Japanese MMA Weekend Recap (Aug 27-29)

This weekend saw two DEEP titles defended, a former Shooto contender returned to action after a near three-year hiatus, and a couple interesting match-ups announced for DREAM 16 amongst other things. Here's the rundown:

-"DEEP 49 Impact" took place on Friday from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

In the main event, Masakazu Imanari successfully defended his DEEP bantamweight title as he picked up a unanimous decision victory over Tomoya Miyashita. This was Imanari's fourth consecutive victory following a loss to current DREAM champion, Bibiano Fernandes, in the quarter finals of the DREAM featherweight grand prix last year.

In the co-main event, Riki Fukuda defeated PRIDE veteran, Ryuta Sakurai, for the third time in his career. Fukuda unleashed a barrage of uppercuts and knees in the second round which sent Sakurai rolling out of the ring onto the floor, which prompted the referee to stop the fight.

-"Nitro MMA" held their first show on Friday from the Chandler Arena in Chandler, Queensland, Australia.

Cage Force veteran, Seiji Otsuka, spoiled the return of former Shooto bantamweight contender, Daniel Lima. Lima hadn't fought since September of 2007 in a split decision win over WEC veteran, Kenji Osawa. This was also Lima's debut at 125 pounds. Otsuka took home a split-decision victory over the home-town favorite.

Daisuke Nakamura picked up his second straight victory with a first round armbar submission over Australian, Jai Bradney. Prior to this bout, Nakamura had defeated Ganjo Tentsuku on the ASTRA card in April. There's no word on where Nakamura will show up next as he has competed everywhere from Strikeforce to M-1 to DREAM in the last few years.

-Japan's best 145 pound women's fighter, Hiroko Yamanaka, was in action on Sunday at the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. Yamanaka defeated debuting kickboxer, Sandy Furner, via forearm choke submission in the first round of their fight at a Shoot Boxing event. This bout was the only one on the card with MMA rules.

-Flyweight prospect, Fumihiro Kitahara defeated Hiroyuki Tanaka via rear naked choke submission in the second round at "Shooto- Gig North 4". The top-ten ranked, Kitahara improved to 9-1-1 on Sunday at the Zepp Sapporo in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.

(DREAM fight announcements after the jump)

-On Friday, three fights were announced for the "DREAM.16" card that will take place on September 25 in Nagoya. Former Strikeforce title challenger, Jason "Mayhem" Miller will take on the legendary, Kazushi Sakuraba, in a middleweight contest according to HDNet Fights.

Also on that card will be the DREAM light heavyweight championship fight as former DREAM middleweight champion, Gegard Mousasi, will take on Tatsuya Mizuno for the vacant belt.

In a high-quality featherweight scrap, Michihiro Omigawa will take on Bellator tournament champion, Joe Warren.