Sakuraba returns tonight
Sakuraba returns tonight

Recap
Last weekend was rough. I went only 11-6, but this is a new day. Check out this Friday’s picks for a full recap. Today we take a look at Dream 11 which features the semi-finals and finals of the featherweight tournament, the semi-finals of the super-hulk tournament, and a lightweight championship bout.

Dream 11
Dream Lightweight Title bout
Shinya Aoki (21-4) vs. Joachim Hansen (19-7-1)
Joachim Hansen seems to be the physical type of fighter that gives Shinya Aoki trouble. In their last fight, Hansen landed hard shots and put Aoki out. That fight and Aoki’s loss to Hayato Sakurai have raised questions about the Tobikan Judan’s chin. This would be a tough fight to call, but Hansen has not fought in over a year due to health concerns. Aoki will be able to implement his submission game and bring home a victory and the Dream lightweight title.
Pick = Shinya Aoki

Featherweight tournament semi-finals
Bibiano Fernandes (5-2) vs. Joe Warren (2-0)
Joe Warren is clearly the breakout fighter of the year. In his two MMA fights, he has beaten a former WEC champion and former pound-for-pound star. Even with all the momentum moving in Warren direction, Bibiano Fernandes is going to win this match and the tournament. Warren’s attitude about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is going to get him into trouble. He was almost armbared by Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto, who is not anywhere near Fernandes on the mat. Fernandes is known for his lightning fast submissions, and he will be able to catch Warren.
Pick = Bibiano Fernandes

Hiroyuki Takaya (11-6-1) vs. Hideo Tokoro (22-16-1)
Hideo Tokoro will have a serious advantage on the ground, but he lacks finishing skills. Many think that at some point Takaya will find his chin. Tokoro should be able to avoid the strikes and win the decision.
Pick = Hideo Tokoro

Featherweight tournament reserve bout
Daiki “DJ.Taiki” Hata (11-5-3) vs. Kazuyuki Miyata (7-7)
Kazuyuki Miyata looked absolutely shredded at the weigh ins. He has found new life at featherweight after spending most of his career at lightweight. DJ Taiki is a great striker, but he will found himself stuck on the bottom in this fight.
Pick = Kazuyuki Miyata

Super-Hulk tournament semi-finals
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (6-4) vs. Bob Sapp (10-5-1)
Bob Sapp appears to be a finished fighter. He also has a kickboxing match in Hong Kong on the following night. Sokoudjou will come out swinging and finish the fight early. Do not be surprised in Sapp taps to strikes again.
Pick = Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou

Ikuhisa Minowa (42-30-8) vs. Hong Man Choi (2-2)
Reports coming out South Korea say that Hong Man Choi is starting to return to his physical form for the first time since his operation. This is bad news for Minowa. The giant slayer has success against much larger opponents, but there is no way he is going to beat Hong Man Choi on the ground. Look for Hong Man Choi to look impressive and end up in the tournament finals.
Pick = Hong Man Choi

Individual bouts
Kazushi Sakuraba (24-12-1) vs. Rubin Williams (29-8-1)*
* Boxing record
Sadly, these are the kind of fights that Kazushi Sakuraba should be in at this point in his career. Despite his advancing age, Sakuraba should be able to handle a boxer on a seven-fight winless streak.
Pick = Kazushi Sakuraba

Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2) vs. Melchor Barracuda (2-3)
On the top lightweights in MMA is getting thrown softball here. Kawajiri deserves one after being a good company man for FEG by fighting in K-1 against Masato. Look for Kawajiri to win easily. Can we see him in Strikeforce? A rematch with Gilbert Melendez is a must.
Pick = Tatsuya Kawajiri

Richard Anderson Mann is an MMA journalist who makes his home in Chicago. He is a member of the Journalism Master’s degree program at Roosevelt University. Currently, he is a columnist for PROMMA.info and a news writer for adcombat.com. Richard can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Facebook at Facebook.com/RichardAndersonMann.

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