Hayato Sakurai is a legend of Mixed Martial Arts. While not as well known stateside, "Mach" has done was serious damage in MMA and all over the world. On May 29th Sakurai will face Strikeforce 170 lb. Champion - Nick Diaz - under the DREAM promotional banner. This is the next installment of fighter-swapping between the U.S. based Strikeforce and the Japanese based DREAM.Recently the DREAM event producer, Keiichi Sasahara, revealed that the fights on tap for DREAM 14 would take place within the confines of a cage and over the course of three, five minute rounds. His decision was thanks in part to "Mach" who insisted on fighting the "'cage fighting champion' inside a cage."
Sakurai has accomplished a lot throughout his career. With a record of 35-10-2, (11 wins by [T]KO and 10 by Submission) the former SHOOTO 167 lb. Champion has been around the block. He has fought: Caol Uno (W), Frank Trigg (W), Anderson Silva (L), Matt Hughes (L), Jake Shields (L), Dave Menne (W), Shinya Aoki twice (2W), Jens Pulver (W), Joachim Hansen (W), Takanori Gomi (L), Mac Danzig (W) and Marius Zaromskis (L) to name a few.
Frankly, "Mach" already proved he was once great in the fight game. Unfortunately, you need to look no further than his two most recent performances to see where he stands among today's top talent. He was knocked out by Zaromskis with a beautiful high kick and submitted via armbar by Gono. (Note: Zaromskis was completely outclassed by Diaz in January losing by TKO in Round 1.)
So why would "Mach" want to fight Diaz in a cage? Simple, if he wins he reminds Japanese MMA fans that the talent from the East is just as strong as they once thought. (No thanks to you Shinya Aoki.)
That's all well and good, if he wins. But what if the more predictable outcome occurs? Diaz peppers him with boxing like he has never seen - mixing quick, crisp punches with hammering blows - leading up to a dramatic finish where Diaz walks away virtually unscathed and "Mach" lay on the mat a beaten man.
I don't think fighting in a cage or a ring or a hot air balloon would make any difference in this fight. Diaz has been evolving and "Mach" has not; that is a recipe for a highlight reel finish.
Mr. Sasahara also mentioned implementing rule changes in future events based on viewer opinion, including the additional use of elbow strikes and the inclusion of soccer kicks and stomps to a grounded opponent (a la PRIDE). Also mentioned in the online press conference was the need to improve the "White Cage" which was used at DREAM 12. No specifics were divulged however.
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