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 08:50 PM

From: http://www.mmanews.com/pride/Rulon-G...rd-Update.html

Rulon Gardner To Fight At PRIDE 32?, Major Card Update

Dave Meltzer of WrestlingObserver.com is reporting the following:

"As of this moment:

If Barnett doesn't get cleared, Nastula would face O'Haire.

If Hunt's visa issues aren't cleared up, Butterbean now would most likely face Gardner in an MMA match, but that isn't definite as Pride hasn't made the final call. Gardner is obviously a far greater expense as a sub, and with no publicity, you are deriving no benefit financially from what would have to be well into six figures for a sub.

If both Barnett and Hunt can't fight, then Nastula vs. O'Haire and Buttebean vs. Gardner, both under MMA rules, is what will happen."

BigBanda · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 08:59 PM

I havent followed Gardner extensively but I know his wrestling background and know of his accomplishments like winning the Olympics in Greco Roman back in 2000(which was bad ass by the way). But what chance does he even have against a boxer or MMA fighter??

ChrisBary · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 09:12 PM

there is huge difference when he's fighting butterbutt. i mean, if he was fighting a martial artist like liddell, then i could see him having some trouble. but not butterhole.

Cromm · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 09:56 PM

I watched his fight v. Yoshida in Pride, great wrestling nothing else. If this was to happen I would see a decision victory for Rulon easily. The last I heard of Rulon was he was involved w/ Real Pro Wrestling(as an anouncer). Originaly it was rumored that Rulon may have been one of the possible opponents for Fedor at this show.

YukonJordan · #5 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 10:29 PM

The most impressive thing about Rulon is that he competes without a big toe which he lost to frostbite if I recall correctly. If he can compete a high level in MMA he deserves alot of respect.

gracie jui-jitsu guy · #6 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 11:42 PM

Rulon is the one wrestler competing in mma that I have no doubt can take down Chuck Lidell and keep him grounded. Not only is he an olympic gold medalist, but he weights about 290, and with suprisingly good cardio (as can be seen in his match with Yoshida). The question would be: What would he do with Chuck once he has him down? The answer: He'd probably just throw small ineffective shots at the iceman from ice's guard and drag out a decision victory. He would need to pass the guard in order to finish Lidell with some serious GnP but, like alot of wrestlers in mma, would probably be content to just stay in Chuck's guard and land whatever he could from there.

Matt Boone · #7 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 12:37 AM

The better question is how would he ever fight Chuck if he weighs 290? He couldn't even fight in the UFC at that weight, got to be 265 lbs. or under unless they start a super heavyweight division.

Luis Cruz · #8 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 12:48 AM

Barnett better get cleared! I don't want to see the alternate fight. And Gardner would toss Butterbean around for 3 rounds and beat him with ease.

Donny77 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 12:55 AM

I really really dont wanna see Rulon fight Butterbean. Rulon is an olympic gold medalist that'll easily take Butterbean down. The Hunt vs Butterbean fight would have been fun to watch!

Afro · #10 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisBary

there is huge difference when he's fighting butterbutt. i mean, if he was fighting a martial artist like liddell, then i could see him having some trouble. but not butterhole.

in terms of what????