[MMA.Revolution]

Masato vs. Drago
I think Masato will be the better striker with more technical hits with great stamina, I call Masato to win this by Decision.

Yoshihiro Sato vs. Buakaw Por. Pramuk
Sato is a great fighter, very unique fighting style, but I gotta go with Buakaw by Decision.

Andy Souwer vs. Warren Stevelmans
Warren WHO???..jk... Andy Souwer by KO

Yasuhiro Kido vs. Artur Kyshenko
Great match up, both very aggressive fighers, but Id have to go with Kyshenko by KO or Decision.

What does everyone else think??

[that_dude]

Masato
Buakaw
Souwer
AK-47, even though i wish Kido would go to the final match for other reasons.

[konfirm]

I got the same picks as you, maybe i'd only pick Sato over Buakaw. Buakaw didn't impress me in his first round fight.

[cold]

Souwer takes it all.

[Valiss]

You pretty much summed it up man:

Masato
Buakaw
Souwer


I dont expect any surprises, but you never know! When it's done I cant wait for this to be posted somewhere so we can watch it here. Damn you ESPN/FSN/HDnet for not carrying this!

[Damage]

i thought masato was finished with tournaments?

[CPH]

...and shortly after he said that, the tournament format was changed:

Originally Posted by that_dude

1)MAX is now like the Pride GPs:

- first is the final 16 (16 fighters = 8 fights, winners advance into the next round)
- second is the final 8 (8 fighters = 4 fights, winners advance into the final round)
- third is the final 4 (4 fighters = 2 semi-finals and 1 final, winner is the 08 MAX champion)

[kenli]

Originally Posted by CPH

...and shortly after he said that, the tournament format was changed:

I think that this was a good move on K1's part. This way fans have a better chance of witnessing a more even matchup as intangibles don't come into play as much. I'd hate to see a tournament ruined by a cut or fighters having advantages over others due to easier brackets.

[right hand lead]

i got

Masato
Sato (my upset pick)
Souwer
Kyshenko

[CPH]

Originally Posted by kenli

I think that this was a good move on K1's part. This way fans have a better chance of witnessing a more even matchup as intangibles don't come into play as much. I'd hate to see a tournament ruined by a cut or fighters having advantages over others due to easier brackets.

It's true that fighters should now be in better condition in the tourney final so it might be a good move. But you have to wonder whether the change would occur if it was say, Buakaw and Masato taking turns winning the titles. The fact is that in the past 4 years, there have only been 2 winners: Buakaw and Souwer. So it seems that the strongest fighters have consistently managed to overcome these 'intangibles'.
Anyway, new format or not, I am expecting Souwer and Buakaw to meet in the final round again this year.