DREAM Totally Loving the Strikeforce Partnership
by Zak Woods on Mar 23, 2010 3:45 PM EDT
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For North American MMA fans one of the interesting storylines coming out of DREAM.13 was that it represented the first time Strikeforce sent a fighter, in this case, K.J. Noons, to Japan to compete in a DREAM event. While Noons was victorious (with a broken foot no less) it represented an important moment in the ongoing relationship between DREAM and Strikeforce.
DREAM producer, Keiichi Sasahara, talked to the media (video above courtesy of MMA Fighting) and addressed the relationship:
"Watching this event, there was one thing that really stood out and that was the partnership with Strikeforce," Sasahara said. "Over the next year we will have many amazing Strikeforce fighters coming to Dream. We will continue to have these Dream vs. Strikeforce fights."
...
"Of course, belts will be involved so you can expect this year to be about Strikeforce vs. Dream and also titles on the line," Sasahara said. "Watching tonight's fights, I think we have a taste of what this year will be like."
Anyone else excited to watch Gegard Mousasi beat the same light heavyweights he beat in Strikeforce only this time in Japan to win the DREAM title? That way he can fight himself in a mega-fight on CBS. Edward Norton, your on Mousasi notice!
In all seriousness, after the Strikeforce: Miami card many observers pointed out that the DREAM fighters all lost in spectacular fashion, and how that would inevitably damage their brand. On the other hand, maybe not.
I talked to D.W. of Head Kick Legend (you will have to wait till tomorrow to hear it) and he pointed out that there is a difference in expectation, which centers on performance for fighters in Japan. Essentially the Japanese value a good show more than a win.
In this sense it may not matter to Japanese fans if DREAM fighters lose to Strikeforce fighters. As long as someone ends up convulsing on the canvas then who cares who won?
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Japanese MMA is such a joke. It’s more about show than sport.
A 6+ hour long time slot to show 7 “fights”. One of which was probably a work and the other should have been a DQ.
No AC commission to test for roids, so freaks like Barnett can take whateve they want w/o reprecussions.
A joke?
I don’t know if I’d go that far.
Do they value showmanship? Absolutely, but that doesn’t mean that everything that happens in Japan is irrelevant. As for the longer shows, it is just a cultural thing in a way. They air full cards in Japan, so undercards matter. It isn’t like UFC which will air 4 or 5 fights on a PPV with another 4 or 5 not on the air with a chance of airing more if they have the time. A live UFC event is around 5 hours long.
As for works, oh c’mon. I thought the world got over calling fights works since Ogawa stopped fighting.
Head Kick Legend
Twitter @HeadKickLegend
hahaha oh man, you are so toast
Even has the periods.
Head Kick Legend
Twitter @HeadKickLegend
Japanese MMA is far too rooted in professional wrestling for my tastes. If I wanted storyline and pagentry with my MMA, I’d probably just tune in to the WWE, their pacing is much better.
I was at the most recent WEC in Columbus and it was brutually long and it seemed like every song played between fights was a rock classic mashed with some hip hop. Totally unnecessary, so american MMA is not without fault.
If you don’t think that Super Hulk Tournament or any fight Minowaman take part in is not a work/setup, then you probably believe in the easter bunny too.
IMO, the faggotry of Japanese could be pulled off without the horrible pacing.
The tournament was set up for ratings...
and for Mousasi to pull off the win. Guys like Sapp and Choi have always been big ratings draws. Minowa’s resurgence was just a pleasant surprise that worked in their favor.
Head Kick Legend
Twitter @HeadKickLegend
Yeah, they sure protect Minowa. I just don’t get it. Here’s a shitty fighter and yet he’s like Jesus in Japan. I’d reckon 85% to 95% of the middleweights in UFC or Strikeforce would beat him. I’d jump that number to100% for LHW and HW. Even guys who haven’t had a great deal of recent success like Ryan Jensen or Cyborg would probably handle Minowa with relative ease.
Agreed, that event was a rough one. I fucking hate Minowa more than any other fighter, except maybe Matt Hughes. Funny, but I was thinking that that fight might’ve been fixed because it seemed like Abriz was relaxing when he could’ve finished the job. It was nice to see Barnett back roided up and ready to go. Most of the fights were snoozefests, though, with obvious exception of Escovedo. KO of the year so far.
Ambriz just sucks
The only way that fight was fixed was by giving Minowa a 2010 Jimmy Ambriz to fight.
Head Kick Legend
Twitter @HeadKickLegend
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