Prior to their meeting at Dynamite!! 2009, Akihiro Gono and Hayato “Mach” Sakurai had experienced similar devastating losses, about a month apart, that made the 2009 highlight reels. Gono was on the receiving end of a Dan Hornbuckle kick that sent him to the canvas in a heap while Sakurai caught a Marius Zaromskis shin to the head which lead to a barrage of punches which lead to the end of their fight. Which fighter would celebrate the end of 2009 with his arm raised in victory?
