Rubin Williams Makes MMA Debut at DREAM.11
by Chris Nelson on Oct 4, 2009 10:46 AM EDT
Email
Print
Cross-posted from BloodyElbow.com.
On the heels of Saturday's video announcement that Kazushi Sakuraba would participate in Tuesday's DREAM.11, event producer Keiichi Sasahara introduced Saku's short-order opponent to the press today in Yokohama. Making his MMA debut against the 13-year veteran will be pro boxer Rubin "Mr. Hollywood" Williams, who holds a 29-8-1 record in his sport. In 2005, he faced Jeff Lacy for the IBF Super Middleweight belt; but his record since 2007 is 0-6-1.
Speaking to reporters, Williams revealed that he's been training in MMA for approximately a year after boxing for his entire life. He received the offer from DREAM about a week ago, while in Germany helping IBF Middleweight Champ Arthur Abraham train for his upcoming bout with Jermain Taylor.
However, Williams admits he doesn't know much about the "IQ Wrestler:"
I don't have much information about [Sakuraba], I just hear he's a legend in the game here. He's a very good fighter, well-respected individual, well-loved in the game... I had a guy that was working with me on some MMA moves back in Detroit... As far as the ground game, I've been getting pretty good at it over the last year. So I'll display what I've learned in the fight Tuesday.
And hey, if this doesn't pan out, Williams has a boxing match lined up for November 13th.
[Note by Brickhaus: While he's not the boxer who will have cross-over success in MMA, this shouldn't be too big of a surprise, and I suspect this kind of thing will become more common in the future. Guys need to make money, and if you're going to be paid to be the opponent who is there to lose, then you might as well expand your potential sources of income. Boxing fans know that Rubin Williams is completely shot, but to many MMA fans who don't dig deeper, he's a former title challenger who was on The Contender. Considering the physical condition WIlliams is in at the moment, with compromised vision and slow reflexes, I'd actually rather see him be a no-hoper against a wrestler, as he is in this fight, than a no-hoper against a boxer. At the very least, he has less of a chance of getting seriously injured that way.]
FanPosts are user-created content written by community members of Bad Left Hook, and are generally not the work of our editors. Please do not source FanPosts as the work of Bad Left Hook.
12 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Why?
Training for a year and then fighting against a “legend” who is a wrestler. Not a good move or way to start an MMA career.
by SmittytheCutman on Oct 4, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions
To make money
Williams is completely shot, so I suppose it doesn’t matter too much what sport he gets beat up in.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
I thought he seemed a bit out of sorts in the press conference video DREAM posted.
I was wondering if he was just jet-lagged or maybe a bit punchy (for lack of a better term), but it sounds like the latter.
by Chris Nelson on Oct 4, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Sakuraba isn't exactly in his prime, Lost his last two fights to mediocre competition.
Officially now the head of the Lobstein bandwagon.
Saku is shot too
If you’ve seen Sakuraba’s condition and the vicious beatings he’s taken in his last two fights, the matchup between these two is really tragic. He’s far from the 2000 Pride GP condition when at his peak.
Saku hasn’t looked good for years and finds it hard to mount any kind of offence. Any more punishment taken by either fighter could result is something really bad.
This carnival show should be halted for the safety of both.
You mean a 40 year old former proffessional wrestler may have some health problems? :O
Officially now the head of the Lobstein bandwagon.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
