Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Masakatsu Funaki is up next. There are some DREAM girls dancing in the ring so it may be an intermission of some sort. TV broadcast cuts to commercial and we’re treated to the same batshit crazy multicolor cellphone commercial again..

OK, back after a 20 minute intermission. Masa Funaki is something of an unsung hero in mixed martial arts. He was co-founder of Pancrase, which was one of the first “shoot” wrestling promotions that would evolve into modern MMA. He was also the first man to win the “King of Pancrase” title twice. Though Sakuraba’s win over Royce Gracie gets most of the press, the 2nd of a pair of fights against Bas Ruten did a great deal to fuel the sport’s popularity in Japan.

ROUND 1:

Fighters tentatively exchange strikes with each man scoring effectively. As the round continues, Tamura starts to overwhelm Funaki and the ref jumps in quickly to spare the veteran any more damage.

WINNER KIYOSHI TAMURA VIA TKO

Up next is Denis Kang vs. Gegard Mousasi which along with the Aoki/JZC fight was considered the other “big” fight on the card…