Sengoku FWGP Pairings Announced

by Chris Nelson on Mar 9, 2009 11:09 AM EDT Comment 58 comments

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SENGOKU VII
March 20th, 2009
Yoyogi National Stadium
Tokyo, Japan

#23 LHW "King" Mo Lawal (3-0) vs. Ryo Kawamura (9-3-2)

James Thompson (14-9) vs. "Big" Jim York (9-2)

Featherweight GP Opening Round Bouts

#5 FW Hatsu Hioki (17-3-2) vs. Chris Manuel (6-0-2)

#42 FW Nam Phan (14-5) vs. #11 FW Hideki Kadowaki (13-8-2)

#18 FW Marlon Sandro (12-0) vs. Matt Jaggers (9-4)

Michihiro Omigawa (4-7-1) vs. #13 FW L.C. Davis (13-1)

#40 FW Shintaro Ishiwatari (6-1-3) vs. Chan Sung Jung (2-0)

Masanori Kanehara (11-5-5) vs. #28 FW Jong Man Kim (3-5-3)

Seiya Kawahara (6-1) vs. Nick Denis (6-0)

Tetsuya Yamada (3-0) vs. Ronnie Mann (16-1-1)

[UPDATE] More news out of the press conference - World Victory Road signed Waggney Fabiano's brother!

Also announced was the first official participant for SENGOKU VIII which will take place on May 2nd. He is a new signing in Nova Uniao Lightweight BJJ expert Leonardo Santos who is currently on a 5 fight winning streak.

. . .

The quarterfinals of the Featherweight GP and a Middleweight, Welterweight, and Lightweight fight are planned to be held at SENGOKU VIII. The Leonardo Santos vs. TBA fight is likely to be a number 1 contender fight for a shot at Kitaoka.

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Apologies for the sparse post but it’s late and these were just announced within the last hour or so. I haven’t had time to fully wrap my head around all the awesomeness and wanted to get the news up as soon as possible. Manuel vs. Hioki is obviously the marquee matchup, but there are some other fantastic pairings. Ishiwatari-Chang and Kawahara-Denis stick out as guaranteed thrillers. I’m a bit stunned they’re throwing Yamada into the deep end with Ronnie Mann, but it’ll be interesting to see how he fares against a veteran.

In short, though: hot damn!

Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com

by Chris Nelson on Mar 4, 2009 4:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

good job chris!

i kinda noticed you’ve been more active in BE recently.. cool. :)

http://weoweoweo.deviantart.com/

by Anton Tabuena on Mar 4, 2009 6:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, BE needs someone to cover all the Japanese MMA, and you are the only one giving it some attention, so thanks Chris!

by MMASuPreMaCy on Mar 4, 2009 1:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Hioki is going to tool Manuel.

by Luke Thomas on Mar 4, 2009 9:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL, wow Luke, such a bold prediction.

Hioki is a favorite by far, and I agree that Manuel doesn’t stand much of a chance.

Sandro is a beast though, and I think he’s the overall favorite here. LC Davis is going to be the big x-factor, and hope he does well. He has the chops to be a party crasher. I also think Ronnie Mann could be a surprise as well.

Sandro is the nightmare in the FW GP, look out for his beastly takedowns.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No love for Denis?

Considering until WEC got the ol ZUFFA push that FW got zero mainstream attention… KOTC, Pancrase and Shooto were about the largest market shows you could fight below 155 at. I think going 5-0 with 5 finishes at KOTC is pretty damn impressive.

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My rankings for this tourney are

1,2,3,4 are all Hioki
5. is Denis
6. Davis
7. Sandro
8. Kadowaki

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow… I’d put Sandro at #2. He is an absolute nightmare, quick, effective takedowns, crushing on the floor.

Denis is definitely up there, but I think Davis is the dark horse.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Look what I said down below

If Denis faces Sandro he’s probably gonna spend the night on his back. I think Denis can KO anybody in the tourney though in a standup affair

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No offense, but are you related to or know Nick Denis personally? I’m just curious because your praise of him is slightly reminiscent of Chance Farrar’s brother posting on Sherdog.

by ilostmydog on Mar 9, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So obviously

I’m expecting an Eddie Alverez, phoenix like rise out of Denis

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He has a chance, but I know Hioki and Sandro would beat him IMO. Davis is the dark horse guy I want to see. I want to see how he does against some of these upper echelon Japanese FWs.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also I forgot our extinct friend the IFL

Davis had a good run down there

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ronnie Mann's record is fantastic

till you realize he was fighting dudes that they pulled out of the crowd at no-namer events across the country. Denis’ 6 KOTC wins are MUCH more impressive IMO. Hell Yamada’s 3 ZST wins impress me Just SLIGHTLY less than Mann’s 16W’s. I’m gonna bust out the risk and go out on a limb Yamada with the upset KO 1

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is the problem with the British MMA scene, not many bouts for Mann to push himself against. This is a good thing for Mann testing himself in Japanese waters.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope you’re right. Yamada has the great story to pull in fans if he continues on in the tournament.

Where do you see ZST fights btw? It’s rare that I can find footage from their shows. If you don’t wanna answer here, feel free to email me.

Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com

by Chris Nelson on Mar 9, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well not that I've SEEN his victories

I’m just talking about the fact that when you stay with 1 promotion they gradually give you increasing competition. When you jump between 20 different promotions, (when none of them have any talent), you just fight whatever random bum they can dig up. When you’re a submission guy which Mann is certainly talented in, that generally equals an easy night.

Now… I probably have a way I could see the ZST fights depending on if a certain guy shows up at the other site I post at.

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ahh, word.

Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com

by Chris Nelson on Mar 9, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hioki vs. Manual is a marquee matchup? Hioki is likely going to have his way with Manual. Denis vs. Kawahara is interesting, but Yamada might not be so much in the deep end vs. Mann. After all, Mann is mostly a staple in British promotions, and those aren’t exactly the most challenging fights for him.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree Hioki takes it easily, but it’s the “big” fight in the opening round for sure, no? I guess marquee isn’t the right word, but Hioki makes it a big fight on his own, and Manuel’s a decent prospect with at least some name recognition from his fight against Osawa.

Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com

by Chris Nelson on Mar 9, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well… yes. Hioki makes it a big fight on his own. Looking over the rest of the field, I can actually agreee to an extent, it seems like the most likely bout to have some recognition with the added bonus of high skill involved, although I don’t think Manuel is going to be a highly skilled test for Hioki.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not a big fan of these pairings. It is typical Japanese stuff… Give a few of their countries fighters easier fights in order to make sure they get to the next round.

by AlwaysRelaxing on Mar 4, 2009 7:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Duh...

Most organizations do this regardless

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 4, 2009 8:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Davis and Sandro are Japanese?

by MMASuPreMaCy on Mar 4, 2009 1:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

3-0 Yamada vs 16-1 Mann

Looks like a gimme fight for Yamada to you? I mean I’m going with Yamada but that would be a huge upset.

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sandro and Hioki… should be the big favorites. LC Davis is the man to watch though, and I’m sure injuries will become a factor. Great GP though, although I’m looking forward to DREAM’s matchups much more.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 4, 2009 8:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

It’s clear to me that this show, and in particular this tournament, is targeting the hardcore fan. Obvious, right? Still, this has much more appeal to me than the DREAM catchweight tournament, largely because it’s filled with guys I’ve just not gotten to see as much of as I’d like (Hioki, Kadowaki, Kim), guys who I’ve been able to see in different places (Phan, Davis, Manuel, Omigawa), and to be honest, a bunch of guys about whom I know nothing. I’m not even sure this first round will produce the more entertaining fights (though it certainly could), but the event is more intriguing to me because there is a lot of knowledge to be gained from watching this show.

But a lot of it has to do with Sengoku just now coming to HDNet, which makes me excited on it’s own.

"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Mar 4, 2009 8:49 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd.

Couldn’t agree more. I’m looking forward to seeing this tournament progress just as much, if not more than, the DREAM bracket. I ended up being way more interested in Sengoku’s GPs last year too, though they arguably had the lesser fighters. Being able to watch Sengoku live on HDNet now is gonna be a treat.

Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com

by Chris Nelson on Mar 4, 2009 11:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget. DREAM 1 wasn't that shithot either

It was DREAM 3 and DREAM 5 that were absolutely INSANE shows. I’m stoked for the next round of both the DREAM Bantherweight and Sengoku FW tourney. That is where the truly great matchups will start to take place and young stars get born.

BTW (without spoilers for people waiting for HDnet broadcast) How about that Beebe vs Warren fight.

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thought for sure they’d have JMK/Hioki II this round. Hioki/Manuel seems like an odd pairing to me. Ishiwatari/CSJ should be fun. Yamada appears to be getting thrown to the dogs now that he’s not in high school.

by ilostmydog on Mar 4, 2009 10:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

"Super High School Graduate!" just doesn’t have the same ring.

Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com

by Chris Nelson on Mar 4, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm pulling for the upset in that fight

I’m willing to bet Yamada at least shows you something special against Mann.

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Added pics. =) Great that HDNet is showing this live.

by Nick Thomas on Mar 9, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A picture of Nick “The Ninja of Love” Denis from the UG

by Nick Thomas on Mar 9, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I was just gonna say

Hioki vs Denis in the finals. I think Denis can get through Davis but he’s my #3 seed and if Denis fights Davis it should make for an awesome bout

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree. I think Hioki might get there, but Sandro vs. Hioki is likely the mindset for the finals. Denis can’t handle Hioki or Sandro IMO, and Sandro might very well be one of the most fearsome FWs in this thing.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well that is a good point

Denis has KO power to burn… But its hard to throw off your back and Sandro will likely put him there. SHUT UP MEANIE!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sandro is just… beastly in takedowns. Denis could KO him I suppose, but doubtful.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Joe Warren

Vs Sandro for the all-Japan Bantherweight title

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly, I think Warren would get trounced. Even with his phenomenal wrestling, Sandro has some unique abilities. He shoots for takedowns at perfect times, and sometimes, it’s almost Fedor-esque in that he puts a punch to your chin with an immediate explosion to the takedown. He’s very strong, very powerful, explosive, but he’s beatable on his back to an extent.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Warren's striking from the clinch

was WAYYYYY beyond where it should be for such a noob to the sport. In close I think he would be trouble for Sandro who’s power is extremely limited save for a flying knee. Not to say Beebe is a world beater but he’s about as good as anybody Sandro has fought… This was Warren’s first fight and I had him winning the round in addition to the cut which stopped the fight.

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I take that back

Warren’s 1 win over Beebe IS BETTER than ANY of Sandro’s wins to date.

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s a stretch, but I understand the point. It’s all opinion based on who each guy has fought, but Beebe was never an impressive fighter to me. He beat Yahya, but it was a bit lucky. He was about half an inch from having his knee snapped in that fight.

Beebe isn’t that impressive of a win when you look at what Beebe brings to the table. Beebe is one-dimensional mostly. He uses wrestling to his advantage, and he couldn’t do that here. He’s never been a great standup guy, and Warren was actually impressive in that sense.

Sandro is a bit more of a beast that what Warren can bring currently IMO. Sandro has very quick transitions to the takedown, explosive power, but Warren could be a prospect for the future definitely. I think Sandro would beat him badly at this point, the guy is just a monster in some of his fights. But yes, the level of competition that Sandro has faced isn’t world beating by any means.

It’d be nice to see that type of fight. There are guys who can beat Sandro’s less than stellar strength of schedule, so it isn’t unimaginable to see someone in this tournament turn my opinion around about him. I’m still high on seeing how LC Davis does.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The one major problem I see is that Sandro isn’t much of a finisher, but more of a smother fighter. He just gets all over you, and you can’t do much. That might be his problem in this tournament.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well fine

I’ll settle for Yamada vs Denis in all out slugfest. Not many FW’s have the power to actually put multiple KO’s, (not TKO’s), on their records.

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 9, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It'll be a good fight

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

James Thompson as co-main eventer...

..I wonder why MMA is dying in Japan?

If you see Mark Coleman in person, drop $5 on the floor and watch the fun as he tries in vain to bend down and pick it up.

by Ozzz on Mar 9, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow, nice signing in Leo Santos! He came down and guest-coached at my gym a couple of times recently, last one being about two weeks ago. In addition to being an INCREDIBLE guy, he’s the slickest jiu jitsu player I’ve ever seen, with or without a gi. I saw him sub some of our best guys – legit black belts – in two minutes. He never even broke a sweat and just had a grin on his face the entire time. And at least once every time he rolled (and we all stood around watching) he’d do something that just made everyone simultaneously say “oooooooohhhh!!!”.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Mar 9, 2009 2:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Very nice...

I love this signing. Santos flying armbarring St. Pierre back in the day was pretty slick, so I imagine his jiu-jitsu is very good right now. It’ll be interesting to see where his overall game is nowadays in terms of MMA.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

From what I’ve seen, his hands are fast and accurate, but I have no idea of his power or how diverse his striking game is. I don’t think he has a ton of wrestling, but his sweeps are damn near unavoidable. Strikes me as a bit in the Damian Maia mold: he’ll happily go to the ground however he has to, and from there, his opponent had better be smart and able to disengage and stand or the fight probably won’t last long.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Mar 9, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m sorry, but Santos v TBA for a title shot? Anyone here REALLY think TBA wouldn’t just get screwed like the guy that beat Gomi if he wins?

by subo on Mar 9, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Screwed like the guy who beat Gomi? Which guy? Golyaev?

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's the one

He went from a loss to a title fight. Bullshit.

by subo on Mar 9, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The problem is that Golyaev basically took it to Gomi, won, but wasn’t considered a high threat. It was evident Golyaev was going to lose to another highly touted fighter, whereas Kitaoka is going to likely be a staple in the lightweight scene for quite some time. He has the submission style of Imanari with the added bonus of being a bit more powerful than Imanari.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to see Kitaoka vs. Golyaev...

I love 90-second Kitaoka heel hooks. Give the man his title shot! He ain’t doin’ too good in K-1.

Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com

by Chris Nelson on Mar 9, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I still want to see him do the Crane Kick to Rolling Heel Hook like Brown vs. Imanari, or the rolling heelhook like Imanari vs Jean Silva. Those fights are classic Imanari.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs