HERO's looking to add 143 lbs weight-class in 2008

In the wake of the HERO's 154 lbs tournaments first round, FEG is examining the possibility to add a 143 lbs (65 kg) weight-class next year. This comes after both Hideo Tokoro and Kazuyuki Miyata where eliminated in tournaments first round, both smaller fighters who would fit better in the 143 lbs weight-class. This would of course also cater better to the organizations big star Norifumi "KID" Yamamoto, a natural 143 pounder.

Also noteworthy is their plan to raise the weight limit for the 154 lbs (70 kg) division to a more PRIDE styled limit of 160 lbs (73 kg), again leaving questions if Gomi is going to fight for HERO's in the future.

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New Takanori Gomi to HERO's talk

You might remember the rumors about PRIDE lightweight champion Takanori Gomi signing with HERO's that floated around some weeks ago.

Now the rumor is back, and with a little more information to back it up. In an interview for the upcoming beach wrestling event on the 29th. Gomi spoke about his desire to fight for HERO's within the year, he confirmed that there is an offer from FEG, and if he was satisfied with it then he wants to fight for them.

I say good for him, UFC is most likely a dead end for most of the Japanese fighters anyway. Now lets hope others will follow him instead of just sitting idle and waiting.

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Takanori Gomi vs KID Yamamoto ...in beach wrestling?

Sportsnavi is reporting that Takanori Gomi and Norifumi "KID" Yamamoto are both being supervisors in the annual beach wrestling event on July 29th in Odaiba, a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay.

Wikipedia describes beach wrestling this way:

Beach wrestling is standing wrestling done by wrestlers, male or female, inside a sand-filled circle measuring 6 meters in diameter. There are only two weight categories, heavy and light. The objective is to throw your opponent or take your opponent to his or her back. The wrestlers wear swimsuits rather than special wrestling uniforms. Wrestlers may also wear spandex or athletic shorts.

And if you want to organize a beach wrestling event of your own, eHow has you covered.

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Is Gomi to HERO's Tanigawa's big surprise?

Sherdog reported yesterday about Tanigawa hoping to reveal a big surprise this Monday on their HERO's card. The rumors flying around is that the surprise is PRIDE lightweight champion Takanori Gomi signing with the promotion. This rumor is coming only a day after Tamura signed with HERO's, and leaves one questioning if the PRIDE fighters now finally are up for grabs by anyone, and not Zuffa exclusives. Another consequence from this is that any belt unification Zuffa is trying to accomplish becomes meaningless when you don't have all the title holders under contract.

With Gomi possibly taking the step to HERO's this also opens up the question if other PRIDE fighters will do the same. Hayato "Mach" Sakurai and Marcus Aurelio is destined for the UFC, but there are a ton of high caliber light weights that are ronins at this point, Joachim Hansen, Gilbert Melendez, Mitsuhiro Ishida, Shinya Aoki and Tatsuya Kawajiri, just to name a few.

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