Looks like one of the latest fighters to hit the UFC chopping block may have found a home. Former Pride standout, Remeau Thierry Sokoudjou may soon be fighting for DREAM.
According to Franklin McNeil of ESPN’s MMA Live, the Japanese promotion DREAM is the frontrunner for the Team Quest trained “African Assassin”.
Sokoudjou was cut after dropping 2 of 3 fights in The Octagon, the latest at UFC 89 to Luis Cane. He was brought into the UFC with great anticipation after beating top 10 Light Heavyweight fighters, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ricardo Arona by KO in back to back fights.
But, with only 5 fights under his belt coming into the premier MMA organization, he obviously lacked experience, and his conditioning seemed to be a major factor. His less than impressive performance in his two losses was an obvious testament to that.
After starting strong against Lyoto Machida he seemed to fade and lost by submission. He took a long layoff and bounced back with a TKO win due to injury over former Pride alumn, Kazuhiro Nakamura, at UFC 84.
But, it seemed like the same story again when he fought Cane; strong start in the first, fading and getting TKO’d in the second.
A UFC return for Sokoudjou should not totally be ruled out. If the African Assasin can pull of a couple of impressive and much needed confidence building wins in Japan, he may be ready to return to the Octagon.
Team Quest fighters are usually known for their great cardio and conditioning, so look for Sokoudjou to improve greatly in those areas.
-Jeff Howard