The new Japanese DREAM promotion is following up last week’s successful debut with the opening round of its Middleweight Grand Prix at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on April 15.
Fighters scheduled to appear on the card are:
- Kazushi Sakaraba (23-10-1)
- Yoshihiro Akiyama (10-1)
- Masakatsu Funaki (38-12-1)
- Dong-Sik Yoon (3-4)
- Taiei Kin (2-2)
- Shungo Oyama (7-10)
- Ikuhisa Minowa (39-27-8)
While nothing official has been announced, it is expected that Renaldo “Jacare” Souza (7-1) will also appear on the card based on a conversation he had with Throwdown News.
In addition, MMAWeekly is speculating that Denis Kang (29-9-1) and Kiyoshi Tamura (28-14) will be competing as well.
Shortly after that, round two of the Lightweight Grand Prix will take place on May 11 at the same location. Advancing to the second round after victories at DREAM 1 were:
- Luiz Firmino (12-3)
- Joachim Hansen (17-6-1)
- Katsuhiko Nagata (4-2)
- Mitsuhiro Ishida (16-3-1)
- Eddie Alvarez (13-1)
- Tatsuya Kawajiri (21-4-2)
- Gesias Calvancante/Shinya Aoki (TBD – match ruled a no contest)
Both events look to be solid, though it’s no secret the addition of Kang and Souza would definitely boost the talent level for the Middleweight GP.
Stay tuned for more official announcements from the DREAM team. In the meantime you can check out the official DREAM website or the MMAmania DREAM archives.
23 Comments »
Still not the UFC!
[quote comment="380750"]Still not the UFC![/quote]
What do you mean still not the UFC?
It wouldn’t matter if the UFC wasn’t around… that’s a terrible Middleweight GP. A bunch of washed up fighters with a couple standouts.
on the other hand, the lightweight GP is very solid and I’m looking forward to the final 4
I don’t get it. How does this tournament work with only 7 fighters in the second round? Does someone get a bye?
finally! some news on souza!
[quote comment="380750"]Still not the UFC![/quote]
UFC dont use tournaments so it isnt UFC but so what??
PRIDE reborn
Definitely looking forward to all the dream events. Washed up or no, there are some real personalities with real skills in the MW GP. The lightweight GP will crown a solid champion, barring any strange mishaps (which can happen in tourneys!)
Pumped about seeing Jacare compete on the big stage. He could be huge.
[quote comment="380772"]It wouldn’t matter if the UFC wasn’t around… that’s a terrible Middleweight GP. A bunch of washed up fighters with a couple standouts.
on the other hand, the lightweight GP is very solid and I’m looking forward to the final 4
[/quote]
That is not a bad middleweight grand Prix at all!
Akiyama and Dennis Kang are 2 very skilled fighters and are probably both in the top 15 middleweights in the world.
Sakuraba and Funaki are both LEGENDS, who’s experience can help catch anyone on a submission.
Dong Sik Yoon, is one of the most improved fighters of the past couple of years. He fought Rampage very tough!
Jacre: May just be the best grappler on the planet!
Minowaman is a warrior!
This is a very good grand prix. Some of these fighters would beat some of the top 10 middleweighst in the UFC. If Okami, McDonald, rich Franklin entered this tournament…. I dont think they would win.
Mania, I appreciate you starting to show DREAM so love on this site. Keep up the good work because there are many true mma fans on this site, not just only UFC-nutt-huggers.
Good work buddy!
Awesome, I can’t wait for the lightweight GP to continue. The last round was amazing and I expect the next one to be even better.
[quote comment="381181"]Mania, I appreciate you starting to show DREAM so love on this site. Keep up the good work because there are many true mma fans on this site, not just only UFC-nutt-huggers.
Good work buddy![/quote]
Everyone on this site is a “UFC-nutt-hugger”. But I guess we all can’t be as cool as you!
BORING. When is pride i mean dream going to do something good with all of these “talented” fighters?. Denis Kang is a joke I would much rather watch paint dry than this guy fight!
[quote comment="381248"][quote comment="381181"]Mania, I appreciate you starting to show DREAM so love on this site. Keep up the good work because there are many true mma fans on this site, not just only UFC-nutt-huggers.
Good work buddy![/quote]
Everyone on this site is a “UFC-nutt-hugger”. But I guess we all can’t be as cool as you![/quote]
UFC Nutthuger is a tearm used to describe the ignorant fans who think that UFC is mma. when in reality the UFC is just 1 out of many mma organizations. UFC Nutthugers like you, dont care what happens outside of the UFC…What ever Dana says, goes for you people. When the more knowledgable fans know that their are great fighters in every organizations.
Keep drinking that company cool aid BNF!
and by the way BNF, no you can not be as cool as me…so Bow down! lol
Calvancante got jacked. They should just let him advance.
[quote comment="381529"][quote comment="381248"][quote comment="381181"]Mania, I appreciate you starting to show DREAM so love on this site. Keep up the good work because there are many true mma fans on this site, not just only UFC-nutt-huggers.
Good work buddy![/quote]
Everyone on this site is a “UFC-nutt-hugger”. But I guess we all can’t be as cool as you![/quote]
UFC Nutthuger is a tearm used to describe the ignorant fans who think that UFC is mma. when in reality the UFC is just 1 out of many mma organizations. UFC Nutthugers like you, dont care what happens outside of the UFC…What ever Dana says, goes for you people. When the more knowledgable fans know that their are great fighters in every organizations.
Keep drinking that company cool aid BNF!
and by the way BNF, no you can not be as cool as me…so Bow down! lol[/quote]
I know what it means smart guy. And who are you to call people ignorant when you don’t even know how to spell (tearm)!
I just don’t like that type of attitude. It shouldn’t matter why or how long you have been a fan. All that should matter is that your are a fan now. I am a fan of all MMA and even if I was only a fan of the UFC who the hell cares.
anyone heard any rumors of Cro Cops next bout?
This should be called “BAD DREAM”
I have been in moderation for like 5 hours? What’s up?
[quote comment="380762"][quote comment="380750"]Still not the UFC![/quote]
What do you mean still not the UFC?[/quote]
UFC is the gold standard of MMA. Dream can try but will never be as good as the original!
[quote comment="381887"][quote comment="381529"][quote comment="381248"][quote comment="381181"]Mania, I appreciate you starting to show DREAM so love on this site. Keep up the good work because there are many true mma fans on this site, not just only UFC-nutt-huggers.
Good work buddy![/quote]
Everyone on this site is a “UFC-nutt-hugger”. But I guess we all can’t be as cool as you![/quote]
UFC Nutthuger is a tearm used to describe the ignorant fans who think that UFC is mma. when in reality the UFC is just 1 out of many mma organizations. UFC Nutthugers like you, dont care what happens outside of the UFC…What ever Dana says, goes for you people. When the more knowledgable fans know that their are great fighters in every organizations.
Keep drinking that company cool aid BNF!
and by the way BNF, no you can not be as cool as me…so Bow down! lol[/quote]
I know what it means smart guy. And who are you to call people ignorant when you don’t even know how to spell (tearm)!
I just don’t like that type of attitude. It shouldn’t matter why or how long you have been a fan. All that should matter is that your are a fan now. I am a fan of all MMA and even if I was only a fan of the UFC who the hell cares.[/quote]
So than why the hell did you attack me for calling out the UFC-Only-NuttHuggers, if you arent even one of them? Weather you like it or not, I read posts on this site everyday by idiots saying that this isnt UFC, who cares! If you arent one of them, than you shouldnt have attacked me and I wouldnt have been so rude to you.
I love mma! I like the UFC, Pride was my favorite, I like so far what I see baout DREAM, I enjoy world Victory Road, the WEC, EliteXC, strikefore, cage rage, and Icon!
I am so sick of hearing people who write that if it isnt the UFC, who cares. And thats what I mean when I say the UFC-ONLY-NuttHugers!
[quote comment="382560"][quote comment="380762"][quote comment="380750"]Still not the UFC![/quote]
What do you mean still not the UFC?[/quote]
UFC is the gold standard of MMA. Dream can try but will never be as good as the original![/quote]
How can u all judge it already? PRIDE was as big as the UFC, if not better. From what I hear about DREAM and the ir future plans, it looks like they will make a serious run at bringing back PRIDE.
they should let both Aoki and JZ advance, then they could meet again in the finals. or i would also like to see Mishida – Kawajiri finals