This was an interesting early glimpse at MMA as you had a real striker vs. grappler match-up. Fujiwara tried to lure Nielsen to the corners, where he willingly took his kicks and punches in hopes of trapping him into a takedown. Nielsen busted Fujiawara open in the second round. That led to a great sequence in the third, with both guys lying on the apron and a bloody Fujiwara raining headbutts on Nielsen. The match became a little imbalanced over the last few rounds. Fujiwara went down from almost every Nielsen shot, and the submission attempts came fewer and further between. I guess that fit the story of the match though. I was intrigued throughout so I'll throw it a nomination.

Just a spectacular Fujiwara performance. He is so incredible as the crafty grappler early, and as the tough badass fighting his way though a beating. I loved the crazy pull aparts during the middle of the rounds, and the Round 5 near fall ruled. Should make a set.

I liked this much betetr than the Maeda-Nielsen match. The blood and striking really helped with less laying around on the mat. I wish Nielsen would take off the boxing gloves though. Reminds me of the Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper Wrestlemania match and that isn't a good memory to have when watching some New Japan.