The show has just got underway which means the first fight should be starting in about half an hour knowing Japan and their elaborate opening ceremonies.
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Enjoy!
Takeshi Yamazaki vs. Shoji Maruyama
Good first round that really picked up towards the end. Yamazaki looked like he had finished it with an armbar, and Shoji even looked like he had rolled further into it but somehow escaped. Bas commented that he won’t be drinking with his left hand tonight. Definitely Yamazaki’s round as he largely controlled top poisition although Shoji was active and landed a particularly good knee to the body when standing.
Enjotyable second round but a little frustrating if you’re a Shoji fan. It looked like he winded Yamazaki with the knee in the first and it seemed as though he may be able to take advantage as the fight went on. However he was just too reckless and missed his opportunities to capitalise and ended up on bottom too often. Good action from both guys though. This show is one for one so far.
Yamazaki gets the unanimous decision and the dubious honour of being the lamb to be slaughtered by KID.
Middleweight GP: Jason Miller vs. Katsuyori Shibata
This type of fight is a perfect argument for an international sanctioning body to prevent such horrible mismatches. Miller knew immedaitely that he was in a different league to Shibata and proceeded to emabarass him and advertise his own unique brand of ‘Mayhem’ for around seven minutes or however long it lasted. Shibata should not be fighting and was basically paid to take a beating here.
Miller landed several dangerous knees to the face of Shibata and I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a broken cheekbone or somesuch. Yuji Shamada is an embarassment to refereeing. Miller starts rambling in Japanese afterwards and the Japanese crowd don’t seem very impressed. Also - Bas is being typically excellent on commentary.
I’d be surprised if Mayhem-Sakuraba isn’t made before the end of the year.
Middleweight GP: Melvin Manhoef vs. Kim Dae Won
Talking of fights that look like an argument for international regulation. This could also be nasty but I have a soft spot for Melvin so will tolerate it.
Can I just re-iterate my love for Manhoef. He comes out to the battle cry from the film 300 which is cool, if a little cliche. Then you have the motivational speech where the Golden Glory coach screams at him which is always a touching moment. Finally he walks to the ring on a LEASH just ot prove he is a bad apple and would gladly kill you despite the engaging smile on his face.
Wow, this was actually surprisingly competitive. Dae Won stunned him standing and took the fight to the ground early on. I thought we were on for a huge upset as Manhoef was audibly breathing very heavily and just holding for dear life. Somehow he got to top position though and landed a brutal knee to the back of Dae Won’s head that effectively knocked him out in an instant. He landed the obligatory hammerfists and as Dae Won is Korean and not Japanese the refereee doesn’t stand there and watch him die for ten minutes and mercifully ends it straight away.
Melvin excuses his performance by explaining that he only fought Bonjasky TWO WEEKS ago, which is a pretty incredible experience to recover from in such a short period. Apparently Tamura is likely out of the tournament due to finger injuries / money issues so expect to see Manhoef back soon.
Daisuke Nakamura vs. Jung Bu-Kyung
I can totally see Jung turning into an internet fan cult hero. Going into this fight he’s easily the best guy in MMA who doesn’t have a win to his name and he’s just so eager to throw on submission attempts that it’s impossible not to like him.
Entertaining first round that Nakamura gradually asserted his control over as it progressed. Jung is too keen and goes for the back at every opportunity and it cost him position a few times. Nakamura throws a really good straight left hand and it is connecting quite often.
Talking of a left hand, he feints with it in the second and immediately follows with a straight right that KOs Jung. That followed a great armbar exchange with the Korean showing exemplary defence. Really good fight though and this is an incredibly enjoyable card so far apart from the murder of Shibata. Jung remains without a win but he’s a winner in all out hearts. Or something.
DREAM Welterweight contender’s match: Nick Diaz vs. Katsuya Inoue
The reason we’re all here… DIAZ! Bas is rocking out the Inoue’s entrance music (R.A.T.M.).
Diaz is the strongest! Forget Judo.
He dominated the entire fight and late in the round Inoue’s corner threwthe towel in despute him not being dropped. Classic display of boxing from Diaz with him throwing body shots let and right, although they were all thrown with him typical lack of power. Where has the force that KOed Robbie Lawler gone? He also got caught a few too many times himself (like in the Mike Aina fight) but he has too good a chin to be worried by Inoue’s shots and it appeared as though it was only his lack of respect for his opponent that meant he wasn’t defending.
I can’t wait for Diaz-Sakurai later in the year for the DREAM title. It will be good to see Nick get some gold round his waist.
INTERMISSION
Lightweight GP: Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Luiz Buscape
We’re back and that was a very dominant first round from Kawajiri. More exciting than his last fight but still not thrilling. A good exhibition of ground and pound skills though. My bet is looking good so far.
Sama again in the second. Easy victory for Kawajiri and I finally in a bet! Assuming the judges don’t rub us both. If they do I will forever boycott DREAM from now on.
Hooray! It was unanimous!
Lightweight GP: Joachim Hansen vs. Eddie Alvarez
Eddie Alvarez won a decision. Everyone go and watch this fight.
Marc: Another FOTYC from the Norwegian warrior
Lightweight GP: Kaoru Uno vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida
Uno nails Ishida with big right hook, then busts his nose open with an uppercut. Very solid takedown defense showed by Uno thus far. Ishida finally hits a takedown….doesn’t last long on the mat though.
R2 CRAZY EXCHANGE, UNO CHOKES OUT ISHIDA!!UNO CHOKES OUT ISHIDA!!!!
GOOD NIGHT!
