Issue 161
December 2017
Dream 9: Feather Weight Grand Prix 2009 Second Round – May 26th 2009
If you thought Mayweather vs. McGregor was a circus, get a load of Dream’s Super Hulk tournament...
After Pride died, the men behind it kept the Japanese super-event scene alive with Dream. The promotion did the thing that’s so rare in Japanese promotions these days, by promoting tournaments featuring some of the best fighters in the world putting on some incredible bouts. But it wasn’t all straightforward. Joining the featherweight quarter-finalists on this card was the freak show to end all freak shows: the Super Hulk Grand Prix.
THREE STRIKES AND OUT
This is a strong candidate for the strangest matchup in history. In the red corner, Hong-man Choi – a 7' 2", 330lb Korean kickboxer. In the blue corner, Jose Canseco – former Major League Baseball outfielder and noted steroid whistleblower. Oh yeah, he had zero MMA experience and the only person in his corner was his girlfriend. He also carried a bat to the ring which, if he’d been allowed to use it, would have offered his only chance of victory. The outcome was as predictable as it was upsetting. As soon as ‘The Techno Goliath’ put hands on him, the fight was done. Canseco wanted no part of that pain and quickly tapped to strikes.
THE HUNTED
Mark Hunt was not in a good place in his career. He was pushed and tripped to the ground by Gegard Mousasi and finished quickly by an embarrassing straight armbar. It was his fifth loss in a row yet somehow, he ended up in the UFC after this. He lost again, but then went on one of the most unlikely winning streaks ever recorded.
BAD MAN
Away from the ridiculousness of Super Hulk, there were ‘real’ fights. Among them were four featherweight grand prix bouts, featuring the return of Norifumi Yamamoto after more than a year out. ‘Kid’ was matched with Joe Warren, who was competing in his second pro fight. It was supposed to be a lay-up, but ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ upset the Japanese idol by split decision.
UNHINGED
Continuing the theme of easy wins, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou put Jan ‘The Giant’ Nortje on his back and beat him down. However, when the fight was called he didn’t stop punching. Even when the referee jumped between the fighters, he didn’t stop. It took some heroic blocking from the official to shake ‘The African Assassin’ off .
CUT SHORT
At the top of the bill, two very good mixed martial artists in a proper battle for the middleweight belt. Sadly, the fight between Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller and Jacaré Souza was cut short after a wayward kick aimed at the Brazilian while he was grounded sliced his head so badly, blood streamed out like beer from a frat-party keg. The no-contest call was a disappointing end to a crazy, entertaining night of fights.
ALSO LIVING THE DREAM
- Despite a 124lb advantage, Bob Sapp was tapped by the competition’s smallest competitor, Ikuhis Minowa, in 75 seconds.
- The eventual winner of the featherweight GP, Bibiano Fernandes, took a decision from leg lock master Masakazu Imanari.
- The other ‘regular bout of the evening saw Japanese icon Tatsuya ‘Crusher’ Kawajiri’ dominate JZ Cavalcante.
