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**Grabaka** · 02-18-2008, 04:45 PM

http://thefightnetwork.com/news_detail.php?nid=6331

Quote:

News and Notes from Canada

By Mike Russell (gfn@thefightnetwork.com)

Denis Kang will make his debut for the new Japan-based Dream promotion in a middleweight grand prix on Tuesday, April 29 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. “The Super Korean” said he’s optimistic the union between the Fight Entertainment Group (K-1’s parent company) and former Pride Fighting Championships officials will be for the better.

Kang, who signed with K-1 in 2007, admits he was beginning to question K-1 management’s business practices.

“I don’t know what K-1’s problem was,” Kang said. “They’re a big company. It’s not like they don’t know what they’re doing. I don’t know if they were doing too much with running Hero’s and regular K-1 [shows], but it seemed to me like they were very disorganized.”

Kang (29-9-1) – who hasn’t fought since being knocked out by Yoshihiro Akiyama in October – has been training since November for two promised fights that never came to fruition. He concedes he’s frustrated, explaining that the financial implications of not competing have been amplified by the costs of his training for bouts that did not materialize.

“I thought I was fighting Dec. 31, so I fly all the way to Montreal to train with Georges [St. Pierre], bust my ass and spend all kinds of money just to find I have no fight,” Kang said. “[Then], I’m told I’m fighting March 15, and I find out that’s not happening, either. It changes my whole schedule. Now I have 10 weeks instead of four left in my training camp. It’s ridiculous.”

The scheduling setbacks notwithstanding, Kang’s goal for 2008 remains clear – he wants to get back on the winning track, starting with Dream’s middleweight grand prix.

“I want to win the grand prix,” Kang said. “Now they’ve got Akiyama, [Melvin] Manhoef, [Zelg] Galesic, [Kazushi] Sakuraba, Dong Sik Yoon … and I heard that Matt Lindland is going to be signing with them. There are a lot of good fighters I want to fight right there.”

The remaining rounds of the grand prix are tentatively scheduled for June and September, according to Kang.

That would be great if they get Lindland for the MWGP!

bigdog89 · 02-18-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grabaka

http://thefightnetwork.com/news_detail.php?nid=6331

That would be great if they get Lindland for the MWGP!

You know what ill laugh if Lindland does go in there and just dominates i mean can you imagine the look on danas face...

**Grabaka** · 02-18-2008, 06:24 PM

^I think he'd have a very good chance at winning. Kang, Akiyama, Manhoef, and maybe the Donger would pose as tough tests. It will be interesting to see who else they get for this MWGP. It's not as concrete as the LWGP as of yet.

bigdog89 · 02-18-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grabaka

^I think he'd have a very good chance at winning. Kang, Akiyama, Manhoef, and maybe the Donger would pose as tough tests. It will be interesting to see who else they get for this MWGP. It's not as concrete as the LWGP as of yet.

Honestly this is the best lineup of middleweights ive seen...Galesic,Manhoef,Akiyama,Kang,Saku And POSSIBLY Lindland ...Thats a stacked division even if thats it...

There are a few others i wouldnt mind seeing in this other Kondo ,Prangley, Suloev, Sonnen(but hes fighting wec),Semenov ...right off the top of my head.

Is this being cross promoted like the yarennokoi event on new years or is this just DREAM?...Maybe with m1 or bodogfight?

**Damone** · 02-18-2008, 07:17 PM

Lindland would be my pick if this thing were to happen, though Akiyama could pose some problems with his heavy hands and solid judo background.

Dong works well off his back and is nearly impossible to finish, but I can see Lindland getting the decision if they were to face.

Manhoef would be taken down and pounded out. I don't see the guy posing much of a threat to Lindland, actually.

Kang would be a solid test for Lindland, and I could see him winning that fight, but I can also see Lindland earning a decision.

So yeah, Akiyama & Kang are the only guys who could cause problems.

pauly_j · 02-18-2008, 08:10 PM

It would be a super boring run from Lindland though. The only way he can wiin this is by fighting boring.

**Damone** · 02-18-2008, 08:30 PM

Seeing as how Lindland hasn't been boring in 4 years, I refuse to believe that.

bbjd7 · 02-18-2008, 08:52 PM

Lindland would probably win but Akiyama fantastic Judo could give him some issues.

I think Dong would be fun to watch but wouldn't stand a chance against any of the top MW's in the GP.

Melvin is a dangerous fight for anyone since he can KO you very fast but if you get him down he sucks.

Zelg is horrible and very overrated.

Sakuraba is past his prime and unless they give him a walk through opponent in the first round (which they probably will) he'll get trashed and I'll be sad.

I think Kang will make it to the semis depending on the draw but I think he would lose to Lindland and Akiyama again.

bigdog89 · 02-18-2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damone

Lindland would be my pick if this thing were to happen, though Akiyama could pose some problems with his heavy hands and solid judo background.

Dong works well off his back and is nearly impossible to finish, but I can see Lindland getting the decision if they were to face.

Manhoef would be taken down and pounded out. I don't see the guy posing much of a threat to Lindland, actually.

Kang would be a solid test for Lindland, and I could see him winning that fight, but I can also see Lindland earning a decision.

So yeah, Akiyama & Kang are the only guys who could cause problems.

Manhoef would have to get that one big shot in before lindland clinched and dumped him on his head.
Dong i dont really know much of.
Akiyama i think would make the mistake of clinching with lindland and i dont think his judo would help him all that much when fedor could barely defend the takedown...And kang idk what to think of him still im reserving judgement on that match if it happened.

But i could easily see lindland taking the title