Dream 14 - Kazushi Sakuraba vs Gracie, Diaz, Sakurai, Yamamoto, Tokoro. May 29, 2010

**PizDoff** · Posted On: 5/23/2010 2:55am

Dream 14
May 29, 2010

Hayato Sakurai vs. Nick Diaz - Non Title
Joachim Hansen vs. Hiroyuki Takaya
Ralek Gracie vs. Kazushi Sakuraba
Norifumi 'Kid' Yamamoto vs. Kiko Lopez
Ikuhisa Minowa (185 lbs) vs. Imani Lee (325 lbs)
Yoshiro Maeda vs. Kenji Osawa
Hideo Tokoro vs. Akiyo Nishiura
Kazuyuki Miyata vs. Takafumi Otsuka

This event was originally expected to be held in Seoul, South Korea on April 24, 2010. However, many factors, including the issue that many top Korean stars such as Denis Kang and Hong Man Choi were not available in April, contributed to the Korea event being cancelled. This event will be held in the distinct white cage.

Freak show event of the night features Minowaman facing 325 lbs kickboxer Imani Lee. Hayato Sakurai vs. Nick Diaz will be a non title fight, as Diaz is a Strikeforce FC welterweight title holder.

Picks?

**Conde Koma** · Posted On: 5/23/2010 4:10pm

I like Mach Sakurai, but I don't think he has the skill set to beat Nick's awkward boxing (awk-xing?). I'm gonna say Diaz punches Mach silly for about 10 minutes, then chokes him out.

Also, MinowaMan vs. Freakshow? I thought Dream was over that kind of stuff.

**Hesperus** · Posted On: 5/23/2010 6:21pm

Considering they originally wanted to match him up with Kimbo Slice, I'd say no...

**UpaLumpa** · Posted On: 5/24/2010 10:46am

Diaz, Sak and Kid. Don't care about the rest.

**PointyShinyBurn** · Posted On: 5/24/2010 11:09am

Never bet any money on a Sakurai fight. It's pretty much 50/50 as to whether he KOs Diaz with one shot or wanders around the ring looking chubby, breathless and disinterested until an eventual triangle.

Other than that Hansen, Sak and Kid FTW.

**edtang** · Posted On: 5/24/2010 11:31am

Originally Posted by Conde Koma

I like Mach Sakurai, but I don't think he has the skill set to beat Nick's awkward boxing (awk-xing?). I'm gonna say Diaz punches Mach silly for about 10 minutes, then chokes him out.

Also, MinowaMan vs. Freakshow? I thought Dream was over that kind of stuff.

Uh, Dream just wrapped up an entire tournament dedicated to freak show matchups (which Minowaman won), and his last fight was a freak show match as well. It's not like he's any good against similiarly sized Japanese opponents.

**Yohan** · Posted On: 5/24/2010 11:43am

Good god, Sakuraba is still fighting? Give that guy a break. Give him some free money or something.

**G-Off** · Posted On: 5/24/2010 6:39pm

Originally Posted by Yohan

Good god, Sakuraba is still fighting? Give that guy a break. Give him some free money or something.

They gave him a one-dimensional, inexperienced Gracie. That's as close as you can get to free money when you're Saku.

**The Fake Macoy** · Posted On: 5/24/2010 10:22pm

Hayato Sakurai vs. Nick Diaz - Non Title
Joachim Hansen vs. Hiroyuki Takaya
Ralek Gracie vs. Kazushi Sakuraba
Norifumi 'Kid' Yamamoto vs. Kiko Lopez
Ikuhisa Minowa (185 lbs) vs. Imani Lee (325 lbs)
Yoshiro Maeda vs. Kenji Osawa
Hideo Tokoro vs. Akiyo Nishiura
Kazuyuki Miyata vs. Takafumi Otsuka

If I thought that Mach was going to show up in shape and ready to fight, I would consider him getting a win. The thing is, he seems to enjoy Korean BBQ more than training now, so I doubt that'll happen. Hansen should beat Takaya, and I'm hoping that Sakuraba will still be in good enough shape to take out Gracie. Kid has an easy fight this time, and it is impossible to bet against Minowaman. The Super-HLUK (not a typo!) champion will never lose his title! Also, I think it's a safe bet that Tokoro vs Nishiura will be the best fight.

**BIG ICE HOLE** · Posted On: 5/26/2010 2:03am

Diaz? This guy is good, but his ganja habit and his uncontrolable personality are gonna get him banned from MMA. Not just the UFC, but MMA in general. What a waste of talent.