Dream 13: Preview

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This will be Dream's first card this year. The fights will take place at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan. Dream 13 will air live in North American on HDNet at 3AM ET on March 22nd. This is a really weird card for Dream, what I mean by that is there are no wacky pro-wrestlers, K-1 High School bouts, or meaningless Deep or ZST fighters on the undercard. Instead we get a good main event coupled with a less than stellar undercard. I would expect this to be a reoccurring trend for Japanese promotions this year (Deep and Shooto included). Let's take a look at who was rumored for this card: Marius Zaromskis, Nick Diaz, Eddie Alvarez, Kiyoshi Tamura, Tim Sylvia, Mariusz Pudzianowski, Fedor, and Murilo "Ninja" Rua!  In the past I would have expected some of these match-ups to get made, but it seems Japan's fighting culture is changing. Compiling my past previews, my record is a decent 32-15.

Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Jimmy Ambriz

I just want to get this out of the way right now. I will never pick another Minowa fight ever again after his work with
Sokoudjou. I don't understand the fascination with Minowa, I don't think it's funny, I don't think it's cute. It is a grown ass man running around with red diapers. That is tragic that he has to humiliate himself every time he steps into a ring for money. If this was a real fight and not a work, Jimmy Ambriz runs all over on Minowa. Unfortunately I think this is a work and we will see some wackyness from Minowa.

Josh Barnett vs. Siala-Mou "Mighty Mo" Siligia

Another fight I would like to get out of the way. While many fans might call this a "freak show" I disagree. "Mighty Mo" has the tools to pick Barnett apart on the feet. Siligia will have many fans cheering for him to knock out one of MMA's villains. I don't think it will happen though. I think Barnett is a bit past his prime, but he should take care of "Mighty Mo" fairly easily. He has been inactive for over a year, but he has been training and competing in local BJJ tournoments rather than appearing in court. So I don't expect any ring rust for Barnett. Barnett Rd. 1 Submission

Joachim Hansen vs. Bibiano Fernandes

Great Main event. Bibiano Fernandes will be defending his Dream Featherweight strap for the fist time. Fernandes does so in a dangerous opponent in Joachim Hansen. Hansen who normally fights at around153 will be dropping down to 138 and shouldn't be to much trouble for Hansen. Fernandes is young and possesses alot of great physical gifts but Fernandes struggles when he doesn't stick to the gameplan and engages on the feet. Fernandez is a major liability defensively. Watch the Takaya fight.  This is something Hansen can take advantage of. What Fernandez needs to do is get inside on Hansen and out-wrestle him. Hansen is notoriously bad defensive wrestler. Hansen has the tools to not get submitted by Fernandez, but being in the guard of a BJJ Blackbelt is not where Hansen wants to be. I like Fernandez to take a decision, because I don't think he can submit Hansen. Fernandez Unanimous Decision.

Cole Escovedo vs. Yoshiro Maeda

Cole Escovedo is a really goo regional fighter that likes to play guard. I have said it before that works in the regional scene, but that cannot be your only way to win as you step up in competition. Maeda has problems with lengthy guys (see:Micah Miller and Miguel Torres). Escovedo does have a bit of length, but he won't threaten Maeda. Maeda is a flake. I keep telling myself that. I just don't see how he doesn't win this fight though. I think Maeda is going to tear up Escovedo, but Maeda is a flake so I guess he could find a way to lose this fight. Maeda Rd. 2 TKO

Kuniyoshi Hironaka vs. Katsunori Kikuno

Hironaka was getting his ass kicked by a guy named "Parky." Won Sik Park was beating Hironaka at his own game, something I expect Kikuno to do. Hironaka is not getting Kikuno tothe ground, watch the Alvarez fight. Alvarez had a hard time getting Kikuno to the floor and Alvarez has better wrestling than Hironaka. Kikuno has good wrestling defence, good striking and could possibly see a stateside visit from him this year. I like Kikuno in the fight and I like him to make a splash in U.S. soil this year. Kikuno Rd. 1 TKO

K.J. Noons vs. Andre Dida

I was listening to the Lights Out Radio show and Forrest nailed it. Western Boxing will trump Muay Thai. It is just the style of Muay Thai fighters to have defensive striking liabilities. The fact that Dida doesn't have the best chin doesn't help him in his career. I still think Dida is a quality prospect, he was rushed a bit and I would like to see him go down to Brazil and pick up a few wins before moving up in competition again. Noons will face no ring rust in this fight, he has been quite active in the boxing circuit going (I think) 3-1 against not so great competition. Look for Noons to light up Dida in this one. Noons Rd. 1 KO 

Ryo Chonan vs. Andrews Nakahara

Many of you might not know who Nakahara is, he was born  in Brazil but both his parents are Japanese and he doesn't speak any Japanese. How crazy is that? Oh yeah he is also a Blackbelt in Kyokushin karate. He is on a two fight wining streak and looks to continue his streak against a fading Ryo Chonan. Unless Chonan can flying heel hook Nakahara I don't see him wining this fight. Chonan can't take Nakahara down and he certainly can't strike with him. I don't think the night is going to end well for Chonan. Nakahara Rd. 2 TKO

Some notes I wanted to add all reported by Nightmareofbattle.com

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DREAM EP Sasahara spoke with the press after the weigh-ins today. He said that Bibiano forgot his belt somewhere in Japan and was apologetic about it but it looks like it’s in Japan somewhere so it’ll arrive in time for tomorrow. It’s the first time something like this has happened.

They want Alistair against somebody for the Heavyweight title. An Alistair vs. Josh title fight with the winner facing Fedor (on NYE) is dream scenario.

Andre Arlovski or Tim Sylvia won’t participate in this event but he thinks that they’ll fight in DREAM soon.

There won’t be a Super Hulk Tournament this year but Minowaman has yet to fight all super humans so this year they want to make those fights.

The South Korea card is in it’s final adjustment and it looks like it’ll be a Korea vs. The World card.