[div class=”notice” class2=”icon”]The following is from an article on MMA-Japan, part of the MiddleEasy Network.[/div]
The 2nd installment of DREAM, Fight for Japan went off without a hitch on Saturday at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo Japan. Over 8,000 fans and a fair fight-card including two title bouts and the final of the 2011 Japan Bantamweight Grand Prix gave the Japanese mma scene a night of memorable battles.
The opening period saw the defending champ Hiroyuki Takaya as the aggressor when he pushed forward with stronger shots and defended Miyata’s takedowns in the early minutes of round 1. Takaya landed a big left early that stumbled “Hercules,” but the Olympic silver medalist was able to recover and continue, attempting an armbar and gaining top position with a flurry of short punches on the ground.
Takaya seemed to slow in round 2 where Miyata’s jab started to shine as a major force, as well as a few head kicks that were telegraphed but powerful. Takaya moved forward with aggressive body shots and leg kicks, but Miyata pulled off a number of counters and seemed to picking the tiring champ apart. The fight ended with Takaya reversing in the final seconds of the , which combined with the Streetfight Bancho ‘s forward movement and heavy shots was just the ticket to turn the judges in Takaya’s favor for the split decision win.
