DREAM planning Open-Weight GP - Wants Mirko and Fedor to enter.

by warsilva on Mar 9, 2009 2:42 PM EDT

General Translation:

“I wanna hold a class-straddling and genre-straddling tournament. I wanna make it large-scaled one like IWGP　(Unified ProWrestling Belt) concept. I’m planning a worldwide qualify. I wanna talk with Fedor because I think Fans would love to see him soon. And I hope Mirco would participate if he get healed.”

Hinted that he would like to see Mirko “CROCOP” Filipovic enter the OWGP.

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

Tweet Comment 49 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I’m planning a worldwide qualify.

I sure hope this is true. I’d love to see the K-1 WGP qualifier model applied to MMA.

Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com

by Chris Nelson on Mar 9, 2009 3:03 PM EDT reply actions

That’s a pretty inflated aspiration if you ask me. Not to say it wouldn’t be great. Are they even going to be around long enough to put on the WW GP, much less anything after that?

by KneeToTheFace on Mar 9, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I doubt it, but a man can dream. (No pun intended.)

Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com

by Chris Nelson on Mar 9, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

They are contracted to have shows throughout 2009.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Mar 9, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

That doesn’t neccessarily mean they will have shows throughout 2009 if their ratings don’t improve. Heck this sounds like what they may actually be needing to save their ratings.

by who me on Mar 9, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I am pretty confident they will keep running shows thoughout 2009.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Mar 9, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

You guys have to remember that the ratings will matter when they put their stars on the cards and TBS features it on primetime. This card had neither of that.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Mar 9, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

All of Dream’s ratings have been pretty lackluster(7’s ratings were a disaster) and nothing is ever guaranteed when it comes to tv contracts. Dream 8 will really be make or break for them but they can’t put Kid on every show and the whole MMA scene in Japan seems to be taking a nosedive, they need something to get fan attention for the future or they won’t have a future. Even if they do survive out 2009 getting stuck on late night with tape delay shows is still a slow death, they really need something to make a splash and draw eyeballs to their product. An I don’t care for the tournaments but then I’m not Dream’s target audience anyway, a open weight GP may be exactly what they need at this point.

by who me on Mar 9, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually, that is a factor.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d be surprised if Cro Cop participated in an open weight tournament. There are strong rumors he’ll be fighting at UFC 99 in Germany and I remember reading somewhere that Mirko was thinking about retiring after that fight.

Aside from that this is pretty exciting news, especially if they can get quality participants. Fedor, Sylvia, Arlovski, Overeem are all available. Throw in a couple of guys like Kharitonov and Roy Nelson and it could be a entertaining tournament. I’m not going to get my hopes up though.

by Andy R on Mar 9, 2009 3:08 PM EDT reply actions

Well,

You know they’re going to have to save a spot for Minowa and other senseless entries to prevent it from being a pure HWGP.

by KneeToTheFace on Mar 9, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

This could be the jolt that mma in Japan needs. Awesome news.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 9, 2009 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

The qualifiers will get good ratings only because we’ll see a few squash matches.

by KneeToTheFace on Mar 9, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

As far as cynical predictions go, that one is pretty random.

by smoogy on Mar 9, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Honestly...

I don’t necessarily want to see this happen right now. I was hoping to see Fedor finally come to the UFC and prove he’s number #1 in the world, yet now he has this ridiculous option of going to DREAM and demolishing a bunch of guys that either:

a. He already crushed
b. Are all on downtrodden declines in their careers, so Fedor will crush them worse
c. Are lighter than Fedor, so Fedor can ragdoll them into the crowd
d. Are lighter than Fedor, so Fedor can end it in 10 seconds on the floor due to overpower strength

It just seems ridiculous at this point. I mean, unless Overeem entered the mix and Fedor was in there, that’d be the only fight I’d want to see.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 4:15 PM EDT reply actions

Fedor vs. Overeem is the logical matchup they’d be aiming to make. I’d also like to see a Kharitonov fight while they are both still in their relative primes.

There was already a rumour that DREAM was looking to add a 4 man, one night HW tournament to one of their cards during the 2nd half of the year, so I think there is something to this OWGP talk.

by smoogy on Mar 9, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Kharitonov is somebody I’d like to see in the mix, but other than that… what the hell else is there? Fedor trouncing people he already crushed? OWGP’s are going to be Fedor’s advantage as well. He’ll likely end his first round fight in a minute.

Also, I don’t know if I want to see a third installment of Overeem-Kharitonov, although his newfound weight gain might make it more of an edge for Kharitonov.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t want to see a third fight after they worked the finish for the second one so poorly

by smoogy on Mar 9, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Honestly, if Fedor did the OWGP and just crushed everyone in it in less than a minute, I’d be a bit disappointed. I’d rather see him finally sign with the UFC over that.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I wonder if Fedor’s current asking price would be a issue with getting him for a GP?

by who me on Mar 9, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the UFC’s exclusivity clause is a bigger issue than his payscale.

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 10, 2009 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s common knowledge. Everybody knows the exclusivity is the major issue, and I really think it’s going to continue to plague those contract talks if they open again.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know if it would be that great of a move for Fedor but it does sound like a move that could save Dream from the lackluster rating abyss.

by who me on Mar 9, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m a bit interested in seeing how well “Kid” Yamamoto’s appearance in the next FWGP round will affect the ratings. He used to have huge draw, so we’ll see.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

If they can’t draw with Kid then Dream actually is in trouble but even if 8 does good they have to come up with something for the future.

by who me on Mar 9, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know, I think a lot of DREAM’s matchups are more of a hardcore appeal than what Japan is used to seeing. I think that’s one of the problems. I could do with some freakshow matchups if it means we can lengthen the time DREAM can put on solid hardcore matchups.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

We aren’t Dream’s target audience so obviously everything they do isn’t going to appeal to US fans but I’d be fine with them doing an all masked Anime GP if it would keep them doing shows so I could see the fights that do interest me (not to mention the freakshows are always fun to talk about on the internet).

by who me on Mar 9, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL, all-masked Anime GP.

But yeah, I know we aren’t their target audience, hence why I wouldn’t care about some freakshow fights if it’ll draw ratings. Push the more quality matchups in the mix with some freakshows, you wouldn’t hear me bitching about quality over freakshows. I know the culture is different, so I’d put up with it.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Roling

You question that Fedor is #1? The guy has something to prove in your eyes? Seriously?

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 10, 2009 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Keep in mind there are people who claim seriously that Fedor isn’t the best because he hasn’t beaten Lyoto Machida. Then get indignant when you try to argue.

by Chromium on Mar 10, 2009 4:17 AM EDT up reply actions

put the pipe down guy

Fedor is #1 in the world. who would you put at 1?

by WARMMA on Mar 10, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Truly Open

Add some flyweights in their and you’ve got a recipe for success.

"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Mar 9, 2009 4:30 PM EDT reply actions

Ikuhisa Minowa vs Hong Man Choi as a first round match up :D

by who me on Mar 9, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Whatever… man, “Kid” Yamamoto vs. Hong Man Choi.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d put money on Abel Cullum against Bob Sapp.

Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com

by Chris Nelson on Mar 9, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know about that, lol…

I still like Minowa’s plan against Sapp… try to run the mile around the ring and hope Sapp dies from a heart attack.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 9, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Is that where Starnes’ got his strategy?

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 9, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Minowa fought Sapp?

Creator of the FightMatrix rating system.

by JCS_FM on Mar 9, 2009 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Correction...

Zuluzinho

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Someone will have to fight in the return of Kinniku Mantaro match.

by who me on Mar 9, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

then throw in a midget, a guy wearing a mask and a 200lb+ weight differential and you have something the japanese viewing public might want to watch

by #5mmafan on Mar 9, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Was there actually a post on the other side of that link earlier? When I click it, it just sends me to a page that says:

“Sorry, no posts matched your criteria.”

Anyone else have the same problem?

by ilostmydog on Mar 9, 2009 7:06 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah… I can’t find it on the site either.

I did find this though… looks kinda familiar…

http://dreamfighters.com/?p=1690

Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com

by Chris Nelson on Mar 9, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Dream 7 was actually pretty fun too watch

I generally enjoy Dream shows. And featherweight (bantamweight??) action is always fun.

by rainmaker6 on Mar 9, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

open weight meaning a guy like Aoki could possibly face a guy like Fedor?

by Bigperm on Mar 10, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

Exactly.

Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com

by Chris Nelson on Mar 10, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Isn’t that a legitimate health risk to the smaller of the fighters? Where is the cutoff? Do they really match guys up that are more than 2 weight classes away?

by Bigperm on Mar 10, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions