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!
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