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HIOKI!!!
Sorry, had to get that outta the way. This is the best news. The UFC's featherweight division has long been considered the best in the sport with most talent, with most international talent fighting in the WEC before the transition to the UFC. People were excited when the UFC announced the signing of Michihiro Omigawa, believing he was a legitimate threat to Jose Aldo's featherweight crown, though a one sided loss to Chad Mendes and a controversial decision loss to Darren Elkins at UFC 131 has cooled the expectations on the Judoka.
Hatsu Hioki finds himself in a precarious position as the last great Japanese fighter. A look at the consensus rankings and you see that Japan has fallen on hard times in MMA. No longer the powerhouse producing top fighters, Hioki now must represent an entire nation and system to show that his home country should still be considered relevant in the sport. It is tough for many JMMA fans to accept but the sport has fallen on hard times in the Pacific Rim.
Hioki is 11-1 as a Featherweight, his lone loss coming by controversial decision to Michihiro Omigawa in Sengoku. He holds two wins over Mark Hominick, Marlon Sandro, and Rumina Sato. With Kenny Florian sitting comfortably as the #1 contender to Aldo's title, expect Hioki to debut sometime this fall against the winner of Tyson Griffin/Manny Gamburyan or Chad Mendes/Rani Yahya. He has the weight of Japan on his shoulders, hopefully he can live up to the lofty expectations.
http://www.headkicklegend.com/2011/6/25/2243684/hatsu-hioki-signs-with-the-ufc-jose-aldo-you-are-on-notice
Hopefully he can come in and impress and build up some hype for title shot.
