Akihiro Gono: Just Like ‘Magic’

Cage Fighter Las Vegas Tee - Black Related Products UFC Striker Glove Cage Fighter California Tee - Black Cage Fighter Branded Fight Shorts - White/Black UFC Red Wave T-shirt Related News Official UFC 106 Weigh-In Results Tito Ortiz’ New Beginning Forrest Griffin – The Quest to Get That Winning Feeling Back Parisyan is out of UFC 106; Bout with Hazelett Off ‘Kos’ and Effect Headlines Official UFC 106 Weigh-In Results Tito Ortiz’ New Beginning Forrest Griffin – The Quest to Get That Winning Feeling Back UFC 106: Fantasy Preview Parisyan is out of UFC 106; Bout with Hazelett Off

By Elliot Worsell

Mild-mannered and malevolent, Akihiro Gono is the kind of fighter who’ll beat you down and then haul you back up and apologise. Before all that, he’ll strut to the ring with a jig, a smile and a fancy wig. Throw in some wacky Japanese music, a homage to native musician DJ OZMA, and you have, in a nutshell, the Akihiro Gono experience.

Luckily for UFC fans, Gono, the self-styled ‘Magic Man’, promises to bring the whole shebang to Birmingham, England for UFC 89.

The 33-year-old welterweight contender, renowned for his extravagant ring entrances and elaborate moves, is one of the most entertaining mixed martial artists in the world today. Possessing an ability to wave his magic wand and pull off inexplicable submissions from inexplicable positions, Gono has graced both PRIDE and the UFC with swagger and success.

Naturally, the success is important, as it is for any budding competitor. Yet for a walking carnival like Gono, the swagger is equally vital.

“I put 30% effort in making the ring entrance, 50% for a fight, and 20% for talking to the fans and media in Japan,” explains Gono. “It helps me from getting butterflies in my stomach.”

Another device commonly employed by Gono to eradicate the butterflies welling in his stomach is the introduction of an alter-ego. The friendlier flipside to Gono’s vicious fighting personality. The yin to his yang. Enter DJ OZMA.

“I always try to entertain fans as much as I can - like DJ OZMA does through the ring entrance, the fight and talking to fans in Japan,” says the fighter, who often dresses like his favourite DJ en route to the ring. “But there’s a difference between doing them (the ring entrances) in PRIDE FC in Japan and in the UFC in the States. I think it’s a cultural difference.”

Gono’s appreciation of his nation’s premier DJ was reciprocated when the pair collaborated for Akihiro’s all-time favourite ring entrance.

“That’s why he helped me to make the best ring entrance in MMA history in PRIDE: Bushido 13,” adds Gono. “I’m so thankful to him.”

Any reader stretching for the online remote and switching channels right now might assume Gono’s a mere gimmick more suited to the laser beams and pyrotechnics of other entertainment avenues. You’d be sorely mistaken. In a career spanning over 45 MMA contests, Gono has exchanged positions with some of the leading lights of the mixed martial arts world. Claiming Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua is the toughest fighter he’s ever faced, Gono also boasts ring duties with veterans Dan Henderson and Matt Hughes among many others. Gono’s spinning back kick to Ivan Salaverry’s liver still makes grown men wince. This man’s a natural fighter – just one with a little more jenesaisquoi than the usual mixed martial artist.

A performer at heart, Gono found his ideal stage in November 2007 when making his bow with the UFC. Tough fights and bright lights were promised. Gono instantly felt at home.

“Obviously the UFC is the best MMA organization in the world,” he says, “so I’m really thrilled to fight in the UFC. My goal is not to become (just) a UFC fighter. My goal is to become the champion of the world. The UFC welterweight champ.”

Gono’s UFC curtain raiser against Tamdan McCrory sent out a stark message to the rest of the welterweight division. Using every ounce of his experience and unpredictability, Gono arm-barred New Yorker McCrory in the second round. The result was never in question for Gono. It was not even a concern. A ringleader like Gono has other matters on the mind leading into combat.

“I wasn’t concerned at all about the fight,” admits Gono, “but I had a big concern about the ring entrance, which unfortunately tanked.”

Gono’s ring entrance may have ‘tanked’, but his ring performance certainly didn’t – despite some early predicaments.

“I was puzzled at the big difference between fighting in the ring (in PRIDE) and fighting in the Octagon,” explains Akihiro. “Besides, I broke my right hand at the beginning of the fight. It made it tough to fight with a broken hand, but somehow I managed to win and it was a relief after the fight was over. I think it was good that I won the fight with a broken right hand. Believe me, the pain was killing me.”

Fighting through the pain barrier, Gono pulled off the Submission of the Night. Not bad for a UFC newcomer with a shattered hand and an anti-climatic ring entrance.

Hoping for more fun and another victory at UFC 89, Gono will face off against UFC newcomer Dan Hardy. In a wonderful battle pitting experience against youth, Gono’s showmanship and Hardy’s hairstyle should provide an entertaining starter to the main course.

“It’s the first time (fighting in England) and I’m thrilled,” says Gono. “He (Hardy) has a hard left-hook, likes to fight standing, and is preparing for the fight in the United States. I have the advantage of experience but Hardy is younger and has a long reach - so we are quite evenly matched.”

Despite the gap in experience and the fact that Gono has faced some of the best men to call themselves mixed martial artists, the Japanese hero still views himself as a student. Someone with plenty to learn. 28-12-7 in his MMA career, Gono is 1-0 inside the Octagon. A baby - albeit a 33-year-old one with scar tissue and a life in martial arts behind him.

“I think I’m a student that needs to learn things from this fight as well,” he says. “So it’s good if we both can learn a lot of things through the fight. I think we are both students.”

When all is said and done, Gono just wants to put on a good show – whether in his native Japan, America, or the home of UFC 89 - Birmingham, England. Reluctantly accepting the role of pantomime villain to Hardy’s home hero, Gono expects a frosty reception.

“No matter what they (the fans) do and no matter what they think about me, a fight is a fight,” says Gono. “I will fight hard regardless of the situation.”

As for the fighting side of things – the 50% on Gono’s scale of importance – he’s happy to send Hardy and his legion of English fans home with tears in their eyes and tails between their legs. As is the way with Gono, a heartfelt apology will quickly follow.

“I hope so,” adds Gono. “That would be so awesome. I hope I don’t offend anyone, though.

“It’s the first UFC event that’s going to be on TV in Japan for 18 months - so I really want to win the fight for the Japanese MMA fans as much as Hardy wants (to win) for his English fans. In order for that to happen, I’m going to work hard. By the way, I’ll feel really bad if I send the English fans home in tears with my victory. I think the English are cool people.”

There you have it. As much as Akihiro Gono tries to growl, antagonise and pull a mean face for the cameras, his chirpy alter-ego hums a cheery tune, throws tickertape and passes him a colourful wig. Yet the switch from pantomime dame to potent danger man can surprise many people. Click of the fingers and it happens. Just ask Tamdan McCrory. It’s like ‘Magic’.

If Nottingham’s Dan Hardy expects three rounds with DJ OZMA, he could be sorely mistaken.

Share |