Jason "Mayhem" Miller vs. Kazushi Sakuraba Confirmed for DREAM.16
by Chris Nelson on Aug 27, 2010 10:33 PM EDT
in Japanese MMA News
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Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights, just dropped this on Twitter:
DREAM 16 breaking news- Mayhem v Sakuraba, Joe Warren v Omigawa &Gegard v Mizuno for title. HDNet kick ass card. News from me & @hdnetfights
Yes, you read that right: 29-year-old Strikeforce middleweight contender Jason "Mayhem" Miller (23-7, 1 NC) will square off against 41-year-old "I.Q. Wrestler" Kazushi Sakuraba (26-13-1, 2 NC) in Nagoya, Japan, on September 25.
The two court jesters of MMA nearly faced one another in the quarterfinals of Dream's 2008 Middleweight Grand Prix - a match which Miller referred to at the time as his "dream fight" - but Sakuraba instead drew Melvin Manhoef, while Miller saw his first meeting with Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza. The fight makes slightly less sense now, with "Mayhem" still a viable title contender for both Strikeforce and DREAM, and Sakuraba coming off of an unspectacular decision loss to Ralek Gracie in May.
As noted earlier this week, quite a bit could be riding on the television ratings for Tokyo Broadcasting System's prime-time airing of DREAM.16. It's easy to dismiss this bout as a ratings grab, and I've no doubt that's part of it; Sakuraba is one of the few remaining superstars from PRIDE and "Mayhem's" colorful personality has previously gone over well in Japan. However, it's also not far removed from DREAM's usual matchmaking approach. I won't be amongst those wringing their hands and wondering if this will be the fight where the battle-worn Saku finally dies in the ring, but for once I also can't say I'll begrudge those who do.
The other two matches which Simon confirmed are tough to complain about. As Tapology reported on Tuesday, Bellator champ Joe Warren (5-1) will tangle with Michihiro Omigawa (11-8-1) in what promises to be a war of attrition between two tough featherweights.
Meanwhile, Gegard Mousasi (29-3-1) and Tatsuya Mizuno (8-5) will fight for the vacant 205-pound title in the final match of Dream's 2010 Light-Heavyweight Grand Prix.
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Red Dragons!
"Jesus, did somebody dip a baby in jalepenos?" - My Girlfriend
by Earl Montclair on Aug 27, 2010 7:28 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Hmmm
This is ridiculous.
"I am a man who pisses largely and frequently, which they say is a sign of great mental activity" -Henry Miller-
man
this is a pointless fight, but it’s actually a good “get over” fight for Mayhem and smart marketing from DREAM. Sakuraba is a legend and a fan favorite and Mayhem has HUGE potential to get over with the Japanese fans. Plus his style should lend itself to the kind of sweet grappling match that 1) won’t kill Saku and 2) Japanese fans love.
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I want Mayhem to lose so bad.
For infinite reasons.
"I trained with Steven Seagal."
by B.H. Farnsworth on Aug 27, 2010 8:54 PM EDT reply actions
I won’t be amongst those wringing their hands and wondering if this will be the fight where the battle-worn Saku finally dies in the ring, but for once I also can’t say I’ll begrudge those who do.
Seriously?
When was the last time Mayhem hurt anyone? This is one fight where I am NOT worried about Sakuraba getting hurt, and I could honestly see him pulling off the win if Mayhem shows too much respect to the old man. I have a sneaking suspicion Miller is going to try reenact Sakuraba-Newton rather than just bludgeoning the old man.
When was the last time Mayhem hurt anyone?
You might be right, but I hope Miller isn’t dumb enough to take it easy on Sakuraba. He’s got a career to worry about. Saku’s legacy is set.
by Chris Nelson on Aug 27, 2010 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Meh.
As illegal soccer kicks go, that one didn’t do much more than open up a nasty cut. I hardly think that is indicative of Mayhem being some kind of monster who doles out heaps of punishment.
All I’m saying is that you have a guy right in his physical prime going up against a legend on the decline who’s logged A LOT of ring miles. Even though Miller isn’t a devastating finisher, I don’t think that’s a combination which bodes well for Saku.
by Chris Nelson on Aug 27, 2010 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Is this the reason they couldn’t book Miller vs Diaz? Or because Strikeforce couldn’t make that one Dream was able to make this fight?
by John Nash on Aug 27, 2010 11:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I’m thinking the latter – Mousasi is getting a consolation prize too, in the form of a shiny new belt he can lose to Feijao.
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by Derek Suboticki on Aug 28, 2010 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Mayhem takes it pretty easily
but he should be careful and not get into a grappling exhibition and take it easy on Saku. if you watched him vs. Galesic, you know he can still pull off a hail mary submission, even if Mayhem is really hard to sub.
come on, this is redicules.
I really don’t want to see Saku take anymore punishment. This is not a good fight for SAKU by any means.
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