Japanese MMA Thread

[Mik 0]

DREAM 1:

 

Ikuhisa Minowa defeats Bum Chan Kang via submission (kneebar)

Hayato “Mach” Sakurai defeats Hidetaka Monma via technical knockout (strikes)

Joachim Hansen defeats Kotetsu Boku via unanimous decision Luiz Firmino defeats Kazuyuki Miyata via submission (rear naked choke)

Katsuhiko Nagata defeats Artur Oumakhanov via unanimous decision

Mitsuhiro Ishida defeats Bu Kyung Jung via unanimous decision

Mirko Filipovic defeats Tatsuya Mizuno via technical knockout (strikes)

Eddie Alvarez defeats Andre “Dida” Amade via technical knockout (strikes)

Tatsuya Kawajiri defeats Kultar “Black Mamba” Gill via unanimous decision

Gesias Calvancante vs. Shinya Aoki ruled a no contest

 

DREAM 2:

 

Shinya Aoki defeats Gesias “JZ” Calvancante via unanimous decision

Taiei Kin defeats Ikuhisa Minowa via unanimous decision

Dong Sik Yoon defeats Shungo Oyama via unanimous decision

Zelg Galesic defeats Magomed Sultanakhmedov via submission (armbar) in round one

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza defeats Ian Murphy via submission (rear naked choke) in round one

Kiyoshi Tamura defeats Masakatsu Funaki via technical knockout (strikes) in round one

Gegard Mousasi defeats Denis Kang via submission (triangle choke) in round one

Kazushi Sakuraba defeats Andrews Nakahara via submission (neck crank) in round one

 

DREAM 3: 5/11/08

Takeshi Yamazaki def. Shoji Maruyama via unanimous decision

Jason Miller def. Katsuyori Shibata via TKO (punches) -- Round 1, 6:57

Melvin Manhoef def. Dae Won Kim via TKO (strikes) -- Round 1, 4:08

Daisuke Nakamura def. Bu Kyung Jung via KO (punch) -- Round 2, 1:05

Nick Diaz def. Katsuya Inoue TKO (Towel, Punches) Round 1, 6:45

Tatsuya Kawajiri def. Luiz Firmino via unanimous decision

Eddie Alvarez def. Joachim Hansen via unanimous decision

Caol Uno def. Mitsuhiro Ishida via submission (rear-naked choke) -- Round 2, 2:39

 

DREAM 4: 6/15/08

 

Shinya Aoki def. Katsuhiko Nagata via submission (Aokiplata), Rd1

Alistair Overeem def. Tae Hyun Lee via KO (strikes), Rd1

Ralek Gracie def. Alavutdin Gadzhiyev via submission (armbar), Rd1

Hideo Tokoro def. Darren Uyenoyama via decision (unanimous)

Zelg Galesic def. Taiei Kin via TKO (injury), Rd1

“Jacare” Souza def. “Mayhem” Miller via decision (unanimous)

Melvin Manhoef def. Kazushi Sakuraba via TKO (strikes), Rd1

 

DREAM 5: 7/21/08

Joachim Hansen def. Shinya Aoki via TKO (strikes) -- Round 1, 4:19

Alistair Overeem def. Mark Hunt via submission (keylock) -- Round 1, 1:11

Yoshihiro Akiyama def. Katsuyori Shibata via submission (gi choke) -- Round 1, 6:34

Hideo Tokoro def. Takeshi Yamazaki via unanimous decision

Kuniyoshi Hironaka def. Motoki Miyazawa via TKO (cut) -- Round 1, 8:57

Joseph Benavidez def. Junya Kudo via submission (guillotine choke) -- Round 1, 2:42

Joachim Hansen def. Kultar Gill via submission (armbar) -- Round 1, 2:33

Eddie Alvarez def. Tatsuya Kawajiri via TKO (strikes -- Round 1, 7:35

Shinya Aoki def. Caol Uno via unanimous decision

Daisuke Nakamura def. Andy Ologun via submission (armbar) -- Round 1, 3:41

 

 

DREAM 6: 9/23/08

 

I decided to make a thread for this because HDNet is going to be running these both live and then on tape delay a few hours later from now on, which I think is close enough to the actual airing that I want to watch them live without having the results ruined.

 

Spoilers ARE allowed in this thread. I just didn't want them in CTDWAT where you don't know what you're getting into. In this thread, it's real simple - no spoiler tags needed but don't read the thread if you don't want to (potentially) be spoiled.

[Mik 0]

My DREAM 2 thoughts:

 

- I don't really enjoy watching Aoki fight very much. The whole jump into guard and then do nothing with it is kinda like a Jake O'Brien gameplan in reverse.

 

- Kin was apparently supposed to get hammered but that welt he left on Minowaman's leg was sick. It was a whole footprint! Having the fight in HD really helped out seeing that. Watching the fight - I felt like he easily won but Trigg wasn't so sure. Kenny Rice agreed with Trigg but he's a monkey who knows absolutely nothing. I found myself rooting for Kin and I'm glad he pulled it out.

 

- Dong Sik Yoon is looking a lot better these days but not being in there with Rampage, Sakuraba, etc. probably helps. He easily took this fight but really stamped it home at the end.

 

- Galesic - nice arm bar. Great speech to win over the Japanese fans as well.

 

- Jacare is a beast. He's got the look and the skills to be a big star, either in Japan or here in the US. He steamrolled Murphy, who I sorta felt bad for. He had a nice pedigree and he got a really bad matchup for his MMA debut. I'm pulling for Jacare in this entire tournament.

 

- One interesting point is that Trigg called Jacare the best BJJ practitioner in the history of MMA. He specifically said that he's better than Nogueira and better than B.J. Penn. Interesting point. I wonder if that's accurate or not believable because they both train with Randy.

 

- Tamura looked impressive with that KO. Look forward to his second round match.

 

- Kang shit the bed. The end. He just placed himself in that triangle. Gegard was like, "Oh? Oh really. Ok. I'll synch that in then. Thank you!"

 

- Sakuraba looked ok. Let's just hope he keeps it up through the grand prix - maybe give the Japanese fans one last good run.

 

I enjoyed the show a lot.

[MillenniumMan831 0]

I saw the 1st two fights of Dream 2 last night. Why exactly was Kin yellow-carded? To me, it didn't look like he stalled. If anything he was pressing the action as evidenced by his opponent's leg. I was watching w/ a friend so if the announcers explained it better, I missed it. I mean if Kin got yellow-carded, shouldn't Aoki have been given the same fate. He wasn't Captain Aggressive out there either.

 

Bare in mind, this is all coming from a casual MMA fan.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

- One interesting point is that Trigg called Jacare the best BJJ practitioner in the history of MMA. He specifically said that he's better than Nogueira and better than B.J. Penn. Interesting point. I wonder if that's accurate or not believable because they both train with Randy.

 

I wouldn't argue Trigg's point at all... Have you seen Jacare's clips in submission tournaments? Search up his highlight reel.

[Lei Tong 0]

It's a bit subjective, as one could argue guys like Roger Gracie & Marcelo Garcia compare, but Jacare has the style most easily adaptable to MMA, and is more active in his MMA fighting and training.

[AboveAverage484 0]

Kin is a very dangerous opponent for anyone. He's a bit up there in years, but his stand up is as good or better than anyone's in the division. Minowa hasn't looked good for a while, but since he's somewhat of a draw he always ends up on cards somewhere.

[Mik 0]

DREAM 3 is this Sunday... airing both live and on tape delay on HDNet - Nick Diaz is back on the card.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

Are we spoiler-tagging results?

[Mik 0]

No tags needed - that's why I created the thread.

 

This is my card of the year so far. I was thinking that BEFORE Alvarez/Hansen which is EASILY my fight of the year. Amazing fight. Constant banging...Alvarez just kept punishing Hansen but Hansen would not stay down under any circumstance... and then the armbar escape from Alvarez in the 2nd round... ending the fight with the headkick and the displays of affection from both fighters after the fight. FOTYC.

 

Shoji won me over with his banging and swank armbar escape but you can't really compete with the smooth jazz of Yamazaki.

 

Mayhem with the amazing breakdance entrance and constantly playing to the cameras while he dismantled his opponent was highly entertaining. He looked incredible.

 

Manhoef avoiding the early upset bid and finishing with the killer knee was nice. He also had a great entrance with the dog on the leash. Great fight.

 

Kawijiri and Nakamura both looking very impressive in entertaining decisions.

 

Typical Nick Diaz super entertaining stand and bang beatdown and Caol Uno with the surprise rear naked choke to advance...

 

Best card of the year, so far, for me... easily.

[Hawkius Maximus 0]

Absolutely fantastic show last night...Only marred by HD Net's horrible production. Although, Bas appearing to be either falling asleep or drunk off his ass was fantastically entertaining.

 

If it's possible right now for DREAM to make stars, then they did last night with Mayhem, Alvarez, and Hansen. Just great work in those fights...Mayhem made his absolute mauling of Shibata entertaining, while Alvarez and Hansen was one of the best fights in some time.

 

Uno looked fantastic in his fight with Ishida...but after Hansen/Alvarez the fan's weren't super into it. They were too burnt out from the last fight.

[Mik 0]

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/05/11/who...dream-kool-aid/

 

I think Sam Caplan is being a bit of a whiner and maybe a bit of elitist here. "I remember PRIDE. What, don't you remember PRIDE? How could you like this - you must not be a real MMA fan." /translation

 

I completely enjoyed the show without ever once comparing it to PRIDE in my mind. Yeah - Kenny and Bas sucked (Kenny always does) but they were doing it live in Los Angeles from midnight to 5 AM, of course they aren't going to be bringing their A+ game. But it was a great night of fights and a better overall card then any UFC show so far this year.

[Hawkius Maximus 0]

That article is horribly biased. Almost to a laughable level.

 

He complains about fighters not being built up, but it was HDNET that did not air the official videos. What we got were *not* DREAM videos. For whatever reason, HDNET made the choice to ignore all official videos and make their own for Miller and someone else that I can't remember. Why they did this? No idea.

 

And I've heard people hyping about mismatches...There weren't many on this card. There were two you could qualify for that. Melvin's opponent (who is now 4-4...but we've seen with the DONGER that, that record doesn't mean much), and Mayhem's opponent in Shibata. Nakamura's opponent was a former silver judo medalist who nearly beat Aoki and Ishida. That is *not* a can. Just like how Donger was never a can because he was always competitive. A can is someone who comes in and just loses without a fight...Like Yamamoto. Great can there.

 

And I bet my ass in the live Japan broadcast they played up Mayhem's style of "Pro-Wrestling" against the former pro-wrestler. Sadly, we did not get that.

 

Almost all the complaints of this show on the article stem from the HDNET side. DREAM Has no control over what HDNET decides to do with the feed.

 

And all I can say about the ramp is...That's a complaint? I mean...really? DREAM can't afford huge rampways, I mean, fuck, their running the Saitama Super Arena every month. Their BLEEDING MONEY. How can they afford a huge ramp?!

[Lord of The Curry 0]

They're. They're bleeding money.

 

Sorry, I'm a grammar Nazi.

[Hawkius Maximus 0]

I can never learn that one. I have no idea why.

 

I get corrected on "their" and "they're" all the time. And it NEVER sticks. Almost on a daily basis.

 

I have a learning disability I think.

[Mik 0]

You can vote on the matchups you want for the lightweight semi-finals.

 

It's in Japanese but it's easy enough to figure out because they have pictures.

 

http://www.dreamofficial.com/special/vote/light.html

 

I voted for Uno/Aoki and Alvarez/Kawijiri.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

It's going to be Aoki/Alvarez (assuming Aoki gets past Nagata) and Uno/Kawijiri due to 1) Ishida being a team mate with 'Jiri and 2) Uno and 'Jiri fought before and it was a draw.

[Youth N Asia 0]

There is serious money to be made with Jason Miller. Especially with the 185 division lacking personality. Why the UFC doesn't sign this guy is beyond me

[Lord of The Curry 0]

Mayhem being legitimately batshit insane might be one reason. I've also heard that he's on the Lindland tip of "I want the freedom to fight elsewhere." But yeah, he's almost always entertaining. I hope EliteXC picks him up as there's a match to be made between him and Lawler.

[Hawkius Maximus 0]

Being insane can only help Miller in Japan.

 

The problem is, it's questionable if DREAM is in any position to make stars right now.

 

Apparently, Miller REALLY wants to face Sakuraba in the next round of the MW GP. I could see Sakuraba taking that fight.

[Mik 0]

Middleweight Second round matchups:

 

Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Melvin Manhoef

Gegard Mousasi vs. Dong Sik Yoon

Jason “Mayhem” Miller vs. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza

Zelg Galesic vs. Taiei Kin

 

Obviously the big matchup is Mayhem vs. Jacare. I'm not sure I like these matchups this early.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

Well, Manhoef has proven that he can be subbed in the past but the question of whether he kills Saku dead before that happens is what needs to be asked.

 

I don't like Mayhem/Jacare though, reeks of DREAM putting two guys against each other who, fighting seperately would have a shot at making the finals.

[Mik 0]

Final card for DREAM4 posted in the original post.

 

I'd be excited for this card if I actually had a chance to see it. I'm still going to be looking for the results of that Mayhem/Jacare match as soon as I can find them... hopefully it will be a fight worth tracking down when I have a real internet connection again.

 

Still not sure wtf is up with that grappling match, though. So strange.

[AboveAverage484 0]

Mirko pulled out of the grappling fight because of a minor injury. No sense making it worse when he has a much more important fight against Jerome coming up.

[AboveAverage484 0]

Now it seems like Mirko/Jerome is off. Jerome and Schilt for the belt is all but confirmed for Fukuoka later this month.

[Hawkius Maximus 0]

DREAM tonight should be quite great. The lineup has some intriguing fights.

 

I predict the final four of the Middleweight tournament will end up being Sakuraba, DONGER~!, Jacare & Kin Tai Ei

 

I've also went out on a limb and say that Nagata beats Aoki by decision.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Jacare over Mayhem is a pretty bold prediction, considering it's a big step up on competition for Jacare and that Miller is hard to submit.

[Lei Tong 0]

Jacare over Mayhem is a pretty bold prediction, considering it's a big step up on competition for Jacare and that Miller is hard to submit.

 

Miller is also a so-so striker facing a far superior wrestler and submission artist. Stylistic nightmare right there.

[Mik 0]

Well, Jacare won. Melvin destroyed Sakuraba.

 

Apparently Aoki pulled off a never before seen sub...like a gogoplata from the top. They are calling it aokiplata at five ounces. You ever seen that sub before, Tong?

 

Sounds like I missed another good card by DREAM.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

Very interesting final four. In terms of crowd-pleasers making Zelg/Melvin would seem like the logical choice plus Jacare vs Mousasi would be swank.

 

I hope Uno rapes Aoki.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

I honestly want to see Melvin Vs. Jacare...