Four more for Dream 2

JapanMMA is reporting that four more matches have been announced for the Middleweight GP that begins April 29th.

Annouced today (all tournament fights):
Ikuhisa Minowa 39-27-8 vs. 2-2-0 Taiei Kin
Magomed Sultanakhmadov 4-1-0 vs. 7-3-0 Zelg "Benkei" Galesic
Yoon Dong Sik 3-4-0 vs. 7-10-0 Shungo Oyama
Ronaldo Jacare vs. 16-6-0 Frank Trigg

Previously announced:
Tournament fights
Kazushi Sakuraba 23-10-1 vs. Andrews Nakahara
Kiyoshi Tamura 28-14-0 vs. 38-12-1 Masakatsu Funaki
Denis Kang 29-9-1 vs. 20-2-1 Gegard Mousasi

Frank Trigg and Zelg Galesic are the main surprises here, as there hadn't been much mention of them in the chatter about them leading up to the announcement. Trigg, a Top 10 middleweight by some folks estimation, most recently fought with HDNet Fights. Trigg is paired with BJJ phenom Jacare Souza and will look to use his wrestling to counter his opponent's sub skills.

Zelg Galesic was also listed for the tourney. Zelg is Croat striker who has history in K-1 Heroes. Galesic tends to have problems once the fight hits the ground, as evidenced by his losses in K-1 to Yoon Dong Sik and Takimoto.

There should be one other fight announced for the GP as there are only 14 participants as of now. If no other fights are announced, they may give someone a bye through to the second round, as was done with Caol Uno in the Lightweight Grand Prix. Noticeable by his omission so far is Middleweight Superstar Yoshihiro Akiyama. With Dream 1 drawing mediocre television ratings, one would think that they are looking to make a match-up for Akiyama, a controversial figure in Japanese MMA who will draw eyeballs. Possible opponents are Chute Boxe fighter Daniel Acacio and Chechen fighter Mamed Khalidov, both of whom have been mentioned as possible GP entrants.