Dream 12 Preview

 Promoted To Frontpage From Fanpost Section By Kelvin Hunt

In the shadow of UFC 104 Dream 12 looms. While everyone one on the site is breaking down UFC 104 match-ups I have decided to breakdown the Dream 12 match-ups. For the first time in DREAM’s short history, a six-sided cage will be used when the action begins in Osaka-Jo-Hall. The event airs live on HD-Net at 2 a.m. eastern time. Japanesse promoters did not use regional shows to test their cage idea out, so it is boom or bust for Dream. The cage will be interesting because cages favor wrestlers and styles quickly change from the ring. I am also interested in how aesthetically pleasing the cage will be, I love watching fights in a ring far more than in a cage. Hopefully this is just a one time thing to draw in viewers. Big names will be competing in the event such as Chase Beebe, Yoshiro Maeda, Eddie Alvarez, and Alistair Overeem. Dream has again brought out Kazushi Sakuraba to draw t.v. ratings and they will most likely drag his corpse out once again for the NYE show.  Overeem continues his broken hand tour, While Katsunori Kikuno tries to place himself for a shot at the title. Sakuraba is a legend but to keep using a shopworn fighter to draw t.v. ratings is going to get him seriously injured, I hope it doesn't come to this. Dream has found good unknown talent and hopefully they can shine on the card. So sit back and enjoy everyone, while I take you through my breakdowns.

Alistair Overeem vs. James Thompson

Alistair Overeem has been keeping himself busy outside of the United States since he captured Strikeforce's Heavyweight crown in 07. Overeem's record since then is 4-0-1 fighting in Dream and Golden Glory. With or without the help of banned substances Overeem has climbed to the top of the Heavyweight rankings. And while some fans and promoters alike are irritated that Overeem will not be defending his Strikeforce title, we will watch him blitz James Thomson in Dream.

Since James Thompson's ear exploded on CBS he has only taken one other fight. It was against the heavy-handed Jim York, York blasted Thomson's glass chin in under 5 minutes at Sengoku's seventh battle. Thomson is a last-minute replacement for Overeem’s opponent. I see Overeem adding another knockout to his highlight reel in this fight. Maybe in 2010 Overeem's hand can heal and he will be able to defend his Strikeforce belt. Overeem rd1 TKO

Eddie Alvarez vs. Katsunori Kikuno

After loosing to Aoki in the Lightweight GP finals Alvarez is coming back to Japan. Alvarez is back to his winning ways as he captured the Bellator Lightweight crown. He now brings his explosive boxing to Kyokushin karate standout, Katsunori Kikuno. Alvarez has a very exciting style that always pleases the fans, after he completes his contract with Dream and Beletor do not be surprised to hear the UFC calling his number. 

Kikuno has been a sleeping dragon in the Japanese promotion DEEP. Kikuno captured the lightweight title, and busted onto the scene with a successful DREAM debut against Andre Amade at DREAM 10. A practitioner of Kyokushin Karate, he had MMA fans jaws drop when a landed a surprising crescent kick to the liver of Dida. I am so excited for this fight! A great clash of styles with Alvarez's in ya face boxing and Kikuno's zombie-like Kyokushin stance. I like the upset here, Kikuno thrives on the counter and Alvarez is going to give him plenty of opportunities. Kikuno rd2 KO

More after the jump....

Yoshiro Maeda vs. Chase Beebe

The two WEC veterans go toe to toe for a taste of victory. Both fighters fought in the DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix. While Maeda controversly defeated American Top Team prospect, Micah Miller, he eventual lost to finalist, Hiroyuki Takaya, in the quarterfinal. Beebe got handed a stunning TKO loss to MMA newcomer, Joe Warren. Beebe fought earlier this month against Mike Easton for the UWC bantamweight title. Beebe lost a controversial split decision that was later overturned to "no contest."

Maeda has decent striking skills against opponents, Maeda excels at putting together small, punch-kick combinations. Maeda has shown to be a flake thoughout his career though, and his poor his defensive grappling will not help him agaist "The Rage". I see Beebe out wrestling Maeda to a decision. Beebe DEC

Marius Zaromskis vs. Myeon Ho Bae

The DREAM welterweight champion Marius Zaromskis is here. Unfortunately the champ is not defending his belt with is weaksauce. Zaromskis entered the grand prix as a virtual unknown fighter Dream promoters consider would get stomped by Hayato Sakurai. Fortunately the "Whitemare" head kicked his way to become the DREAM welterweight champ. His opponent is South Korean fighter Myeon Ho Bae, who is 6-1 in his last 7 fights. He has a shoot wrestling style. In Bae's 3rd fight he fought one of my favorite prostpects Daniel Tabera and lost. Bae has a serious chance in exposing Zaromskis suspect takedown defence. I got the "Whitemare" in this one though. Zaromskis TKO rd1

Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Zelg Galesic

The Japanese MMA icon Kazushi Sakuraba, returns to Dream for the second time in a month to replace Melvin Manhoef against Zelg "Benkei" Galesic. At DREAM 11, Sakuraba came back from a 10-month layoff/retirement to increase ratings for Dream and get an easy win against Rubin Williams. Galesic is a good striker he is the proud owner of an ITF Taekwondofourth degree black belt. Galesic's submission defense is weak and fighters such as Jacare, Dong Sik Yoon and Makoto Takimoto have proved this concept. The fight makes me sick with worry, my stomach is queasy just writing this. The fight will go down like this, either Galesic will knock Sakuraba's head off or Sakuraba is going to get a Submission. My brain says the later will happen but I am going with my heart. Sakuraba rd1 Sub

Dong Sik Yoon vs Tarec Saffiedine(?)

Ahh Japanese MMA at it's finest. So Paulo Filho has "Visa issues" so Dream has to come up with someone to fight Dong Sik Yoon on 3 days notice. MMA Rocks is reporting that Tarec Saffiedinewill step in and save the match. Saffiedine is a rising star that trains out of Team Quest, Saffiedine's takedown defence will be tested in this fight, if he cannot defend the takedown Yoon will surly outgrapple him and finish Saffiedine with the "dongbar". I got Saffiedine targeting Yoon's legs to a decision. Saffiedine DEC

Kuniyoshi Hironaka vs. Won Sik Park

Hironaka trys tp get back to his winning ways in this fight, but I see prospect Won Sik Park getting the win via his striking. Park TKO rd1

Katsuyori Shibata vs. Tokimitsu Ishizawa

Shibata racks up another win, his opponent has not fought in 3 years. Shibata by whatever he wants rd1

Keisuke Fujiwara vs. Tomoya Miyashita

Miyashita is a veteran he will get a submmission early against hard-hitting prospect Fujiwara. Miyashita Sub rd1

There it is everyone, stay up late and enjoy the fights!

[UPDATE]: Bloodyelbow.com's Chris Nelson finds this quote from event producer Keiichi Sasahara about Dreams white cage.

Sasahara also talked about the net of the cage. It will not be metal, it’ll be some advanced material for durability that is also used for tuna and yellow tail cultivation among other things called matrix. He says that it’s impact absorbability is excellent.

Apparently the guy in charge of some net manufacturer was a PRIDE fan by chance so they stopped all other work to work on the net of the white cage. The color of the net is beige.