DREAM Dynamite!! 2010 Picks & Prognostications

DREAM Dynamite!! 2010
December 31, 2010
Saitama Super Arena
Saitama, Japan

DREAM Heavyweight Interim Championship Bout
Alistair Overeem vs. Todd Duffee Its the battle of the ultra-buff and juiced to the 9's Heavyweights. Though everyone is expecting the "Demolition Man" to dispose of the young rook with prejudice, it is a MMA fight and anything can happen as Todd discovered in his last bout which was his 1st defeat. Duffee is a young genetic freak so who knows? He could pull off what would be a huge upset but I'm guessing he will realize his stand up skills pale in comparison to Overeem and I doubt Todd can hold him on the floor. Expect fireworks. Todd can't hang for 5 rounds and Alistair gets another belt he probably won't defend.

WINNER-Alistair Overeem by Rd.2 KO

Featherweight Champion Bibiano Fernandes vs. Hiroyuki Takaya [Rematch] The 1st meeting for the strap was razor close with Bibs winning the Split-Decision and now we are back again to settle things. "Streetfight Bancho" has been on a tear KOing Chase Beebe and Joachim in impressive but he'll be grounded and dry humped all night long. This is a coin flip.

WINNER-Hiroyuki Takaya by Decision?

Welterweight Champion Marius Zaromskis vs. Kazushi Sakuraba The "Whitemare" finally defends his belt for the 1st time this year and after losing 2 fights in the states! Saku has seen his blitzkrieg striking style before but now he is so brittle and easily damaged from years and years of abuse. This will probably get ugly quick but credit DREAM for giving their hero a shot at the ever elusive title even coming off an embarrassing loss (his 1st by submission). Wear and tear is too great but with Chuck Liddell retiring, I gotta cheer for the old guard. C'mon Sakuraba, one last chance for you to wow the world. But I doubt it.

WINNER-Marius Zaromskis by Rd.3 TKO

Shinya Aoki vs. Yuichiro Nagashim This match will rotate between K-1 rules and MMA rules so I have zero desire to try and figure it out.

WINNER-Who cares?

Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Josh Thomson Now this is a great matchup. The "Punk" on loan from Strikeforce meets the venerable "Crusher" who always falls just a tad short of the belts. I like this bout to be a little more even than most with Kawajiri holding his own just fine until the gas runs out. Thomson knows how to frustrate and tire opponents and Tats cardio won't be up to snuff.

WINNER-Josh Thomson by Decision

Kazuyuki Miyata vs. Caol Uno People are liking the car guy here but not me. Uno is looking to reclaim his respect after being less than impressive in the UFC. I just don't know if Caol has anything left to offer as his game stalled and he does not improve.

WINNER-Kazuyuki Miyata by Decision

Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Izumi Hiroshi There should never be a DREAM card without the lovable "Minowaman." I have no clue who the other guy is but DREAM likes to feed "Minowaman" so I'll stick this the super-hero mullet.

WINNER-Ikuhisa Minowa by Rd.1 Toe Hold

Hayato Sakurai vs. Jason High "Mach" is really struggling these days losing 3 in a row and beginning to show his age. The "Kansas City Bandit" is taking a giant leap up in competition though he has danced with the big promotions for a moment. Take the KC connection to pull the upset as "Mach" takes a good look at retiring.

WINNER-Jason High by Decision

Hideo Tokoro vs. Kazuhisa Watanabe Losing 6 of his last 8 and looking to take his record below .500 soon, Tokoro steps in against a pro boxer trying to make the move over to MMA. Hideo has never impressed me but surely he can G&P the newbie right?

WINNER-Hideo Tokoro by Decision

Jerome LeBanner vs. Satoshi Ishii The "I-Dash" fighter is starting to come around a bit as he now faces a giant K-1 striker. LeBanner had better land fast because he is going to be spending some time on his back.

WINNER-Satoshi Ishii by Decision

Sergei Kharitonov vs. Tatsuya Mizuno 1 fight in '09 and 1 fight in '10 and the "Moscow Mauler" is back. Once feared and respected Sergei kinda fell off the map before re-emerging with K-1 specialists Golden Glory so expect the striking skills to be solid. I'm a big fan of the heart and courage Mizuno possesses but I think he might find himself a bit out gunned here. I'm rooting for ya Tatsuya but me thinks you're in trouble.

WINNER-Sergei Kharitonov by Rd.2 TKO

IGF Rules:
Bob Sapp vs. Suzukawa Shinti Could not care less about anything the "Beast" does. He'll lose. He always does.

WINNER-Suzukawa Shinti by whatever

K-1 Kickboxing Rules:
Gegard Mousasi vs. Kyotaro

WINNER-Gegard Mousasi
Akiyo Nishiura vs. Tetsuya Yamato

WINNER-"Wicky"