MMA HQ - Mixed Martial Arts News and Analysis

DREAM returns this Saturday in Japan for their third show and the second leg of their 2008 Lightweight Grand Prix. The DREAM.3 card has seen some interesting developments over the past several weeks and, continuing with the Japanese tradition, we still are not 100% certain of the full final fight card.

We do know that Shinya Aoki will continue in the LWGP, but will not be competing at DREAM.3. Also, it appears now that Nick Diaz may have worked out an agreement with Elite XC to appear on the DREAM.3 card, although I’m not holding my breath until I see him walking into the ring.

Now onto the fight card preview…

Jason Miller vs Katsuyori Shibata - Jason “Mayhem” Miller will be looking to finish his first fight of 2008 early after coming off two straight decision victories. Over his past 15 fights, Miller has only lost twice - once to Georges St. Pierre and once to Frank Trigg. If you can get past his antics, you realize that Miller is a very solid fighter with and excellent submission game. Katsuyori Shibata is coming off 3 straight losses in 2007, all in K-1 Hero’s. I dont expect Shibata to put up much of a challenge to Miller. Winner: Jason Miller

Melvin Manhoef vs Dae Won Kim - “Marvelous” Melvin Manhoef will have his hands full when he takes on Dae Won Kim. Manhoef has fought exclusively with K-1 since 2006, running up a pretty successful record. Kim is a veteran of Japan’s DEEP promotion and most recently defeated Marcelo Garcia at K-1 Hero’s last October. Manhoef loves to stand and strike while Kim will try to work the ground game. Whoever can keep the fight in their comfort zone should win this fight. Winner: Melvin Manhoef

Daisuke Nakamura vs Bu Kyung Jung - This is a very interesting fight in my mind. Daisuke Nakamura has had a very mixed career and holds a current record of 13-9. Most mid to high-level fighters Nakamura has faced, he has lost to. Bu Kyung Jung has a record of 0-2, but those two losses came via decision to two of the best in the game: Shinya Aoki and Mitsuhiro Ishida. I’m going with Jung in this fight: if he could take both Aoki and Ishida to deicision, that show’s he can hang with the best fighters in the division. Winner: Bu Kyung Jung

Katsuya Inoue vs Nick Diaz - While this fight may or may not take place, we can still break it down. Katsuya Inoue is a King of Pancrase champion, but has struggled as of late going 4-2-2 in his last 8 fights. Nick Diaz has had his own struggles recently, more outside the ring than inside it. If Diaz can get his head straight after having had this fight be pulled and then put back on, he should be able to hold his own with Inoue. Diaz needs to remember that his bread-and-butter is his grappling and not his striking. If Diaz works his BJJ game to the level he can, he should have an easy time with Inoue. If Diaz decides he still wants to be a boxer, than the fight is anyone’s guess. Winner: Nick Diaz

Tatsuya Kawajiri vs Luis Firmino - Tatsuya Kawajiri and Luis Firmino will meet in a rematch of a fight at Pride Bushido 8 where Kawajiri won via decision. “Crusher” Kawajiri is still consistently ranked in the top 10 of the lightweight rankings and he won his LWGP first round fight via decision against Kultar Gill. Firmino submitted Kazuyuki Miyata in his LWGP round 1 fight via rear naked choke. I think that Firmino will work his submission game and level the score with Kawajiri ending the fight via submission. Winner: Luis Firmino

Joachim Hansen vs Eddie Alvarez - Hansen and Alvarez could easily end up being fight of the night. Alvarez has heavy hands and will be taking a step up in competition with Hansen. “Hellboy” feels equally comfortable on the ground and on his feet, so it will be interesting to see Hansen’s strategy in this fight. I don’t know why, but I feel like Alvarez will be able to pull this fight out as the underdog and this fight is my upset special. Winner: Eddie Alvarez

Caol Uno vs Mitsuhiro Ishida - Mitsuhiro Ishida has only lost one time since 2004 and that loss was against Takanori Gomi. This past New Year’s Eve Ishida handed Gilbert Melendez the first loss of his career in a decision victory at the Yarennoka event. Uno has fought exclusively in K-1 Hero’s since 2004 and is a dangerous, experienced fighter who can be a threat to anyone. Uno’s game is submissions while Ishida’s game is working to a decision. I think Ishida grinds out another win here. Winner: Mitsuhiro Ishida