MAX Japan 2006, who will be crowned?

[( o Y o )]

Alright, I think we can all agree Sato is the clear favourite here, but I don't think it is a foregone conclusion.

After all, he has a couple of tough opponents he will need to get through and he hasn't exactly shown quick adaptation to MAX rules. He has gone 2 from 3 in MAX, and now he will need to string three together while accumulating injuries along the way. K-1 sure don't show him the favoratism the likes of Kohi gets either.

Basically I am saying, anything can happen in a GP as we all know. Last year, a reserve fighter went all but one step to taking it.

[ducati]

I'm voting for the unqualified MMA fighter.

[derUbermensch]

No, its a foregone conclusion

[MexicanFighter39]

Hopefully, we'll get to see either a Tatsuji vs. Sato final or a Yamamoto vs. Sato final. Either one would make my day.

[( o Y o )]

No, its a foregone conclusion

My fingers are crossed, as I'd love a Kaz vs Sato final, and I really want to see Sato in the World GP.

I am still not convinced though as his best performance to date in MAX is a barely squeeked through JD against a MT fighter that generally has a very low work rate, and in which both were carded for clinching.

For me Sato going all the way may well depend on whether the no clinch rule supposed to be introduced to K-1 this year is enforced during this MAX or not.

[Kamatari]

I am still not convinced though as his best performance to date in MAX is a barely squeeked through JD against a MT fighter that generally has a very low work rate, and in which both were carded for clinching.
I take it you never saw Sato vs. Diender? He put on a clinic, the fight wasn't even close.

I think TATSUJI can go really far in this tournament because of his boxing skills and with him incorporating leg kicks into his arsenal he's someone to look out for. Fighters that I definitely do NOT see winning this tournament are Suzuki and Ueyama.

[Lord Gaul]

No surprise in this poll. Sato is the man and I would have him meeting Nitta in the finals if the match making was more in favor to what I thought it would be. I will go with Hayato because he surprised me in the Black Mumba fight.

[AKA]

Sato for sure...Nitta is my second choice!

[( o Y o )]

I take it you never saw Sato vs. Diender? He put on a clinic, the fight wasn't even close.

I was there live for tha one, and he did win easily. I don`t really think Diender was was much of a test though. Hadn`t they fought before?

And even with his complete victory there, Tanikawa was still rather critical of him and his style......so as I said, he will get no favous.

[Kamatari]

I was there live for tha one, and he did win easily. I don`t really think Diender was was much of a test though. Hadn`t they fought before?

And even with his complete victory there, Tanikawa was still rather critical of him and his style......so as I said, he will get no favous.
Ah that's right and no they haven't. I knew Sato was going to run through Diender but he's not exactly a push over.

That man is cynical about everything that partains to that style. It's highly ironic because the fans don't think Sato's style is boring or whatever he thinks of it. I know what you mean though.

[Kamatari]

And the Garyu/Shirasu fight could be really fun... But we'll have to do with Andy/Kota. ;-P

[( o Y o )]

Ah that's right and no they haven't.

Hmmm.....perhaps they have trained together or something. they seemed to know each other well at the prefight press conference and Diender said something about "beating him this time" and they kind of both smirked.

[Razor Bump]

Sato will oust the competition if they give him the decision over Nitta. If not Hyper Hayato will take full advantage this time and capitalise on his mistakes.

[kentaro]

Hayato!

[Jules]

I see A bracket fighters have 2 tough fights and Sato has one tough one, and then a walk in the park.

He should be fresher in the final, and he will have a longer resting period.

Sato has to win.