I wasn't to excited for this one, given that just about all the high end WW talent is in the UFC, but it's shaping up REALLY nicely.
Kudos to DREAM for being creative and bringing in some interesting names. Love the Marcelo Garcia signing.
I agree with this thread FFF.
Though we have to keep our fingers crossed on Alessio, Galvao, and Garcia, they're not official yet.
This could be a great Grand Prix.
Ya i was going to say Garcia and Galvao are not confirmed yet and if they are not in the tournament it makes a dramatic difference. Either way I am really happy dream continues to bring us quality cards all of the events since the first have been excellent. I feel like i have to watch 5 UFCs in a row to get an event that is of average Dream quality.
Dreams should go after the winner of Daley/Thompson
CRBMoney14 - Dreams should go after the winner of Daley/ThompsonCertainly possible if Daley wins, hopefully Thompson as well. I'm not sure if Nick got picked up by Strikeforce or not.
ttt
From the DREAM Welterweight Thread:
Likely Field (Confirmed names in BOLD)
1. Hayato Sakurai
2. Shinya Aoki
3. Winner of Hidetaka Monma vs. Seichi Ikemoto
4. Keita "K-Taro" Nakamura
5. Kuniyoshi Hironaka
6. Andre Galvao (90% sure)
7. John Alessio (rumored 1st round vs. Aoki)
8. Marcelo Garcia (Good chance per Liborio)
Other possiblities: Hidehiko Hasegawa, Jutaro Nakao, Jake Shields, Paul Daley, Delson Heleno, Mike Pyle, Gustavo Machado
Is this an 8 man?
Yes, DREAM has said it will be an 8 man. Of course, they could surprise everyone and do 16, but I would doubt it.
its in japan there for as an mma fan and practitioner i already know it will be way better then any ufc could be....
I thought DREAM had disappeared already...what happened there ?
Mad Xyientist - From the DREAM Welterweight Thread:
Likely Field (Confirmed names in BOLD)
1. Hayato Sakurai
2. Shinya Aoki
3. Winner of Hidetaka Monma vs. Seichi Ikemoto
4. Keita "K-Taro" Nakamura
5. Kuniyoshi Hironaka
6. Andre Galvao (90% sure)
7. John Alessio (rumored 1st round vs. Aoki)
8. Marcelo Garcia (Good chance per Liborio)
Other possiblities: Nick Thompson, Hidehiko Hasegawa, Jutaro Nakao, Nick Diaz, Jake Shields, Drew Fickett, Paul Daley, Delson Heleno, Mike Pyle, Nick Thompson, Gustavo Machado
Shields should be a no-brainer but not sure what the negotiations would be like if Shields wasnt gonna stay and if he won, that might be kinda weird.
Still, it should def have the 2 Cesar guys in Jake and Nick.
Nick is pretty much definitely not going to be in it since he's fighting Shamrock in April. Shields will be on that card or the May one most likely, and Coker pretty much said guys won't have as much freedom because all of a sudden he has a ton of cards he needs filled over the course of the year.
Baroni is also unlikely due to Strikeforce obligations.
If there is a 4th gaijin besides Alessio, Galvao, and Garcia, I would expect someone like Paul Daley, Jay Hieron, or Mike Pyle.
167 lbs (76 kg)
i wanna see Sakurai x Galvao and Garica x Aoki! thats would be superb!
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If I had to guess at the matchups (entirely speculation here people)....
Aoki vs. Alessio
Sakurai vs. myster man (Hironaka, Daley, Pyle)
Garcia vs. Keita Nakamura
Galvao vs. winner Ikemoto/Monma
That would set up Aoki vs. Sakurai and Garcia vs. Galvao for the semifinals at DREAM 10. It would set up the Aoki/Sakurai rematch (a huge draw in Japan), guarantee a Japanese fighter gets in the finals, and play off the Garcia/Galvao rivalry. Of course the first round isn't guaranteed to play out as planned. But that's how I think they'll build to what they are trying to do.
Edited: Nick Thompson will be in the Sengoku WWGP.