DREAM 3 LIVE Coverage Starting At 3 AM EST/Midnight PST

Posted by Randy Harrison on 05.11.2008

All the happenings LIVE from Tokyo....



Click refresh for round-by-round updates throughout the entire card...


We are L-I-V-E, LIVE from Tokyo for DREAM 3!! Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten welcome us to Saitama Super Arena as we see the crowd still filing into their seats. Bas is EXCITED, saying that he's right back where he was when he was in PRIDE. We see the full fight card and Bas talks about the Hansen/Alvarez fight, Diaz, Mahoef, etc., saying that every fight will be competitive and that the card is unbelievable. Rice talks about the start of the tournament through DREAM 1 and 2 and they show the Quarterfinal match-ups for the Lightweight Grand Prix. Bas says that every fight on the card could be a main event fight and he's looking forward to the card and he wants to get it going!! We get Ron Kruck with highlights of the second JZ/Aoki fight, and his opponent Nagata's first round win. Highlights of Hansen/Boku and Alvarez/Amade follow. The first round wins for Kawajiri and Firmino are shown, as well as highlight of Mitsuhiro Ishida's fight, leading to his second round fight with Caol Uno.

Kenny and Bas talk about how the opening ceremonies of the show are nothing like they've ever seen before and they start to break down the Kawajiri/Firmino fight and Hansen/Alvarez fights in-depth, as well as the Ishida/Uno fight. This leads to a video package for Jason "Mayhem" Miller, with him saying that he would fight and hurt his mother if they paid him enough. Happy Mother's Day, Mrs. Miller. The voice-over calls him a walking contradiction adn that even though Miller claims to be from parts unknown but he's really from HOLLYWOOD and that he aspires to be a pro-wrestler. They show him training at Team Quest's facility in Temecula, CA and say that his specialty is submissions. This voice-over guy is hilarious, making it sound like a movie trailer. Mayhem monkeys rejoice!! Miller apparently has the most fitting nickname in MMA and the voice-over guy says that he was born on Christmas Eve and is a gift to the entire MMA world. Tremendous.

They talk about the Miller/Shibata fight and how Miller is an 11-1 favorite in this fight. In the ring the DREAM belts are all on podiums with spotlights shining on them, in a really neat-looking visual. They run over the rules with the 10 minute first round and 5 minute second round. No kicks to the head of a downed opponent and no elbows to head. Rice brings up the JZ/Aoki fight with the elbows and Bas thinks that those were legal strikes. I agree completely, Bas. Matt Hume is in the house as a judge this evening,

The lights go down and it's TIME!!! They start the pre-fight video on the HUGE screens for the live crowd, hyping the crowd much like I'm sure the Baba O' Reilly video hypes up the UFC crowds before they go live at the PPV events. Of course, the Japanese crowd is much more reserved, but they're still enjoying it nonetheless. CRAZY DREAM LADY!!! Welcoming us to the Lighweight Grand Prix Second Round, STARTING NOW!!!! Fighter introductions!! Mayhem looks psyched to be there. Bu Kyung Jung gets a nice hand from the crowd as does his opponent, Daisuke Nakamura. Nick Diaz comes out looking intense, with an EliteXC shirt on. Tatsuya Kawajiri gets a decent response from the crowd, with no one really getting a huge pop yet. There's one for PRIDE and Shooto vet, Joachim Hansen. Caol Uno gets a good-sized reaction as well, and all of the fighters look more than ready as fire shoots from the center of the ring.


Match One: Featherweights
Takeshi Yamazaki (13-7-2) vs. Shoji Maruyama (6-2-1)

Shoji Maruyama comes to the ring with a Rage Against The Machine song blaring and his Lightweight King of Pancrase belt over his shoulder. Bas loves Rage Against The Machine, which just makes him that much cooler. Yamazaki picks a decidedly different song as he comes to the ring to a slow jam on the piano that turns into a jazzy little number that you'd find one any of the coffehouse stations on satellite radio. I love how Crazy DREAM Lady's voice gets all sultry to go along with the music.


Round One

Shoji lands a HARD knee and then throws some punches as Yamazaki tries for a single-leg takedown. They move to a clinch in the corner and Yamazaki scores the trip-takedown, working from the half-guard. Shoji defends well from the bottom and has him under control for a moment before giving up the full mount to Yamazaki. He's looking for a kimura or keylock from the top and lands a couple of hammerfists to the face, trying to soften Shoji up for the submission. Right hooks from the mount as Shoji tries to buck but can't get free, though he does get things back to half-guard and finally full guard. More hammerfists from Yamazaki as Shoji throws some shots from the bottom. Yamazaki stands to land a couple shots, which allows Shoji to get to his feet, landing a HARD body shot as Yamazaki grabs onto a DEEP double-leg attempt, yanking Shoji to the mat again. Bas screws up EVERYONE playing the "liver shot" drinking game by saying it five times fast as Yamazaki passes to half-guard and into side control. Short knee to the body by Yamazaki and Shoji pushes him away back into the guard, landing some shots from the bottom as Yamazaki continues with the hammerfists. Shoji gets to his feet again but Yamazaki drags him right back down with five minutes gone in the rond. Shoji is back to his feet and he ends up on top of this exchange, landing a KNEE TO THE FACE as Yamazaki holds on to a single-leg and gets Shoji right back onto his back, moving to side control. Knee to the belly and full mount again from Yamazaki and he's looking for a smother to setup a potential armbar, but Shoji powers over with a sweep into Yamazaki's guard. Good punches from Shoji on the top and they end up separating to their feet. Yamazaki into the clinch for another takedown attempt but Shoji defends it well. Foot stomps from Yamzaki as well as a couple of knees to the thigh and Yamazaki finally forces Shoji down to the mat, working from the half-guard. Dragged out of the ropes to the center of the ring and Yamazaki continues to work from the top, though Shoji gets to his feet for a moment landing another HARD knee to the body that looks like it hurt Yamazaki, though Yamazaki gets another takedown against the cornerpad. Yamazaki in full mount AGAIN and he's setting up an armbar and Shoji fights it AND ESCAPES!! Landing a HARD shot from the top right before the bell to end the round. WOW!!


Round Two

Shoji tries a flying knee and Yamazaki ducks under it and grabs a clinch into a trip-takedown attempt, but Shoji ends up reversing it to get top position in the half-guard. Shoji postures up for a couple of punches but Yamazaki doggedly grabs the single-leg and gets back on top, putting Shoji onto his back for seemingly the tenth or twelfth time in the fight. Yamazaki is trying for that keylock from the top again as Shoji tries an omaplata attempt and they end up tangled in the ropes, leading to a restart in the middle of the ring standing. Nice high kick from Shoji but Yamazaki gets ANOTHER takedown, working from the half-guard until Shoji reverses again to the top position with a couple of HARD left hands. Yamazaki holds onto another single-leg attempt as they're back to their feet and they clinch in the corner. No action and the referee restarts them in the center with Yamazaki rushing for another single-leg, taking Shoji down at will. Pressing Shoji against the cornerpad and working in the half-guard with another keylock attempt but Shoji defends against it, throwing some pattycake punches as the fight ends. 411mania.com scores the fight for Takeshi Yamazaki.

Winner: Takeshi Yamazaki, Unanimous Decision


Match Two: DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix Opening Round
Jason Miller (20-5) vs. Katsuyori Shibata (2-3)

This should be interesting to see with Miller getting the time to do a HUGE Japanese entrance for the first time ever. Shibata comes to the ring with a VERY chilled-out entrance, leading to some punk music and Shibata RUNS the entrance, Ultimate Warrior-style to the ring. Here comes MAYHEM!! He's got dancers clapping down the ramp and rap music blaring and he comes up with a gold-plated chain like Rampage and a bandana tied around his face, dancing down the entrance ramp as his entourage breakdances in front of him and Mayhem pounds his chest like a monkey. Fantastic!!


Round One

Miller rocking some zebra-print leggings under his fight shorts and he comes out standing like a ninja before landing a hard leg kcik and some hard knees to the body. Thai clinch from Miller and Shibata grabs him in a guard pull as Mayhem tries to slam him. Up-kicks from Shibata and Miller passes into half-guard, looking like playtime is over. Miller gets past the guard into full mount and mugs for the camera before throwing a bunch of hard left hands, pinning Shibata's arm down for a HARD left hook. Miller sets up for an armbar and eats an up-kick as he talks to his corner and it looks like it could just be a matter of time on the armbar attempt. He's trying to crank it but Shibata rolls out of it, ending up back in the mount, under Mayhem. Shibata actually gets things back to the half-guard as Miller lands a couple of elbows to the thigh before taking mount right back. He pushes down to expose Shibata's head and lands a couple of hard punches, pinning one of Shibata's arms down and moving to a crucifix position. Knee to the head by Miller and he's landing short lefts before another knee gets through to Shibata's face. Five minutes left in the round and Miller's got that crucifix position working for him, landing another HARD knee and SOLID left hands. More knees and punches as Shibata tries to buck out but he can't get Miller off of him. HARD left hands from Miller and Shibata has no real defense for them as he's cut up and swollen all over his face. Back to full mount for Mayhem and he lands a flurry of HARD right hands until the referee stops the fight.

Winner: Jason Miller, TKO at 6:57 of Round One

Miller's got the microphone now and he starts speaking Japanese to the people which gets him a round of applause. The people seem to love him and he says that he is a demon, a ghost, a SUPER-MONKEY and he gives his monkey yell to the crowd, which gets a great response.


Match Three: Middleweights
Dae Won Kim (4-3) vs. Melvin Manhoef (20-4-1)

Kenny Rice says that this is basically an alternate bout for the Middleweight Grand Prix and if anyone gets hurt, the winner of this fight will step in. Kim comes out to a Rocky remix, allowing Bas to do his Rocky impression. The man knows how to entertain, that's for sure. Rice says that Kim feels like he has the advantage in punching power over Manhoef, which could be a recipe for disaster for Kim in my opinion. Manhoef makes his way down to a remixed rap song and with a dog collar around his neck. His cornerman has a leash and is holding him back before Manhoef runs down the ramp to the ring.


Round One

The bell rings and they do a little tentative circling to start things out. Kim charges in with a combination that misses and he clinches Manhoef, who lands a short knee before they scramble to the mat for a moment. Manhoef gets back to his feet and they stop the action to let the corner fix Manhoef's glove. More tentative circling and Kim lands a HARD counter right hand and they're trading back and forth with HUGE punches and Manhoef slips down. More punches exchanged and Kim gets the takedown into a side mount position. Knee to the head by Kim and Manhoef gets things back to the half-guard, controlling Kim's body and head. Kim postures up for some punches and gets a forearm across Manhoef's throat before Manhoef tries a sweep. Kim holds him back down and lands a hard knee before Manhoef gets himself on top in side control. Knee to the head and a HARD hammerfist and Kim is out!!!!

Winner: Melvin Manhoef, TKO at 4:08 of Round One

Manhoef has the mircophone and a grin from ear to ear, speaking a little Japanese before saying that he was told that he was offered to fight in DREAM and that this is his dream. He feels like the next time he's here he'll be even stronger. Manhoef shakes hands with the entire Japanese broadcast team on his way out of the arena.


Match Four: Lightweights
Daisuke Nakamura (13-9) vs. Bu Kyung Jung (0-2)

Jung has a very cool little techno beat with a piano over it and looks REALLY calm heading to the ring, taking his sweet time down the ramp. Nakamura's entrance is almost the exact opposite with a catchy little disco number and flashing fiery lights as opposed to the icy blue lights of Jung. Interesting as Nakamura is wearing the high boots with the kick padding on the shins, which seems to defeat the purpose of throwing kicks at least a little bit.


Round One

Nakamura lands a leg kick and a short right as Bas mentions the shin pads and that he can't understand why he'd want to wear them. Nakamura with a couple of good punches and Jung gets a takedown into an armbar attempt, but Nakamura manages to escape and he postures up for some punches, landing a hard one to the stomach. Jung with some good up-kicks and Nakamura gets a takedown as Jung tries to get to his feet. Working the body and head from the full closed guard of Jung and Nakamura drops back for a leglock and they're going to trade them until Jung pulls free and the fight is back to its feet. Jung with a good combination and a flying knee attempt as Nakamura lands a counter-punch that stuns him. Nakamura on top in the half-guard, landing some solid body shots to set up a kimura attempt, rolling into an armbar attempt, but Jung rolls out of that, getting back to the safety of guard, which the crowd appreciates. Standing switch by Jung and they work some transitions before they're back to their feet. Nakamura landing solidly with his jab and Jung gets a good knee up the middle before Nakamura tries to pull guard. Jung ends up back on the bottom and Nakamura passes to half-guard as Jung controls the head and body. Elbows to the body by Nakamura and a couple of hammerfists as Jung works a half-butterfly guard on the bottom. Jung tries to push him away but Nakamura is too strong and stays on top. Up-kick lands for Jung and Nakamura works a little to the body and head. Elbows to the body from Nakamura and some short punches to the body and head before they roll a little and end up back on their feet. Nakamura with a straight left hand that lands and Jung just misses with a counter hook. Another straight left from Nakamura and they end up in the clinch with Jung getting a trip-takedown. Nakamura reverses it into a heel hook attempt, into a toehold but Jung breaks free from it, getting back to half-guard. Nakamura continues to work the body with short punches and Jung almost gets a kimura from the bottom before Nakamura drops back for another leglock attempt. Heel strike to the face by Nakamura right before the bell and that's it for round one!


Round Two

They touch gloves to begin the round and Jung moves forward with a combination before Nakamura gets a standing kimura attempt, rolling it into a DEEP armbar attempt, but Jung escapes! Both men back to their feet and Nakamura DROPS HIM with a nice right hand and follows it up with a couple more to end the fight!!

Winner: Daisuke Nakamura, KO at 1:13 of Round Two

Nakamura landed that right hand right on the button, from the many replay viewings, and he says that he will do his best to practice and raise his skills to the next level when he gets the chance to talk to the crowd.


Match Five: DREAM Welterweight Championship Eliminator Fight
Nick Diaz (15-7, 1 NC) vs. Katsuya Inoue (16-5-3)

MORE Rage Against The Machine!!! I LOVE DREAM!! Bas is still the man for loving them and even gets extra props for singing along to Know Your Enemy!! Inoue is rocking the mohawk and looks ready for this one. Diaz comes down the ramp with his EliteXC shirt and some nu-metal band that I can't place since they all sound the same. Diaz punching himself in the face to crank himself up and looking PISSED as usual. Bas laughs as they talk about the Gomi fight and the No Contest ruling, saying that he should have gotten extra credit for winning while under the influence. Bas starts singing and I think he's just getting to the delirious, lack of sleep point.


Round One

They touch gloves to start and Diaz throws a high kick to start before throwing a SOLID combination of punches. Another combination against the ropes and they clinch with Diaz landing some good knees to the thighs, adding in shoulder strikes to the face. Hard body punch from Diaz and they're trading punches with Diaz winning the exchange. Front kick to the body lands for Inoue and Diaz gets the Thai clinch but there's nothing there. Diaz catches a front kick and lands a good punch to the body as they stand and trade. Diaz misses a high kick attempt and they clinch against the ropes with Diaz landing a good combination to the body and head. Hard left from Inoue and Diaz counters with a short combination, with lots of blood coming from the nose of Inoue now. Three hard uppercuts from Diaz as he works some dirty boxing and Inoue is looking fustigated. More hard body shots from Diaz and he gets a trip-takedown into the half-guard. Ground and pound to the body and head by Diaz and he's just picking Inoue apart. Inoue tries to get to his feet and he does so, taking more punishment to the body as the referee stops things to let the doctor check out Inoue's nose. Quick shot of Sakurai in the front row, as he gets the winner of this fight. The action resumes and Diaz lands a few more hard shots, missing a trip-takedown attempt and grabbing something almost like a boston crab and Diaz lands a kick near Inoue's face and gets a warning as the referee cleans out Inoue's nose, almost like his mommy would. Inoue lands a good combination and Diaz counters with a Thai clinch knee before Inoue lands another couple of hard left hands. Into the clinch against the ropes and Diaz lands again to the body with a HARD shot after blocking an Inoue combination. Another hard body shot and Inoue looks like he's out on his feet, staggering around the ring. Diaz picks him apart with HARD SHOTS and Inoue's corner throws in the towel!!!!

Winner: Nick Diaz, TKO at 6:45 of Round One

Diaz thanks his jiu-jitsu coach and his Cesar Gracie team for helping him to train, and thanks Gary Shaw for the opportunity to come and showcase his skills. He thanks DREAM for allowing him to be there and says that he'll fight anyone they want to put in front of him before shouting out Stockton, CA! Diaz looked great and it looks like the surgery that he had around his eyes did wonders for him as he comes out of the fight completely unscathed. Diaz pimps his school on the way to the back and says that he'll help anyone that wants to come and train as we head to an old-school Japanese INTERMISSION~!

Bas and Kenny seem to be having trouble making it through this intermission and filling the time. They should just show the entire Man Show segment from GTA IV. That would be the greatest thing imaginable.

An extensive video package highlighting the entire JZ/Aoki saga is shown, seemingly leading in to the three quarterfinal fights in the Lightweight Grand Prix.

BAKA SURVIVOR BAY-BEH!!! Here comes Shinya Aoki down the ramp to make a guest appearance!! Katsuhiko Nagata is here as well, saying that he's ready to fight and will bring his best fight to Aoki. Aoki thanks all the fans for coming to his last fight and that he's thinking of this as "his" tournament and that he's going to win the whole thing.


Match Six: DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal Match
Tatsuya Kawajiri (21-4-2) vs. Luiz Firmino (12-3)

Some cool video packages from the HDNet team on both fighters before the introductions, which makes me wonder why they couldn't have done that for all the fights. Firmino has an amped-up Daft Punk remix as Bas makes an Alien reference, saying it'd be a hell of a thing if Sigourney Weaver came out instead of Buscape. Kawajiri has some kinda wild sounding Japanese Beastie Boys kinda thing, but it works for his style. Bas has a laugh at the expense of Crazy DREAM Lady and that after she announces the fighter's names you still don't know who they are. He also brings up her popularity on the forums, which is true cause she's entertaining as hell.


Round One

STAREDOWN BEFORE THE STAREDOWN!! IT'S ON!! Firmino with a good combination and another, backing Kawajiri off before he shoots in for a takedown attempt. Kawajiri stuffs it and they end up clinched against the ropes before they separate. Front kick by Firmino and he slips to the mat with Kawajiri pouncing onto him, but Firmino grabs onto a leg and gets the takedown reversal, trying to pass Kawajiri's guard while they're up against the ropes. They trade short punches while kneeling in a clinch and get back to their feet, with Kawajiri stuffing a spinning throw attempt by Firmino. Firmino with a single-leg in the corner and Kawajiri avoids the takedown as Firmino takes his back standing. Firmino drops down to try for a heel hook but Kawajiri pulls free and gets top position, working from the full guard. Body and head shots from Kawajiri and he passes to side control, landing a HARD knee before ending up back in the half-guard. Roars from the crowd with every strike Kawajiri lands. Short right hand and a hard left land for Kawajiri from the guard and he's trying to pass again but can't get past that half-guard. A flurry of punches land for Kawajiri and he sprawl out of a takedown attempt from Firmino, landing a knee before they clinch in the corner. Another knee from Kawajiri and the action slows enough for the referee to restart them in the center. HARD combination from Kawajiri puts Firmino down and he ends up in the guard of Firmino on the mat, landing some short punches as Firmino tries to recover. Good short rights from Kawajiri as Firmino tries a triangle choke, but there's nothing there. More half-guard work from Kawajiri, landing short punches until Firmino tries to sweep and get himself on top. They get back to their feet with Kawajiri giving his back to Firmino while they stand in the corner. Single-leg attempt from Firmino and he switches to a double-leg, but Kawajiri is sprawling well and avoiding it until Firmino finally pulls him over. Kawajiri is already trying to walk himself up the cornerpad, landing some elbows to the back and shoulder of Firmino. Firmino is just holding on and doing nothing so far, finally landing a knee as they get back to their feet. They trade knees and clinch in the corner with Firmino trying for a trip-takedown right up until the bell.


Round Two

Front kick from Firmino flashes in front of Kawajiri's face and he shoots in for a deep double-leg takedown attempt, but Kawajiri reverses it and gets top position in Firmino's half-guard. Timeout to reset them away from the ropes in the middle of the ring and Kawajiri postures up for some HARD rights and lefts, scoring with knees to the face as well. Firmino gets it back to full guard but still takes punishment from Kawajiri. Good combination from Kawajiri and Firmino scrambles to his feet, clinching against the ropes before Kawajiri gets a trip-takedown into the half-guard. More rights and lefts with some hammerfists sprinkled in for good measure and Firmino is starting to look worse for wear as the fight gets back to its feet. Combinations are exchanged and they both missed them but Kawajiri lands a couple of jabs before stuffing a Firmino takedown attempt. Firmino lays on his back and Kawajiri follows him to the guard, with Firmino taking his back. Hand-fighting now as Kawajiri defends the rear naked choke with a minute left in the round. Kawajiri turns into the back control but can't get free as Firmino gets a body triangle and tries to finish the rear naked choke. Kawajiri rolls into the guard and lands a few more punches before the bell sounds to end the fight. 411mania.com scores the fight for Tatsuya Kawajiri.

Winner: Tatsuya Kawajiri, Unanimous Decision

Kawajiri apologizes for letting the fight go to a decision and that he's happy that a lot of fans have come out to support him. He notes that Aoki said that it's "his" tournament, but that he's older than Aoki and has more experience and that he feels like he'll be able to win the tournament himself.


Match Seven: DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal Match
Joachim Hansen (17-6-1) vs. Eddie Alvarez (13-1)

This should be a fantastic fight. Again, the HDNet video package shows highlights from Hansen and Alvarez's wins in the opening round. Alvarez is out first and he looks ready to go, bouncing around at the top of the steps before heading down the ramp. Hansen makes his way to the ring with some killer thrash metal as Rice says that he's a slight favorite in the fight. Hansen's light scheme looks like it could induce seizures.


Round One

Hansen moves to cut off the ring and flashes out a right hook before Alvarez lands a HARD inside leg kick. RIGHT HAND PUTS HANSEN DOWN!! He's not too hurt though, and Alvarez goes to the mat in half-guard before Hansen gets it back to a full butterfly guard. Hansen starts working rubber guard, controlling Alvarez before allowing him to posture up for some left hands. Armbar attempt from Hansen but Alvarez pulls free and they're back to their feet. Right hand from Alvarez and another as Hansen tries a takedown but Alvarez stuffs it, ending up on top. Back to their feet and a good punch and a knee to the body from Hansen as he ducks under an Alvarez right and blocks a combination. Right hand misses from Hansen and they trade punches in the middle before clinching and Alvarez gets a slam takedown, backing away from Hansen's guard, allowing Hansen to get back to his feet. HARD RIGHT HOOK FLOORS HANSEN!!! Hansen is back to his feet and they're in the clinch before Alvarez gets a trip-takedown into half-guard. Hansen gets it back to full guard and Alvarez is bleeding from the nose momentarily. Hard inside leg kick from Hansen and they end up clinched in the middle with Alvarez throwing a good combination. They scramble to the mat and Alvarez ends up on top in the full guard, doing a little ground and pound before moving back to let Hansen up to his feet. Body shot from Alvarez and he cracks Hansen with another right hand before scoring another takedown. Alvarez working from the half-guard as Hansen gets a warning for striking the back of the head. Hansen has both of Alvarez's legs triangled and it keeps him from posturing up for a moment but they end up back in the guard. Hansen lands a HARD up-kick and Alvarez drops back down into the guard. They're both back to their feet and circling with Hansen landing a shot before they clinch. Knees to the body from Hansen and they scramble back to their feet. SOLID combination from Alvarez and Hansen fakes a knee before landing a good right hand. Clinch in the corner and Alvarez gets a hard knee to the body, pushing Hansen back to the center of the ring. Overhand right hook from Hansen lands and they trade combinations with Hansen finding that right hook again. Hansen slips and ends the round on his back with Alvarez standing over him.


Round Two

Both men look fresh and Hansen lands an inside leg kick before getting a trip-takedown, but Alvarez is right back to his feet, grabbing a single-leg of his own. Hansen is cranking on a guillotine attempt but lets it go as Alvarez stacks him up on the mat. Alvarez working from the full guard and Hansen sweeps him, moving to the full mount. Hansen back into the half-guard and Alvarez is in a weird looking armbar crank but he escapes and gets out of danger, landing a couple of right hands to Hansen before they scramble back to their feet. They trade combinations with Alvarez going to the body and Hansen countering to the head. They clinch against the ropes with Alvarez grabbing a single-leg and they trade some single punches that miss. Alvarez takes Hansen's back standing and they grapple on the mat a little before getting back to their feet. Deep takedown attempt by Alvarez against the ropes and he throws Hansen down, but Hansen has a kimura attempt, into a straight armbar attempt and Alvarez ESCAPES IT!! That was a DEEP armbar. They scramble with Hansen ending up on his back and Alvarez standing over him before they're back to their feet. Clinching against the ropes and Hansen sprawls out of a takedown attempt. High kick and TWO RIGHT HANDS land for Alvarez at the bell!!! They both hug and drop to their knees in the ultimate show of respect!! Standing ovation from the crowd at Saitama!! 411mania.com scores this close fight for Eddie Alvarez, but just barely.

Winner: Eddie Alvarez, Unanimous Decision

Just a fantastic back and forth fight and a definite candidate for Fight of the Year in my opinion. Hansen has the microphone first and says that Alvarez is the toughest man he's ever fought. He says it's always nice to fight in front of the Japanese audience and that although he would have preferred winning, it was still an honor to lose in front of the Japanese audience and he thanks them as well as Eddie Alvarez. Alvarez says that it takes two people to put a fight on and that they both won the crowd so Hansen isn't a loser and they're both winners. He doesn't want to take up too much time so they can see the main event and he thanks all the fans and all of his supporters at home. The mutual respect from both men is fantastic. This is why Mixed Martial Arts is the greatest sport in the world.


Match Eight: DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal Match
Caol Uno (24-10-4) vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida (16-3-1)

We get a tale of the tape for the main event and Bas says that he wants to see Ishida finish someone since 75% of his wins are via decision. They talk up Uno's submission skills and Ishida's submission defence, showing highlights of Isihida's wins over Gilbert Melendez and Bu Kyung Jung. I still can't reconcile the fact that a tough fighter like Ishida comes to the ring with My Chemical Romance playing. He comes up the ramp with his back to the crowd, wearing a Yarennoka ring jacket. Ishida bows to all four sides of the arena and the crowd before Uno makes his way to the ring. Again, Uno's lighting scheme is definitely Japanese and seizure inducing. He comes down to the ring with a techno remixed version of Smells Like Teen Spirit with MORE COWBELL!!! He looks incredibly collected before such a big fight.


Round One

Kenny Rice is an idiot. He makes a joke about Caol's "card game", then beats it to death by saying UNO! Bas doesn't even acknowledge it. They touch gloves and circle to start, feinting in and out before Uno fakes a shoot. Ishida has some kinesio tape on either side of his spine at his lower back, which leads me to wonder if he's had problems with it in training. They trade low kicks and Uno catches one of them right in the pills. Timeout for Uno to recover. That was square on the cup, full force, so I don't blame him for wanting a little time. Bas jokes about the Japanese announcer calling it Uno's "weak spot". More leg kicks back and forth and they trade combinations with Uno landing a hard punch that stuns Ishida. Uno with GREAT balance to avoid the takedown attempt as Ishida is POURING blood out of his nose. The referee stops the fight to let Ishida get checked out as they show a replay of the right hook that put him down. You could see Ishida's eyes roll when Uno made contact. The fight resumes with Ishida landing a solid punch and Uno countering with another right hook. Ishida tries for the takedown again but Uno stuffs it and gets some good uppercuts inside. They trade leg kicks and knees to the thigh in the clinch and stay clinched up in the corner until the referee stops them to restart in the middle. Uno dancing around and landing a good left before JUST missing an uppercut. They're back to circling on the outside and Ishida gets a good jab in before Uno cracks him with a couple of punches. Uno STUFFS another takedown attempt and clinches Ishida into the corner and THEY'RE TRADING HANDS!! Punches to the body by Uno while Ishida lands a couple of knees inside. The referee restarts them in the center again as the pace slows and Ishida rushes forward with a combination. Uno rocks Ishida with another combination and FINALLY Ishida gets a deep double-leg into a takedown. Ishida in the full guard of Uno with three minutes left in the first round and he manages to get past into the half-guard, but Uno grabs a kimura attempt and uses it to get the fight back to standing. Overhand left just misses from Uno and he catches Ishida again with another right hand that puts him down, but Ishida manages to get the takedown off of that punch. Ishida in the half-guard and trying to pass, but Uno is controlling him well, only taking a couple of elbows to the body and a short knee before Ishida finally manages to pass to side control. He takes Uno's back with a minute left and Uno tries to roll into the guard to avoid the rear naked choke. Uno rolls into it and gets back on top right at the end of the round.


Round Two

They touch gloves and circle with Uno flashing out a jab and Ishida throwing a leg kick. Ishida lands a punch and a kick as Uno took a knee and they're both back up to their feet. Ishida gets stuffed on a shot and Uno gives up his back standing, rolling it into a full mount. Back control for Uno!! Rear naked choke is SUNK IN!! Ishida is forced to tap out!!!

Winner: Caol Uno, Submission (rear naked choke) at 1:39 of Round Two

Uno has the microphone and hops the ropes in the corner to celebrate, while Ishida makes his way to the back, crushed at the loss with a towel over his face. Uno says that he's a representative of Hero's and that this was the best Mother's Day present he could give with his victory. He thanks DREAM and the DREAM fans. The three quarterfinal winners are in the ring now and Kawajiri has the mircophone, and it looks like there's some tension between him and Uno. Alvarez gets the microphone again but we don't get to hear what he's saying as Kenny and Bas thank us for joining them, running down their thank you's to the HDNet crew and El Guapo says...God speed and PARTY ON, bup bup BOP!!!