Twenty-five year-old Japanese MMA star Takeya Mizugaki (11-2-2) is coming to America to face Miguel Angel Torres (35-1) for the WEC Bantamweight Title on April 5. Mizugaki is expecting a rude welcome as he steps inside the cage in Torres’ hometown of Chicago.
PRO MMA (promma.info) received a statement today in which Mizugaki stated through his manager/translator Shur Hirata, “Fighting in the WEC, fighting in the states, challenging the champion at his hometown, it’s an ultimate ‘away’ fight. I am expecting huge booing from the fans, and on top of that, it’s going to be a five-rounder. Everything about this fight is ‘first time’ for me so I am really looking forward to it.”
“I am just going to look for a knockout just like I did in all my past fights. I want to strike.”
Mizugaki would like to stand and trade with Torres; something Torres will surely oblige him on. Mizugaki is confident in his striking, having knocked out two of his last three opponents.
“I saw all of his WEC fights and I don’t see too many holes in his game,” Mizugaki, who has not lost a fight since February 2007, said. “Maybe I am feeling that way because I have never seen him actually losing in the fight. I have to stick with what I do best which is the striking game.”
In the co-main event, Jeff Curran (31-10-1) has dropped down to the Bantamweight division in hopes of getting a shot Miguel Torres’ Bantamweight Title. First though, he must deal with the undefeated Team Alpha Male workhorse and training partner of Urijah Faber, Joseph Benavidez ( 9-0).
WEC 40 will be televised live nationally April 5 on VERSUS beginning at 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT. For more information about current WEC fight news, visit wec.tv.
By: Jack Bratcher
props Jack for the info on an exciting Japanese import