Japan: The Land of Mismatches

News from across the Pacific is that World Victory Road has found an opponent for Kevin Randleman -- a natural Light Heavyweight who frequently fights at Heavyweight. And of course, its Middleweight Pancrase vet Ryo Kawamura. This shit just pisses me off. I realize that there is a limited pool of Japanese heavyweights, but must they throw guys like Kawamura under the bus? Not only is Ryo undersized to be taking on Randleman, but he's just moving up to the "major leagues" having fought all but a couple fights in Pancrase. Also, not that I think Kawamura will become an all-time great, but I'll never forgive PRIDE for destroying the greatest Japanese MMA fighter of all-time by pushing him into bouts with fighters one or two divisions larger than him (see pic). more...