The pairings for the semifinals of the Sengoku featherweight grand prix, scheduled for Sengoku 9 on August 2 from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, have been recently announced by Tatame.com.
The often overlooked Michihiro Omigawa — who earned his spot in the semifinals by dominating and garnering a hard fought decision victory over L.C Davis and then firing off an impressive performance against Nam Phan — will have another tough test when he faces the always dangerous Marlon Sandro.
Sandro is the Featherweight King of Pancrase, and has been impressive in his own right throughout the tournament, first submitting Matt Jaggers at Sengoku 7 with a standing arm triangle.
He then went on to defeat Nick Denis at his own game by knocking "The Ninja of Love" out with a well placed uppercut and continued the punishment on the floor, forcing the referee to intervene and halt the bout only 19 seconds into the opening stanza at Sengoku 8.
Tournament favorite and promotion poster boy Hatsu Hioki will collide with Masanori Kanehara. Hioki has been a dominant force thus far in the tournament, submitting American Top Team (ATT) jiu-jitsu coach Chris Manuel by triangle armbar at Sengoku 7. He then went on to submit formidable grappler Ronnie Mann with a triangle lock earlier this month.
Kanehara has garnered decision victories over Jong Man Kim also Chang Sung to earn his spot.
World Victory Road is also set to debut a newly created Television show similar in structure to The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). It has been named the "Project Gold Rush" and will feature up-and-coming fighters that will be scouted from Pancrase, Wajyutsu Keisyukai, Gutsman Shooto Dojo, Kiguchi Dojo, Hori Dojo, SK Absolute, Yoshida Dojo and ZST.
The weight classes for the show will be Lightweight (154lbs), Featherweight (143lbs) and also Bantamweight (132lbs). It is set to air in June, with the three Finals taking place in August at Sengoku 9.
Here is the current line-up for Sengoku 9:
Sengoku featherweight grand prix semifinals:
Hatsu Hioki (19-3-2) vs. Masanori Kanehara (13-5-5)
Marlon Sandro (14-0) vs. Michihiro Omigawa (6-7-1)
Sengoku Gold Cup Lightweight (154lbs) Final
Sengoku Gold Cup Featherweight (143lbs) Final
Sengoku Gold Cup Bantamweight (132 lbs) Final
Keep it dialed in to MMAmania.com for more information on this fight card as it develops.