The rebirth of the Japanese mixed martial arts scene will slowly begin its ascension on Wednesday at National Yoyogi Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. Many fans are touting the arrival of promotions like World Victory Road, DREAM, and the coalition of K-1 and former DSE staffers as the second coming of the old PRIDE style format to the sport of mixed martial arts. The card certainly shows the seriousness of WVR’s entry into the Japanese market. The main event will feature Takanori Gomi vs. Duane Ludwig with supporting matchups featuring Josh Barnett vs. Hidehiko Yoshida and Shooto champion Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Kazuo Misaki.  Sengoku has the makings of providing us with a great midweek event to get the ball rolling into the weekend.

Main Event
Takanori “The Fireball Kid” Gomi (27-3) vs. Duane “Bang” Ludwig (16-7)

Gomi is coming off a layoff that has seen him “sit the bench” since February 24, 2007 due to his contractual problems that resulted from the PRIDE/Zuffa buyout. The big question in this matchup will be whether or not Gomi will have ring rust, and if he can get inside on Ludwig’s reach and power. Gomi has excellent striking, dynamite in his hands, and is known for having a very solid wrestling game that can neutralize opponents on the ground. He’s still arguably the #1 ranked Lightweight in the world due to his numerous wins over top 10 talent, but he has recently fallen off many rankings due to his inactivity. Although this matchup may not bring him back to the top, it’s a good fight for Gomi to work his way back into the “groove” of things.

Ludwig will have a tough challenge ahead of him. There is no doubt that Ludwig possesses the punching power to put Gomi out, but Gomi’s chin is tough and his technical prowess in the standup game is world class. The x-factor is whether or not Gomi will try to put Ludwig to the mat and use his wrestling to enable a ground and pound game on Ludwig. Ludwig’s biggest weakness is on his back whether it be trying to defend submissions or avoid punches. Gomi’s highest percentage to avoid damage while inflicting massive damage could be by putting Ludwig in that very position.

Gomi trying to stand with Ludwig could create some fireworks, but a sure fire winning strategy could see Gomi putting Ludwig on his back early and trying to pound him out. Either way, I think Gomi has a few more skills that he can pull from in order to win this fight.

Leland’s Prediction: Takanori Gomi via TKO, Round 2

Siyar Bahadurzada (13-1-1) vs. Kazuo Misaki (18-8-2)

Could this be the coming out party for Siyar Bahadurzada? It’s definitely a step up in competition for the native of Afghanistan. Bahadurzada’s skillset consists of some good wrestling skills coupled with some adequate striking that has been known to stun, devastate, and eventually stop opponents on the ground. The only big flaws in Bahadurzada’s credentials revolve around his strength of record. He has only recently taken on some stiffer competition in Shiko Yamashita and Nathan Schouteren, but Misaki is a considerable step up in competition.

Misaki has had mixed results in the last two years. He’s fought some of the best competition out there in Dan Henderson, Paulo Filho, and Frank Trigg. Although Trigg is older nowadays, he implemented an excellent wrestling game against Misaki and cruised to a decision win over him. Misaki has managed to get some big wins over Kang, Henderson, and Baroni during 2006 though, which significantly up his potential to get his name back in the picture.

Misaki isn’t known as a great finisher. He has potential to finish on the floor, but his hands are known as being dangerous in the standup when he is technically precise in his strikes. His record wouldn’t indicate him as being a devastating striker though. This presents an interesting difference in both fighters’ styles. Siyar doesn’t have overwhelming standup, and Misaki has had flashes of brilliance in his standup at times. It could prove to be a breaker for Siyar in this fight. With the big step up in competition for Siyar and Misaki’s inability to finish opponents late in his career, we may see a dominant win by Misaki, but by way of decision.

Leland’s Prediction: Kazuo Misaki via decision

Josh Barnett (20-5) vs. Hidehiko Yoshida (7-5-1)

“The Babyface Assassin” finally returns to the MMA ring after nearly 14 months off. His last battle was a losing effort to current interim UFC Heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Barnett may have his hands full with Yoshida, who possesses a world class Judo game.

What can we expect from Barnett? A little ring rust is a distinct possibility considering his long layoff from the ring, but he has participated in some submission grappling matches in Pancrase and done some pro-wrestling to pay the bills in his time off. Barnett’s grappling will most likely be his main weapon against Yoshida, but he may think about trying to punch Yoshida out in this matchup due to Yoshida’s skills to evade submission. Yoshida has never been submitted by a hold, but his chin isn’t exactly granite.

Yoshida will be looking for the submission, and Barnett is simply too aware to give up a submission loss. Yoshida really has no obvious ways of winning this bout, and I believe Barnett will be able to impose his gameplan on Yoshida without any significant problems. I think Barnett will win this, but it’s a tough call as to how. Yoshida is tough to submit, but Barnett doesn’t have impressive striking. I’ll go with the safe pick.

Leland’s Prediction: Josh Barnett via decision

Nick Thompson (34-9-1) vs. Fabricio Monteiro (16-6)

This should be one of the more competitive matchups on the card. Nick “The Goat” Thompson has a plethora of MMA experience along with solid wrestling and power to put opponents away. He’s had a relatively easier time with his fights in the recent years due to his affiliation with BodogFIGHT, but BodogFIGHT was able to line him up matches against Eddie Alvarez, Ansar Chalangov, and Mark Weir.

Fabricio is on a bit of a losing streak currently, and it certainly doesn’t bode well for him against a tough Nick Thompson. He lost via TKO to Mohamed Khacha at Fury FC in August of last year, and was submitted by Satoru Kitaoka at DEEP 29 in April. He’s taken a long layoff after those two losses and now reappears at Sengoku.

The line is pretty simple. Fabricio possesses some decent jiu-jitsu skills with a solid Muay Thai striking game. His power was more evident early in his career, but he seems to have been initiating in more ground tactics as his competition level has increased. Thompson should be no different in that regard. Look for Thompson to avoid standing with Monteiro and putting him on his back early. Thompson should be able to pound out the “Pitbull” to win this one.

Leland’s Prediction: Nick Thompson via TKO, Round 1

Makoto Takimoto (4-3) vs. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (15-11)

Most fans are probably rolling their eyes at this matchup, but the fact is that Santos always seems to excite the fans with his ridiculously reckless style. Takimoto doesn’t exactly have the chin to withstand a devastating blow from Santos, but he isn’t below average in his abilities to avoid the big shot. His Judo background has proven to be formidable as Murilo Bustamante found out at Yarennoka on New Year’s Eve. He’s had most of his success on the ground, and his best chance at defeating Santos will be there as well.

Santos has reckless striking, and it makes for exciting fights when he is still in the fight. Unfortunately for Santos, his chin has grown weak due to the constant strikes he endures over the course of a fight. He leaves himself open to big counters, and it has proven to be his problem over his extensive career. Can Takimoto take advantage?

I’m going to go out on a limb and pick Santos via crushing TKO/KO. It’s a long shot, but he has the power to put Takimoto out cold.

Leland’s Prediction: “Cyborg” Santos by long shot TKO, Round 2

Quick Predictions
Ryo Kawamura (7-2-2) vs. Antonio Braga Neto (4-0)

Kawamura has fought tougher competition in his short career, and he has devastating power in the standup while remaining a tough man to submit. Neto is mainly a jiu-jitsu fighter who may become overwhelmed by Kawamura’s power. I’ll take Ryo via smashing. Kawamura via TKO/KO, Round 1

Kazuyuki Fujita vs. Peter Graham

I can’t pick against Fujita here. He has experience, great wrestling, and one of the most legendary chins in all of MMA. Graham has great boxing and kickboxing, but MMA is a ground sport as well, and Fujita is a load for anyone to take on. Fujita via TKO, Round 2