Mach Sakurai Interview

Hayato Mach Sakurai, who just came back from his training in the U.S., had a public training at Mach Dojo on Sep 19. He came back to Japan on Sep 17.
Mach:
I stayed in the U.S. for 40 days and trained with Rich Franklin, Matt Brown, Jorge Gurgel and other UFC fighters at Matt Hume Gym and Pat Miletich Gym. What did I learn from training in the US? It's hard to explain, but you will see in my fight. I went to see "UFC 88" because Matt Brown participated in. At the event, I saw Chonan and Yoshida. Chonan asked me to be his second and I accepted. Oh, I saw Dana White and introduced myself. My opponent, Hironaka, is developing himself right now and also has experiences. I think he is a tough opponent. I haven't made any fight plan yet. I have trained with him before and I'm excited to him more than fighting an unknown foreign fighter. (Hironaka said Mach was his idol) I hope he won't punch my face then. I honestly don't like to fight Japanese fighters; however, I don't complain about what a promoter decided. I hope I fight not Japanese but fighters from other countries after winning this fight. I know him pretty well, and I should have a smart game plan. I have already started dieting. I'm having hard time losing weight because I built muscles in my recent training, or maybe because I'm getting old. I'm in good condition, for I escaped from Japan and stayed in Seattle this summer.

http://www.dreamofficial.com/free/news/detail.php?id=1221817617
http://www.kamipro.com/news/?id=1221818690

Yoshihiro Akiyama interview

DREAM official website posted an interview of Yoshihiro Akiyama. This interview was taken place on Sep 12.
- Your opponent in DREAM.6. is Tonooka. Tell me how you feel know.
I have been spending time inefficiently for a while. Now I'm sure I concentrate to my training.
- I suppose you were busy since you worked as a commentator of Beijing Olympic in Korea. How's your condition?
I didn't have much time to train last months; although, I train hard this month and my condition is getting better.
- I heard you reconfirm your passion to Judo again after watching the Olympic.
I like Judo and I haven't forgotten Judo. I think it's my responsibility to make Judo popular. I want to make a Judo team with other fighters who have a Judo background, and I want to create a big Judo association.
- I heard you were going to open your own dojo?
Yes. I hope I can open next year in Osaka where I was born, or in Korea.
- I would like to ask you about DREAM.5. How did you like the event?
DREAM had a different atmosphere with HERO'S. Something was different including the audience.
- What do you think about your opponent?
He is a good striker. His striking skill is definitely better than me.
- Did you train with him?
When I started MMA, I trained in Seido Kaikan for 6 months. It was 3 to 4 years ago. We trained together at that time.
- He said he didn't get along with you. Any opinion?
I don't know why he feels that way.
- Any message to your fans?
I want to win clearly. I'm training my striking skills, and so I hope I can show the improvement in this fight. Although, I'm going to apply all techniques I have including submissions. I hope our fight is exciting enough to encourage many people. This event has many good fights. I believe fans can enjoy watching amazing performances.
http://dreamofficial.com/news/detail.php?id=1221592564

Gomi updated his blog

Takanori Gomi updated his blog.

It was the long-awaited announcement! SENGOKU is finally broadcast on TV! They could come this far because of great performances by all fighters. It's the real beginning of SENGOKU. I shouldn't forget my original resolution. I do my best to deliver a great fight to my fans.
http://yaplog.jp/gomitakanori/archive/39

Sakuraba~

This is a picture which posted in his website on Sep 16. It seems like he is still recovering.
http://www.saku39.com/02diary/diary_0809.html#080916d
Suki

Gomi wants to fight in SENGOKU.6.

SENGOKU had a press conference in Tokyo on Sep 16 and announced that their event was aired on TV Tokyo. After the conference, Takanori Gomi had an interview.

Gomi:
I don't like to have a long break between fights, for it takes longer to condition physically and mentally if I don't fight constantly. Since SENGOKU finally made a TV deal, I want to fight soon and show my performance to my fans. It's ideal if I can fight every 3 months. I want to participate in SENGOKU.6. in Nov, which has semi-final fights of the lightweight tournament so that our fans can compare my ability with others. Finalists are all grappler; therefore, I want to fight someone grappler next. It's too bad for a winner of the tournament, because he has to fight me next. I bet a winner would have hard time conditioning mentally. (There is a rumor that the UFC may have an event in Japan next year and Dana White wants Gomi fight) SENGOKU allows all fighters fight in other events. I wouldn't mind fighting in the UFC. I think fans are excited to see a fight of champions, Gomi vs B.J.Penn.
http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/text/200809160007-spnavi.html
http://gbring.com/sokuho/news/2008_09/0916_sengoku_05.htm

Masanori Tonooka Interview

DREAM official website posted an interview of Masanori Tonooka, who faces Yoshihiro Akiyama in DREAM.6. (This interview was taken place on Sep 12)

- Before you debuted in HERO'S in Oct, 2007, you were a karate professional. Could you tell me why you started MMA?
I was an employee of Seido Kaikan for 5 years. I started to be interested in MMA when I saw my teammate, Taiei Kin, fight in HERO'S.
- How often do you train MMA?
I train whenever I have time....probably 6 times a week. I train with my teammates such as Kin and Tokunaga at Seido Kaikan Headquarter.
- What is your dream?
Fighting in DREAM is my dream for now. I want to be a fighter who has great influence on others. I want to be a champion and famous someday. I believe I will have a good result if I show everything I have.
- What do you think about Akiyama?
Impression about him..... I saw him on TV and his fight. He is not a type of person who I get along with. It seems to me that he does not respect others and he is not considerate. I don't mind what he did in the past. I just don't like his character.
- You are a Karate specialist and he is a Judo specialist. You both have a background of Budo (Japanese traditional martial arts)
What I see and learn in Budo are different with him obviously. He is an experienced fighter and has good records; even so, he seems to be an overconfidence. Overconfidence is our great enemy. He will be defeated by someone who is new to MMA like me soon.
- Why do you think Akiyama choose you?
He picked me because he though he could win easily.
- What do you think about his strength?
He is quick to pick up on things.
- What do you think better than him?
I'm a better striker. I want to fight in the standing position. I know he is also good at striking. I hope he doesn't hesitate to fight me in the standing position.
http://dreamofficial.com/news/detail.php?id=1221451176

Aoki fights Todd Moore in DREAM.6.

DREAM had a press conference on September 16 and announced an additional fight, Shinya Aoki vs Todd Moore. Sasahara, an event producer of DREAM, and Shinya Aoki attended the conference.
Sasahara:
I wanted to have another fight which people, who watch our event on TV, can enjoy. I offered Aoki a fight in DREAM.6. 2 weeks ago, and he accepted.
Aoki:
I fight in DREAM.6. I represent DREAM and I had no reason to turn down the offer. I haven't missed any events so far since DREAM started. My current goal is to participate in all events. It's my responsibility as a fighter to put my all no matter when I am offered. I haven't seen Moore's fight videos yet. It doesn't matter who I fight.
The most important thing is to keep my challenging spirit. I'm honored to fight in DREAM. If DREAM loves me, I definitely love DREAM back. I will do anything to help make MMA prosper.

Aoki's interview after the conference:
- Do you think you are stronger than before?
Yes. My experience in that tournament made me tougher. I have a confidence that I'm the one who put life into that tournament.
- You have not much time before the event.
When I debut 4 years ago, I was asking around to get an opportunity to fight. It's my pleasure being offered without asking.
- How much is your normal weight?
It's usually around 75-77kg. Training is a part of my hobby. I have nothing else I want to do except being with my teammates. My condition is pretty well.
- When is your next fight after DREAM.6? A NYE event? In general, the NYE event always have a big surprise such as fighters in a different weight class fight.
Do you want to see me face Badr Hari? Sounds dangerous. I may be killed; however, I'm sure I will win if we fight in MMA rules. I fight anybody. Aoki vs Akiyama? Well, I will even fight him. I have nothing to be afraid of.
- Do you think you can defeat Akiyama?
Honestly, I think so. I'm the one who is very serious about becoming a great fighter. I love Japanese MMA and I'm always very motivated to be better. On the other hand, he is not serious about fighting. You will easily see our differences...if we fight. I don't care weather he changes an attitude of mind as a fighter or not. I have a pride as a fighter. I like the way I live and fight.
http://dreamofficial.com/news/detail.php?id=1221544474