Dream 6 Preview: What’s Next?

With one of the most stacked cards to date, the sixth installment of Japanese promotion, DREAM, is set to explode on September 23rd at Saitama Super Arena. With five productions behind them (of varying levels of success), it seems impossible to disregard the future DREAM has established for itself as one of the biggest and most dynamic MMA organizations in Japan and the world.

Looking back, DREAM has made an arduous journey from the low ratings of DREAM 1 to an organization that’s combined their forces with the popular Hdnet and fight org EliteXC. Dream has not been without it’s blows, having suffered repeated low ratings, and canceling fights with the (recently) elusive Mirko Filiopovic and “injured” Japan poster-boy Norifumi Yamamoto “Kid”. Yamamoto’s recent “hush-hush” drug allegations by Japanese tabloids have given Kid some trouble, and may be one of the reasons for his recent absence from the ring. Marijuana possession is socially unacceptable in his native Japan, and is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Thankfully, “Cro Cop” is set to fight Dutchman Alistair Overeem at DREAM 6, headlining the final four of it’s middleweight grand prix. Overeem publicly ostracized the “Croatian Sensation” for dodging real competition as of late. Alistair Overeem is coming off a string of wins, having submitted Samoan superstar Mark Hunt at DREAM 5, and having recently taken the Strikeforce heavyweight, defeating Paul Buentello. This will be Cro Cop’s first real challenge since returning to Japan after 2 back to back losses in the UFC.

Pride veteran and Russian Top Team member Serge Kharitonov will face K1 fighter Siala Siligia, popularly known as Mighty Mo. Returning to the ring after a year of inactivity, Russian born Kharatonov holds notable victories over Semmy Schilt, Fabricio Werdum, and fellow DREAM heavyweight: Alistair Overeem. Siligia recently busted a five bout losing streak in K1 with a unanimous win over Justice Smith. Siligia’s last mma-rules match was in 07.

Hideo Tokoro, who astounded fans with his dynamite performance against American jiu jitsu stylist Darren Uenoyama, will battle Yamamoto “Kid” student Atsushi Yamamoto. Fellow Krazy Bee member Yamamoto is coming off a well-fought loss to undefeated Masakatsu Ueda at Shooto-Back to our Roots 8, and will have his hands full with Tokoro. Tokoro, who has repeatedly called out Norifumi Yamamoto, will have to settle on his protégé.

After an exciting 1st and 2nd round, the final of DREAM’s middleweight Grand Prix comes to a close on the 23rd. Kickboxer and powerhouse, Melvin Manhoef won a smashing victory over legendary Kazushi Sakuraba in the second round after coming in as an alternate to replace injured Kiyoshi Tamura. Manhoef’s entertaining “balls to the wall” style will no doubt put Gegard Mousasi to the test. Mousasi (22-2) is possibly one of the favored fighters in in the tournament and has stated that he is looking forward to fighting Manhoef. Mousasi is on a seven fight winning streak having recently stopped Denis Kang with a memorable triangle choke in the first round of the GP, and winning an unanimous over Dong Sik Yoon at Dream 4.

The second tournament match stars Zelg Galesic and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. Jacare, making the move from BJJ to MMA in 2003 won a unanimous over Jason “Mayhem” Miller at Dream 4. Jacare trains alongside Randy Couture, Forrest Griffin and Wanderlei Silva at X-treme Couture. Jacare was personally invited by Couture after a grappling match that ended in a draw between the two. Taekwondo based Zelg Galesic, sometimes called the “Croation Wonderkid,” or “Little Cro Cop”, having trained with Mirko Filipovic, will have to keep it standing if he is to pull off a win on Souza, who is
favored to go onto the final. Though, with Galesic’s recent victory via arm bar over Magomed Slutanakhmedov at DREAM 2, it’s clear that the Croation as been improving his ground game.

In the tournament’s reserve match, Dong Sik Yoon will fight Brazilain Andrews Nakahara. After “Hellboy” Hansen won the Lightweight belt coming off as an alternate at DREAM 5, you can be sure that both Dong Sik and Nakahara will be eager to come out with a win. A celebrated Judoka, Yoon is said to have won 47 straight judo matches, with wins over Olympic Gold Medalists, and Judo world Champions, including Makoto Takimoto. Kyokushin Karate fighter Nakahara (1-1) won 1st place at the IKO South American Open in 2005, and lost his mma debut to Sakuraba at DREAM 2. Dong Sik Yoon should be able to dispatch the newbie (Nakahara) with relative ease if he can score the takedown, but Nakahara’s karate might prove to a problem for the decorated Judoka.

Just added to the card is Olympic Judoka Yoshihiro Akiyama (11-1) who will take on Karate convert Masanori Tonooka (1-1). Akiyama most recently submitted wrestler Katsuyori Shibata at DREAM 5. Akiyama is most widely known for his NC to Kazushi Sakuraba in 2006 where he allegedly used an illegal substance to lubricate his body, and was banned subsequently from mma for 1 year. Akiyama has been doing his best to win back the trust of the Japanese fans, and has notable wins over DREAM particiants: Denis Kang and Melvin Manhoef.

Also, Hayato “Mach” Sakurai will take on Kuniyoshi Hironaka. Hironaka just ended a 4 fight run in UFC (1-3), being defeated by Jonathan Goulet at UFC 83. Most recently, Hironaka defeated Motoki Miyazawa at DREAM 5 by way of TKO (cut). Sakurai’s last battle ended in an upset loss to Frenchman David Baron at Shooto-Shooto Tradition 1, and will be looking for a little redemption.

Masakatsu Funaki has seen trouble since his return to the ring in 2007 here he was defeated by Sakuraba, and then again at DREAM 2 by Kiyoshi Tamura in 08. Funaki will fight scheduled to fight Ikuhisa Minowa (a.k.a Minowaman). Minowaman lost a decision to Taiei Kin in the 1st round of the middleweight GP.

DREAM 6 should hold an explosive evening of dynamic bouts. If the organization wants to survive in a UFC dominated world, they will continue to bring the fans fight cards loaded with seasoned warriors and refreshing match-ups.

FIGHT CARD:

Middleweight Tournament:

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs Zelc Galesic
Melvin Manhoef vs Gerard Mousasi
Dong Sik Yoon vs Andrews Nakahara (Reserve Match)

Non-Tournament Matches:

Hideo Tokoro vs Atsushi Yamamoto
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic vs Alistair Overeem (HW)
Sergei Kharitonov vs Siala Siligia (HW )
Ktar Nakamura vs. Adriano Martins (LW)
Hayato Sakurai vs. Kunyoshi Hironaka (WW)
Masakatsu Funak vs. Minowaman (MW)
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Masanori Tonooka (MW)