DREAM announces hexagonal cage will be used during Oct. 25 event

by Akimitsu Kuwabara on Sep 29, 2009 3:24 PM EDT

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First came the enigmatic teaser trailer. Then a new trailer gave a glimpse of the cage that DREAM has in store for the upcoming DREAM 12, scheduled for Oct. 25 at Osaka Castle Hall.

On Tuesday, Fighting and Entertainment Group held a press conference at the Reversal MMA gym in Tokyo to officially announce the implementation of a hexagonal cage at DREAM 12. DREAM event producer, Keiichi Sasahara, unveiled a blueprint for the cage. At the time of press conference, the cage is still under construction and the blueprint serves as just that -- a mere approximation of the overall look of the final product.

Sasahara elaborated that a possibility remains that FEG may use different materials for its hexagonal cage than are typically used by other cage-based promotions. Also, while the blueprint shows the cage in white, the DREAM staff has been ruminating the optimal color for the cage in terms of spectator- and camera-friendliness: Some have objected that a black cage makes it difficult for the crowd to see the fight, while a white cage can potentially trigger glares off the camera, depending on the angle and brightness of the light.

In light of the newly formed alliance between DREAM and Strikeforce, DREAM staff has been seeking input from Strikeforce to design the cage. While DREAM 12 will see an adoption of the three five-minute rounds, no other rule changes are scheduled. Furthermore, DREAM plans to host just one caged fight card per year.

Sasahara cited the desire for "a change of scenery," as the primary impetus behind the introduction of the cage. He also mentioned that, having announced the plan for a vigorous exchange of fighters between his organization and Strikeforce, caged fight cards will enable DREAM fighters to acclimate themselves to fighting in the cage.

Likewise, the use of the cage, instead of the standard ring, facilitates the interpromotional leap for fighters on Strikeforce's roster as well. While maintaining FEG's belief in the spectator-friendliness of the ring, Sasahara emphasized the potential benefits that the experimental attempt at caged fight cards will yield.

DREAM 12 will feature South Korean prospect, Myeon Ho Bae (8-4). He will join a star-studded cast of fighters scheduled for the card, including Alistair Overeem, Marius Zaromskis, Eddie Alvarez, Paulo Filho, Yoshiro Maeda, Murilo Rua and Kiyoshi Tamura.

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Comments

I wonder where they got they idea to use a cage?

by Felix by day, El Mexicutioner by night on Sep 29, 2009 4:34 PM EDT reply actions

Whatever you’re trying to say, who cares?

MMA should be in a cage. Regardless of what the UFC does.

by dredg XI on Sep 29, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

They got the idea from their feeder show Cage Force.

by NameNotRequired on Sep 29, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Yawn. Wake me up when they get a rhombus cage.

by PW on Sep 29, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

hahahah

by JR on Sep 29, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Wonder why there hasn’t been a circle cage? With no posts to obscure viewing.

Regardless I completely agree with dredg XI, all mma should be in a cage. It is a complete joke when people fall through the ropes.

by Nick J on Sep 30, 2009 5:16 AM EDT up reply actions

They are also going to begin using 3 five minute rounds instead of the old school 10 minute first and 5 minute second. I pray they don’t also adopt the American scoring system…

by ViolentMike on Sep 30, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah VM! As most of you know, I adore Japanese mma! I loved the 10 minute round but I am in favor of closing the gap of differences between Japanese and American mma…but like VM pointed out, I will be really pissed if they drop their scoring system for the crappy 10 point must scoring system that is just not suited for mma!

I do think that they should do away with soccer kicks to grounded opponents and head stomps, but I DONT want to see outlaw knees to the head of a grounded opponent. If anything, american athletic commissions should allow it!

Knees to a grounded opponent have always been legal in Japanese mma, and they have NEVER resulted iin serious injuries!

by john G on Sep 30, 2009 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions

good post John

tho i think kicks to a grounded opponent should be allowed, maybe not to the head, but deffo to the body,

I think it was silva vs okami when okami had silva in the mount and silva just whipped his leg up and caught okami in the jaw knocking him senseless, to me that is one of best defenses against some one in top mount, ok silva got DQ’d as he kicked a downed opponent, but surely being on top mount doesnt count as you being a downed opponent??

i love to see this in ufc, so many dominant wrestlers who just lie on people and work into mount would be quickly put in their place

by CoNr on Sep 30, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Hahaha!

by OJR on Sep 29, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

They saw how it saved the IFL and thought “hey that might just work for us too”.

by DDT on Sep 29, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

http://3432.voxcdn.com/_images/articles/2007/03/08/bundy.jpg

by Pat on Sep 29, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Hmmm it seems really familiar but I just can’t seem to think of where i’ve seen that before.

by mma guru on Sep 29, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions

EXC!

by MMACrossfire on Sep 29, 2009 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions

lol…“including Alistair Overeem, Marius Zaromskis, Eddie Alvarez, Paulo Filho, Yoshiro Maeda, Murilo Rua, Kiyoshi Tamura and MURILO RUA.”

I know it’s a blog. But damn, proof read…

by dredg XI on Sep 29, 2009 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

No break jayshogun. It’s not every now and again. It’s constant. I expect it from some kid posting MMA news on his myspace page. I expect better from the main source of my MMA News which presents itself as a legit professional news blog. We gripe because we care. This blog reflects on all of us that post here and call this lil’ spot in cyberspace home.

by wAyNe on Sep 29, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for pointing out the typos. They’ve been corrected.

by Aki Kuwabara on Sep 29, 2009 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Ninja Rua is listed twice in the last paragraph.

by Pat on Sep 29, 2009 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

God, give ‘em a break guys – they’re allowed one mistake now and again. And I really hope DREAM does well ‘cos it’ll be nice to another Jap organisation making it as big as Pride was back in the days – WAR DREAM!!!

by jayshogun on Sep 29, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions

I dont care if there as big as pride, its just nice to have something other than the UFC.

by BoBBy on Sep 29, 2009 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

I know it is a side issue but I think if it ended up just as the UFC that would be good for the sport.

Multi champions at the same weight class and differing rules are contributed to boxings downfall.

Every good fighter under one roof in a well marketed, sucsessful, worldwide available org sounds like a good thing IMO.

by Nick J on Sep 30, 2009 5:20 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m indifferent to cage or ring, I just want to watch the fights, but I wonder that if they’re going to stick with cage, then what is going to happen for Dynamite, which has been a hybrid MMA/K-1 event for years. I do like though how Dream and Strikeforce will actually share fighters, exposing them to both Japanese and North American markets. What I don’t like is the switch to the 3 five-minute rounds, I’ve always like the 10 minute marathon first round and 2nd and final five-minute round.

by Belisarius on Sep 29, 2009 5:02 PM EDT reply actions

Good deal, now all their fighters can adjust to the ring before the promo goes belly up; it will make the transition into the UFC easier for their top guys.

by O damn he got caught on Sep 29, 2009 5:13 PM EDT reply actions