If you're a fan of MMA, you'll be watching the UFC on Versus Sunday night. But if you're a truly hard-core, bordering on obsessive fan of MMA, you'll be watching Dream on HDNet in the wee hours of Monday morning. For the hard-core among our readers, we've got the full Dream.13 preview and predictions below.
What: Dream.13
When: Monday, 3AM ET
Where: Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan
Predictions:
Bibiano Fernandes vs. Joachim Hansen
The main event is a very good fight between Fernandes, who won Dream's featherweight Grand Prix in 2009, and Hansen, who won Dream's lightweight Grand Prix in 2008. I love Hansen as a striker and think he could revitalize his career by moving down to featherweight, but until I see evidence that he knows how to stop a takedown, I can't pick him to beat someone who's as good on the ground as Fernandes.
Pick: Fernandes
Katsunori Kikuno vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka
Kikuno is a powerful puncher who should bounce back from his loss to Eddie Alvarez at Dream.12.
Pick: Kikuno
KJ Noons vs. Andre Dida
I'm very excited for the return to MMA of Noons, the former EliteXC lightweight champion who left the sport to pursue a career as a professional boxer. Dida hasn't won a fight in two and a half years, and I don't think he'll win one on Monday, either.
Pick: Noons
Ryo Chonan vs. Andrews Nakahara
Chonan will always be best known for beating Anderson Silva in 2004. But Nakahara, a karate specialist, should beat him on his feet.
Pick: Nakahara
Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Jimmy Ambriz
Minowaman is fighting for the first time since winning the Super Hulk title on New Year's Eve. Ambriz is fighting for the first time since being rejected as a laughably weak opponent for Bobby Lashley. This should be an easy win for Minowa.
Pick: Minowa
Cole Escovedo vs. Yoshiro Maeda
Both of these guys have previously fought in the United States under the WEC banner. I like Maeda to take a decision.
Pick: Maeda
Josh Barnett vs. Siala "Mighty Mo" Siligia
Barnett's presence makes this the fight that will get the most attention among American fans. He hasn't fought since his positive steroid test cost fans the chance to see him take on Fedor Emelianenko and cost the Affliction promotion its very existence. They're easing Barnett back into fighting by giving him Mighty Mo as an opponent, and Barnett should win handily.
Pick: Barnett
What: Dream.13
When: Monday, 3AM ET
Where: Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan
Predictions:
Bibiano Fernandes vs. Joachim Hansen
The main event is a very good fight between Fernandes, who won Dream's featherweight Grand Prix in 2009, and Hansen, who won Dream's lightweight Grand Prix in 2008. I love Hansen as a striker and think he could revitalize his career by moving down to featherweight, but until I see evidence that he knows how to stop a takedown, I can't pick him to beat someone who's as good on the ground as Fernandes.
Pick: Fernandes
Katsunori Kikuno vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka
Kikuno is a powerful puncher who should bounce back from his loss to Eddie Alvarez at Dream.12.
Pick: Kikuno
KJ Noons vs. Andre Dida
I'm very excited for the return to MMA of Noons, the former EliteXC lightweight champion who left the sport to pursue a career as a professional boxer. Dida hasn't won a fight in two and a half years, and I don't think he'll win one on Monday, either.
Pick: Noons
Ryo Chonan vs. Andrews Nakahara
Chonan will always be best known for beating Anderson Silva in 2004. But Nakahara, a karate specialist, should beat him on his feet.
Pick: Nakahara
Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Jimmy Ambriz
Minowaman is fighting for the first time since winning the Super Hulk title on New Year's Eve. Ambriz is fighting for the first time since being rejected as a laughably weak opponent for Bobby Lashley. This should be an easy win for Minowa.
Pick: Minowa
Cole Escovedo vs. Yoshiro Maeda
Both of these guys have previously fought in the United States under the WEC banner. I like Maeda to take a decision.
Pick: Maeda
Josh Barnett vs. Siala "Mighty Mo" Siligia
Barnett's presence makes this the fight that will get the most attention among American fans. He hasn't fought since his positive steroid test cost fans the chance to see him take on Fedor Emelianenko and cost the Affliction promotion its very existence. They're easing Barnett back into fighting by giving him Mighty Mo as an opponent, and Barnett should win handily.
Pick: Barnett
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