Bangkok, Thailand – DARE is back on January 7 to start 2012 off with a bang! Continuing the tournament that began in 2011, DARE is ready to make its mark in the MMA world by putting $1 million dollars on the line for the winners’ of DARE’s 8 weight division. January 7 will feature 7 more Opening Round fights in Featherweight, Lightweight, Welterweight and Middleweight Divisions. With some of Asia’s top stars, including a PRIDE veteran and Muay Thai Legends competing in the original fight capital of the world, Bangkok, Thailand. See history made as another organization explodes onto the scene and becomes a major league player in the sport. Watch this momentous event on the www.GFL.tv – GFL Combat Sports Network.
One bout that is sure to pique the interest of MMA fans is the return to Pay-Per-View of one of PRIDE’s most endearing fighters. Daiju “TAKASE” Takase (9-13-2) battles Brandon “BK” Kesler (2-2) for a step closer to the DARE Champion bonus. Takase is probably best known for his victory over current UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva via triangle choke at PRIDE 26. It was a rude awakening for the future world champion as Takase’s ground game was light years ahead of Silva. Takase will look to impress again as he takes on the resilient American transplant, Kesler, now living in Bangkok, his adopted hometown. It will be a clash of styles as Kesler’s strengths include boxing and wrestling, while Takase is more of a submission specialist. For Kesler’s part, he might want to use his striking to put Takase away as a takedown could be a risky proposition for the American. Look for Takase to try and clinch early and get this bout down on the mat where he is at his best.
In one of the welterweight fight of DARE 1/12, Ammar “ROCK” Tchalabi (1-0) fights Andrea “CAPO” Signorini (1-0). Tchalabi is a veteran of several Muay Thai fights and brings the “science of the 8 limbs” into this bout. A member of the Phuket Top Team, Tchalabi has started to evolve his overall combat game by learning the ground aspect of MMA. His last bout was a submission victory which was a feather in the cap of the KO artist. Signorini has a background in Judo and won the bronze medal at the 2011 Thailand Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Open to go along with his years of competitive powerlifting. There is no doubt that if Signorini can get the fight to the mat he can submit Tchalabi or hold him down to win the bout.
Also competing on the card is a lightweight bout with Shane “RONIN” Wiggand (2-3) versus Marko “MAD DOG” Huusansaari (3-2) Wiggand is a black belt in Judo, while Huusansaari is a Muay Thai veteran. Both of these fighters have also been competing in the highly appreciated Lumpini Muay Thai stadium in Bangkok and they will surely bring their best to the cage. There will also be three featherweight bouts including two Thai vs Thai fights with two local Amateur MMA Champions, Teerapak “EZ2DJ” Seatae versus Tondamrong “TDR” Panjabutra, and Mangthus “THE BEAST” Rewtawee versus Tanaphong “LANNA WARRIOR” Khunhankaew.
DARE 1/12 card also features a highly interesting featherweight fight between two highly credited grapplers, a BJJ Purple Belt Major “MAJOR” Overall (2-1) versus Submission Grappling specialist AJ “PYRO” Vaa (1-0) that will round out the card.
