European Round-Up - Europeans Strong in Dream GP

June 30, 2008

source: Stash Capar, The Fight Network

This could prove to be a significant year for European MMA. With Croatian Zelg

Galesic, Dutchman Melvin Manhoef and Armenian Gegard Mousasi all having

advanced to the Dream Middleweight Grand Prix semi-finals, fans should not

be surprised to see fighters from Europe joining the world's elite at 185

pounds.

The trio will next fight at Dream 6 sometime in September at the Saitama

Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, and will be joined in the semi-finals by

Brazilian submission master Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza.

"I think the Dream middleweight division is the toughest in the world -- with

the exception of a few names," Galesic said. "All of [the semi-finalists] are

tough competitors, and I need to prepare for them all, as I might find myself

fighting two different styles in one night."

Galesic (9-3) defeated Magomed Sultanakhmedov and Taiei Kin to advance

to the Dream Middleweight Grand Prix semi-finals.

Manhoef (22-4-1), meanwhile, remains confident. The Dutch powerhouse, regarded by many as the hardest hitter in Europe, has made great strides in the past year. Some consider him the favourite heading into the tournament finale. Manhoef stopped Japanese legend Kazushi Sakuraba on strikes at Dream 4 in June and will enter his next match on a five-fight winning streak.

"My goal is to win the Dream middleweight title," Manhoef said. "My grappling is improving every day, and I'm making big progress. I think I can beat anyone at this weight."

Galesic aims to prove the Dutchman wrong and believes his technical approach to striking would pay dividends if he were to meet Manhoef in the tournament. The Croat has only been knocked out once in 12 career bouts.

"He is a strong striker with explosive power," Galesic said. "I need to play a technical game with him. He has the ability to finish the fight every time he lands a shot."

Souza (9-1) poses a definite threat to the Europeans, all of whom favour standing and exchanging. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist has rattled off nine consecutive victories and defeated former Icon Sport middleweight champion Jason "Mayhem" Miller in the tournament quarter-finals earlier this month.

"He is one of the best grapplers in the world," Galesic said. "At the same time, he has a perfect ground game for MMA. It's no secret that I -- and the others -- need to avoid the ground and find the shortest route to his chin."

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