DREAM 5

Believe it or not but the mixed martial arts action this weekend continues.

The conclusion of the lightweight grand prix tournament for the Japanese mixed martial arts promotion, DREAM, is set to take place late tonight. The action will air live from the Osaka-jo Hall in Osaka, Japan, on HDNet beginning at 2 a.m. ET.

The 16-man tournament has now been played down to the final four. The semi-finals and final will both take place tonight and a champion will finally be crowned. Creative submissions whiz, Shinya Aoki, will meet journeyman, Caol Uno, in one half of the semi-finals. Aoki has been super impressive so far in this tournament with his submission game.

He is the clear favorite to take the title tonight.

The other side of the bracket has a different feel to it with two fighters who love to bang. The winner from this side certainly can’t be over looked to win this thing either. Philadelphia native, Eddie Alvarez, is the lone American representative remaining. He’ll take on Tatsuya Kawajiri in what looks to have the makings of a classic slugfest.

If it’s anything close to the quarterfinal fight between Alvarez and Joachim Hansen, we’re in for a treat.

Speaking of Hansen, he’ll face Kultar Gill in the tournament reserve bout, which basically means if any of the semi-finalists get hurt or are unable to continue, the winner here will take their place in the final. Hopefully, this fight is just a formality, as well as a showcase fight for Hansen.

Besides the tournament champion being decided tonight, there will be at least four other fights on the card, including Mark Hunt’s return to action for the first time since 2006. He’ll take on Alistair Overeem in a heavyweight affair.

At one point this card was looking stacked.

However, Mirko Cro Cop had to withdraw because of an injury and so did “Kid” Yamamoto. The Nick Diaz vs Hayato “Mach” Sakurai welterweight title fight was also pushed back because of scheduling errors. If those guys could have remained on the card, this had the potential to be a great event.

But there’s nothing like the final night of a Japanese grand prix tournament, making this event still something to be excited about. The conclusion of that alone is more than worth watching.

MMAmania.com will be up into the wee hours of the night, providing live updates for those who can’t watch the event live. Check in early and often right here for all your DREAM 5 coverage.

July 20th, 2008    

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7 Comments »

Comment by Tony
2008-07-20 19:05:38

How long until this event in hours?

 
Comment by Tricky Nick
2008-07-20 19:32:38

Alvarez vs. Kawajiri is going to be an explosive fight. Nice to see Mark Hunt back in action too. I really can’t wait to see the rest of the Middleweight Tourny at DREAM 6.

Comment by john
2008-07-20 19:47:52

Yeah tonight will be a very exciting conclusion to the grand prix, but I am really waiting on the middleweight tournament and rooting on my boy Jacre! Tonight I am rooting for my hometown fighter, Eddie Alvarez and I am calling “Upste City Baby” in the finals when Eddie TKO’s Aoki (1 of my favorite lightweights in mma”

its a shame that Kid Yammamoto got hurt. I hear he will be out atleast 6 months…Terrible news.

Mark Hunt vs. Alistar Overeem is going to be a serious BANG, and Hunt is not loosing. Props to Alistar for taking the fight on 3 days notice, but that will be too much to overcome, since Mark Hunt is a heavyhitter, not to be played with!

 
 
Comment by ...
2008-07-20 19:36:46

Dream starts at 2am Et. It’s on HDnet

 
Comment by ViolentMike
2008-07-20 19:51:55

Looking forward to tonite, but I’m not going to be able to watch the whole card tonite. But then again, it may just keep my mind going enough to keep me awake. If I see the Alvarez fight and he beats Kawiriji, there is no way I fall asleep for him vs Aoki in finals!

 
Comment by pUniSHment
2008-07-20 20:07:50

Is there a link for the fight?? I looked on channelsurfing.net and they don’t have it up.

 
Comment by wrestler189
2008-07-20 22:55:45

uno is far from a journyman. he is top 10

looking forward to the event

 
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