12/31 Dynamite - Alvarez finally take on Aoki

First up, appologies for being very late with this. I was busy yesterday and didn't have time to get the post written up. Hopefully, it will lead to better things down the road though.

The fights added are interesting, to say the least. Shinya Aoki was meant to face Eddie Alvarez in this year's Lightweight Tournament final. That didn't happen, and there should be a lot at stake in this fight! My guess is that the winner gets a shot at "HellBoy"'s title early next year.

The other fight announced is also MMA rules and will feature 2 K-1 stars. Of course Mark Hunt have gone on to improve his resume by including both Pride and Hustle ProWresting to that. Hunt's last performance in DREAM was something he would like to put behind him, and it will be interesting if he is able to bounce back against LeBanner. Based on it being MMA rules, Hunt might come in as the favorite, but his comback against Alistair Overeem left more questions than answers. Lets hope we get some answers in this one!

Added:
DREAM Rule:
Mark Hunt vs. Jerome Lebanner
Shinya Aoki vs. Eddie Alvarez

Previously announced:
K-1 Rule
Gegard Mousasi vs. Musashi
Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Kozo Takeda

DREAM Rule
Kazushi Sakuraba 24-11-1 vs. 32-13-2 Kiyoshi Tamura
Joachim Hansen 19-7-1 vs. 14-2-1 "JZ" Gesias Cavalcante

K-1 Youth Tournament Semi-Final (Final held same night):
Hiroya vs. Shota Shimada
Tatsuya Kusakabe vs. Koya Urabe

Participants:
Masato
Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto
Caol Uno
Hideo Tokoro
Mitsuhiro Ishida
Masakatsu Funaki
Katsuyori Shibata
Ikuhisa "Minowaman" Minowa
Hayato "Mach" Sakurai
Junichi Sawayashiki
Yoshihiro Sato
Yasuhiro Kido
Taishin Kohiruimaki
Mirko Crocop
Hong Man Choi

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9/23 DREAM 6 - RESULTS

I just came back from the event. I assume most of you know the results now, but here they are anyway.

In addition to the results, it was confirmed today that Joachim Hansen will fight on NYE against an opponent yet to be named. Also fighting is Fedor (I think that was confirmed, at least I feel like it....).

It was a very good event, some upsets. However, I have to say that the always underestimated Mousasi now HAS to be in the top 3! He really proved himself today! I would like to congratulate him, he really deserved the victory today!



12. DREAM Middleweight Final: Gegard Mousasi Def. Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza by KO (upkick) round 1
11. HW: Mirko "Crocop" Filipovic vs. Alistair Overeem no-contest
10. Lightweight: Shinya Aoki Def. Todd Moore by neck crank Round 1 1:10
9. Middleweight: Yoshihiro Akiyama Def. Masanori Tonooka by armbar Round 1 6:26
8. Welterweight: Hayato Sakurai "Mach"Def. Kuniyoshi Hironaka by decision 3-0

7. Middleweight: Masakatsu Funaki Def. "Minowaman" by heel-hook Round 1 0:52
6. Featherweight: Atsushi Yamamoto Def. Hideo Tokoro by decision 3-0
5. HW: Sergei Kharitonov Def. Jimmy Ambriz by TKO Round 1 2:15
4. Lightweight: Keita Nakamura "K-taro" Def. Adriano Martins by decision 2-1


Middleweight GP Semi-Finals
3. Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza Def. Zelg Galesic by armbar Round 1 1:27
2. Gegard Mousasi Def. Melvin Manhoef by Triangle choke Round 1 1:28
1. Reserve: Andrews Nakahara Def. Yoon Dong Sik by TKO Round 2 0:30

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9/23 DREAM 6 - NOT Airing Live in Japan

A huge disappointment for me... I have been planning this for weeks, have friends over and watch the live PPV of DREAM 6. I have just assumed that it would air live, as all the others have.

But this time there is no live broadcast! Instead the earliest you can watch the event is on TBS at 9PM, then the SkyPerfect uncut version airs as PPV at 11PM. You would think it would be cheaper then, but no... I guess its an attempt to get more viewers to the TBS broadcast, but I hope they improve on the production! It has not been good so far.

Just to mention it, the ONLY way I know to get this live is then HDNet! Or going to the event. For me, I am heading out early to get my ticket at the door. Hope its not sold out...

12. DREAM Middleweight Final: Winner of Fight #2 vs. Winner of Fight #3
11. HW: Mirko "Crocop" Filipovic 23-6-2 vs. 28-11-0 Alistair Overeem
10. Lightweight: Shinya Aoki 17-3-0 vs. 9-2-0 Todd Moore
9. Middleweight: Yoshihiro Akiyama 11-1-0 vs. 1-1-0 Masanori Tonooka
8. Welterweight: Hayato Sakurai "Mach"32-8-2 vs. 12-5-0 Kuniyoshi Hironaka

Intermission

7. Middleweight: Ikuhisa Minowa "Minowaman" 40-28-8 vs. 38-13-1 Masakatsu Funaki
6. Featherweight: Hideo Tokoro 21-13-1 vs. 11-5-1 Atsushi Yamamoto
5. HW: Sergei Kharitonov 15-3-0 vs. 13-9-1 Jimmy Ambriz
4. Lightweight: Keita Nakamura "K-taro" 14-3-2 vs. 9-3-0 Adriano Martins

Middleweight GP Semi-Finals
3. Zelg Galesic 9-3-0 vs. 9-1-0 Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza
2. Melvin Manhoef 22-4-1 vs. 22-2-1 Gegard Mousasi
1. Reserve: Yoon Dong Sik 4-5-0 vs. 0-1-0 Andrews Nakahara

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9/23 DREAM 6 - Fight order

DREAM has announced the fight order for their 6th event. This card is looking awesome! I just hope there are no last minute injuries or anything like that. 12 fights, and most fights shoule be very good.

Just have to hope this is a card that gets the Japanese fans excited as well! I think it should though, even if there is no Sakuraba this time.

12. DREAM Middleweight Final: Winner of Fight #2 vs. Winner of Fight #3
11. HW: Mirko "Crocop" Filipovic 23-6-2 vs. 28-11-0 Alistair Overeem
10. Lightweight: Shinya Aoki 17-3-0 vs. 9-2-0 Todd Moore
9. Middleweight: Yoshihiro Akiyama 11-1-0 vs. 1-1-0 Masanori Tonooka
8. Welterweight: Hayato Sakurai "Mach"32-8-2 vs. 12-5-0 Kuniyoshi Hironaka
Intermission
7. Middleweight: Ikuhisa Minowa "Minowaman" 40-28-8 vs. 38-13-1 Masakatsu Funaki
6. Featherweight: Hideo Tokoro 21-13-1 vs. 11-5-1 Atsushi Yamamoto
5. HW: Sergei Kharitonov 15-3-0 vs. 3-0-0 Siala Siliga "Mighty Mo"
4. Lightweight: Keita Nakamura "K-taro" 14-3-2 vs. 9-3-0 Adriano Martins
3. Middleweight GP Semi: Zelg Galesic 9-3-0 vs. 9-1-0 Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza
2. Middleweight GP Semi: Melvin Manhoef 22-4-1 vs. 22-2-1 Gegard Mousasi
1. Middleweight GP Reserve: Yoon Dong Sik 4-5-0 vs. 0-1-0 Andrews Nakahara

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9/23 DREAM 6 - Aoki added

DREAM has added another fight to the already stacked card for DREAM 6. No doubt this is to draw more viewers, but that's never a bad thing. I am surprised to see Aoki return so soon, but it will be an exciting fight. I dont know much about Todd Moore, but he was undefeated before his WEC debut and should be a good fighter.

Added:
Lightweight: Shinya Aoki 17-3-0 vs. 9-2-0 Todd Moore

It is also rumored that the Heavyweight fights between Kharitonov vs. Mighty Mo and CroCop vs. Overeem will be semi-finals for a HW title fight.

Previously Added:
Lightweight: Keita Nakamura "K-taro" 14-3-2 vs. 9-3-0 Adriano Martins
Middleweight: Ikuhisa Minowa "Minowaman" 40-28-8 vs. 38-13-1 Masakatsu Funaki
Welterweight: Hayato Sakurai "Mach"32-8-2 vs. 12-5-0 Kuniyoshi Hironaka
Middleweight: Yoshihiro Akiyama 11-1-0 vs. 1-1-0 Masanori Tonooka
HW: Mirko "Crocop" Filipovic 23-6-2 vs. 28-11-0 Alistair Overeem
HW: Sergei Kharitonov 15-3-0 vs. 3-0-0 Siala Siliga "Mighty Mo"
Featherweight: Hideo Tokoro 21-13-1 vs. 11-5-1 Atsushi Yamamoto

Middleweight GP Reserve Fight
Yoon Dong Sik 4-5-0 vs. 0-1-0 Andrews Nakahara

DREAM Middleweight Final: Winners of semi-finals

DREAM Middleweight Semi-Finals:
Melvin Manhoef 22-4-1 vs. 22-2-1 Gegard Mousasi
Zelg Galesic 9-3-0 vs. 9-1-0 Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza

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9/23 DREAM 6 - Akiyama's Opponent Announced

Looks like DREAM has completed their card today as well. This is an important event for them, it looks as though the pressure is really on to get the ratings up.

So the question is, will this draw the average Japanese viewers? They have really pulled in some Japanese stars though. Added today is Minowaman vs. Masakatsu Funaki, something that might go some way. Also fighting is "Mach" Sakurai and K-Taro.

I thought K-Taro had retired from MMA, so seeing him back is very welcome! (I dont know where I got it from though)

It should be a very good event! Let's see if it does as well as they hope though.

***UPDATE***
Akiyama have been given 3 choices of opponents, he is yet to answer, but is expected to fight in this event.
http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/headlines/etc/20080911-00000024-spnavi-fight.html

***UPDATE 2***
Akiyama has chosen to fight Masanori Tonooka. Should be a win for him, Tonooka has 2 MMA fights and a 1-1 record.
http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/headlines/etc/20080912-00000012-spnavi-fight.html

***UPDATE 3***
The new Metalica album will sponser this DREAM event.
http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/headlines/etc/20080912-00000005-spnavi_ot-fight.html

Added today:
Keita Nakamura "K-taro" 14-3-2 vs. 9-3-0 Adriano Martins
Ikuhisa Minowa "Minowaman" 40-28-8 vs. 38-13-1 Masakatsu Funaki
Hayato Sakurai "Mach"32-8-2 vs. 12-5-0 Kuniyoshi Hironaka
Yoshihiro Akiyama 11-1-0 vs. 1-1-0 Masanori Tonooka

Previously announced:
HW: Mirko "Crocop" Filipovic 23-6-2 vs. 28-11-0 Alistair Overeem
HW: Sergei Kharitonov 15-3-0 vs. 3-0-0 Siala Siliga "Mighty Mo"
Featherweight: Hideo Tokoro 21-13-1 vs. 11-5-1 Atsushi Yamamoto

Middleweight GP Reserve Fight
Yoon Dong Sik 4-5-0 vs. 0-1-0 Andrews Nakahara

DREAM Middleweight Final: Winners of semi-finals
DREAM Middleweight Semi-Finals:
Melvin Manhoef 22-4-1 vs. 22-2-1 Gegard Mousasi
Zelg Galesic 9-3-0 vs. 9-1-0 Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza

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4/29 DREAM 2 - Fight Order Announced

Well, its official. Frank Trigg is out of the DREAM tournament, his replacement is Ian Murphy. I have to admitt that Ian Murphy is a new name to me, according to NoB he is an amature wrestler.

It will be interesting to she how he does in this event.

Other than that, I am disapointed... This card looks very average... There are a few interesting fights in there (and a couple of awesome fights), but the card is thin. For the price they are charging, I would expect more. Either way, the tournament will be exciting. You can see that there is 1 fight missing in the middleweight tournament, that will be fought in DREAM 3.

Another surprice, Aoki vs. JZ has gone from being the main event in DREAM 1 to being the opening fight in DREAM 2.... I bet that has never happened before!

This is the fight order:
8. MW Tournament: Kazushi Sakuraba 23-10-1 vs. Andrews Nakahara
7. MW Tournament: Denis Kang 29-9-1 vs. 20-2-1 Gegard Mousasi
6. MW Tournament: Kiyoshi Tamura 28-14-0 vs. 38-12-1 Masakatsu Funaki
5. MW Tournament: Ronaldo Jacare vs. Ian Murphy
4. MW Tournament: Magomed Sultanakhmadov 4-1-0 vs. 7-3-0 Zelg “Benkei” Galesic
3. MW Tournament: Yoon Dong Sik 3-4-0 vs. 7-10-0 Shungo Oyama
2. MW Tournament: Ikuhisa Minowa 39-27-8 vs. 2-2-0 Taiei Kin
1. LW Tournament: Shinya Aoki 14-2-0 vs. 14-1-1 JZ Calvan

MW= Middleweight
LW=Lightweight

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4/29 DREAM 2 - Fights Announced

DREAM has announced their first fights for the Middleweight tournament. I thought Sakuraba was out, but looks like they pulled him back in... He is facing Andrews Nakahara, a Brazilian Karate specialist.

Kazushi Sakuraba 23-10-1 vs. Andrews Nakahara
Kiyoshi Tamura 28-14-0 vs. 38-12-1 Masakatsu Funaki
Denis Kang 29-9-1 vs. 20-2-1 Gegard Mousasi

http://www.dreamofficial.com/news/detail.php?id=1206599249
http://www.dreamofficial.com/

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4/29 DREAM 2 - Participants

DREAM has announced (it was actually done at the DREAM event on Saturday) 7 participants for the Middleweight tournament. It is more a field designed to please the Japanese audience than the hard-core MMA fan, from what I can see. But still, it should be an exciting event and these are only half of the tournament participants.

After the dissapointing TBS results for the first event, I am sure they will have some Super-Fights that will draw more viewers.

The fighters announced for the Middleweight tournament:
Kazushi Sakuraba 23-10-1 (2 NC)
Yoon Dong Sik 3-4-0
Yoshihiro Akiyama 10-1-0 (2 NC)
Shungo Oyama 7-10-0
Taiei Kin 2-2-0
Masakatsu Funaki 38-12-1
Ikuhisa Minowa “Minowaman” 39-27-8

Rumored:
Kiyoshi Tamura 27-14-0
Denis Kang 29-9-1

I am putting in the rumored fighters, because the are, as NOB has pointed out, featured on the poster.

Also, just in case you are wondering, DREAM has said they will make an announcement this week with regards to the Lightweight tournament and the controversy surrounding the Aoki vs. JZ decision.

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