DREAM.4 PREDICTIONS Part II

REMAINING DREAM.4 PREDICTIONS

Here are the rest of the predictions by DREAM official commentator, "The Voice" Michael Schiavello.

GEGARD MOUSASI vs DONG SIK YOON

This is another "wow" match up on Dream's totally stacked card. Two submission specialists both with excellent ground game and very solid stand up skills. For me this is one of the harder fights to pick.
Let me say this first. I love Dong Sik Yoon. If I thought it would work, I would name my first born son Dong Sik Schiavello ... hell, a nice Korean/Italian mix. This guy is a total pimp, super smooth. It's little wonder he has become one of Asia's most popular MMA fighters in recent times.
After a slow start to his MMA career in which the Dong couldn't catch a break, he turned his luck around at Dynamite 2007 in the USA when he armbarred Melvin Maenhoff, a move that would later be dubbed the Dong Bar as he used it three fights in a row, winning via Dong Bar against Zelg Galesic and Fabio Silva.
In his first DREAM fight the Dongster took Shungo Oyama the distance. The match wasn't a barn-burner but it was highly entertaining and really showed how the Dongster's all-round game has improved in leaps and bounds. The former Judo superstar is now a fully fledged MMA monster - great defence, solid and active guard, good takedowns, solid stand up game and the much-feared Dong Bar all put him in good stead. As I have said since the start, The Dong is my darkhorse for the Middleweight GP.
Taking on Mousasi will be no easy task. Afterall, Mousasi is the man who eliminated one of the pre-tourney favourites Denis "I'll walk into a triangle" Kang from the running. Mousasi's triangle finish of Kang last time out was simply sublime and signalled to the watching world that yes, Mousasi is a major threat.
So how do I see this one panning out? Again, this fight is harder to pick than a broken nose. Mousasi is on an eight fight winning streak. He's red hot. His stand up is good, he can knock you out on your feet, he can sub you on the ground and he's cool under pressure. But so too is The Dong. I think this fight ends on the ground and will depend on who makes the first mistake and leaves himself exposed. Yoon will go for his Dong Bar and I think he may just get it, if not he will outwork Mousasi for the two rounds and win via high cardio and workrate.
In fact, that's the prediction I'll go by.

DONG SIK YOON by DEC


KAZUSHI SAKURABA vs MELVIN MAENHOFF

Have you ever wondered what would happen if God fought The Devil? Well you will find out who wins in the form of this incredible match up.
Now I know that most people think this will be a win for Maenhoff by way of murder. Many of you are writing off Sakuraba as too old, having taken too much punishment, and think he'll be busted up like a two dollar pinata come next weekend. I for one don't think this will be the case. Yes Melvin will inflict more bruises on Sakuraba than a trailer-park bride, but let's not forget the calibre of Sakuraba. His genius. His resiliency. His ability to produce miracles in the ring against opponents who, on paper, should maul him.
In the stand-up game this should be all one-way traffic to Maenhoff, even though I believe Sak has heavily underrated stand-up game, in particular his terrific leg kicks. But Melvin is a K-1 striker. He hits hard, he hits often and he hits heavy. On its feet, Melvin is too strong and will attack Sak with relentless head and body blows.
Sakuraba HAS TO take Melvin down or clinch him in the stand up, negate Melvin's knees (Melvin is a former Muay Thai champion dont forget) and look for one of his old-style stand-up submissions.
But the ground is where Sakuraba wants this as that is where Melvin is susceptible to the subs. Take out Melvin's stand up game, put the Dutchman on his back and Sakuraba will go to Submission-ville looking for armbars, kimura's, knee bars, the works. If Sak's sub game is on, Melvin is in trouble big time.
The key to this match up will be whether Sak can take Melvin down and just how much punishment he will receive in trying to do so. Can Sak get his famed single leg on Melvin? Can he afford to clinch with Melvin and work a trip takedown or a sacrifice?
Most fans are predicting Maenhoff by destruction on this one, but I'm a believer that God will beat The Devil in this one. I still believe Sakuraba can produce miracles. So turn my water into wine Sakuraba, my money is on you.

SAKURABA by SUBMISSION.