The year 2006 was the 10th year in the history of the Pride Fighting Championships, a mixed martial arts promotion based in Japan. 2006 had 10 events beginning with, Pride 31 - Unbreakable.
Pride FC: Total Elimination Absolute[3] was an event held on May 5, 2006 at Osaka Dome in Osaka, Japan.
This event featured the first round of Pride's 2006 Open-Weight tournament. Seven tournament matches were held along with one alternate match. The seven winning participants advanced to the second round, Pride Critical Countdown Absolute. The winner of the alternate bout will take the place of any fighter who is unable to participate in subsequent matches.
Pride Heavyweight Champion and 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix winner Fedor Emelianenko was originally set to enter the tournament with a first round bye, but a hand injury prevented him from participating. Wanderlei Silva, then current Pride middleweight champion, received his bye into the second round.
Pride FC: Final Conflict Absolute[7] was an event held on September 10, 2006 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
This event comprised the semifinal and final rounds of the Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix tournament. The tournament began on May 5, 2006 at the Total Elimination Absolute event and then continued on July 1, 2006 at Critical Countdown Absolute.
On August 5, 2006, Mirko Cro Cop announced his withdrawal from the tournament following a dispute over pay with Pride.[8] On August 7, 2006 it was reported that the matter had been resolved and Cro Cop would once again take his place in the finals. [9]
This event consisted of the semifinal and final rounds of the Bushido Welterweight Grand Prix.
In a lightweight championship bout, Takanori Gomi faced Marcus Aurélio, who had defeated Gomi in a non-title fight at Pride Bushido 10.
Originally Gilbert Melendez was set to face Shinya Aoki but an injury during training forced Melendez to withdraw from the fight. Clay French replaced Melendez in the fight.[11]
^ Paulo Filho dropped from the Grand Prix due to injuries sustained during his bout with Kazuo Misaki, who replaced him in the final round against Denis Kang.
^ For the Pride Fighting Championship World Lightweight Championship.
2006 Welterweight Grand Prix bracket[]
Pride: Bushido 11
Pride: Bushido 12
Pride: Bushido 13
Pride: Bushido 13
Kazuo Misaki
UD
Phil Baroni
15:00
Kazuo Misaki
UD
Dan Henderson
15:00
Dan Henderson
BYE
Kazuo Misaki
9:43
Paulo Filho
SUB
Ryo Chonan
DD
Joey Villasenor
15:00
Ryo Chonan
2:30
Paulo Filho
SUB
Paulo Filho
UD
Gregory Bouchelaghem
15:00
Kazuo Misaki1
DD
Denis Kang
15:00
Akihiro Gono
UD
Hector Lombard
15:00
Akihiro Gono
SUB
Gegard Mousasi
4:24
Gegard Mousasi
TKO
Makoto Takimoto
5:34
Akihiro Gono
15:00
Denis Kang
UD
Amar Suloev
UD
Murilo Bustamante
15:00
Amar Suloev
4:10
Denis Kang
SUB
Denis Kang
KO
Murilo Rua
0:15
1 Paulo Filho dropped from the Grand Prix due to injuries sustained during his bout with Kazuo Misaki, who replaced him in the final round against Denis Kang.