Akiyama Opens Gym - Cloud Akiyama Dojo Hiroo

Yoshihiro Akiyaama is just months out from getting his UFC debut, and he still finds time to open a new gym! The location chosen is Hiroo, close to Roppongi. It is a great location for tourists, as this tends to be the area you hang out in anyway.

Akiyama has acknowledged that and wants to introduce foreign kids in the area to Judo. The gym has a cage, ring and judo hall. It should be a great place for visitors to get a workout.

Source:
GBR
SportsNavi

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Akiyama Signs for UFC

It has been known for a while that Akiyama's relationship with FEG was not as it should be. It has been rumored that he could sign for the UFC or Sengoku, but now it has been announced that he has signed for the UFC.

Akiyama has been followed by controversy, and he has been a fighter the Japanese fans loved to hate. His fight with Sakuraba did not help matters, when it was discovered that he had applied lotion to his body before the fight. Dispite him being an unpopular fighter, he is one fighter that the fans ALWAYS want to see and he is one of the most marketable fighters in the world.

Now he will take his show to the UFC, and I am sure his impact there will be immediate.

Source:
UFC

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Yoshihiro Akiyama to Sengoku?

There has been lots of rumors about Akiyama lately. He posted on his blog earlier that he is now a free agent, and would be a very good signing for any organization. The question is really where will he go?

Akiyama himself has expressed an interest in fighting in the UFC, but his value is probably greater in Japan/Korea. It will be interesting to see if UFC is willing to pay Akiyama what he demands (have a feeling he is not cheap). Sengoku has also expressed an interest in the controversial fighter.

For me, I have a feeling he will be in Japan. It would be a huge signing for Sengoku and I am sure they will do their best to make it happen.

SportsNavi
Nightmare of Battle
Nightmare of Battle

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9/23 DREAM 6 - PICTURES

IMG_5118
Originally uploaded by japanmma

DREAM kicked off their 6th event with the Middleweight reserve fight. Yoon Dong Sik was the favorite here, but Andrews Nakahara pulled out the surprise win. It has to be said that Nakahara had a lot of fans in the audience, most likely due to his karate background rather than his MMA debut fight.

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Originally uploaded by japanmma

The second fight was Mousasi against Manhoef. I expected Manhoef to come out swinging for the fences, but he never really got going. Mousasi was all over him on the ground and pulled out a spectaturlar (much due to Manhoef's strength) triange choke submission. Manhoef has later announced that he will retire from MMA, but seems more to spend time with his family than disapointment.

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Originally uploaded by japanmma

Jacare was able to take Galesic to the ground quickly, once there he wasted no time in getting mount. Galesic showed a lot of strength in being able to turn the mount, but then he had to deal with Jacare's guard. Jacare was able to secure a quick armbar.

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Originally uploaded by japanmma

K-Taro made his return to MMA and Japan against Krazy Bee's BJJ coach, Adriano Martins. The fight went the distance, but K-Taro was the better fighter in the end.

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Originally uploaded by japanmma

Kharitonov was meant to face Mighty Mo, but due to injury DREAM had to find a very late replacement. Up stepped Jimmy Ambriz. Taking a fight against Kharitonov on such short notice shows a lot of courage, but he was outclassed in this fight.

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Originally uploaded by japanmma

The fight I had the highest expectations for was Yamamoto vs. Tokoro. Tokoro has a string of very entertaining wins in DREAM now, but this one he was not able to take Yamamoto to the ground as much as he wanted.

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Originally uploaded by japanmma

Once on the ground, he was close to securing an armbar, but Yamamoto was saved by the bell. The fight went the distance and Yamamoto took the decision. A strong performance by the Krazy Bee fighter.

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Originally uploaded by japanmma

Minowa made his signature entry. Facing him this time was the old Pro-Wrestler and Pancrase veteran, Funaki.

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Originally uploaded by japanmma

Funaki pulled out something that a lot of people would view as an upset, but Minowa's form lately has not been great. Funaki won by a heel-hook, or was it a toe-hold?

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Originally uploaded by japanmma

Akiyama will never be finished appologizing... But it makes for a good entry, so I think he almost does it more for show now...

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Originally uploaded by japanmma

His opponent today was the relatively inexperienced Masannori Tonooka. Akiyama was able to do pretty much as he wanted.

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Originally uploaded by japanmma

He secured a quick win by armbar.

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Originally uploaded by japanmma

Aoki faced the American wrestler Todd Moore. It went as you would expect, Aoki was able to wrap Moore up pretty quickly. Looked like he was going for a rear-naked choke, but in the end the winning submission was a neck crank.

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Originally uploaded by japanmma

There were glimmers of the old Crocop, but he did not seem to threaten Overeem too much. Overeem hit Crocop with an accidental knee to the groin and the fight ended in a no contest. But until that point there was little doubt that Overeem had Crocop on the ropes. Hopefully Crocop recovers so we can see a re-match.

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Originally uploaded by japanmma

The Middleweight final was between Jacare and Mousasi. Jacare took Mousasi down, but Mousasi does have a good guard. Jacare got careless diving in and Mousasi hit him with a well placed upkick. KO win for Mousasi and he is the DREAM middleweight champion.

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Originally uploaded by japanmma

Mousasi was the big winner on the night, but now comes the big question about DREAM's future.

Just on a side note, any ring girl pictures will from now be posted here: http://japanese-ringgirls.blogspot.com/

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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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7/21 DREAM 5 - "Kid" Out!!!

"Kid" Yamamoto injured his knee during training and is out of his DREAM 5 fight!!!

Can News get worse?!?!?!? Guess they REALLY need an opponent for Mark Hunt now....

Let's just hope Tokoro is ok!

Lightweight Tournament Final (winners of Semi-Finals)

Lightweight semi-finals:
Eddie Alvarez 14-1-0 vs. 22-4-2 Tatsuya Kawajiri
Shinya Aoki 16-2-0 vs. 25-10-4 Caol Uno

Tournament Reserve Fight:
Joachim "Hellboy" Hansen 17-7-1 vs. 9-7-0 Kultar "Black Mamba" Gill

Non-tournament:
Yoshihiro Akiyama 10-1-0 vs. 2-4-0 Katsuyori Shibata
Motoki Miyazawa 4-0-0 vs. 11-5-0 Kuniyoshi Hironaka
Hideo Tokoro 23-13-1 vs. 14-7-2 Takeshi Yamazaki

Participating:
Mark Hunt 5-3-0

http://nightmareofbattle.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/final-preparations-getting-ready-for-the-fifth-dream/
http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/headlines/etc/20080718-00000030-spnavi-fight.html

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7/21 DREAM 5 - Hideo Tokoro Not able to Fight???

Hideo Tokoro was in a traffic accident on Wednesday afternoon. He was rear-ended but it does not sound too serious. However, he will have a medical check and it will be announced today or tomorrow whether he will be able to fight.

This could turn out to be a big blow to DREAM 5, there are 8 fights confirmed on th the card with Mark Hunt still being without an opponent. Lets hope they dont make Yamazaki fight Hunt...

http://www.kamipro.com/news/?id=1216270381
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/gryphonjapan/20080718/p2

The card:

Lightweight Tournament Final (winners of Semi-Finals)

Lightweight semi-finals:
Eddie Alvarez 14-1-0 vs. 22-4-2 Tatsuya Kawajiri
Shinya Aoki 16-2-0 vs. 25-10-4 Caol Uno

Tournament Reserve Fight:
Joachim "Hellboy" Hansen 17-7-1 vs. 9-7-0 Kultar "Black Mamba" Gill

Non-tournament:
Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto 17-1-0 vs. 7-0-0 Joseph Benavidez
Yoshihiro Akiyama 10-1-0 vs. 2-4-0 Katsuyori Shibata
Motoki Miyazawa 4-0-0 vs. 11-5-0 Kuniyoshi Hironaka
Hideo Tokoro 23-13-1 vs. 14-7-2 Takeshi Yamazaki

Participating:
Mark Hunt 5-3-0

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7/21 DREAM 5 - Finally Some Fights Announced!

I have been waiting for this for a very long time! Finally, DREAM have confirmed that Joachim Hansen is fighting in the tournament reserve fight. His opponent will be Kultar Gill, who I thought was impressive despite the loss to Kawajiri in the opening round.

Just an interesting note, Minowa is moved from this card to the DEEP Gladiators card. To me it seems that DEEP and Dream is building the same/similar sort of relationship that Pride and DEEP used to have. It will be very interesting to see how the DEEP cards will look going forward.

That gives us this card:
Lightweight semi-finals:
Eddie Alvarez 14-1-0 vs. 22-4-2 Tatsuya Kawajiri
Shinya Aoki 16-2-0 vs. 25-10-4 Caol Uno

Tournament Reserve Fight:
Joachim "Hellboy" Hansen 17-7-1 vs. 9-7-0 Kultar "Black Mamba" Gill

Non-tournament:
Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto 17-1-0 vs. 7-0-0 Joseph Benavidez
Yoshihiro Akiyama 10-1-0 vs. 2-4-0 Katsuyori Shibata
Motoki Miyazawa 4-0-0 vs. 11-5-0 Kuniyoshi Hironaka

Participating:
-Mark Hunt 5-3-0

***Update***
I know some of you noticed that I managed to spell Mark Hunt's name wrong, again! Thanks to Five Ounce of Pain I caught this in the office and had to wait all day to make the correction. It is not on purpose and there is no excuse...

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7/21 DREAM 5 - Another Participant Announced

SportsNavi has in an article added Japanese Pro-Wrestler Katsuyori Shibata. He is a guy that really needs a win, will be interesting to see who they pair him up with.

I expect there will be further announcements around this card in the coming days as the Fight Fesitval draws to a close

Participant added:
Katsuyori Shibata 2-4-0

Already confirmed:
Lightweight Final: Winners of Semi-Finals

Lightweight semi-finals:
Eddie Alvarez 14-1-0 vs. 22-4-2 Tatsuya Kawajiri
Shinya Aoki 16-2-0 vs. 25-10-4 Caol Uno

Non-tournament:
Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto 17-1-0 vs. 7-0-0 Joseph Benavidez

Other participants (previously announced):
-Mark Hunt 5-3-0
-Joachim Hansen 17-7-1
-Mirko CroCop 23-6-2
-Minowaman 39-28-8
-Yoshihiro Akiyama 10-1-0 (1NC)
-Denis Kang 29-10-1 (rumored)

Read more...

FEG (K-1 MAX and DREAM) Presents Akasaka Fight Fest

From June 30 to July 6 FEG will hold an event in Akasaka Sacas (Click here for directions) . Every day next week some of the biggest stars of FEG and DREAM will be there.

If you are in the area, this is something you should go and check out!

6/30 19:00-20:00 DREAM: Yamamoto "Kid" - Q&A
7/1 18:00-19:00 K-1 MAX: Masato - Open practice
7/1 19:00-20:00 DREAM: Shinya Aoki, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Mitsuhiro Ishida, Masakazu Imanari, Hidehiko Hasegawa - Special interview/talkshow and open practice + price giveaways.
7/2 18:00-19:00 K-1 MAX: Haruaki Otsuki, Daisuke Uematsu. Susumu Daiguji, Saiga Kizaemomu, Hirotaka Tode - Open practice and interview.
7/2 19:00-20:00 DREAM: Masakatsu Funaki, Katsuyori Shibata + more pro-wrestlers
7/3 18:00-19:00 K-1 MAX: Yoshihiro Sato, Yasuhiro Kido - Open Practice
7/3 19:00-20:00 DREAM: Caol Uno, Hideo Tokoro - Open Practice and interview
7/4 18:00-20:00 K-1 MAX: Buakaw, Andy Souwer other foreign MAX fighters - Interview and charity auction
7/5 13:00-15:00 DREAM: Yoshihiro Akiyama and others, making promotion for DREAM special on July 13.
7/5 16:00-20:00 K-1 MAX: Special match, 3-4 fight + Muay Thai/Karate fights

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7/21 DREAM 5 - Mark Hunt is back?!?!

As some of you will notice, and NoB has done as well, the graphics on the left side (the DREAM 5 graphic) has announced some new participants in this event! Who are they?

None other than:
-Mark Munt 5-3-0
-Joachim Hansen 17-7-1
-Mirko CroCop 23-6-2
-Minowaman 39-28-8

Other participants (previously announced):
-Yoshihiro Akiyama 10-1-0 (1NC)
-Denis Kang 29-10-1 (rumored)

This card is really taking shape!

I have a feeling Joachim might be in a reserve fight, but lets wait and see. For me, I am thinking this is enough to buy my ticket!

Already confirmed:
Lightweight semi-finals:
Eddie Alvarez 14-1-0 vs. 22-4-2 Tatsuya Kawajiri
Shinya Aoki 16-2-0 vs. 25-10-4 Caol Uno

Non-tournament:
Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto 17-1-0 vs. 7-0-0 Joseph Benavidez

Read more...

7/21 DREAM 5 - Semi-Finals Deceided

DREAM drew teh semi-final match-ups during the event today. DREAM 4 turned out to be an awesome event, and DREAM 5 promises to further improve on that.

The semi-finals:
Eddie Alvarez 14-1-0 vs. 22-4-2 Tatsuya Kawajiri
Shinya Aoki 16-2-0 vs. 25-10-4 Caol Uno

Also on the card:
Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto 17-1-0 vs. 7-0-0 Joseph Benavidez

Participating:
Yoshihiro Akiyama 10-1-0 (1NC)
Denis Kang 29-10-1

Read more...

7/21 DREAM 5 - Akiyama announced as participant

DREAM have announced today that Yasuhiro Akiyama will fight in DREAM 5 in Osaka. This event is really shaping up.

Participating:
Yasuhiro Akiyama 10-1-0 (1NC)

Previously Announced:
Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto 17-1-0 vs. 7-0-0 Joseph Benavidez

Lightweight Tournament Semi-Finalists:
Caol Uno 25-10-4
Eddie Alvarez 14-1-0
Tatsuya Kawajiri 22-4-2
Shinya Aoki/Katsuhiko Nagata

http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/headlines/etc/20080605-00000024-spnavi-fight.html

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4/29 DREAM 2 - Akiyama not participating

Today it is confirmed, Akiyama will not be participating in DREAM 2 and the middleweight GP. Reason is not only a knee injury that was earlier reported, but also fracture in the nose. It seems the knee was ok, but the nose injury is the reason the doctor but a stopper for him entering the tournament.

Either way, no Akiyama this time. But I guess we can hope he gets a spot in a reserve fight or something like that.

http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/headlines/etc/20080421-00000029-spnavi-fight.html
http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/headlines/etc/20080421-00000033-spnavi-fight.html

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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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K-1 Hero's 10/28

Marcelinho Garcia has signed to fight Kim Dae Won in Hero's in Korea October 28. This is a video of Marcelinho Garcia from last year. He is an accomplished BJJ fighter with 1 MMA fight (win). I have only seen Kim Dae Won in one fight, his loss to Joe Doerksen in DEEP 29. This was a fight he was tied up and submitted by a triangle choke within 4 minutes.

Other fighter confirmed for this event:
-Yoshihiro Akiyama
-Denis Kang
-Minowaman
-Dong Sik Yoon
-Taiei Kin
-Kim Min Soo
-Shugo Oyama
-Bernard Ackah

Read more...