Tatsuya Kawajiri (24-5-2) vs. Melchor "Barracuda" Manibusan (2-3) added to DREAM.11 At today's...

Tatsuya Kawajiri (24-5-2) vs. Melchor "Barracuda" Manibusan (2-3) added to DREAM.11

At today's press conference announcing the bout, Kawajiri said that he will take the role of leading man in MMA this year, with everyone else as the supporting cast. DREAM EP Sasahara confirmed that "Crusher" will likely challenge the winner of Shinya Aoki-Joachim Hansen on New Year's Eve with a win here.

Manibusan hails from Guam and is an accomplished amateur wrestler and submission grappler. He's the leader of the Spike22 camp, which is home to Jesse Taitano, among others. The October 6th fight will mark his first MMA action since 2006.

2 months ago Chris Nelson 13 comments 0 recs |

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Why is this fight happening?

by Pontus on Sep 18, 2009 10:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Because it’s Japan

by argyle on Sep 18, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

couldn’t agree more.

by pop_gun_war on Sep 18, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This fight is happening because Dream 11 is a primetime TV card

So they’re stacking it with names for casual fans to tune in. As we all know, Dream is in a very bad way now, so they’re doing all they can to stay alive.

A source I know close to Kawajiri tells me that he doesn’t want to fight (which is becoming a theme for him unfortunately, since fighting Masato in K-1). He’s been fighting consistently for FEG and Dream for a long while now, and could use the rest. But, being the team player he is, he’s doing it anyway for the benefit of the company.

But yeah, this fight isn’t really because “this is Japan”—rather that Dream’s ship is sinking and they’re doing everything they can to keep it afloat.

by ikari47 on Sep 18, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs