Spotlight: Nils Widlund

We wanted to share two amazingly done videos of Nils Widlund, a Swedish kickboxer who took a fight against one of the best in the world on a few weeks notice at DREAM’s 2011 NYE show.

First off, here are some quick facts about Widlund:

Kickboxing Record: 70-16
Style: Sanshou
Country: Sweden
Gym/Camp: Black House Team Nogueira

Widlund is currently a resident of San Diego where he studies full time at UCSD.  From watching these videos and reading some of his blog, Widlund comes across as a really nice guy just living life and having fun. It also appears he is going to start his transition in to MMA. With his already successful kickboxing career and skill, he should be a natural, and training at school with such a BJJ background like Team Nog seems to be the best place to start.

On to the videos after the jump. Read more »

DREAM.17 Rolling Out PVs

DREAM.17 is soon upon us, and the recently released PVs are certainly getting us excited. The event is set to take place at the Saitama Super Arena on September 24th, and the card is stacked with many of our favorite fighters: Sakuraba, Aoki, Tokoro, Kitaoka, Kawajiri, Imanari… the list goes on. This is looking to be a great event.

Check out the impressive PVs (we’re really liking the gigantic screens/visuals they used in these promos) after the break. Read more »

DREAM Fight For Japan Videos

Here are the videos from the last DREAM MMA event. I am glad I always expect the worse when my favorite fighters are competing. Shinya Aoki looked really good and owned Clementi. Though I think it’s funny Clementi was able to say “He hits like a girl” to his corner but then got his face cranked like Aoki was some kind of evil crushing machine. Why can Aoki break and squeeze with power, take people down with speed and have amazing flexibility, but not hit hard?

Anyway here is a highlight to start off with. Will try to add more videos and links below.

Read more »

Preview: Dream Fight For Japan

It’s hard to believe it has been five months since we have seen any DREAM events, but the time has finally come.  The Saitama Super Arena just outside of Tokyo will host Dream Fight For Japan, aka DREAM Japan GP – 2011 Bantamweight Japan Tournament, this very weekend.

The event is actually a charity event to help those affected by the recent earthquake, thus why it is not called Dream 17. Anyone who is deeply into Japanese MMA knows very well the fighters who will be this event, but stateside, there is no comparison to the UFC marketing machine to inform those who are not in the know how exciting many of these fights are. As such, this will be a little primer on what we should all be looking forward to.

Read more »

Sakuraba vs Mayhem Miller DREAM.16 PV Out!

Sakuraba and Mayhem Miller are set to fight in DREAM.16 on September 25th. Check after the jump for the official PV just released today.

We don’t know quite what to think about this match up, other than, “Holy crap, we hope Saku doesn’t die.”

It’s always a tough call when two of your favorite fighters meet. Who do you pull for? In this case, both men have tons of heart, tons of personality, but one is a taped up 41 year-old legend who, even with underdog status, continues to amaze.

We’re just going to hope this fight lives up to the spirit and craziness that define both fighters (and keep our fingers crossed for Saku). Read more »

DREAM.14 Is Almost Here

The powerful and epic Japanese promotion that is DREAM will have its fourteenth event this Saturday, May 29th. The official card is set, and weigh-ins, which were just streamed live on DREAM’s official site, are complete. Nick Diaz was somewhat fashionably late to the weigh-ins, but he respectfully apologized.

For just the second time, the promotion will have take place in the white cage rather than its usual ring. The reason for this seemed to be a request from the popular fighter, Hayato “Mach” Sakurai, to face one of Strikeforce’s best fighters, Nick Diaz, in a cage to defend Japanese pride after the defeat of Shinya Aoki at the hands of Diaz teammate, Gilbert Melendez.

To us at Pancake Landing, this is the most exciting event so far this year. Maybe we are too susceptible to slick promotional trailers with “Imperial March” remixes… but hey, DREAM knows how to make some bad-ass PVs. Of course, some of our favorite fighters are competing in DREAM.14: Sakuraba, Tokoro, and Maeda. Not only that, but included as well is a fight that almost guarantees excitement and also has title implications for DREAM’s featherweight division: Hiroyuki Takaya vs. Joachim Hansen.

Always in our spotlight, Kazushi Sakuraba is fighting another Gracie, one that is younger, bigger, and maybe even more accomplished in BJJ competition. My personal prediction is that Sakuraba has no chance and will be submitted for the first time in his career.  But speaking against what my head says… Sakuraba is going to knock this young punk out or break his arm with a slick kimura. Regardless of the outcome, Sakuraba is still a legend and will always be one of my favorite fighters.  I also have a feeling his retirement is coming soon and this event might have a hint or announcement concerning it. It’s just a feeling, but what better time to bow out for the Gracie Hunter?

For the entire fight card and some insightful pre-analysis, Bloody Elbow has a thorough rundown. Also be sure to check out all three event PVs after the jump. Read more »