Sengoku 14 recap

I will try not to be too long with this one, but Sengoku 14 was a fantastic event due mostly to its main event, which was without a doubt fight of the year in my opinion. Sometimes there are two fighters who provide the perfect style clash for each other and can produce phenomenal together. Jorge Santiago and Kazuo Misaki are two fighters whose considerable skills and exploitable flaws fit together like a puzzle, and have produced not one, but 2 amazing fights. So without further ado
Jorge Santiago (c) def. Kazuo Misaki via TKO (corner stoppage), rd 5
Prediction: This fight would play out much like the first, where Misaki was one step ahead of Santiago most of the fight, except this time he wouldn't fall victim to a dramatic last minute come from behind stoppage from Santiago, but earning a unanimous decision.
What happened: Misaki fell victim to a dramatic last minute come from behind stoppage from Santiago....again. Just like the last fight where he was choked unconscious, he never gave up; his corner threw in the towel with just 29 seconds left in the fight. To make things all the more dramatic, Misaki might have won the fight had he managed to survive that last round.
Thoughts: The last round most likely wouldn't have been so miserable for Misaki if he had done what I was literally telling him to do through my screen as the round was beginning: KEEP HIS HANDS UP. He came into the round with his hands down, and Santiago jumped all over him. I can think of 3 fights just from this past week where the resuts could have been different if the loser just kept his hands up. Regardless, this was the fight you want to show people who are new to the sport to turn them into fans. It had damn near everything you could want in an epic fight: exciting battles on the feet and on the ground, several near finishes, frequent and dramatic momentum shifts, amazing displays of heart and determination from both men, you name it. Santiago definitely earned more of my respect after this fight, and I'm definitely rethinking previous statements I made about him not belonging in the top 10.
Next for Santiago: No clue. Sengoku isn't exactly overflowing with great middleweights. Maybe give Siyar Bahadurzada a rematch?
Next for Misako: Again, no clue. Sengoku is in desperate need of middleweights.

Jadamba Narantungalag def. Akihiro Gono via Decision (unanimous), Rd 3
Prediction: I knew nothing about Jadamba so I figured he was being provided as a tune up match to welcome Gono to 155.
What happened: Boy was I wrong. Jadamba outstruck and outgrappled a completely lost looking Gono for 3 rounds.
Thoughts: Jadamba looked very impressive in the fight. As a fighter who has faced many K-1 greats (and lost, but was competitive in doing so) a striking edge wasn't too surprising, but I didn't expect the larger Gono (who does have poor wrestling, I admit) to be manhandled on the wrestling front the way he did. Gono, on the other hand, looked lethargic and unmotivated practically the entire fight. He just didn't have the pep in his step he used to.
Next for Narantungalag: Hard to say where he goes next. He looked impressive, but Sengoku doesn't exactly have a premier lightweight division. Satoru Kitaoka would test his wrestling and sub defense, and may keep him more conservative with his offense, so maybe that's a match to make.
Next for Gono: Maybe it was the weight cut, but Gono looked terrible out there. Maybe the move to 155 wasn't such a good idea for him. I recommend he move back up.

Hatsu Hioki def. Jeff Lawson via Submission (triangle choke), Rd 1
Prediction: Lawson is just a means of keeping Hioki active. First round sub for Hioki.
What happened: Lawson had no business being in there with Hioki. First round sub for Hioki.
Thoughts: Not much to say. Lawson is some kooky Englishman who could do nothing but wing overhand rights with so little techique it was comical. As soon as Hioki took him down there was no question it'd be over soon.
Next for Hioki: Title shot against Marlon Sandro. If it weren't for some shitty judging and an injury, this fight would have been the featherweight grand prix final. Make it happen.
Next for Lawson: Back to where he came from, which is hopefully out of my sight.

Leonardo Santos def. Sotaru Yamada via DQ (knees to the groin), Rd 1
Prediction: Santos via me not knowing who the hell Yamada is.
What happened: The most ridiculous "fight" I've seen in a long time. Santos scored an accidental low blow on Yamada, and I guess that pissed Yamada off so much he sought out to destroy Santos' genitals at any and all costs. After four groin shots in one round, there was no choice but to DQ Yamada before Santos' voice reached dog whistle frequency and he would be sterile for life.
Thoughts: One was okay, almost even expected. Two is a bit much, definitely time to change your strategy. Three....seriously? Stop doing that! Four, GET THAT SUMBITCH OUTTA HERE RIGHT NOW! I don't know what was running through Yamada's head, but why the hell would he keep trying knee Santos in the clinch if every time it led to a groin shot? He not only loses the fight, but a whopping 30% of his purse deducted due to the 3 red cards he received. He was either doing it on purpose, or he is one of the biggest idiots I've ever seen.
Next for Santos: He's won two straight in Sengoku, maybe he could face Mizuto Hirota for the lightweight title Hirota vacated earlier this year, depending on Hirota's health of course.
Next for Yamada: I don't think I can handle watching him fight again.

Taisuke Okuno def. Nick Thompson via KO (punch), Rd 3
Prediction: Thompson would use his size advantage and slick grappling to secure a submission win.
What happened: A very back and forth fight saw Thompson ahead on the scorecards until being rocked badly by Okuno's punches. He managed to grab a leg to recover, but as soon as he stood back up, Okuno shut his lights off with a right hook that landed flush on the chin, sending Thompson to the mat face first.
Thoughts: Okuno is a crazy guy. He showed amusement at being hit and was genuinely entertained by the exchanges he and Thompson were having. Thompson was ahead 2 rounds to none when a mistake he had been making the entire fight finally caught up with him: HE KEPT HIS HANDS DOWN. When will they learn. Thompson is not a great striker. Why does he think he can prance around with his hands at his waist? He was doing it the entire fight, and you think he would have learned after being dropped earlier in the fight. Whelp, there goes perhaps his last run at semi-relevance.
Next for Okuno: Yasubey Enomoto, who won his welterweight grand prix match one fight prior.
Next for Thompson: Back to the drawing board. He's lost three straight, and all were due to strikes. I don't think he was ever known for having a good chin, but in recent fights it has betrayed him quite frequently. He really needs to work on his striking defense, so he needs to fight someone who will give his a challenge standing but lacks the power to take him out.

Yasubey Enomoto def. Kenta Takagi via Submission (bulldog choke), Rd 2
Prediction: Enomoto via me not knowing who the hell Takagi is.
What happened: Enomoto outclassed Takagi with his flashy, loose striking style, and early in round 2 he improbably countered a spinning backfist with a freakin' bulldog choke.
Thoughts: That bulldog choke was ridiculous. I don't know how the hell he even locked it in that fast, and from that position. Enomoto is really coming into his own style after his unexpected drubbing of Sanae Kikuta, and it'll be interesting to see him develop further.
Next for Enomoto: Taisuke Okuno. Should be an entertaining match up.
Next for Takagi: Eh, I don't even know the guy.

And that's all for tonight. I left out the other matches mostly because I don't know the guys as well and don't have as much to say about them. Not to mention these things are always long enough as they are. And here I was trying to be a bit more brief with this one. Next up, UFC 118. If I have time for a preview I'll put it up; if not, look for the recap sometime after the event. Peace.