DREAM: Heiwa Dream.7 Results
by Robert Sargent
Marking the start of their inaugural Featherweight Grand Prix, Dream.7 began the 2009 season in style for the DREAM promotion, and the event was headlined by a competitive battle between Masakazu "Ashikan Judan" Imanari and Atsushi Yamamoto.
The comedy moment for the night saw WAMMA Undisputed Lightweight Champion Shinya Aoki defeat journeyman David Gardner, when Gardner's waving to the crowd cost him dearly.
Tournament Bouts
Masakazu "Ashikan Judan" Imanari vs Atsushi Yamamoto
Imanari, the undisputed king of leg lock submissions, strangely attempted zero lower body submissions in this fight, and was very lucky to escape with a close Split Decision win.Imanari did his usual routine of standing still and posing, to induce offence from Yamamoto, but Yamamoto didn't bite and Imanari unleashed a trio of kicks. On the third kick, Yamamoto dropped Imanari like a shot with a right cross. Imanari immediately tried for an armbar from the bottom as he regained his composure. Yamamoto landed short punches from Imanari's guard, and Imanari used rubber guard to control Yamamoto's posture. He attempted a triangle choke, then an omoplata, but Yamamoto stayed in place and avoided danger. The fight was moved to the middle of the ring, where Imanari worked for a gogoplata. Yamamoto pushed free, but Imanari went back to the gogoplata attempt again. The fighters were stood up, and Yamamoto was bizarrely given a Yellow Card for inactivity.
Yamamoto drilled Imanari with another solid right cross, and Imanari looked to pull guard. Imanari began stepping forward with his hands down, inviting leg kicks from Yamamoto, who was happy to oblige. Imanari threw a pair of kicks to the body, which were blocked. More kicks were exchanged, and Imanari began using front and side kicks. Yamamoto pressed forward and Imanari pulled half-guard. The fight moved to the centre of the ring, where Imanari attempted an omoplata, then switched to an armbar. Yamamoto squirmed to escape, but Imanari took top position in side-control. He landed knees to the head of Yamamoto and attempted to set up an arm-triangle choke. Again, Imanari locked on an armbar, but Yamamoto escaped and landed strikes from the top. Imanari then tried for a gogoplata once more, but Yamamoto pushed free and landed punches from Imanari's guard. One more time, Imanari looked for an omoplata, but could not finish Yamamoto off. Very close round, with Imanari taking a slight edge with the endless submission attempts.
Yamamoto looked to strike early in round two, but Imanari simply flopped to his back and kicked him in the face. Imanari then pulled guard seconds later and once again controlled Yamamoto's left arm. Imanari landed weak strikes from the bottom as Yamamoto did nothing. Once again, the wrong fighter was punished, as this time it was Imanari who was given the Yellow Card. The fighters traded kicks, and Imanari followed the exchange with a spinning back kick. Imanari once again posed and stood still for Yamamoto to land free leg kicks. More kicks were exchanged until Imanari pulled guard again. This time, he trapped Yamamoto's right arm and locked up rubber guard. Imanari attempted a triangle choke, then blasted Yamamoto with a series of upkicks. The round ended with Yamamoto landing more short punches from the top before Imanari attempted another omoplata.
With judging in Japan heavily focused on effort to finish the fight, Imanari's dozens of submission attempts were enough to eek out a razor-thin Split Decision. Hopefully, he will return to his leg lock roots in his next fight.
Winner: Masakazu Imanari by Split Decision after two rounds. He improves to 16-6-1.
Hiroyuki "Streetfight Bancho" Takaya vs Jong Won Kim
Kim, a Judo star who was making his MMA debut, put up a surprisingly good fight on the feet against Takaya, but eventually succumbed to Takaya's punching power early in round two.Takaya pressed forward with big punches and kicks early in the first round, but Kim countered with solid left hooks. Kim landed a nice one-two and the fighters traded kicks. Kim drilled Takaya with another one-two, and more than held his own against Takaya's superior striking. Another exchange ensued, and the referee then called time and warned Kim for stalling, in what can only be called one of the worst decisions ever. Kim went right back to strikes, and was not stalling at all, but Takaya began to open up with kicks to the legs and body. Takaya landed a quick combination and a leg kick. The fighters exchanged punches, and Kim showed very impressive head movement. He caught a kick from Takaya and scored a takedown. Takaya backed into the corner and looked to work his way back to his feet.
Kim regained a body lock and kept Takaya down, but Takaya muscled his way to one knee. A stalemate ensued, and the fight was restarted in the middle of the ring. The fighters traded punches, and Takaya followed up with a stiff leg kick. Another leg kick and a lunging left hook landed for Takaya. Kim continued to push forward, but Takaya began to land leg kicks at will. Kim caught another kick and scored a takedown, but Takaya immediately got up. Takaya just missed with a huge left haymaker, but landed a one-two and a hard leg kick. Takaya landed more leg kicks and a combination before the bell, as Kim began to favour his lead leg.
Takaya went right back to leg kicks to begin round two, and followed up with a right cross. He landed two more leg kicks, then floored Kim with a right hook. Kim covered up as Takaya landed punches until the referee stopped the fight. Even in defeat, Kim put on an excellent performance, but Takaya's punching power was simply too much.
Winner: Hiroyuki Takaya by TKO (Punches) at 0:42 of round two. He improves to 10-6-1.
Yoshiro Maeda vs "Maverick" Micah Miller
Controlling much of the fight on the ground, Maeda used ground and pound and superior wrestling to take a Unanimous Decision win over the American Top Team prospect.Miller, wearing long tights and possessing a huge height advantage, threw a head kick to begin the fight. Maeda fired back with a series of leg kicks and a quick punching combination. The fighters clinched and looked to knee, but fell through the ropes. The fight restarted and Miller clinched for a knee, but ate a flurry of punches to the body. Miller threw another head kick and was promptly thrown to the mat. He used rubber guard to prevent Maeda from moving, but Maeda eventually escaped and passed to side-control. Maeda landed a knee, but Miller quickly regained half-guard. Maeda landed hammerfists from the top, then postured up to throw punches. Miller continued to hold on and trapped Maeda in rubber guard again, then looked to set up a modified triangle choke. Maeda landed numerous knees to the thighs while evading the triangle.
Miller kept Maeda trapped inside the double-arm triangle, but Maeda stood up and landed another series of knees to the thigh. The referee stood the fighters up and, perhaps unjustly, gave both a Yellow Card. Maeda quickly scored another takedown and looked to land punches from the top, but Miller tried for a Kimura. Maeda broke free and landed a few punches. Miller locked on an omoplata, but Maeda stood and spun free, then landed knees until Miller attempted a heel hook. Maeda continued to evade danger and landed hammerfists. Miller tried again for a heel hook, but Maeda kicked at his face and escaped before the bell. Very evenly matched ground battle.
Maeda landed a leg kick and a pair of right hooks early in round two, then threw Miller to the mat. Miller stood, but was promptly taken down again. Maeda tried to posture up, but Miller used rubber guard to control his position. Miller tried for a gogoplata, but Maeda simply stood up. Back on the feet, the fighters clinched briefly, but were quickly separated. Both fighters connected with hard right crosses, and Miller followed up with knees in a Thai clinch. The fighters separated and a wild punching exchange ensued. Maeda scored a takedown, but Miller rolled to the side and looked to reverse. Maeda grabbed hold of Miller's legs to prevent him from standing, then landed elbows and knees to the body. Maeda landed two big rights from the top, and Miller attempted a triangle and an armbar just as the bell sounded. Contrary to comments from HDNet commentator Kenny Rice, who is lucky to even be employed, this was an excellent fight. Too bad he doesn't understand anything about MMA.
Winner: Yoshiro Maeda by Unanimous Decision after two rounds. He improves to 24-6-2.
"The Silent Assassin" Abel Cullum vs "Wicky" Akiyo Nishiura
With numerous takedowns and submission attempts, along with impressive striking, Cullum took a clear-cut decision win over the charismatic Nishiura.Cullum began the fight with a huge haymaker, but Nishiura ducked and reversed a takedown. Cullum avoided damage on the ground and stood back up, then rushed forward with punches again. Nishiura landed a pair of solid counter rights, then defended a takedown attempt. Cullum maintained a clinch and managed to muscle Nishiura to the ground. Nishiura reversed position a second time and worked from the top. Cullum attempted a triangle, then quickly transitioned to an armbar that had Nishiura in all sorts of trouble. Nishiura rolled out of the armbar, then escaped a figure-four armbar seconds later. Cullum looked for another armbar from the bottom, then stood up. Cullum tried for a takedown, but once again wound up on his back. Nishiura landed short punches before Cullum got to his feet. The fighters traded rights and Cullum dropped Nishiura with a second right. Nishiura seemed to have slipped and wasn't hurt, but Cullum began working from his half-guard.
Yet again, Nishiura reversed and took top position, but Cullum went right back to submission attempts. A Kimura failed, but Cullum trapped Nishiura in a modified reverse armbar. Nishiura escaped the hold, as well as a follow-up reverse triangle choke. Cullum locked on an omoplata, but Nishiura rolled out and landed a solid knee strike. Cullum clinched and moved to the corner, then took Nishiura down. He landed knee strikes to the head, and Nishiura landed a knee of his own as the fighters stood. Nishiura partially landed a head kick, but Cullum caught his leg and threw him down. Cullum landed numerous punches from mount, as Nishiura struggled to escape. More big punches and hammerfists landed for Cullum, but Nishiura regained guard. Cullum alternated between mount and side-control, where he landed short strikes and dominated the final seconds. Excellent round.
As in round one, Cullum came forward quickly with punches in round two, but was drilled with a pair of counter right hooks for his efforts. Cullum regained his composure and scored a very brief takedown before the fighters clinched. Nishiura scored a partial hip toss, then shrugged off an armbar attempt. Cullum scrambled to get back to his feet, then used an ankle pick to get Nishiura down. From side-control, Cullum landed knees to the body. Cullum moved to mount and landed punches, and Nishiura gave up his back. Cullum dragged him to the corner and looked for a rear naked choke, but Nishiura spun and landed knees before the fight returned to the feet. Nishiura landed a hard body kick and the fighters traded big punches. Cullum fell, but immediately attempted a triangle choke on the ground. Nishiura escaped and landed small strikes, then stood up and rocked Cullum with punches. Cullum scored a takedown and landed in half-guard, but Nishiura reversed and cut Cullum with knees before the bell. Great fight.
Winner: Abel Cullum by Unanimous Decision after two rounds. He improves to 14-2-0.
Joe Warren vs Chase "The Rage" Beebe
Following a competitive ten minutes, the doctor called a stop to this fight due to a cut that Beebe sustained shortly before the opening round came to a close. The loss marks the third straight defeat for the former WEC Bantamweight Champion, while wrestling standout Warren picks up the victory in his MMA debut.Warren missed with an early punch, and Beebe drilled him with a counter. Both fighters landed knees in a clinch, then exchanged short punches, and Warren missed with another wild haymaker. Beebe landed a nice jab and a leg kick, then reversed a takedown from Warren. The fight quickly returned to the feet, where Warren looked to clinch again for a takedown. Both fighters landed knees, but neither could get the fight to the ground. Warren began to find more success with his striking, but Beebe landed solid counters. Uppercuts found the mark for Beebe, and Warren replied with a flying knee to the body and a one-two. The fighters exchanged punches and Warren slipped while throwing a kick. Beebe rocked him with a right cross, then briefly locked on a standing guillotine choke. Warren escaped and clinched, where he scored with more knees.
Warren continued to be the aggressor, but Beebe landed a number of hard counter rights and lefts. Warren landed a big punch, then twisted and avoided a takedown. He promptly scored a takedown of his own and worked from Beebe's guard. Warren landed punches to the body, while Beebe moved for a triangle choke. Warren stood up and pressed forward with quick punches and front kicks. A diving punch partially landed for Warren, who scored another takedown. Beebe attempted an armbar, and Warren powered out. The process repeated, as Warren avoided another armbar and landed punches from the top. Beebe continued to look for triangles and armbars, as Warren used strikes to escape. The fight returned to the feet, where Warren landed a knee from a Thai clinch that opened a nasty gash above Beebe's left eye. Warren scored another takedown just before the bell, as Beebe bled all over the place.
The cut was deemed to be too deep for Beebe to continue, and the doctor called off the fight. The win was an impressive one for Warren, who seems poised to have a bright future in the sport.
Winner: Joe Warren by TKO (Doctor Stoppage - Cut) at 10:00 of round one. He improves to 1-0-0.
Bibiano "The Flash" Fernandes vs Takafumi Otsuka
Overcoming a highly questionable Yellow Card in round one, Fernandes's top control and dominance in striking and submission attempts resulted in a Unanimous Decision from the judges.Otsuka caught an early kick, but missed with a right hook and was blasted with two knees. Fernandes scored a takedown and landed punches from half-guard. Otsuka locked Fernandes's leg down, but Fernandes managed to score with elbows to the legs and more short punches. A scramble ensued, but Fernandes kept the fight on the ground. Fernandes landed more short strikes from half-guard, while Otsuka held on. Fernandes pressed Otsuka against the ropes and landed effective punches, then stood up and dropped a series of rights, which bloodied the nose of Otsuka. Fernandes postured up and landed more punches and hammerfists, but the referee halted the action and gave him a Yellow Card. Absolutely terrible call, especially since Otsuka had done essentially nothing all fight.
Action resumed after the bizarre call and the fighters traded strikes, with Otsuka landing ultra-fast kicks. Fernandes tossed Otsuka to the ground, then landed more punches from the top. The fight returned to the feet and Otsuka continued to throw fast kicks to the legs and body. Both fighters landed solid punches, as Otsuka's nose bled once again. Another exchange of kicks followed, and both scored with combinations. Otsuka landed a stiff kick to the body, but Fernandes countered with an overhand right. Fernandes took Otsuka's back in a scramble, but Otsuka circled and clinched. The fighters separated and traded quick combinations. Otsuka landed a liver kick and defended a takedown. The referee became insanely quick at separating the fighters in clinches, but he is often prone to doing so. The doctor checked on Otsuka's nose, but action resumed and Fernandes attempted a takedown. Otsuka defended and clinched again before the fighters were separated once more. Fernandes landed a one-two before the bell.
Fernandes began round two with a series of hard kicks to Otsuka's lead leg. Otsuka attempted a quick combination, but Fernandes ducked under and grabbed onto Otsuka's leg, then took his back. Otsuka stood up, with Fernandes latching on in the koala position, but Otsuka managed to shake free. Fernandes landed a solid kick to the body, then defended a takedown. Otsuka replied by avoiding a takedown attempt from Fernandes, and the fighters clinched. Time was called while the doctor cleared the blood from Ostuka's nose, and the fight resumed with Fernandes dropping Otsuka with a huge knee. Otsuka held on and tried for a takedown, but ate a series of punches. The fighters separated from a clinch and Fernandes scored a takedown. From half-guard, Fernandes rained down punches and hammerfists, but Otsuka got back to his feet. A punching exchange ensued, and Fernandes scored another takedown. Fernandes landed punches from the top, while Otsuka fired back with upkicks from the ground before the bell.
Winner: Bibiano Fernandes by Unanimous Decision after two rounds. He improves to 4-2-0.
Non-Tournament Bouts
Tatsuya "Crusher" Kawajiri vs Ross "Da Boss" Ebanez
After scoring a takedown and landing strikes from the top, Kawajiri quickly took Ebanez's back and locked on a rear naked choke that forced Ebanez to submit.Ebanez failed to make weight for the fight, so he was penalised with a Yellow Card just before the fight began. Perhaps as a result, Kawajiri did not touch gloves. The fighters traded punches to begin the fight, and Kawajiri countered a flying knee attempt by taking Ebanez to the ground. He landed short punches from the top until the fight moved to the middle of the ring. Kawajiri stood up and landed punches, and Ebanez followed him to his feet. Ebanez scored a brief takedown, but Kawajiri got up and clinched. Kawajiri then scored a takedown and passed directly to mount. Ebanez prevented Kawajiri from doing any damage, but Kawajiri postured up and began to land punches. Kawajiri briefly looked for a keylock, but took Ebanez's back instead. Kawajiri locked on a body triangle and secured a rear naked choke seconds later, which forced Ebanez to quickly submit. Impressive win for Kawajiri in his first fight since losing to Eddie Alvarez.
After the fight, Kawajiri challenged Gesias "JZ" Calvancante to a fight at Dream.9 to determine the next contender for Joachim Hansen's DREAM Lightweight Championship.
Winner: Tatsuya Kawajiri by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:02 of round one. He improves to 23-5-2.
Shinya "Tobikan Judan" Aoki vs David Gardner
Taking advantage of his opponent's hilarious lack of concern for the fight, Aoki quickly locked on a fight-ending rear naked choke while Gardner waved and yelled out to the crowd.After circling one another for the first 30 seconds, Aoki pulled half-guard and Gardner landed punches from the top. Aoki immediately flipped out and reversed, taking Gardner's back in the process. Aoki locked on a body triangle and attempted a rear naked choke. Aoki began to land elbows to the ribs and punches to the sides of Gardner's head, then looked for the choke again. Gardner, apparently bored, began waving to the crowd. Aoki secured a neck crank, but Gardner escaped and waved again, then audibly complained to his corner. Aoki transitioned to an armbar and triangle attempt from the side, but Gardner got out and stood up. Aoki threw Gardner back to the mat and took his back again. Gardner looked up and shouted, "Hello, Japan!" to the audience, and Aoki immediately capitalised by locking on a rear naked choke. Gardner could not escape, and was forced to submit. Priceless.
Aoki's victory in this catchweight bout sets up his return to competition at Dream.8, where he will battle Hayato "Mach" Sakurai in a rematch from Shooto in 2005. The fight will be part of the opening round of the 2009 DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix.
Winner: Shinya Aoki by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 5:58 of round one. He improves to 20-3-0, 1 NC.
"The Endless Fighter" Mitsuhiro Ishida vs "The Armbar Genius" Daisuke Nakamura
Using his incredible wrestling and submission defence, Ishida dominated the bout and prevented Nakamura from doing much of anything, which left little doubt in the minds of the judges.The fighters exchanged jabs and kicks in the opening minute, and Nakamura landed a nice right cross. Ishida pushed forward with a quick one-two and scored a takedown. Nakamura looked for a Kimura, but Ishida squirmed his way free and landed a knee. Ishida landed more knees to the head of Nakamura, then briefly took his back. Nakamura got to his feet, but was promptly slammed down again. Once more, he tried for a Kimura, but Ishida avoided danger. Ishida picked Nakamura up and slammed him down. Nakamura attempted to transition to an armbar, but Ishida once again escaped and landed knees. Ishida slammed Nakamura down again, then went for a neck crank. When that failed, Ishida unleashed a series of punches and hammerfists. Nakamura went back to the Kimura attempt in order to prevent Ishida from doing any more damage.
Ishida took Nakamura's back again and landed a series of hard punches to the side of Nakamura's head. Nakamura tried to roll to escape, but was met with more big punches. Ishida scored with another series of knees, then avoided yet another Kimura attempt from Nakamura. With his submissions meeting with little success, Nakamura switched to punches from the bottom, but Ishida cut Nakamura over the eye with a knee. Time was called to check the cut, but the action was allowed to continue. Nakamura went back to a Kimura attempt, which Ishida escaped from by landing more knees. Ishida moved to North-South position and landed another series of knees. The fighters scrambled and got back to their feet. Nakamura attempted a head kick, which was blocked. Ishida countered a left hook from Nakamura by scoring a takedown. He landed short punches to Nakamura's head, but Nakamura attempted an armbar just before the bell rang.
Nakamura came out throwing a series of right uppercuts early in round two, but Ishida fired back with kicks and caught the leg of Nakamura. Ishida slammed Nakamura to the mat and avoided an armbar attempt, then worked from half-guard. Ishida landed short punches from the top and very briefly passed to mount, but Nakamura regained half-guard and attempted a Kimura. Ishida opened up the cut above Nakamura's eye again, but Nakamura scrambled back to his feet. Ishida latched onto a leg and dragged Nakamura back down, then took Nakamura's back. Nakamura stood up once again, but Ishida's relentless takedowns were too much. On the ground, Ishida landed punches to the side of Nakamura's head, then moved back to half-guard. Nakamura tried to get back to his feet, but Ishida took his back again. A scramble led to Ishida passing to side-control, and Nakamura rolled to escape and tried a kneebar. He moved to a toe hold, but the bell rang and potentially saved the win for Ishida. Excellent ground battle.
Winner: Mitsuhiro Ishida by Unanimous Decision after two rounds. He improves to 18-4-1.
While the main event played out much differently than most expected, Dream.7 was a great start to 2009 for the DREAM promotion, and action will resume at Dream.8 in just a few short weeks.
