DREAM: Olympia Dream.9 Results
by Robert Sargent
Aside from an unfortunate No Contest in the night's main event, Dream.9 was otherwise one of the best MMA events to take place in Japan since the fall of Pride Fighting Championships, and featured drama, comedy, controversy and great fights.
While Joe Warren's shocking defeat of Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto left many in disbelief, Hideo Tokoro's Fight of the Year battle with Abel Cullum sent the timid crowd into a frenzy.
DREAM Middleweight Championship
Jason "Mayhem" Miller vs Ronaldo "Jacaré" Souza
With Gegard Mousasi's move up in weight and subsequent vacation of his DREAM Middleweight Championship, this bout between top challengers Miller and Souza was designed to determine the new champion, but an illegal soccer kick from Miller opened a deep gash on Souza's head that resulted in a No Contest.After dancing to the ring to a catchy beat alongside a team of synchronised Japanese schoolgirl dancers, Miller changed from jovial to serious as he looked to push the pace early on. Souza landed a pair of stiff jabs and Miller replied with a nice right hand. Miller followed up with a lunging one-two, but Souza was unfazed. Souza ducked under a punch and scored a takedown against the ropes, but Miller got right back to his feet. Miller rushed forward again and looked to land knees in a Thai clinch, but was cut by a glancing punch in the process. Souza began to pursue Miller with punches and a body kick, but did little damage. Miller caught a kick and threw Souza to the mat, but proceeded to land an illegal soccer kick to the top of Souza's head. Time was called, as a deep gash was opened by the kick.
After a lengthy break, during which Miller was given a Yellow Card for the foul, the fight was allowed to continue despite the cut on Souza's head. Souza clinched and scored a body-lock takedown, but the top of his head immediately began to bleed again. Miller further opened up the cut with punches, and the fighters stood and clinched in the corner. Time was called again, as Souza was bleeding profusely from the top of the head. This time, after a long discussion amongst ringside officials, the fight was waved off and ruled a No Contest.
A very unfortunate way to end the otherwise great night, but it appears as though Miller and Souza will compete again at Dream.10 or Dream.11.
Result: No Contest (Cut Due To Illegal Soccer Kick) at 2:33 of round one. Miller is now 22-6-0, 1 NC, while Souza is 10-2-0, 1 NC. The DREAM Middleweight Championship remains vacant.
Featherweight Grand Prix Bouts
Joe Warren vs Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto
Shocking the worldwide audience, Greco-Roman Wrestling World Champion Warren absorbed the powerful strikes from massive Japanese superstar and overwhelming tournament favourite Yamamoto (who was competing for the first time since late 2007 due to injuries), and used effective clinch work and decent ground and pound to emerge with one of the biggest upset wins in mixed martial arts history.The opening round began with an exchange of hard leg kicks, with Yamamoto getting the better of it. Yamamoto pressed forward and secured a Thai clinch, but Warren amazingly punched and kneed his way out of it with some impressive strikes. Yamamoto switched gears and looked for a takedown, but it was Warren who took the fight to the mat. From Yamamoto's guard, Warren looked to posture up to land strikes, while Yamamoto, in a questionable move, did nothing but hold on until the referee eventually stood the fighters up with just under six minutes remaining in the round. Yamamoto was given a Yellow Card for passivity and a cut on the bridge of his nose was cleaned off. Action resumed and Yamamoto landed push kicks to the body and a right hook. Yamamoto landed knees in a clinch and a solid body kick, and the fighters separated.
Yamamoto tagged Warren with another hard right hook, then followed up with a stiff leg kick. Warren somehow walked right through the strikes and looked for a takedown. Yamamoto landed knees and circled free, then blasted Warren with another counter right hook. A leg kick landed for Yamamoto, but Warren shockingly locked on a Thai clinch and gave Yamamoto a taste of his own medicine with a series of knees and a right hook to the jaw. Another clinch saw Yamamoto land a knee and Warren counter with two uppercuts. A liver kick scored for Yamamoto, but Warren pressed forward with more knees. After two more hard body kicks from Yamamoto, Warren caught his leg and scored a takedown. Yamamoto half-heartedly looked for a triangle choke, but Warren easily evaded and landed short punches from the top. A second cut was opened below Yamamoto's eye as Warren threw hammerfists. The bell sounded to end the round, with Warren incredibly holding the advantage.
Yamamoto scored with a leg kick, right cross and liver kick to begin round two, then drilled Warren with a vicious knee to the body. Warren held tough and even attempted a spinning back fist, but missed. A big left hook landed for Yamamoto, but Warren tried for a takedown. Yamamoto sprawled out and landed a knee. Warren rushed in and avoided looping punches from Yamamoto, then scored a takedown. Yamamoto tried for an armbar, but Warren pulled his arm free. Back on the feet, Yamamoto landed a knee and a huge looping right hook. While the punch would have knocked out many an opponent, Warren simply smiled as blood trickled from above his eye. He clinched and tried for a takedown, but Yamamoto spun away. Quick kicks and punches landed for Yamamoto, but Warren managed to take him down. Warren postured up and landed some decent punches, then escaped a last-ditch armbar from Yamamoto. Amazing fight.
There were many worried looks on the faces of those watching at ringside, and their worst fears were confirmed when the judges' scorecards were read. The first judge gave the fight to Warren, while the second gave it to Yamamoto. The third and deciding judge scored the fight in favour of Joe Warren, who takes a monumental upset win and advances to the tournament semi-finals.
Winner: Joe Warren by Split Decision after two rounds. He improves to 2-0-0.
Bibiano "The Flash" Fernandes vs Masakazu "Ashikan Judan" Imanari
In the lone disappointment of the night, this slow and tactical battle saw the defensive-minded Imanari act even more passively than usual, as he tried unsuccessfully to lure Fernandes into a leg submission and wound up on the wrong end of the judges' decision.Imanari opened the fight with a body kick, but was caught and thrown to the mat. He got up and looked to land more quick body kicks, but once again found himself taken down. Fernandes landed punches from the top and escaped a heel hook attempt. Imanari landed a left hook and pulled guard, then threw upkicks from the ground. Back on the feet, he landed another body kick, but Fernandes countered with a one-two. Fernandes continued to catch kicks from Imanari and threw him to the mat, then kicked Imanari's legs on the ground. The referee stood Imanari up and he threw a body kick, then flopped to his back after Fernandes countered with a hook. Imanari tried to lure Fernandes into a ground battle, but Fernandes wisely stayed on his feet.
As the round entered the second five minutes, Imanari became much more passive and did little more than throw occasional kicks. Fernandes briefly threw him to the mat again, but Imanari immediately got up. The referee called time and implored both fighters to be more active. Fernandes landed nice leg kicks and a left hook. Imanari tried to drag him to the mat, but Fernandes evaded and landed kicks to Imanari's legs. The referee stood Imanari up and gave him a Yellow Card for passivity. Imanari attempted a double flying knee and rolled for a leg lock. Fernandes scrambled to side-control and landed knees to Imanari's face. He added more knees to the body and pinned Imanari down, then threw short punches and hammerfists until the bell.
Fernandes caught a kick from Imanari and kicked him to the ground to begin round two. Imanari then sat down in the middle of the ring in a medidating position as the referee instructed him to stand up. Fernandes landed kicks as Imanari pranced around the ring. The fighters exchanged kicks, with Fernandes landing more strikes. A solid leg kick landed for Fernandes, but Imanari countered with two left hooks and pulled half-guard. Finally, Imanari managed to partially lock on the heel hook that he'd been searching for the entire fight, but Fernandes scrambled and stood up. Fernandes landed a looping overhand right and took Imanari down, but wisely stayed clear of leg locks. Time was called and the referee gave Fernandes a Yellow Card for no apparent reason. The fight resumed and both fighters landed punches. Fernandes scored a takedown, but did little on the ground. He landed another hard right hook before the bell.
As expected, all three judges scored the lacklustre fight in Fernandes's favour, but the fault lies mostly with Imanari, whose "heel hook or nothing" game plan left him with few options when he could not submit Fernandes.
Winner: Bibiano Fernandes by Unanimous Decision after two rounds. He improves to 5-2-0.
Hiroyuki "Streetfight Bancho" Takaya vs Yoshiro Maeda
After losing battles on the feet and on the ground for much of the opening ten minutes, Takaya floored Maeda with a massive right hook and finished the fight with mere seconds remaining in round one.Maeda landed quick punches and kicks in the opening seconds and used impressive footwork to circle away from Takaya's strikes. Maeda caught a kick from Takaya and threw him to the ground, then landed punches from the top. Takaya held on to prevent Maeda from posturing up, as Maeda looked to pass guard. Takaya scrambled back to his feet and the fighters exchanged punches. Maeda slipped briefly while throwing a head kick, but got up and landed leg kicks. A quick flurry scored for Maeda, but Takaya countered with a hard right hook. Big punches were exchanged, and Maeda's left eye began to swell. The fighters clinched in the corner and Maeda tripped Takaya to the mat. He tried for a Kimura, but Takaya avoided danger. Maeda tried to pass to mount, then absolutely drilled Takaya with two vicious left knee strikes to the face as Takaya got to his feet.
Takaya scored with a lunging left hook and a leg kick, then a right hook behind the ear. Maeda countered with punches that opened a cut above Takaya's eye. More punches were exchanged and Maeda followed up with a knee and a quick flurry. He scored a takedown and worked from mount, where he landed hammerfists to Takaya's eye. Time was called to check Takaya's cut, as well as a second cut on the forehead, but the fight resumed. Maeda landed more short punches on the ground, then stood up and threw diving punches. With one minute remaining, the referee stood the fighters up and gave Takaya a Yellow Card for stalling. After the restart, Takaya turned up the pace and began to land combinations, then dropped Maeda with a looping right hook. Maeda, in a world of trouble, seemed to try for a desperation armbar as Takaya teed off with punches, but the referee stopped the fight.
Though Maeda seemed to be recovering by the time the referee called off the fight, he offered zero protest after the bout and was all smiles as he congratulated Takaya. The two demonstrated excellent sportsmanship after the fight and really epitomised the values of the sport. Takaya, seemingly well on his way to losing a lopsided decision, comes back with a big victory.
Winner: Hiroyuki Takaya by TKO (Punches) at 9:39 of round one. He improves to 11-6-1.
Hideo Tokoro vs "The Silent Assassin" Abel Cullum
Fight of the Year. This non-stop action-packed bout saw more submission attempts in just shy of 12 minutes than in most MMA fights in a lifetime, but Tokoro's relentless offence proved to be too much for Cullum, who eventually succumbed to a rear naked choke in round two. Phenomenal fight and also a huge win for Tokoro, who re-entered the tournament after Daiki "DJ.taiki" Hata was forced to withdraw due to injury.Quick exchanges of leg kicks and punches ended with Cullum scoring a takedown against the ropes. Tokoro immediately swept Cullum, then stood up and landed a knee and a head kick. Cullum looked to land haymaker punches, but Tokoro countered and drilled him with a knee to the chest. Tokoro pushed Cullum to the mat and secured a triangle choke in a scramble. He pulled down on Cullum's head to add pressure, but Cullum somehow perservered through the choke and worked to escape. Tokoro then tried to add in knee and arm submissions while maintaining the triangle, but Cullum held strong. Cullum twisted free and landed knees and punches to Tokoro's head. Tokoro reversed position and took Cullum's back, then moved to mount and tried for a triangle. He once again took Cullum's back, but Cullum spun and worked from Tokoro's guard. Cullum landed some decent punches from the top, but Tokoro got back to his feet. Punches and kicks were exchanged as the pace remained incredibly fast.
Cullum scored with a combination and took Tokoro down, then landed punches from Tokoro's guard. Tokoro looked for a triangle choke, but switched to an omoplata and used it to sweep Cullum. From the bottom, Cullum tried briefly to use rubber guard, but Tokoro postured up and looked to pass guard. A scramble ensued, with both fighters attempting leg submissions. Cullum seemed to have Tokoro in some danger with an ankle lock, but Tokoro escaped. Tokoro passed to side-control and landed a knee, then attempted a triangle choke in another scramble. Cullum picked Tokoro up and slammed him to the ground. He tried to trap Tokoro in a rear naked choke, but Tokoro spun and wound up in mount. Tokoro threw punches, then stood up and landed an incredible diving knee to the face. He upkicked to escape a heel hook from Cullum, but Cullum, bleeding from the nose, landed punches before the bell rang to end one of the best rounds in mixed martial arts history.
Tokoro opened round two with a liver kick, but Cullum caught his leg and took him down. Tokoro immediately went for a Kimura and used it to take top position. He moved directly to mount and tried for an armbar, then isolated Cullum's arms. Cullum tried to sweep, but Tokoro used a modified rear naked choke from the side to put Cullum on his back. Cullum, fatigued and bleeding badly from the nose, tried once more to get to his feet, but Tokoro secured a rear naked choke and Cullum was forced to quickly submit. Absolutely amazing fight.
Winner: Hideo Tokoro by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:37 of round two. He improves to 22-16-1.
Non-Tournament Lightweight Contender Bout
Tatsuya "Crusher" Kawajiri vs Gesias "JZ Calvan" Calvancante
Using an extremely intelligent game plan, Kawajiri took Calvancante down numerous times and landed some decent shots on the ground, but surprisingly got the better of the striking exchanges on the feet as well.Calvancante landed solid combinations of punches and leg kicks in the opening 30 seconds, then scored with a nice overhand right. He caught a kick from Kawajiri and landed a hard left hook. Kawajiri went for a takedown, but Calvancante defended. He pulled guard with a tight guillotine choke that forced Kawajiri to act quickly to escape. Kawajiri broke free, but Calvancante landed knees and attempted another guillotine. Kawajiri worked from half-guard and landed short punches. Calvancante held on to prevent Kawajiri from doing much damage, but Kawajiri contined to score with small punches to the body and hammerfists. Calvancante looked to set up a triangle choke, but Kawajiri stood up, then dove back into Calvancante's guard. He peppered Calvancante with punches, then tried for knees to the face. Kawajiri landed a lengthy series of hammerfists to Calvancante's eyes and nose, but Calvancante scrambled and got to his feet.
Kawajiri scored another takedown and used more small strikes to score points. Calvancante looked to use rubber guard, but Kawajiri powered out and punched from the top. The fighters were stood up and the referee gave both of them a Yellow Card, though Kawajiri definitely did not deserve it. Quick hooks and stiff jabs landed for Kawajiri, who seemed to take an edge in the exchanges. Calvancante landed a body kick and was drilled by a right cross counter. Kawajiri tried for a takedown and the fighters clinched against the ropes. Kawajiri landed solid knee strikes to the body. An exchange saw Kawajiri score with a quick flurry of punches, and he followed up with a leg kick and more jabs. Calvancante attempted a head kick, but missed and was tagged by a left hook from Kawajiri. More punches landed for Kawajiri, who clinched and took Calvancante down. He avoided a guillotine choke from Calvancante, then landed knees and punches until the bell.
The fighters exchanged big right hooks to begin round two and Calvancante looked to pull guard with a guillotine choke. Kawajiri slammed Calvancante down and escaped the choke, as the bridge of Calvancante's nose bled from the opening exchange. Kawajiri landed short punches from half-guard and looked to pass, but Calvancante scrambled back to his feet. The fighters clinched in the corner, then separated after a stalemate. Following an exchange of leg kicks, Kawajiri landed a hard right cross. He followed up with more quick punches as Calvancante backed away. Kawajiri scored a takedown in the corner and moved to mount. He threw small punches from the top, but could do little damage. Calvancante regained half-guard, but Kawajiri kept him pinned down and passed to side-control, where he landed more short right hands.
With the convincing victory, Kawajiri will look to challenge DREAM Lightweight Champion Joachim Hansen later in 2009.
Winner: Tatsuya Kawajiri by Unanimous Decision after two rounds. He improves to 24-5-2.
Open-Weight "Super Hulk" Tournament Bouts
Gegard "Young Vagabond" Mousasi vs Mark Hunt
Giving up over 70 pounds to famed kickboxer Hunt, Mousasi's first foray into the heavyweight division proved to be a very successful one. After scoring a quick takedown, Mousasi locked on a Kimura and wrenched back on Hunt's shoulder, then switched to a straight armbar that forced Hunt to submit.Mousasi looked to be in excellent shape at his new weight, and he landed a quick punch early on and pushed Hunt to the mat. From side-control, Mousasi landed a knee and punches to the body, then looked to isolate Hunt's left arm. After some short punches, Mousasi looked for a Kimura. He tried once to twist Hunt's arm behind his back, but could not. A switch to a straight armbar yielded success, however, as Hunt quickly tapped out to the painful hold. Very impressive win for Mousasi.
Winner: Gegard Mousasi by Submission (Straight Armbar) at 1:18 of round one. He improves to 25-2-1.
"The African Assassin" Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs Jan "The Giant" Nortje
Fuelling rumours of steroid use and "roid rage," a belligerent Sokoudjou continued to land punch after punch to a downed Nortje long after the referee had waved off the fight, which led to a clash of cornermen in the ring.Looking woefully out of shape, Nortje tried to throw a sweeping leg kick and nearly lost his balance. Sokoudjou landed a body kick and clinched, but Nortje used the ropes to avoid being taken down. Short strikes were exchanged until the fighters were separated. Stiff leg kicks landed for Sokoudjou, who clinched and scored a takedown. He absolutely teed off with big punches and hammerfists on a floundering Nortje, who rolled over to escape the punishment. The referee dove in and tried to push Sokoudjou off, but Sokoudjou continued to throw more punches to his downed opponent. He landed at least five hard shots after the referee had waved off the fight, which led to a near-riot between the cornermen in the middle of the ring.
Sokoudjou settled down in his corner and later apologised for his actions, but this ridiculous outburst immediately brought on speculation that he could potentially be using steroids or some other substance, as he had never before demonstrated such disregard for the rules. Regardless, he wins the fight.
Winner: Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou by TKO (Punches) at 2:28 of round one. He improves to 6-4-0.
"The Techno Goliath" Hong Man Choi vs Jose Canseco
Making his long-awaited debut (okay, not really) in mixed martial arts, disgraced former baseball star Jose Canseco came to the ring carrying a baseball bat after the most hilarious entrance video in MMA history - complete with clips from a 1980s Nintendo Entertainment System baseball game and pictures alongside Madonna - and was promptly defeated in just over one minute by the 7'2" Korean giant, Choi.Canseco came out with a wild haymaker that missed, but he managed to land a decent body kick and a jab. Circling away from his massive opponent, Canseco looked to land single punches and kicks to Choi's midsection, but Choi countered with left straights that kept Canseco moving. Canseco landed a looping right hook and avoided a knee, but ate a left jab to the face. Choi landed two more punches and Canseco threw a sloppy side kick. Canseco ran in a circle to avoid a punch from Choi, but evidently hurt his knee in the process. After throwing a kick to the body, Canseco fell to the mat and stayed there while Choi landed a few glancing punches. Canseco quickly tapped out, thus ending his brief MMA career. 10 out of 10 for comedic value.
Winner: Hong Man Choi by Submission (Punches) at 1:16 of round one. He improves to 2-2-0.
Ikuhisa "Minowaman" Minowa vs Bob "The Beast" Sapp
Surviving early danger against Sapp, Minowa managed to sweep his mammoth foe and wound up on top, where he quickly secured an achilles lock that forced Sapp to submit.Minowa, who has made a career out of battling and defeating much larger opponents, immediately tried for a takedown, but he wound up on the bottom. Sapp looked to set up a Kimura from half-guard, then took Minowa's back. Sapp drilled Minowa with three hard punches, but Minowa rolled over and ended up in Sapp's guard. Minowa stood up and landed short punches, then stepped through Sapp's guard and locked on a standing achilles lock on Sapp's right ankle. Minowa torqued back on the ankle and Sapp quickly tapped out. Surprising but impressive win for Minowa.
Winner: Ikuhisa Minowa by Submission (Achilles Lock) at 1:14 of round one. He improves to 42-30-8.
Though the main event ended without a winner, Dream.9 showcased amazing fights, hilarious entertainment and moments of controversy, and the night served as a potential catalyst towards a resurrection of Japanese MMA. Further, HDNet's decision to use the K-1/FEG commentators and visual graphics was an excellent one, as HDNet's Kenny Rice simply does not understand the sport of mixed martial arts and distracts from otherwise solid broadcasts. Overall, this was an excellent event for DREAM.
