My Take On MMA 9.26.08: Final DREAM 6 (9.23.08) Thoughts, Plus Thoughts on the Future of the Company

Posted by Larry Csonka on 09.26.2008

Gegard Mousasi wins the Middleweight Grand Prix, Mirko almost loses a testicle, but is the dream over for DREAM? Read on to find out!



WELCOME~!:
Welcome back to another edition of My Take On MMA! After some recovery time from my all night event coverage of the DREAM 6 show, I am back and ready to go. This time around we will break down the latest event from the DREAM promotion, DREAM 6. We'll discuss the matches, the Middleweight Grand Prix winner and then touch on the future of the DREAM promotion. Sit back, relax and enjoy.

Stay tuned for tonight as I will be having LIVE coverage of the latest SHOWXC show, starting at 11pm EST!



Final DREAM 6 (9.23.08) Thoughts

The Fight: Middleweight Grand Prix Reserve Bout - Dong Sik Yoon (4-5) vs. Andrews Nakahara (0-1)
The Result: Andrews Nakahara via RD2 (0:30) TKO
Final Thoughts: After what seemed like forever we got our first bout of the evening, and it was the Middleweight Grand Prix Reserve Bout. Right away I personally disliked the lay out of the show. Personally I felt that the Semi-Final bouts should have been the first two of the evening, with the reserve bout being third. In my opinion the "reserve bout" is a second chance, and while I understand the need for it, I do not think that they should be awarded the extra rest time. You lost already or are being brought in as a back up, no extra time for you; I feel that should go to the guys that won their way to the semi-finals. But that's just my opinion; obviously I don't run the grand prix. So the bout was Dong Sik Yoon (4-5) vs. Andrews Nakahara (0-1), and on paper it didn't look like a fight to get that excited about. For those unfamiliar with Dong Sik Yoon, he is a judo guy that got thrown to the wolves when he transitioned to MMA, losing his first four fights, one of them against Rampage and the other against Sakuraba. Poor bastard. Nakahara was also thrown to Sakuraba in his first fight, sucks to be him as well. Yoon reportedly went into the fight injured and said it hurt his performance, I hate hearing that after the fight, but that's the report. Yoon had chances in the first round to end the fight as he had full mount and tried a few GI chokes, but nothing worked that well for him and he never took advantage of his chances. When round two began, Yoon looked very tired and Nakahara took advantage, got Yoon down and the fight was stopped due to strikes. This was a fine opening fight, but nothing that set the world on fire.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.0

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The Fight: Middleweight Grand Prix Semi-final: Melvin Manhoef (22-4-1) vs. Gegard Mousasi (22-2-1)
The Result: Gegard Mousasi via RD1 (1:28) Submission
Final Thoughts: The first semi-final match of the night was Melvin Manhoef (22-4-1) vs. Gegard Mousasi (22-2-1). I personally had picked Melvin Manhoef here as he has been a beast as of late, and though this crazy style would benefit him well. Manhoef was in trouble right away as Mousasi grabbed a triangle. Manhoef picked him up and walked him around a bit, but made the mistake of slamming him down to the mat. Mousasi held on tight, and Manhoef had no choice but to tap. A very exciting 88-seconds and Mousasi looked great in stopping the beast. Mousasi impressed me a lot here.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.5

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The Fight: Middleweight Grand Prix Semi-final: Jacare (9-1) vs. Zelg Galesic (9-3)
The Result: Jacare via RD1 (1:00) Submission
Final Thoughts: The second Middleweight Grand Prix Semi-final was Jacare (9-1) vs. Zelg Galesic (9-3), Jacare was my pick here to go to the finals and HOORAY I got this one right. Much like the first one this was a very quick fight. Jacare got a big slam, they went to the ground and Jacare then got a very fast arm triangle and Galesic tapped FAST! Another exciting, but short semi-final bout but I loved this for two reasons. Neither semifinalist got injured and they both had very short bouts, meaning they would be equally as fresh for the finals. These are good things in my book.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.5

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The Fight: Lightweight Bout - K-Taro Nakamura (9-3) vs. Adriano Martins (14-3-2)
The Result: K-Taro Nakamura via Split Decision
Final Thoughts: We switched to the lightweights as our next fight was K-Taro Nakamura (9-3) vs. Adriano Martins (14-3-2). This was a fight that went to a decision, and to me was a clear victory for Nakamura. Nakamura had very good riding time in round one and was clearly in control of the round. The only time he took anything that resembled damage was when he ran his own face into an elbow of Martins. I have to say that it was beautiful how Nakamura took Martins apart with his jab. I mean anytime he wanted to he threw that jab and not only connected, but popped Martins head back. In my opinion Martins never really offered anything as far as getting Nakamura in trouble and didn't do that much damage. Someone disagreed with me as it was a split decision, but this was a solid victory for Nakamura. This was a good but unspectacular fight.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.5

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The Fight: Heavyweight Bout - Jimmy Ambriz (13-9-1) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (15-3)
The Result: Sergei Kharitonov via RD1 tap due to strikes (They list it as a KO)
Final Thoughts: Jimmy Ambriz took this fight on short notice, and it showed. Kharitonov dropped him early, and basically stayed on him the whole time until Ambriz was forced to tap due to strikes. Sometimes a guy can take a fight on short notice and do well, this was not one of those times. Ambriz was tired early and clearly had no answer for anything Kharitonov threw at him. Kharitonov looked good, but it wasn't exactly a test for him.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 5.0

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The Fight: Featherweight Bout - Hideo Tokoro (22-13-1) vs. Atsushi Yamamoto (11-5-1)
The Result: Atsushi Yamamoto via Unanimous Decision
Final Thoughts: In a battle of featherweights we had Hideo Tokoro (22-13-1) vs. Atsushi Yamamoto (11-5-1). I freely admit that I was unfamiliar with both men, but I tend to enjoy the lower weight classes and was looking forward to this fight. Yamamoto may not have been able to put Tokoro away, but he clearly dominated the fight. Early on it was the dominating standup game, and much like Nakamura, Yamamoto utilized the jab very well and was controlling the pace of the fight and not taking damage. Tokoro would try some wacky rolling kicks from time to time, and while cut Yamamoto, he did basically nothing else. Yamamoto would also snag some takedowns in the last round, and that was all he needed to secure the unanimous decision victory. Again, this was a good fight, but overall nothing to write home about.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0

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The Fight: Middleweight Bout - Punk Minowa (40-28-8) vs. Masakatsu Funaki (38-13-1)
The Result: Masakatsu Funaki via RD1 Submission
Final Thoughts: Punk Minowa (40-28-8) vs. Masakatsu Funaki (38-13-1) was up next, and this was an interesting fight. Funaki is a guy that had retired in 200o after a loss to Rickson Gracie, and then returned in 2007 to lose again to Sakuraba. The fight was short and sweet as Minowa took down Funaki, they battled for holds and Funaki locked in the heel hook for the win. With this win it is the first one for him since 1999, and it seemed to please the crowd. It was short and not that exciting, but not bad. A side note, Funaki looked like he was 57-years old with his Hulk Hogan like tan.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 5.5

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The Fight: Welterweight Bout - Mach Sakurai (32-8-2) vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka (12-5)
The Result: Mach Sakurai via Unanimous Decision
Final Thoughts: After the intermission we went to welterweight action and as we saw Mach Sakurai (32-8-2) vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka (12-5). I have seen some Mach Sakurai and have enjoyed his matches in the past, so I was looking forward to his fight. He didn't disappoint as he controlled the bout easily stuffing the shoot attempts of Hironaka, threw some excellent leg kicks, he came close to finishing the fight at the very end of round two and his overall superior striking just outclassed Hironaka. In the end this came off more like a clinic for Sakurai instead of a fight. He comes out of this looking great, but again it wasn't a great fight.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0

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The Fight: Middleweight Bout - Yoshihiro Akiyama (11-1-0-2nc) vs. Masanori Tonooka (1-1)
The Result: Yoshihiro Akiyama via RD1(6:26) Submission
Final Thoughts: Yoshihiro Akiyama (11-1-0-2nc) vs. Masanori Tonooka (1-1) to me came off as nothing but a pathetic attempt to give Akiyama a decisive victory. Akiyama got him down and held him there almost the entire length of the fight. Tonooka got out at one point, but was taken back down and Akiyama would get the arm bar locked in and Tonooka tapped. I suppose I learned some Japanese here. Akiyama means protected and Tonooka means can.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 4.0

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The Fight: Lightweight Bout - Shinya Aoki (17-3-1nc) vs. Todd Moore (9-2)
The Result: Shinya Aoki via RD1 Submission
Final Thoughts: Coming off of his loss to Joachim Hansen in the DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix, Shinya Aoki was back in action and looking for a win. He was facing Todd Moore, who was 9-0 before suffering two straight losses in the WEC. Moore looked as if he was flown in to lose and collect a paycheck here. They clinched, Aoki got his back standing, Moore walked him to the corner, sat down and Aoki locked in a rear naked choke/neck crank and that was it. Aoki gets back on the winning track, and this was fine. After the bout Aoki challenged Akiyama to a fight on New Year's Eve.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.0

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The Fight: Heavyweight Bout - Mirko Cro Cop (23-6-2) vs. Alistair Overeem (28-11)
The Result: No Contest
Final Thoughts: So we came to the semi-main event of the evening, Mirko Cro Cop (23-6-2) vs. Alistair Overeem (28-11). There was some drama going into the fight as they guys talked shit, also Mirko was coming off of his horrible UFC stint (yes I know he defeated Tatsuya Mizuno at DREAM 1) and Overeem was doubted by many fans, even though he defeated Paul Buentello, is the Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion and recently defeated Mark Hunt. Overeem dominated the bout and cut Mirko by the left eye, his size and power were obvious and things looked bad for Mirko. They got even worse when Overeem racked Mirko in the balls, and we got a stoppage. After time we were back to action, Overeem went back to work, but another accidental knee to the groin dropped Mirko, and this would be the end of the fight. Mirko could not get up, and reportedly had a testicle driven into his lower abdomen. Sweet Jesus that had to suck. This was a good fight until the violations by Overeem, he was proving that he could dominate and Mirko wasn't the old Mirko as some had predicted. An unfortunate end to the fight to be sure, which lowers the overall enjoyment. I would like to see a rematch down the line to see if Overeem can defeat Mirko, without trying to remove any testicles.
Larry's Enjoyment Index: 3.0

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The Fight: Middleweight Grand Prix Final: Gegard Mousasi (23-2-1) vs. Jacare (10-1)
The Result: Gegard Mousasi RD1 (2:15) KO
Final Thoughts: 8.0
Larry's Enjoyment Index: Finally after 5-hours we got to the main event of the evening, the Middleweight Grand Prix Final of Gegard Mousasi (23-2-1) vs. Jacare (10-1). To begin both men were tentative, and rightfully so as they both won quick decisions early in the evening. Jacare was able to get a quick slam and had Mousasi down. He held position well, and then stood and went for a huge diving right hand. He flew into the guard of Mousasi, for what could have been a possible knockout blow. Unfortunately for him Mousasi caught him with a perfectly timed up kick and Jacare was OUT COLD in mid-air and then fell to the mat. His evening was finished and Mousasi was the new Middleweight champion. A short but very exciting bout, and on this night this was a perfect ending to the Grand Prix.

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The Overall:
Best Fight(s): Middleweight Grand Prix Final: Gegard Mousasi (23-2-1) vs. Jacare (10-1) 8.0
Worst Fight: Heavyweight Bout - Mirko Cro Cop (23-6-2) vs. Alistair Overeem (28-11) 3.0

Show Score: 6.0

Final Thoughts: At the end of the night the best thing I can say about the show is that it was "fine." Outside of the Middleweight Grand Prix matches, there wasn't much to get excited about. Overeem and Mirko was on the way to being a good heavyweight bout, but the no contest turned a lot of people off. The rest was just there, and while not overly offensive, it didn't exactly set the world on fire. The pacing of the show was horrible at times. Part of it was that due to rights issues they couldn't show the supposed "great video packages" that the live crowd saw. Part of it was the Japanese "pomp and circumstance" that comes with these events. Sometimes it adds to the shows in a great way, other times it just felt like filler that made the evening drag on forever. While BODOG FIGHT did a lot to make me hate MMA in a ring, this show did help me enjoy it again. There were only a few instances where they needed to be pulled away, and it was done quickly and didn't disrupt the flow all that much. One thing I found I disliked were all of the stoppages to check the cuts, allow the fighter to be wiped down and then restart the action. I understand if it is a bad cut that could eventually cause eye damage or something of that nature, but otherwise it is a part of fighting. Guys get cut, they have to fight though it and I thought that this was too much of an advantage to the guy getting beat on. But that's just me. Overall the show was fine, but not worth staying up for 5-hours starting at 3am.


~Is the dream over for DREAM?~
With DREAM 6 in the books, there is now concern over the company's future.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the two-hour prime time special on TBS (JAPAN) only drew a 9.0 rating. This is considered well under the 12.0, which is considered at least acceptable by Japanese network standards for what is a major live and big money event. This is now the promotions third straight bad number in its third prime time show this year. DREAM created a lot of hope as it was regarded as a symbolic merging of Pride and Hero's, the two rival Japanese MMA groups. The show did peak at a 13.4, during the Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Masanori Tonooka fight. The Japanese edit of the show was considered "bad" by those who viewed it live.

FEG head Sadaharu Tanikawa said if they didn't do a good number, which they didn't, and if they lost their network prime time contract that DREAM would likely fold. There is talk that FEG could do some MMA matches on its kickboxing shows, like is currently scheduled for the December 31st Dynamite show. But with Sengoku losing millions, it is very likely that the days of Japan being the strong No. 2 market for MMA, after a long run at No.1, that a lot of name fighters could be facing the end of big money careers. The good news, which is apparently the only good news is that the live gate did well as they drew just over 20,000.

The semi-main event of Mirko vs. Overeem was made to set up a big New Year's Eve battle, with the winner facing Fedor Emelianenko. Fedor was paid well to show up and help hype the possible fight, but that seems off the books as well. Affliction promoter Tom Atencio has stated that Emelianenko would not be fighting in Japan on New Year's Eve. He said that, "Fedor was supposed to fight for them on New Year's Eve, but he is not because we extended his contract." That's bad news for DREAM.

With the bad ratings and lack of Fedor for New Year's Eve, things do not look good for DREAM. With PRIDE closing down around two years ago, is Japanese MMA about to prepare for another blow to the sport? We'll have to wait and see…