DREAM: Olympia Dream.8 Results
by Robert Sargent
Beginning their inaugural Welterweight Grand Prix with a bang, Olympia Dream.8 served as another solid event for the DREAM promotion, but it will be most remembered for Hayato "Mach" Sakurai's quick and brutal destruction of rival Shinya Aoki.
In a heavyweight contest earlier in the night, former UFC title challenger Jeff "The Snowman" Monson scored a quick submission win over former PRIDE star Sergei Kharitonov.
Tournament Bouts
Hayato "Mach" Sakurai vs Shinya "Tobikan Judan" Aoki
In this long-awaited rematch from Sakurai's narrow decision victory over Aoki in 2005, the fight was over almost before it began, as Sakurai countered a takedown attempt and landed a series of knees that left Aoki staring blankly up at the lights.Sakurai rushed forward to begin the fight and Aoki dove for a takedown. Sakurai quickly reversed position and drilled Aoki with four direct knee strikes to the face, then unleashed a short flurry of punches before the referee jumped in to save the unconscious Aoki. While a Sakurai knockout victory was by no means a shock, the manner and quickness in which it happened was definitely unexpected.
Sakurai advances to the next round of the DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix, while Aoki, the reigning WAMMA Unified Lightweight Champion, will have to wait for another shot at DREAM gold.
Winner: Hayato Sakurai by KO (Knees & Punches) at 0:27 of round one. He improves to 35-8-2.
Jason High vs Yuya Shirai
Also making quick work of his opponent, High rebounded after his knockout loss to Jay Hieron in Affliction, as he rocked Shirai with punches and quickly choked him unconscious with a rear naked choke.High just missed with an uppercut in the opening seconds, but followed up with a series of left hooks that dropped Shirai. High immediately took Shirai's back and landed more punches, then looked for a rear naked choke. Shirai initially fought it off, but High secured the choke and Shirai was soon unconscious. The referee stopped the fight. Extremely impressive victory for High, who advances on in the tournament.
Winner: Jason High by Technical Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 0:59 of round one. He improves to 7-1-0.
"The Baltic Assassin" Marius Zaromskis vs Seichi Ikemoto
After losing much of the opening round, Zaromskis picked up the pace with strikes as round one neared completion and took advantage of a fatigued Ikemoto to win a very hard-fought decision.Zaromskis opened the fight with a jumping spinning kick, but Ikemoto caught his leg and threw him to the mat. Zaromskis got up and clinched in the corner, where neither fighter held an advantage. Ikemoto landed two low kicks and a head kick, then rushed forward with a double-fisted punch and a double axe handle. Both missed, but were flashy. Ikemoto landed a combination and Zaromskis countered with a head kick and a knee. Ikemoto scored a takedown and landed knees from side-control. Zaromskis got to his feet and was briefly dropped by another leg kick. The fighters exchanged high and low kicks, and Zaromskis followed up with a one-two. More kicks were exchanged and Zaromskis continued to mix in punches. Zaromskis scored a body lock takedown and landed knees from side-control.
Ikemoto stood up and landed a series of jumping knee strikes, but Zaromskis fired back with punches. Ikemoto tried another double-fisted punch, which looked hilarious and missed. A spinning back elbow did land for Ikemoto, however, but Zaromskis came back with a Superman Punch. Ikemoto began taunting and landing flashy punches, but Zaromskis dropped him with a leg kick. Ikemoto landed a trio of front kicks to the face, then just missed with a head kick. Ikemoto tagged Zaromskis with a right cross, then followed up with a head kick. Zaromskis came back with kicks to the head and legs, then briefly dropped Ikemoto with a right cross. Zaromskis began to tee off with kicks and punches, as Ikemoto appeared to tire. Zaromskis rocked Ikemoto with a left cross and two big head kicks, but Ikemoto stayed on his feet. Zaromskis fired bombs as Ikemoto began to bleed from the nose. Zaromskis clinched and landed punches and knees before the bell. Great round.
The fighters traded kicks again in round two and Zaromskis stuffed a takedown attempt. Ikemoto rolled for a kneebar, but Zaromskis stood up. Zaromskis then turned around backwards and attempted a backflip kick to his downed opponent, which missed but garnered a huge reaction from the crowd. Absolutely ridiculous. Ikemoto stood up and landed a knee as the crowd continued to cheer for Zaromskis. Ikemoto shot in for a takedown and managed to drag Zaromskis to the mat. He landed small strikes from the top, but Zaromskis punched from the ground. Zaromskis battled back to his feet and landed a combination, then dodged a flying knee from Ikemoto. Zaromskis stuffed a takedown attempt and landed knees to the head of Ikemoto, then allowed Ikemoto to stand. Ikemoto continued using unorthodoxed double-fisted punches, but Zaromskis rocked him with a big punch, a head kick and a series of knees. An exhausted Ikemoto collapsed to the canvas after the bell rang to end the round. Zaromskis pulls off the win in a great fight.
Winner: Marius Zaromskis by Unanimous Decision after two rounds. He improves to 9-2-0.
Andre "The Young Giant" Galvao vs John "The Natural" Alessio
After scoring a takedown midway through round one, Galvao employed a series of submission attempts until he finally locked on an armbar that forced a disappointed Alessio to submit.The fighters exchanged jabs to begin the fight, and Alessio looked to set up combinations. Alessio continued to stay out of Galvao's range by landing quick kicks and punching combinations. Galvao shot for a takedown, but Alessio defended. Galvao attempted a head kick and a rushing punch, then pulled half-guard. Alessio battled back to his feet and moved to the corner, but Galvao landed knees to the thighs. Alessio grabbed the ropes to avoid a takedown and was warned by the referee. Galvao threw Alessio to the mat and took his back. Alessio used both hands to defend rear naked choke attempts from Galvao, but Galvao maintained back control and began landing big hammerfists to the sides of Alessio's head.
As Galvao continued to blast Alessio's head with hammerfists and looping punches from the back, Alessio moved his arms and Galvao once again attempted a rear naked choke. Keeping Alessio trapped in a body triangle, Galvao landed more punches and looked to set up an armbar. Galvao locked on the armbar, but Alessio kept his hands clasped together and tried to knee his way free. Galvao did not let go of the hold, however, and Alessio's attempt to roll free was stifled by the ropes. Galvao pulled back on Alessio's arm and forced the Canadian to submit.
Winner: Andre Galvao by Submission (Armbar) at 7:34 of round one. He improves to 3-0-0.
Featherweight Grand Prix Bout
Daiki "DJ.taiki" Hata vs Hideo Tokoro
In a spirited affair, Hata's striking prowess proved to be the difference maker, as he landed a number of hard strikes on the feet and on the ground, and took a clear-cut Unanimous Decision in the process. This fight, postponed from Dream.7 due to a Hata injury, served as the final qualifier for the DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix, which continues at Dream.9.The fighters circled each other for the opening minute, then engaged in two quick flurries. Tokoro maintained his distance as Hata attempted to use kicks to cut off the angles. An exchange of low kicks ensued, and Tokoro rocked Hata with an overhand right. Tokoro shot for a takedown, but was forced to pull guard. Tokoro trapped Hata's arm and prevented him from doing any damage, so Hata stood up and kicked the legs of Tokoro. The fight returned to the feet and Hata continued to land left kicks to the legs and body. Hata landed a hard kick to the body and Tokoro countered with a right cross. More kicks landed for Hata, but Tokoro fired back with a head kick.
Hata continued to use kicks to the liver to keep Tokoro at bay, but Tokoro once again landed a solid overhand right and a flying knee. The fighters exchanged punches and Hata defended a takedown. He landed kicks to the legs of Tokoro before the referee stood the fighters up. Tokoro sent an off-balance Hata to the mat, but Hata immediately got to his feet and floored Tokoro with a left hook. Hata dove and landed punches from Tokoro's guard, but Tokoro fought him off with upkicks. Back on the feet, Tokoro rushed forward with wild strikes and clinched in the corner. Little transpired and the fighters were separated. Hata went back to left kicks, but also landed a pair of hard left hooks. Tokoro shot for a takedown, but Hata sprawled. Hata landed small strikes on the ground until the referee stood the fighters up. Tokoro rushed in again with wild punches, but Hata landed a pair of hard counters. Hata dropped Tokoro with a series of punches and landed knees to the head of Tokoro before the bell. Good round.
Round two began with a Hata head kick, and he just missed with a spinning back fist. Hata picked Tokoro up and slammed him to the mat, but Tokoro fought back to his feet. Hata dragged Tokoro down again and took his back, but Tokoro used a Kimura attempt to keep Hata at bay. Hata postured up and landed a series of punches from Tokoro's guard. Tokoro tried to use upkicks to defend, but Hata was relentless. The fight returned to the feet and Tokoro unleashed a barrage of punches. He tried for a takedown, but Hata defended. Blood began to trickle from a cut below Hata's right eye and time was briefly called. Action resumed and Tokoro continued to try unsuccessfully for a takedown. It was Hata who got the fight to the mat, where he landed numerous punches from the top. Tokoro got to his feet and clinched in the corner, then tried to pull guard. Hata wound up in mount and landed more punches from the top, while a fatigued Tokoro could do little more than upkick from the bottom. The bell sounded to end the fight.
With a Unanimous Decision from the judges, Hata advances to the next round of the DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix, which continues at Dream.9.
Winner: Daiki Hata by Unanimous Decision after two rounds. He improves to 11-5-3.
Non-Tournament Bouts
Jeff "The Snowman" Monson vs "The Russian Paratrooper" Sergei Kharitonov
Pulling half-guard early in round one, it wasn't long before Monson took top control and moved into north-south position, where he locked on a choke that forced the Russian star to submit. This fight was Monson's third fight in three weeks, on three different continents.Kharitonov opened up with quick punches, but Monson shot for a takedown and pulled half-guard. Monson quickly reversed position and worked from side-control. He landed knees to the face of Kharitonov and moved to north-south position. Monson locked on a North-South Choke and Kharitonov attempted to punch his way free. Monson simply tightened the choke, and Kharitonov had no escape and was forced to submit. The win was a dominant one for Monson, and especially impressive since it was his third fight in such a short period of time.
Winner: Jeff Monson by Submission (North-South Choke) at 1:41 of round one. He improves to 30-8-0.
Riki Fukuda vs Murilo "Ninja" Rua
This back-and-forth battle saw both fighters put on impressive striking displays, and Fukuda had to battle through fatigue to take an extremely close but Unanimous Decision win.Both fighters landed leg kicks in the opening minute as they looked to find their range. After a punching exchange, both scored with hard kicks to the thigh. More kicks and punches were thrown and Rua clinched. He could not take Fukuda down on his first try, but made a second attempt. Fukuda reversed and landed on top, then rained down punches. Rua got up and the fighters exchanged knees in a clinch. Fukuda badly rocked Rua with a series of punches and Rua desperately tried for a takedown. Fukuda defended the takedown and knocked Rua to the ground. Rua attempted a triangle choke, but Fukuda broke free and landed more punches from the top. Rua then looked for a heel hook, but gave it up and got to his feet. Rua pressed Fukuda into the corner and landed knees and a series of lefts.
As the fighters battled for position in the corner, Rua attempted a takedown. Fukuda avoided it and time was briefly called to check a cut above Fukuda's right eye. After the break, Rua scored a takedown and moved to half-guard. Rua passed to side-control and landed knees to Fukuda's face, then took his back and landed another knee and punches. Fukuda got to his feet and time was called again to check the cut. Action resumed and Rua began to push the pace. Both landed knees in a clinch and Rua followed up with a trio of body kicks. Fukuda tried unsuccessfully for a takedown and Rua began to land knees and punches more frequently. Fukuda fired back with kicks, but Rua landed more knees in a clinch. A sparse striking exchange closed out the round.
The second round began slowly, as the fighters looked to find their range again. Rua landed kicks from the outside, but Fukuda finally pressed forward with a solid left cross. Rua returned to landing punches and kicks from a distance, and Fukuda landed another one-two. A quick combination landed for Fukuda, and Rua clinched for a takedown. Fukuda sprawled and stood up, then just missed with an uppercut. In the final minute, Fukuda drilled Rua with a long series of punches that had Rua bleeding and in trouble. Fukuda backed Rua into a corner and avoided a takedown attempt, then landed a body kick just before the bell. Very close fight, but Fukuda's last-minute efforts sealed the fight in his favour.
Winner: Riki Fukuda by Unanimous Decision after two rounds. He improves to 14-4-0.
Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro vs Katsuhiko Nagata
Making his long-awaited return after an 18-month break from the sport due to an eye injury, Ribeiro took the fight to the ground and dominated position, then landed a knee strike that opened up a gigantic gash on the forehead of Nagata.Nagata opened up round one with a series of inside and outside leg kicks. Ribeiro kept his distance, then shot in for a takedown and looked to pull guard. Ribeiro mananged to keep Nagata in his half-guard, then used a slick transition to take top position. Ribeiro methodically moved to mount position, but Nagata wisely pushed away and regained half-guard. Ribeiro continued to keep Nagata down, but Nagata repeatedly looked to get back to his feet. Ribeiro passed back to mount and looked to set up an armbar. Nagata latched onto Ribeiro and prevented him from posturing up.
In a scramble, Nagata regained half-guard, but Ribeiro passed to side-control and back to mount. He alternated between mount and side-control, while an overmatched Nagata could do little in return. The fight turned into a grappling clinic, as Ribeiro did whatever he wanted. When submissions did not immediately present themselves, Ribeiro postured up and landed punches, then moved to side-control. From there, he began teeing off with knees, and one of them opened up a massive gash on Nagata's head that immediately began to gush blood all over the canvas. The ringside doctor stopped the fight, giving Ribeiro an impressive win.
Winner: Vitor Ribeiro by TKO (Doctor Stoppage - Cut) at 7:57 of round one. He improves to 20-2-0.
Andrews Nakahara vs Shungo Oyama
After dominating the early striking exchanges, Nakahara defended a takedown attempt and landed a series of punches to a dazed Oyama, and the referee soon saved the Japanese fighter from further punishment.Nakahara landed a trio of leg kicks to begin round one, then followed up with a right cross. Nakahara landed more kicks and a one-two, as Oyama seemed to be a step behind. Oyama missed with a spinning back fist and Nakahara punished him with a kick to the body. Oyama tried unsuccessfully for a takedown and Nakahara allowed him to stand. Oyama attempted to jump into a flying scissor heel hook, but wound up landing hard on his face. Nakahara was about to soccer kick him into oblivion, but remembered that such kicks were not permitted and instead unleashed a flurry of punches to his dazed opponent. The referee quickly jumped in to save Oyama.
Despite narrowly losing his pro debut against Japanese legend Kazushi Sakuraba, Nakahara has shown in just three fights that he will be a major threat to anyone who faces him.
Winner: Andrews Nakahara by TKO (Punches) at 1:57 of round one. He improves to 2-1-0.
Katsuyori "The Mad Dog Wrestler" Shibata vs Ikuhisa "Minowaman" Minowa
Despite being completely dominated for most of the first round, Shibata won this battle of pro wrestlers by pushing the pace in round two and taking advantage of a badly fatigued Minowa, en route to a well-deserved Unanimous Decision.Following a tense opening 20 seconds, Minowa unleashed a barrage of haymakers, including one that rocked Shibata. Minowa scored a takedown and looked to pass to half-guard. From there, Minowa tried for a Kimura on Shibata's right arm. Shibata kept his hands clasped together and avoided danger until Minowa gave up the hold and looked to posture up for strikes. Shibata kept Minowa all tied up, then switched to butterfly guard. Neither fighter mounted any offence, as Minowa struggled badly to pass Shibata's guard. The referee stood the fighters up and gave Shibata a Yellow Card, though it really should have gone to both combatants.
Back on the feet, the fighters tentatively circled each other again as each threw occasional low kicks. Shibata missed badly with a spinning back kick and Minowa lunged in with a punch. Shibata tried for a kick, but Minowa caught it and slammed him to the mat. Both fighters attempted heel hooks and toe holds on the ground, but neither could secure a submission. Minowa switched to a modified ankle lock that had Shibata in considerable pain, but Shibata survived and tried for another toe hold. Minowa wound up in side-control, but it was Shibata who landed knees from the bottom. Minowa landed a knee to the face and a few short punches, but Shibata countered with more knees. Minowa retained top position until the bell and landed a few more hammerfists.
Round two began with both fighters throwing sloppy punches. A fatigued Minowa threw Shibata to the ground and landed weak strikes from Shibata's guard. Little transpired for the next minute and the referee stood the fighters up. This time, both were given a Yellow Card. Minowa shot in for a takedown, but Shibata sprawled against the ropes to defend. Shibata stood and landed knees from a Thai clinch, then began to pepper Minowa with more knees to the body. Suddenly, Shibata began to overwhelm Minowa with punches and knees, as Minowa seemed to be exhausted. Shibata jumped and took Minowa's back, then looked for a rear naked choke. He punched the sides of Minowa's head until Minowa spun and took top position. Shibata used upkicks to get the fight back to the feet, then scored with a huge German suplex seconds before the bell. Shibata's burst of energy in the final two minutes was enough to come back and steal a sure win from Minowa.
Winner: Katsuyori Shibata by Unanimous Decision after two rounds. He improves to 3-6-1.
With great fights throughout and a main event that left the crowd abuzz, Dream.8 set off the inaugural DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix in style, and that trend will be continued when the featherweights return at Dream.9.
