DREAM 13: Joachim Hansen drops to featherweight to challenge Bibiano Fernandes

by Akimitsu Kuwabara on Jan 25, 2010 7:32 PM EST

After illustrious career as a top flight lightweight, Joachim "Hellboy" Hansen (19-8-1) looks to terrorize a lower weight class.

According to multiple sources, the Norwegian fighter will move down to featherweight and, if the current negotiation comes to fruition, face current DREAM featherweight champion, Bibiano Fernandes (7-2), in a title bout.

The bout has been agreed upon, but awaits official confirmation from DREAM. If signed, the bout will likely be part of the upcoming DREAM fight card, which has been rumored to take place in March.

Hansen last fought in October at DREAM 11 where he dropped a rubber match against Shinya Aoki and subsequently lost his DREAM lightweight title.

The bout was his first in over a year: A prolonged layoff resulted after he suffered a freak injury less than 24 hours before a scheduled title defense against Gesias Cavalcante on New Year's Eve 2008 at the annual Dynamite!! event. He was subsequently forced to withdraw from the bout and wait until DREAM 11 to make his first title defense since becoming a surprise winner of the DREAM Lightweight tourney.

On the same night that Hansen lost his title, Bibiano Fernandes was crowned the DREAM Featherweight champion. As a dark horse in the promotion's featherweight tournament, he bested Takafumi Otsuka and Masakazu Imanari to reach the semi-final round. At DREAM 11, he earned a quick submission victory over the fast-rising Joe Warren and edged Hiroyuki Takaya via split decision in the final.

Fernandes, a decorated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner from the Brazilian Amazon, is currently on a six-fight winning streak. He suffered his two career losses against arguably the two best fighters in the division (at the time): Urijah Faber and Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto.

Stay tuned to MMAmania for more information about the potential Hansen-Fernandes showdown and upcoming DREAM 13 fight card.

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Fight Aoki again!

I’m thinking he’s doing so he can hold gold are his waist

I do a lot of jacking off, ya know, because I don’t get no women, so these arms are, like, humongously big. See it’s workout, and it’s pleasure.._" Charles Bennett

"He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day and looks like a ***** today." -Tank Abbott.

by ppwwpp on Jan 25, 2010 8:14 PM EST reply actions

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Aoki?~ naah, id rather see him at 45.. i would also like to see Aoki at 45 as well.. maybe a rematch at featherweight would be nice?

this is a great decision by Hellboy.. too bad Joachim made it clear he does not want to fight for Zuffa, cause i would love to see Hellboy vs Aldo..

Bibiano/Hansen will be off the friggin hook~ im really liking the matchup.. if i remember correct, i think it was john or NNR that tuned me in to Bibi.. one of the many reasons i love this site..

i am the mighty tighty whitey and im smuggling plums!~

by stinky~fingers on Jan 26, 2010 7:12 AM EST up reply actions

probably. we been raving about him for asoome time!

great fight stink….but I wanted to see Hellboy rematch my boy Alvarez. That fight was awesome

by John G. on Jan 26, 2010 8:54 AM EST up reply actions

good move

i always thought he was much to small for the LW div but his skills have been geting him by…but the move down to 145 is a gr8 idea……..hope he gets warren or kid after he beats Bibiano Fernandes

Shane Cawin....the next UFC HW champ....Mir......another puffy face with an added broken jaw....Brock you're next

by eagleswhat1 on Jan 25, 2010 8:45 PM EST reply actions

Not Likely, if aoki subbed him out, then one of the greatest grapplers to grace 135lbs should have no issues.

Bibiano much like Jacare has shown an aptitude for MMA rarely seen from wrestling or grappling converts. And unlike many of the grapplers today, he has shown a cast iron chin. Stylistically, on the mat there is no question. On the feet, Hansen has the experience and technical advantage but IMO bibiano has more power. Due to his defensive liabilities, Hellboy will get dropped once or twice even if he’s not hurt which never looks good on the judges especially with their judging criteria. Kid and Warren would be way easier matchups for him. Kid moreso than warren since he doesn’t even bother anymore. What a waster of talent.

by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Jan 25, 2010 11:33 PM EST up reply actions