Saturday, May 23, 2009

DREAM 9 Picks & Predicaments

1st Round Super Hulk Grand Prix
Bob Sapp vs. Ikuhisa Minowa The Japanese "Punk" has submitted some giants but I just don't think he'll have time as Sapp uses his 2 minutes of cardio to pummel "Mullet" Minowa. Ikuhisa will probably throw some amusing unorthodox strikes anyway.

WINNER-"The Beast" Rd.1 TKO
Hong Man Choi vs. José Canseco Not real sure that the steroid monster of Baseball is even going to show against the Techno-Goliath. Forget that Choi is a 7'2" 352 lb. trained K-1 fighter, and Canseco is having money problems. This fight probably won't happen and if it does expect 1 punch and Jose hitting the floor and immediately heading to the back for his paycheck.
WINNER-Hung Man by TKO Rd.1
Jan Nortje vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Uggggh, both of these guys suck! The MMA Predator has no cardio and collapses when hit, while Nortje is 6'11" K-1 kickboxer who can hit, or be submitted the minute he hits the floor. No love for either bitch but I know that Soko can take Nort down, and sticking and moving he'll probably land enough low kicks to fold up the big mans legs like origami.
WINNER-Predator by TKO Rd.1
Gegard Mousasi vs. Mark Hunt Ah, MMAFO's "2008 Fighter Of The Year" returns as he has decided to become a Light Heavyweight, or even Heavyweight fighter. Hunt doesn't give a shit anymore and doesn't train though he will always have that Samoan power and iron chin. The Red Devil will take Titty McGee to the ground and tap him out in some fashion or another.
WINNER-"Young Vagabond" by choke Rd.2

Lightweight Bout
Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Gesias Calvancante Now here is the "Fight Of The Night" as 2 bad ass Lightweights with great striking and serious MMA game collide. "Crusher" has been on the verge of becoming an elite fighter only to fall against top tier talent. Takanori Gomi, Gilbert Melendez, and Eddie Alvarez all found ways to beat the T-Blood fighter though they are still some of the best in the world. "JZ" rode a 13 fight winning streak to stardom until Shinya Aoki took him out via decision. The American Top Team fighter has better striking than Kawajiri but anyone can be dropped in a fight. I just like JZ to be better almost all facets of the game including garnering points to gain the win in what could be a "Fight Of The Year" candidate.
WINNER- JZ by decision

2nd Round Featherweight Grand Prix
Abel Cullum vs. Hideo Tokoro Cullum is Abel (damn I'm funny)to take out Tokoro who has only won 3 of his last 8 fights, and does the 3 tap symphony for the former janitor.
WINNER-Cain's brother by lets say armbar
Yoshiro Maeda vs. Hiroyuki Takaya Maeda is a tough as they come striker (see his loss against Miguel Torres) and "Streetfight Bancho" (no, I have zero idea what that nickname is about) will accommodate with his better striking ability including devastating head kicks.
WINNER- Bancho by decision
Masakazu Imanari vs. Bibiano Fernandes The "Ashikan Judan" is a submission "leg man" while "The Flash" is only 4-2 and a relative mystery to me. Ah, now back from YouTube I'll take DC Comics hero by lightening speed.
WINNER-Flash by decision
Norifumi Yamamoto vs. Joe Warren No need for a 1st round fight, "Kid" cruises in to the tournament against the upstart collegiate wrestler who shocked the world winning his debut fight against talented Chase Beebe. Yamamoto is actually not the better wrestler for probably the 1st time in his career, but experience and brilliantly brutal striking end the day for the future prospect.
WINNER-Kid via the dreaded TKO Rd.1

Dream Middleweight Title Fight
Jason Miller vs. Ronaldo Souza (Rematch) Gegard Mousasi gave up the Middleweight belt as he begins his climb to the upper weight divisions giving way to this rematch. The 1st time around Miller played defense and had no answers for Souza's Jiu-Jitsu as "Jacare" got the win. I'm not sure Miller's on again off again love affair with MMA will do him any favors here. Jason has his MTV show, "Bully Beatdown," and loves to search for the spotlight when he is "retired." Souza is just improving and joining Wanderlei Silva's fight team won't hurt his striking. Expect another decision win as the Brazilian becomes the Middleweight target for DREAM.
WINNER-Ron Souza by aforementioned decision
It may be a freak show debacle for the Super-Hulks, but the Featherweights are impressive and the 2 feature fights show 4 very talented fighters in what will be an odd but entertaining card.

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