MMA News

With a week out from the first caged fight card in the promotional history, DREAM has announced additional bouts for DREAM 12, scheduled for Oct. 25 at Osaka Castle Hall in Osaka, Japan.

DREAM welterweight champion, Marius Zaromskis (12-3), who has been prominently featured in the promotional poster and trailer for the event, returns to action in a non-title bout against a Korean prospect, Myeon Ho Bae (8-4).

In the Middleweight department, Katsuyori Shibata (3-6-1) takes on Tokimitsu Ishizawa (7-1-3) in a showdown between pro-wrestlers, and Kazushi Sakuraba (25-12-1) returns for the second consecutive appearance this month to replace Melvin Manhoef against Zelg Galesic (9-4). Moving down the scale, Keisuke Fujiwara (4-0-1) squares off with Tomoya Miyashita (12-5-6).

Zaromskis makes his first DREAM appearance since winning the organization’s welterweight grand prix at DREAM 10. A Lithuanian native training out of London Shootfighter, Zaromskis cut his teeth in UK’s Cage Rage before making his DREAM debut.

He entered the welterweight tourney as a virtual unknown and considerable underdog: He sent a shockwave through the MMA world by upsetting tournament favorite, Hayato “Mach” Sakurai in the semi-final round with a high-kick TKO before dispatching Jason High with high-kick yet again to snatch the inaugural DREAM welterweight title.

His opponent, Bae is a veteran of M-1 and MARS who makes his DREAM debut. Having won seven of his last eight fights, Bae looks to maintain his momentum against Zaromskis.

Katsuyori Shibata recently snapped his losing streak with a unanimous decision victory over Ikuhisa Minowa at DREAM 8. His opponent and fellow pro-wrestler, Tokimitsu Ishizawa, returns to MMA for the first time in nearly three years. A veteran of now defunct K-1 Hero’s and PRIDE, Ishizawa notched the most significant victory of his career in 2000 when he defeated the outlaw of Gracie clan, late Ryan Gracie.

Fujiwara, a featherweight ZST prospect, makes his leap to the big stage to take on DEEP veteran, Miyashita. Despite having only five professional bouts under his belt, Fujiwara has been rising through the ZST ranks with undefeated streak. Miyashita, on the other hand, has won four of his last five fights.

Finally, Japanese MMA legend, Sakuraba, who returned to action at DREAM 11 after a 10-month layoff, now breaks a two-and-half week hiatus to take on Mirko Cro Cop understudy, Zelg Galesic. Sakuraba scored a quick submission victory over MMA debutant, Rubin Williams, at DREAM 11, while Galesic last fought at DREAM 6 more than a year ago. Galesic lost to Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in the semi-final round of DREAM Middleweight grand prix via submission.

Following is an updated line-up for DREAM 12:

* Zelg Galesic vs. Kazushi Sakuraba
* Tokimitsu Ishizawa vs. Katsuyori Shibata
* Marius Zaromskis vs. Myeon Ho Bae
* Keisuke Fujiwara vs. Tomoya Miyashita
* Paulo Filho vs. Yoon Dong Sik
* Chase Beebe vs. Yoshiro Maeda
* Eddie Alvarez vs. Katsunori Kikuno
* Kuniyoshi Hironaka vs. Won Sik Park

For more on DREAM 12 click here.

Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG) has confirmed the last-minute addition of famed Japanese mixed martial artist Kazushi Sakuraba (24-12-1), as he jumps in on just a few days notice to battle boxing journeyman Ruben Williams (0-0) at the upcoming DREAM 11 event on Oct. 6 in Yokohama, Japan.

“The Gracie Killer” hasn’t competed since being outpointed by Kiyoshi Tamura back on New year’s Eve at K-1 Dynamite. It was his second straight loss, also falling to Melvin Manhoef via technical knockout at DREAM 4 in June 2008.

The 40-year-old professional wrestler turned MMA fighter become a pioneer in the sport during his tenure under the Pride FC banner. In his 27 appearances in the now defunct organization, he had made a name for himself as a charismatic warrior.

Known for his flamboyant ring entrances and unorthodox catch wrestling-derived fighting style, Sakuraba has fought more than his fair share of memorable bouts that have been etched in the annals of MMA history, earning his nickname with victories over members of the legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu family, including Renzo, Royce, Royler and Ryan Gracie.

Despite his legendary status and ability to “put butts in the seat,” Saks hasn’t had a win since April 2008 (Andrews Nakahara). Nevertheless, he’s always game for a televised scrap.

The debuting Williams holds a 29-8-1 boxing record and is perhaps best known for his 2005 IBF Super Middleweight fight against Jeff Lacy. Despite his early success, “Mr. Hollywood” is winless in his last seven attempts (0-6-1).

I don’t think it will come as a surprise if the boxing bully tries to keep this one standing for as long as possible.

DREAM 11 features the semifinal rounds of Super Hulk Tournament and Featherweight Grand Prix, as well as a Lightweight title/rubber match between Joachim Hansen and Shinya Aoki.

For the complete DREAM 11 line up click here.

Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG) has confirmed the last-minute addition of famed Japanese mixed martial artist Kazushi Sakuraba (24-12-1), as he jumps in on just a few days notice to battle boxing journeyman Ruben Williams (0-0) at the upcoming DREAM 11 event on Oct. 6 in Yokohama, Japan.

“The Gracie Killer” hasn’t competed since being outpointed by Kiyoshi Tamura back on New year’s Eve at K-1 Dynamite. It was his second straight loss, also falling to Melvin Manhoef via technical knockout at DREAM 4 in June 2008.

The 40-year-old professional wrestler turned MMA fighter become a pioneer in the sport during his tenure under the Pride FC banner. In his 27 appearances in the now defunct organization, he had made a name for himself as a charismatic warrior.

Known for his flamboyant ring entrances and unorthodox catch wrestling-derived fighting style, Sakuraba has fought more than his fair share of memorable bouts that have been etched in the annals of MMA history, earning his nickname with victories over members of the legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu family, including Renzo, Royce, Royler and Ryan Gracie.

Despite his legendary status and ability to “put butts in the seat,” Saks hasn’t had a win since April 2008 (Andrews Nakahara). Nevertheless, he’s always game for a televised scrap.

The debuting Williams holds a 29-8-1 boxing record and is perhaps best known for his 2005 IBF Super Middleweight fight against Jeff Lacy. Despite his early success, “Mr. Hollywood” is winless in his last seven attempts (0-6-1).

I don’t think it will come as a surprise if the boxing bully tries to keep this one standing for as long as possible.

DREAM 11 features the semifinal rounds of Super Hulk Tournament and Featherweight Grand Prix, as well as a Lightweight title/rubber match between Joachim Hansen and Shinya Aoki.

For the complete DREAM 11 line up click here.

Japanese mixed martial arts legend and one of the most revered figures in the sport, Kazushi Sakuraba (24-12-1), surfaced as a late addition to Tuesday’s DREAM 11, joining the semifinalists of featherweight and “Super Hulk” tournaments at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan.

The abrupt, last-minute fight card arrangement has not ended because the opponent for “Gracie Killer” has yet to be named.

The 40-year-old professional wrestler turned MMA fighter become a pioneer in the sport during his tenure under the Pride FC banner. In his 27 appearances in the now defunct organization, he had made a name for himself as a charismatic warrior.

Known for his flamboyant ring entrances and unorthodox catch wrestling-derived fighting style, Sakuraba has fought more than his fair share of memorable bouts that have been etched in the annals of MMA history.

Among the names he has faced include Wanderlei Silva, Ken Shamrock, Kevin Randleman, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Carlos Newton. Of course, he earned his nickname with victories over members of the legendary family, including Renzo, Royce, Royler and Ryan Gracie.

Despite his legendary status, he is currently on a two-fight slide and has not had a win since April 2008 (Andrews Nakahara).

Elsewhere, Daisuke Nakamura (20-10), originally scheduled to face Gesias Cavalcante, will now fight in DREAM 12 later this month. Since Cavalcante withdrew because of injury, DREAM has been unable to procure an opponent for him. Perhaps the delay could have been a blessing in disguise for Nakamura, as he now joins a star-studded lineup in the first caged fight card in promotional history.