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 »

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 »

MGS: Peace Walker Gets J-Popped

Last week, amongst the recent rash of Peace Walker gameplay trailer releases, Kojima Productions let loose with a peppy promotional video featuring Paz (voiced by Nana Mizuki) singing “Love Deterence.”

The choice of music and style of the video caught many fans off guard, and some even flamed up about it, complaining about its inconsistency with the game and series. I for one can’t see why anyone would a) take it so seriously or b) get up in arms about it. If you’re a fan of MGS and Kojima, you should be able to lighten up and understand the humor involved.

While watching the PV, I could not help but wonder when Snake and his CQC-ing soldiers would join in and get their dance on. It’s totally something I could see them doing, and apparently that was part of the original concept: having Snake and his crew dance, squat, and do pushups to the music. Alas, they wimped out and decided to forgo taking it that far. Even so, I found the PV oh so amusing.

Although the video was produced by the Kojima Productions demo staff, Kojima himself did admit to being behind the “peek-a-boo” aspect of Paz’ wardrobe (see above pic). He also took it upon himself to reiterate via twitter that the PV was a playful exercise to explore Paz as a character and not a detriment to the seriousness of the actual game.

Check out the PV after the jump, and look out for the HEAVENS DIVIDE maxi single due out April 7th.

[via Andriasang] Read more »