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.
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