TAKANORI GOMI vs. LUIZ AZEREDO

This could be a war and I expect Azeredo to be in better condition coming out of the opening round. Gomi will have to work the ground here and completely change his tactics from the first meeting. He also has to know Luiz will literally be out for blood. Due to his experience, I’d pick Gomi by submission.

HAYATO SAKURAI vs. YVES EDWARDS

This could go either way. Like the above contest, I expect Edwards to be wounded. Sakurai may have a better ground game so Yves will have to settle it standing. Having beaten both Frank Trigg (Pictures) and Dave Menne (Pictures) with strikes, Sakurai could relax a bit and stand and trade for a while. If Yves is healthy, he should prevail. I’d pick Edwards by decision.

I could also see Mishima getting in the semis. It is difficult to know whom he’d replace, but it would likely be on the Sakurai-Pulver and Edwards-Hansen portion of the bracket.

FINAL ROUND PREDICTION:

TAKANORI GOMI vs. YVES EDWARDS

We’ll save the description of the finals for December.

CONCLUSION:

This has the makings of a legendary tournament. The possibilities are endless and it makes it that much more exciting to watch. We may have to wait until PRIDE’s New Years Eve show to see the champion crowned but will be worth the wait. Enjoy the fights!

To recap, my picks are:

Gomi def. Kawajiri TKO R1
Azeredo def. Kotani KO R1
Sakurai def. Pulver sub R1
Edwards def. Hansen sub R1
Mishima def. Bennett sub R1

Gomi def Azeredo sub R1
Edwards def Sakurai sub R2