It’s been a LONG time since my last contribution to MMAOpinion.com, which was due to school, exams and other attention grabbing things but I hope to come back with a lot more frequency during these days…
Anyways, moving to content, FEG is finishing up its 3rd major event of the month in Japan with its 2nd DREAM Show. My last posting before my “break” was specifically updating this card and I’m not too happy to inform you that there has been no additions thus far to the 183 Pound Grand Prix until Today that is. The card is most likely 100 percent finalized and the Grand Prix matches look like this:
Olympia DREAM.2
4/29 at Saitama Super Arena
- Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Andrews Nakahara
- Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Masakatsu Funaki
- Denis Kang vs. Gegard Mousasi
- Taiei Kin vs. Ikuhisa “Minowaman” Minowa
- Magomed Sultanakhmedov vs. Zelg Galesic
- Dong Sik Yoon vs. Shungo Oyama
- Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Frank Trigg
- Gesias “JZ” Calvancanti vs. Shinya Aoki
This card looks great at first glance and definitely seems more competitive than I had originally believed it would be. A full top to bottom preview of this card is definitely in the works. Also, it should be noted that the Winner of the JZ/Aoki fight will get a seed in the next round of the Lightweight GP but even more strange were comments made by Aoki earlier this week saying that he would most likely sit out the next round if he advanced. This does remain to be seen but this definitely adds a touch of controversy to the now trio of strange fights between the pair.
Sticking with FEG, it was announced that DREAM has signed a deal with SkyPerfectTV to have their shows on PPV in Japan (Hat Tip to Nightmare of Battle and Japan MMA). This move does come as a bit of surprise considering the partnership that FEG has with TBS. This could be due to the dismal number that DREAM.1 drew or looking at it more positively a way to avoid heavy editing when displaying their product. Side Note: SHOOTO’s Anniversary show will also be on PPV and features great fighters from both past and present SHOOTO. Sakurai, Sato, Hioki, and Lion Takeshi will all be featured just to name a few.
Still sticking with FEG, they had the 1st round of the K-1 World MAX Championships. The 2nd round fights take place on July 7th and the GP bracket looks like this:
K-1 World MAX 2008 GP Bracket:
- Masato vs. DRAGO
- Yoshihiro Sato vs. Buakaw Por. Pramuk
- Andy Souwer vs. Warren Stevelmans
- Yoshihiro Kido vs. Artur Kyshenko:
Artur Kyshenko my original pick to win MAX this year is still in and looking strong and he’s going up against a new face in the eyes of the Japanese, Yoshihiro Kido, who had an amazing 1st round fight stopping his opponent, Chi Bin Lim in 40 seconds. Also, it should be noted that the Sato/Buakaw trilogy will definitely deliver if the 2nd fight earlier this year was any indication. I Think Masato/Buakaw and Souwer/Kyshenko will be the Final Four but that remains to be seen.
The Heavies were on display last week on 4/12 in what has to be the best K-1 show this year in my opinion. Great fights and Great fighters. Quick recap of that. Semmy Schilt not surprisingly defeated Mark Hunt by Stoppage after Hunt not being able to continue. Badr Hari showed everyone why he’s the future star of K-1 by dismantling the horrible looking Ray Sefo in the 1st round. Junichi Sawayashiki’s fame as the Japanese attraction in K-1 was quickly wiped away as former Fan favorite Musashi, stopped him dead in his tracks. Another former fan favorite didn’t have the same luck, Yosuke Fujimoto was knocked down 3 times in his bout against Ewerton Teixiera in the 2nd extention round! Mighty Mo lost a less than thrilling overtime decision to who I believe is one of the saddest displays of a fighter in Keijiro Maeda. Takashi Tachikawa’s struck out against Hiroyuki Enokida even after knocking Enokida down twice in the 1st round within 25 seconds, he was soon there after knocked out in one of the most comedic fights in recent memory. Another fighter who’s got a bright future Alexander Pitchkounov scored a huge 2nd extension round victory over Golden Glory’s Chalid “Die Faust” Arrab. Mistugu Noda displayed great heart in defeating the touch and hard headed Petr Vondracek. Last but certainly not least the always impressive Glaube Feitosa delivered the Knockout of the year thus far as he Brazilian Kicked Alex Roberts’ hopes and face in an impressive showing by the Brazilian.
(Side Note: FEG will also have a GP in Holland on the 26 of April. The card is stacked and brings the count to 4 major events in 1 month for the busy FEG crew.)
Now for the J-Rock portion of this long update. Things seem rather calm on this front compared to the chaotic FEG side. The card for Senoku 2 was not updated until today and the card stands as so:
WVR Presents Sengoku 2
5/18
- Eiji Mitsuoka vs. Kwang Hee Lee
- Satoru Kitaoka vs. Ian Schaffa
- Yuki Sasaki vs. Jorge Santiago
- Yoshihiro “Kiss’ Nakao vs. “Big” Jim York
- Mike Pyle vs. Dan Hornbuckle
- (Roger Gracie and Kevin Randleman are also announced to appear)
This is definitely a week card compared to DREAM.2 and compared to inaugural Sengoku show. I expect maybe 2 or maximum 3 more fights to be announced but I don’t expect something mindbending or shattering.
For any information regarding DREAM visit their official website here.
For any information regarding Sengoku visit their official website here.
Both Websites are in Japanese.
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I do still love MMA and have...
April 18th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
*Yasuhiro Kido, not Yoshihiro.
April 18th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Yeah, You’re right. I always end up mixing those 3 names up somehow. Yoshihiro, Yoshiro and Yasuhiro.
April 19th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Either way, Ernest, thanks for the updates on the MMA scene in Japan!
April 24th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Yes, thanks a lot Ernest. I’m really excited for DREAM to start picking up speed. I was at the first round of the Lightweight’s tourny in March, and though the numbers weren’t as high as expected, there was definitely something there (in the air, if you will) that was reminiscent of the magic P word. Keep up the good work.