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View Full Version : DREAM 6 fight card finalized with the addition of legends & all-stars



Tony
12-09-2008, 11:12
http://mmamania.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/dream6.jpg

DREAM Entertainment has finalized the main card for the conclusion of its middleweight grand prix at DREAM 6 on September 23 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event will air live stateside on HDNet.

Added today is practically a who’s-who of Japanese legends & all-stars including Keita “K-taro” Nakamura (14-3-2), Ikuhisa “Minowaman” Minowa (40-28-8), Masakatsu Funaki (38-13-1), Atsushi Yamamoto (11-5-1) and Hayato “Mach” Sakurai (32-8-2).

It will be interesting to see if Sakurai and Nakamura can rebound from their disappointing losses earlier this year. “Mach” was upset by David Baron at Shooto back in May while “K-Taro” lost a split-decision against Rob Emerson at February’s UFC 81.

Plenty of fans will be cheering for Minowa vs. Funaki, who combined may have fought every mixed martial artist on the planet - except each other. Both fighters came up short in their appearances at DREAM 2.

In heavyweight action, former PRIDE superstar and UFC jetsam Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (23-6-2) will finally attempt to silence current Strikeforce heavyweight champion and perennial trash-talker Alistair Overeem (28-11).

“Demolition Man” — who submitted Mark Hunt last month at DREAM 5 — has accused the Croatian of ducking him on more than one occasion - and of being a ‘douchebag’.

If that weren’t enough, Saitamaniacs will also be treated to the much-anticipated return of Russian gladiator Sergei Kharitonov. The 15-3 ‘Kharit-top’ has been homeless since pounding out Alistair Overeem at K-1 Heroes nearly a year ago but does hold victories over some of the bigger names in MMA, including current UFC title contender Fabricio Werdum.

His opponent will be none other than Siala “Mighty Mo” Siligia (3-0). Like Kharitonov, Siligia was last victorious at K-1 Heroes after a first-round mutilation of Ruben “Warpath” Villereal.

Don’t let the 3-0 record fool you: Mo knows fighting. Aside from MMA, Siligia is an accomplished kickboxer with a devastating overhand right that he calls “The Right Hand of God”.

Concluding the middleweight grand prix is tournament favorite “Marvelous” Melvin Manhoef (22-4-1) who will be facing Jurojin pupil Gerard Mousasi (22-2-1). Manhoef is coming off a devastating TKO win over Japanese icon Kazushi Sakuraba at DREAM 4 back in June and is the winner of five straight - all by (T)KO.

He won’t have a free pass however as the “Armenian Assassin” Mousasi has been on something of a tear himself. Like Manhoef, Mousasi is also a perfect 2-0 in DREAM competition, including his opening round upset over potential tournament finalist Denis Kang at DREAM 2 earlier this year.

The winner of Manhoef vs. Mousasi will have the unenviable task of facing either Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (9-1) or Zelg “Benkei” Galesic (9-3), who face off in classic striker vs. grappler match. Souza earned his spot in June by outpointing Jason “Mayhem” Miller at DREAM 4 while Galesic bagged and tagged Taiei Kin and the same event.

Former PRIDE tomato Dong Sik Yoon (4-5) and Brazil’s Andrews Nakahara (0-1) round out the grand prix with their reserve bout. Both fighters came up short in their last DREAM appearances but will try to use this opportunity to sneak into the finals.

Also added to the card is a featherweight bout pitting the new and improved Hideo Tokoro (21-13-1) against Shooto and Pancrase veteran Atsushi Yamamoto (11-5-1). Tokoro was victorious in both of his DREAM appearances, recently defeating Takeshi Yamazaki at DREAM 5. Yamamoto is coming off a decision loss to Masakatsu Ueda at Shooto 8 back in January despite a strong performance.

Here is the official fight card for DREAM 6:

Main Card:
Keita “K-taro” Nakamura (14-3-2) vs. Adriano Martins (9-3)
Ikuhisa “Minowaman” Minowa (40-28-8) vs. Masakatsu Funaki (38-13-1)
Hayato “Mach” Sakurai (32-8-2) vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka (12-5)
Yoshihiro Akiyama (11-1) vs. Masanori Tonooka (1-1)
Mirko “Crocop” Filipovic (23-6-2) vs. Alistair “Demolition Man” Overeem (28-11)
Sergei Kharitonov (15-3) vs. Siala “Mighty Mo” Siliga (3-0)
Hideo Tokoro (21-13-1) vs. Atsushi Yamamoto (11-5-1)

Middleweight Grand Prix Reserve Bout:
Yoon Dong Sik (4-5) vs. Andrews Nakahara (0-1)

Middleweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals:
“Marvelous” Melvin Manhoef (22-4-1) vs. Gegard “Armenian Assassin” Mousasi (22-2-1)
Zelg “Benkei” Galesic (9-3) vs. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (9-1)

Middleweight Grand Prix Final:
Winner of Manhoef/Mousasi vs. winner of Galesic/Souza

With so many names and histories, DREAM 6 looks to be an amazing night of fights. If a card of this magnitude cannot save the struggling promotion, nothing can. Here’s to hoping!

Tony
12-09-2008, 11:14
Dit wordt een ongelofelijk vette DREAM....

Kan in elk geval niet wachten tot ik de partij van Mousasi/Manhoef en Crocop/Overeem zie..

chief108
12-09-2008, 11:35
:thup:

Ralph
12-09-2008, 11:35
Dit wordt inderdaad echt vet! Goed evenement hoor.

nicolas the red
12-09-2008, 12:09
geen nick diaz dus, spijtig