The Fight Network

Mamed Khalidov defeats Sengoku Middleweight Champion: Jorge Santiago (Non-title Fight)

--via KO (Punches), Rd. 1

His short lived reign as champion came to the end, as Jorge Santiago’s chin was once agin brought into question. 

Having now competed on the Japanese circuit since his 2008 journey to the title in Sengoku’s middle weight grand prix, featuring notables such as Logan Clark, Kazuhiro Nakamura and Kazuo Misaki—who Santiago met in the finals, submitting him in a last ditch effort after dropping the first three or four rounds, en route to a rear-naked choke in the fifth. 

Since a 1-2 stint in the UFC (win and losses by way of KO) Santiago redeemed face and was considered to be a top-10 middleweight. 

Mamed Khalidov didn’t buy into the hype. A well kept secret, Mamed had begun his own legacy over seas in the European circuit. The native of Poland had a 16-winning streak going into the contest with Jorge, but had unable to lay claim internationally, failing to acquire a signature win that would make him stick out above the rest.

That all changed this past Saturday, where Jorge returned for the first time since his championship win this past January. Santiago immediately began with a cautious approach, taking Mamed to the ground and directly into half guard. With his conservative approach, the middleweight champ worked few punches in before posturing up to improve his position. There, in an unprecedented turn-around, Mamed land back fists from the open guard, stunning his opponent, reversing position and finishing the fight an what can only be classified as impressive, to say the least.

The next logical step for both men would be to rematch each other in 2010, this time for the title on the line. Though I’m optimistic on the outcome of the next match up, but at 20-3, Mamed will be riding a plane of confidence going into the next bout.

Did ring rust play into the quick turn-around for Santiago? Yes and no. In the past, Jorge had been known for his Arlovski like chin, but it was when he threw caution to the wind, took risks and press forward where he was really able to shine, rather than favor a cautious approach.

With wins over Jeremy Horn, Trevor Prangley, the aforementioned Misaki and Kazuhiro Nakamura, the future is still bright for the Muay Thai specialist. 

Michihiro Omigawa defeats Hatsu Hioki, Split Decision

The fight that should have been the original featherweight grand prix final was still left with more questions than answers when Hatsu and Omigawa finally met as the main event for Sengoku 11—with no titles on the line, it still ranks as their best show since its inception last year.

After a failed run in the UFC’s lightweight division, Michihiro returned to Japan in an effort to rejuvenate his career in the featherweight division. Pegged as the grand prix’s perpetual underdog, Omigawa impressed everyone, having made his way to the finale, inevitably losing in a valiant effort to champion Masanori Kanehara.

With wins over the dangerous Marlon Sandro and Brazilian jujitsu Black Belt Nam Phan on his way to the top, those wins alone validate the Judoka as a force to reckoned with, earning respect by the media and fans alike.

None the less, Omigawa was again dubbed an underdog with his fight against perennial top-10 featherweight Hatsu Hioki. Having fought since his professional debut in 2002, Hioki has compiled one of the more impressive records in mixed martial arts, with a 22-3 record going into his bout with Omigawa.

Consistently having fought top competition, with victories over Mark Hominic on two separate occasions, Jeff Curran, Hideki Kadowaki and legend Shooto legend Rumia Sato, many felt that Hioki was the man to lay claim as the grand prix champion. 

Nixed from the tournament on the doctors advice due to a swollen eye and fear of concussion, Hioki watched on the sidelines as Kanehara—the man he had met earlier, winning by unanimous decision—went on to replace him in the finale and eventually winning the tournament.

Now having come back to action since his last appearance in August, the 26-year old Hatsu appeared well on his way to picking up another victory over Michihiro. The first two frames saw Hioki establish a strong standup prowess, made equally effective with his 5’11 frame, towering over the 5’6 Judo practitioner. 

Establishing his jab, Hatsu was able to dive underneath Omigawa’s wild hooks, taking the action to the ground and from there was able to establish control. From submission attempt to ground-and-pound, Hatsu looked strong early on.

Though wily in the early going, Omigawa really came alive in the third round, landing more strikes on the feet, backpeddling Hioki on a number of occasions an had Hatsu working on a more conservative approach. Though possibly having dropped the third round, ring-side HDnet commentators Guy “Sexy beat” Metzger and the clinically insane Michael Schiavello both had come to the same conclusion—a clean sweep for Hioki, having won all round across the board.

However, the judges had other things in mind. It seems that the fans in Japan were able to sway the officials to their favor. Omigawa the crowd favorite was awarded the decision in what was truly a controversial upset, which is what all MMA fans have become accustomed to, post-mortem UFC 104. 

Though having taken home the victory, raising his record to an average of .500 (8-8), Omigawa disagreed with the results. In the traditional post-fight speeches done by the winners, Michihiro disagreed with the result of the bout and admittedly had given Hioki the win. Classy in defeat, Omigawa’s stock still rose, having hung in there with one of the top-5 featherweights in the world, proving that he’s found his niche at 145. A potential Hioki-Michihiro matchup would seem perfect for Sengoku’s first-year end show this December.

“Soul Fights”, Failed Street fighters and loveable Baldies:

In what was a refreshing turn of events, the Sengoku brass had given a treat to those in attendance at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo, Japan.

During the intermission break between the preliminary bouts going into the main card, a bout pitting up and comers Tomoaki Ueyama against Japan’s featherweight equivalent of Kimbo Slice—Hirokazu “Bull” Konno. 

The early goings of the bout saw Tomoaki circling Hirokazu, limiting the “Bull’s” ability to close the distance and strike—as if it were necessary. Konno was visibly uncomfortable with any realm of fighting, where Tomoaki began to dominate early, winging wild hooks the found there mark on a number of occasions, leaving Hiro to his devices, literally running away from his opponent—sprinting even.

With the “Bull” tamed, Tomo refused to let up. The next time Hiro turned his back to him and began to dash across the ring, the “matador” winged a right hook, catching Konno in the dome, dropping him instantly. Tomo took his back and won by way of rear naked choke.

So what is the lesson to be learned here? Don’t run away from your dam opponent. ALSO! Don’t run away with your back turned to him, none the less. The “Bull”? Ha.

Kazunori Yokota’s fighting style has made him a fan favorite, but its his post-fight interview that’s put him over the top.

With a rare strange truth that Yokota exhibits, he’s become one of those guys who has no qualms with poking fun at himself. 

Following his victory of Eiji Mitsuoka—a popular Japanese lightweight—Yokota expressed to the crowd his disdain for his speeches and had nothing else better to talk about than a receding hairline, claiming that is was filling in, with due time. Yokota took a second look and conceded that, well…maybe Rogaine is the way to go for the Sengoku lightweight contender. 

He even asked the crowd on a few occasions to shoot him for his folly of a speech, having nothing else to contribute to the crowd than to speak about his follicular challenges, giving no mention to the fight he had just a few moments ago.

Its surprisingly refreshing to see a Japanese fighter with a good sense of humor who is not afraid to take a piss on himself. Its almost, Sakuraba-esque.