3/8 DREAM 7 - LIVE Results

I will be posting results and some short comments here. Am at home, enjoying the event live on SkyPerfect.

For play-by-play, Sherdog will do the honors, that means that I can sit back and relax with a few friends and beers.

If you have some questions relating to the event, please feel free to leave a comment (if you get an error message, click the "Post Comment" button again).

It should be a very good and exciting event, and it will start a couple of hours after the UFC event finishes (4PM Japan time).

Some background reading:
My preditions
Some Betting Odds (so many sites out there for this..)
Presenting the Featherweights (Sengoku and DREAM

Other sites to follow the event on:
Sherdog PbP
BloodyElbow

Spoilers if you read on!

The live broadcast has started, and we should soon be watching the first fight.

DREAM 7 is dedicated to the memory of Helio Gracie, both Kazushi Sakuraba and Yuki Nakai was in the ring to honor his memory.

Results:
1. Feather GP: Takafumi Otsuka 8-3-1 vs. 3-2-0 Bibiano Fernandes
The fighters are making their way to the ring, it looks like there would be no problem getting a ticket, but its still early. I think this might be one of the better fights though.

Round 1
Bibiano gets the takedown early, and is working for side control. Bibiano has been on top so far, but the damage is limited to some punches and the ref stands it up. Bibiano gets yellow card, and looks puzzled, the crowd agrees.
Otsuka looks nervous,and he has a bloody nose that seems to attract his attention. So far Bibiano should be ahead.

1st round is over and I think Otsuka has looked nervous. Bibiano won this round, but it is judged as one.

Round 2
Bibiano gets Otsukas back early in the 2nd, but Otsuka just stands up and is able to get out. IMO Otsuka is showing his skills only in defense today, normally he is a very offensive fighter and I think it looks like he is afraid of losing. Otsuka is hit with a knee that almost ends the fight, but he is able to continue to fight back.

This should be a decision to Bibiano.
The judges agree 3-0 Bibiano.

2. Feather GP: Chase Beebe 12-3-0 vs. Joe Warren
The fighters are in the ring.

Round 1
As expected, Joe Warren is going for takedowns, but so far is unable to make it stick. Chase is looking good on his feet so far. Beebe looks like he is getting tired in the 2nd half of the round and Warren is able to take him down. The momentum is changing a bit now. Beebe gets a big cut over his left eye from a knee, the end of the round was all Warren.

The doctor stops the fight due to the cut on Chase Beebe, Joe Warren wins his debut.

3. Feather GP: "Wicky" Akiyo Nishiura 9-3-1 vs. 13-2-0 Abel Cullum
The fighters are in the ring now, and "Wicky" is now known as the MMA Monkey.

Round 1
So far, Cullum has been very agressive and been able to take the fight to the ground. "Wicky" gets out of what looks like a very good arm-bar attempt, but Cullum is spending a lot of energy. "Wicky" is not able to get the space he needs to far. "Wicky" is very busy defending on the ground, this is a very good jiu-jitsu fight so far. Cullum has been cut by a knee and some counter punches, but he is still winning this fight so far. Cullum gets mount and this time makes it count, but "Wicky" scrambles and gets guard.

Round 2
Cullum has come in with a VERY good gameplan, the fight has been all ground so far and "Wicky" has not been able to get anything going. Finally "Wicky" gets something going, but the time is almost up.

"Wicky" got to show a little bit, but Cullum should get this decision in a very good fight. Cullum really showed that he is quality fighter.

Cullum gets the decision 3-0

4. Light: Mitsuhiro Ishida 17-4-1 vs. 19-9-0 Daisuke Nakamura
Round 1
This fight starts slow, Ishida is very careful in going forwards and then goes for a takedown. Nakamura is going for a Kimura. Nakamura scrambles, but Ishida gets out on top. Nakamura is very technical, but Ishida is showing strength is getting out of kimura attempt. Nakamura gets a small cut, looks like it is from the glove, not a puch. The doctor checks it, and the fight continues. This is turning into a ground fight with Nakamura on the bottom.

Round 2
The 2nd round is continuing like the first, Ishida is on top and Nakamura is scambling to get out. Nakamura is going for a leg-lock in the dying seconds, but time runs out. I would give this to Ishida.

Decision goes to Ishida 3-0

5. Welter: Shinya Aoki 19-3-0 vs. 16-10-0 David Gardner
Round 1
The fighters are standing off in the start, as expected Aoki goes for a takedown and gets mount. Like a spider Aoki takes the back and continues to work for a choke, Gardner fights it off so far. Gardner is able to get out and runs away to make Aoki stand up. Aoki quicky gets the back and Gardner deceides to say "hello Japan", Aoki uses that to sink in the choke and gets the submission by rear-naked choke. One of the most stupid things I have seen....

Break - No News...

6. Light: Ross Ebanez 19-6-0 vs. 22-5-2 Tatsuya Kawajiri
Fighters are entering the ring for the first after the break.

Round 1
Ebanez didnt make weight and gets yellow card. Kawajiri gets the takedown, as expected, but Ebanez is able to get back up. Kawajiri gets the back and attempts to get a rear-naked in. Eventually the rear-naked choke sinks in, a convinsing win by Kawajiri.

Kawajiri wants to fight JZ Calvan at DREAM 9! That would be an awesome fight!

7. Feather GP: Yoshiro Maeda 23-6-2 vs. 10-2-0 Micah Miller
Micah Miller comes in wearing long tights, dont know if he will wear them in the fight but this is one fight I have been looking forward to!

Round 1
Miller looks a lot taller than I expected. Maeda is running around the reach so far and they almost fall out of the ring. Maeda takes Miller (who is compered to Aoki by Japanese commentators) down. Maeda is not making much progress on top, Miller is showing off his guard. The ref stands it up and gives a yellow (I dont know who), the fight goes straight back to the ground, Miller on bottom. Miller goes for an omopalata, but Maeda gets out. The fights been all Miller so far.

Round 2
Miller looks a lot more tired than Maeda, but he is leading after the 1st round. Miller is tired but continues to go forward and try for takedowns. Maeda is still looking good and the fight could go either way. Just as the bell rings Miller has an arm-bar attempt going. I would give it to Miller.

Maeda gets the decision 3-0, and I am surprised!

8. Feather GP: Hiroyuki Takaya 9-6-1 vs. Kim Jong Won
Round 1
Looks like Won is not going for takedowns yet, but I expect that to change soon. Very quiet start to the fight. Takaya throws a body kick that allows Won to take him down, but it looks like Takaya will get right back up. The fight has been mainly standup, but very little action.

Round 2
Takaya closes in and a straight right hits the target. The ref steps in to save won as Takaya continues the GnP. Takaya by TKO.

Main-Event - Featherweight Round 1:
9. Masakazu Imanari 15-6-1 vs. 12-5-1 Atsushi Yamamoto
Round 1
Yamamoto shows he has power in his punches, but it only takes Imanari to the ground (where he wants to be). Imanari has Yamamoto in his guard, but is unable to do anything. He is going for a gogopalata, but the ref stands it up. Nothing really happens on the feet and Yamamoto gets another takedown. Imanari sweeps and gets on top, still no sign of a foot lock that everyone is expecting. Instead he goes for an arm-bar. Yamamoto gets out on top and is in Imanari's guard. Imanari continue to go for the gogopalata when the bell rings.

Round 2
Imanari gets another yellow as Yamamoto is on top and Imanari is inactive ont he bottom. Imanari is keeping his dstance, and to be honest its pretty boring. Yamamoto gets another takedown and is on top. Imanari uses the rubber guard, like he has all fight, and Yamamoto gets up. The fight ends with Yamamoto on top, like most of the fight, and he should get this decision.

Imanari get the decision 2-1!

Read more...

DREAM 7 - Predictions

I normally don't do this, but I am seeing that some fans think this is the weakest DREAM card yet. These things are always subjective, but I would wait until after the event to judge. The fact that you don't know the fighters doesn't make them bad... I see fighters on this card that I know nothing about, and that makes me more interested. FEG has seen them worthy of a spot, and I want to see if they can live up to that.

The real reason some fighters are lesser known is that few featherweights have, up until now, fought overseas. Also keep in mind that this GP is at 63.5kg, which might actually make it closer to a bantamweight GP (depending on what you are used to watching).

It is a long time since I have done this, but I will give you my predictions.

A word of warning: I suck at predicting fights, and you might do better going with the opposite picks of mine. I never put money on the fights and if you do, please base that on your own predicitions.

1. Feather GP: Takafumi Otsuka 8-3-1 vs. 3-2-0 Bibiano Fernandes
This match up looks awesome to me, Bibiano is famous for his jiu-jitsu and that is key here. Otsuka's base is wrestling, but he is a bred MMA fighter with few weaknesses.

Otsuka will try to keep this fight standing, but it will hit the ground at one point. Otsuka will try to make it later.

I think it will be an entertaining fight that will go the distance. If it does, I think its because Otsuka is successful and he gets the decision.

2. Feather GP: Chase Beebe 12-3-0 vs. Joe Warren
These are 2 fighters that I know virtually nothing about. Chase Beebe has the MMA experience, a veteran of WEC he lost his 2 last fights and will be looking to get back on the winning track.

Joe Warren, all I know is that he is a very good wrestler and has some solid training partners. Could he be another King Mo? We will have to wait and see, but he has everything to gain in this fight.

I would go for Chase Beebe, but its just because of his experience.

3. Feather GP: "Wicky" Akiyo Nishiura 9-3-1 vs. 13-2-0 Abel Cullum
Abel Cullum is another of the fighters I am looking forward to seeing here. I have seen a few of his fights and his jiu-jitsu is very good. The key here will be his take downs though.

"Wicky" is a guy that fans of Japanese MMA will be very familiar with, even though he will make his debut on the big stage tomorrow. "Wicky" is one of the more exciting and unorthodox fighters out there, and unusually for Japanese fighters, this guy does not want to go to the ground.

Key for "Wicky" will be to get into the right rhythm, and I think he will enjoy the big stage. Cullum needs to make his take downs stick, he does not want to stand with "Wicky".

I see Abel Cullum being hit late in round 1, and will predict a TKO win for "Wicky". Remember: 10 minutes 1st rounds.

4. Light: Mitsuhiro Ishida 17-4-1 vs. 19-9-0 Daisuke Nakamura
This is an awesome match-up, and a chance for Daisuke Nakamura to climp into the top 10 lightweights.

Ishida is a fighter that in some ways seems to fly under the radar, a very quiet and unassuming guy, but in the ring he means business. He has only been submitted once in his career, that was to Caol Uno in the DREAM tournament last year. He quickly redeemed himself by a spectacular fashion in his US debut.

Nakamura has quietly built an 8 fight winning streak, his last loss being to Vitor Ribeiro. He is a well rounded fighter, and is often involved in very exciting fights.

Key for Ishida will be to get Nakamura to the ground and I think he has the wrestling to do that, but once there he needs to keep Nakamura on his back. That is where he can start his GnP. I think Ishida's wrestling and strength will be too much for Nakamura. Ishida will get the decision.

5. Welter: Shinya Aoki 19-3-0 vs. 16-10-0 David Gardner
We are getting into 2 fights that I wont go into too much details... Everyone knows Shinya Aoki and what he will be looking to do, I know nothing about David Gardner.

Aoki will win this one by submission, I hope it will be something exciting.

I know what you are thinking, whats with this match-up??? It is because Aoki is fighting in the welterweight GP next month. It is worth noting that this fight is at welterweight.

Before the next fight, there is a short break. Look for welterweight GP news here.

6. Light: Ross Ebanez 19-6-0 vs. 22-5-2 Tatsuya Kawajiri
I have very little knowledge of Ross Ebanez, but I do know a bit about Kawajiri.

I hope Kawajiri pulls it together here. He will get the win, I hope its not be decision.

7. Feather GP: Yoshiro Maeda 23-6-2 vs. 10-2-0 Micah Miller
This match-up is very hard to predict for me, it makes it a good one. But I also have not seen enough of Micah Miller to know what Maeda is up against.

Maeda I think is a bit unpredictable and it seems to be against taller and aggressive fighters. Miller is taller, I don't know if he is aggressive enough.

This fight has delayed this post for a few days now, gut feeling says Miller will take it.

8. Feather GP: Hiroyuki Takaya 9-6-1 vs. Kim Jong Won
Hiroyuki Takaya is a very experienced fighter, he is taking on a Korean Judoka in Kim Jong Won. Won is making his MMA debut, and Dong Sik Yoon has said he is very impressed by his striking. I don't think he should try to strike his way to a win here though.

Hiroyuki Takaya will take this if he comes in shape, I am worried about his weight cutting "skills" (stamina) especially in the later part of round 1. Takaya by decision.

9. Masakazu Imanari 15-6-1 vs. 12-5-1 Atsushi Yamamoto
If you dont know what to expect fromt the main event, you have not followed Japanese MMA closely (and there is nothing wrong with that). Imanari is famous for his leg-locks, Yamamoto will try to keep this fight standing for as long as it takes to wreck Imanari's face (see the Tokoro fight).

Imanari is not going to waste time on his feet, look for him to dive in and go for a leg. The whole world will know what to expect here.

I see this fight ending in the first few minutes, it could be by a Yamamoto KO/TKO. More likely is a Imanari submission though.

Read more...

3/8 DREAM 7 - Fight Order

FEG have announced the fight order for Sunday's Featherweight GP Round 1. The main event is the fight between Masakazu Imanari and Atsushi Yamamoto, and I cant see it going the distance.

The night will be kicking off with a fight that I think might be fight of the night, Otsuka vs. Bibiano. It should be a close fight and I think it will be very entertaining.

This event is all about the featherweights, but there will be other big names on the card as well, including Tatsuya Kawajiri, Shinya Aoki and Mitsuhiro Ishida.

Main-Event - Featherweight Round 1:
9. Masakazu Imanari 15-6-1 vs. 12-5-1 Atsushi Yamamoto

8. Feather GP: Hiroyuki Takaya 9-6-1 vs. Kim Jong Won
7. Feather GP: Yoshiro Maeda 23-6-2 vs. 10-2-0 Micah Miller
6. Light: Ross Ebanez 19-6-0 vs. 22-5-2 Tatsuya Kawajiri

Break

5. Welter: Shinya Aoki 19-3-0 vs. 16-10-0 David Gardner
4. Light: Mitsuhiro Ishida 17-4-1 vs. 19-9-0 Daisuke Nakamura
3. Feather GP: "Wicky" Akiyo Nishiura 9-3-1 vs. 13-2-0 Abel Cullum
2. Feather GP: Chase Beebe 12-3-0 vs. Joe Warren
1. Feather GP: Takafumi Otsuka 8-3-1 vs. 3-2-0 Bibiano Fernandes

Read more...

3/8 DREAM 7 - Betting Odds

Here are the betting lines from Sportsbook.com. I have never used any betting company, so if you have experience, good or bad, it would be good to hear about it.

Anyway, the odds seem ok. Kawajiri and Aoki are going in as huge favorites, but thats probably to be expected. If I were looking for value, I would go for Otsuka.

Tatsuya Kawajiri -575
Ross Ebanez +375

Shinya Aoki -1100
David Gardner +600

Mitsuhiro Ishida -185
Daisuke Nakamura +155

Masakazu Imanari -185
Atsushi Yamamoto +155

Hiroyuki Takaya -175
Jong Won Kim +145

Yoshiro Maeda -155
Micah Miller +125

Chase Beebe -140
Joe Warren +110

Takafumi Otsuka +165
Bibiano Fernandes -205

Akiyo Nishiura +105
Abel Cullum -135

Some additional odds from MMA Underdogs/Bodog.

Read more...

3/8 DREAM 7 - Kawajiri Fighting

Tatsuya Kawajiri is one of the bigger stars in Japan at the moment, his KO win on NYE against Kozo Takeda with K-1 rules was certainly noticed (along with the other upsets under K-1 rules). This time he will compete under MMA rules, and against a very experienced opponent.

This time Kawajiri is taking on the American Ross Ebanez from BJ Penns gym. He is a veteran of ROTR and EliteXC, other than that, I know very little but I am sure that will change soon.

Both fighters have faced Eddie Alvarez, and lasted almost to the second as long (7:35 for Kawajiri and 7:32 for Ebanez).

With just over 1 week to the event, I think the card is just about complete now.
Added:
Ross Ebanez 19-6-0 vs. 22-5-2 Tatsuya Kawajiri

Previously Announced:
Shinya Aoki 19-3-0 vs. 16-10-0 David Gardner
Mitsuhiro Ishida 17-4-1 vs. 19-9-0 Daisuke Nakamura

Featherweight GP 1st Round:
Masakazu Imanari 15-6-1 vs. 12-5-1 Atsushi Yamamoto
Hiroyuki Takaya 9-6-1 vs. Kim Jong Won
Yoshiro Maeda 23-6-2 vs. 10-2-0 Micah Miller
Chase Beebe 12-3-0 vs. Joe Warren
Takafumi Otsuka 8-3-1 vs. 3-2-0 Bibiano Fernandes
"Wicky" Akiyo Nishiura 9-3-1 vs. 13-2-0 Abel Cullum

Read more...

3/8 DREAM 7 - Ishida vs. Nakamura Announced

At yesterday's DEEP event, it was announced that Mitsuhiro Ishida will face Daisuke Nakamura at DREAM 7. This will of course not be a GP fight, but one of the non-GP fights on the card.

Daisuke Nakamura had an amazing 2008, winning all of his 7 fight and only once going the distance. His last loss came to Vitor Ribeiro, and he has only 1 loss in his last 12 fights. This should be a very good fight.

Another one will be the fight between Shinya Aoki and David Gardner. Aoki expressed an interest in fighting on the DREAM 7 card, even though he is scheduled for DREAM 8 as well. DREAM has granted him that request, and I am sure the Japanese fans will be looking forward to that fight. David Gardner is an experienced opponent and he has been to Japan before. On that occation, he was fighting in Cage Force and he lost to Koutetsu Boku.

DREAM 7 is shaping up to be a very good card, main focus will be on the featherweight GP, of course.

Announced:
Shinya Aoki 19-3-0 vs. 16-10-0 David Gardner
Mitsuhiro Ishida 17-4-1 vs. 19-9-0 Daisuke Nakamura

Previously announced:
Masakazu Imanari 15-6-1 vs. 12-5-1 Atsushi Yamamoto
Hiroyuki Takaya 9-6-1 vs. Kim Jong Won
Yoshiro Maeda 23-6-2 vs. 10-2-0 Micah Miller
Chase Beebe 12-3-0 vs. Joe Warren
Takafumi Otsuka 8-3-1 vs. 3-2-0 Bibiano Fernandes
"Wicky" Akiyo Nishiura 9-3-1 vs. 13-2-0 Abel Cullum

Read more...