DREAM 16: Shinya Aoki vs Tatsuya Kawajiri possible for upcoming July event
by Akimitsu Kuwabara on Apr 1, 2010 10:39 PM EDT
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DREAM's top lightweights may finally have an opportunity to cross their fists this summer.
A source close to the organization has informed MMAmania.com that the long-awaited grudge match between current lightweight champion Shinya Aoki and bitter rival Tatsuya Kawajiri is "possible" for DREAM 16 in July.
The date of the event will be determined shortly when Fighting and Entertainment Group's TV partner, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) finalizes its schedule for the summer.
The match has been in the making for a long time. Kawajiri emerged as a top lightweight contender in the Japanese promotion when he defeated the American Top Team standout, Gesias Cavalcante at DREAM 9 last May. He has been lobbying earnestly for a title shot since then.
When Aoki wrested the lightweight belt from Joachim Hansen at DREAM 11, Kawajiri immediately called out the newly minted champion. Aoki initially appeared evasive about answering the challenge and facetiously deflected Kawajiri's plea; however, he later welcomed the fight when it was scheduled for the New Year's Eve on Dynamite!! 2009 fight card.
Their NYE showdown unraveled when DREAM and Sengoku Raiden Championship joined forces on a short notice for a merged fight card. At Dynamite!! 2009, Kawajiri grinded out a decision victory over SRC lighweight contender, Kazunori Yokota.
On the same night, Aoki took one home for DREAM with a gruesome, arm-breaking submission victory over SRC lightweight champion, Mizuto Hirota, and became a lightning rod for controversy with his post-fight antics.
There is no word yet on whether the lightweight title will be on the line for Aoki-Kawajiri, even though it obviously befits the occasion.
Aoki will make his USA and Strikeforce debut on April 17 on Strikeforce's CBS fight card against the promotion's lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez.
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Aoki will defend here.
Probably an armbar for the submission… i like both these guys.. 2 of my favorite Japanese fighters, along with Sexyama
My breakout fighter for this coming year: Terry Etim
Upset of the Year: John Hathaway over Diego Sanchez
"Yeah, hes getting molested here." -Joe Rogan at UFC on VS 1
Kawajir would smash him IMO.
Standing he packs way mroe power, his werstling is awesome and his grappling is severly underrated (not like forrest griffin/Joe rogan underrated aka not really).
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Apr 2, 2010 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions
aoki the most entertaining ground specialist...
needs to get more reconized here in the u.s so there will be more demand 4 him. after melendez and kawajiri hopefully he will fight more over here so we can see all of his potentia
Where can I watch this? Does anybody know what channel will have this fight?
I’m so lost can somebody please tell me if I can watch this on my tv? Anybody?
But a true champion, face to face with his darkest hour, will do whatever it takes to rise above. A man fights, and fights, and then fights some more. Because surrender is death, and death is for pussies. - Kenny Powers
your tv? maybe. any tv at all? probably. but for sure you won't see much on your radio
Fedor invented a language that incorporates Sambo and Kimuras.
So next time FEDOR is kicking your ass, don't be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
Must be bed time for justbleed.
But a true champion, face to face with his darkest hour, will do whatever it takes to rise above. A man fights, and fights, and then fights some more. Because surrender is death, and death is for pussies. - Kenny Powers
shhhh! if you say his name 2 more times he will appear
I am pretty sure it will be hdnet
Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm-Flailing Tube Man
by PSYQO78 on Apr 2, 2010 6:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
DREAM fights are always live on HDNET!
They usually come on at like 3am!
"90 percent of the game is half mental"
"Im the oldest I’ve ever been, right now" – Words of Wisdom by Tim Sylvia
Mirko Filipovic: The guys that are always trying to impress girls by saying 'Hey, I bought a new Ferrari or I bought a new ship.' I will take her to my room and she'll see 10 guns. 15 revolvers.
Filipovic's Manager: And a small dick!
VErizon Fios carries HDNET!
"90 percent of the game is half mental"
"Im the oldest I’ve ever been, right now" – Words of Wisdom by Tim Sylvia
Mirko Filipovic: The guys that are always trying to impress girls by saying 'Hey, I bought a new Ferrari or I bought a new ship.' I will take her to my room and she'll see 10 guns. 15 revolvers.
Filipovic's Manager: And a small dick!
idk if its been brought up before,
But who do y’all think would win if both were in same weight, maia or aoki?
dan hardy took a beating but he won me over as a fan.
by Phenomenal Angel on Apr 2, 2010 12:30 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Yep, credentials don't match up equally. But you can't deny the wizardry that Aoki has too. I had this dream wherein he was the one(and not Ryo Chonan)who caught Anderson Silva in a heel hook!
"...twice this fight was like about 'mega-seconds' from bein' over!"
-Mike Goldie commentating during the 4th round of the GSP-Hardy fight
Jason Macdonalds performance against Maia showed
that its not always about the credentials when someone is at a certain skill level, and being punched and elbowed in the face can often throw credentilas right out the window.
by Ade on Apr 2, 2010 6:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Aoki by magic shoes
"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers
shooter/cutter for AllElbows.com, mma enthusiast
Trigg should just hand over his nickname to Aoki and be done with it.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Apr 2, 2010 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions
lmao
YOU CANT PLEASE EVERYBODY SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL PLEASE YOU!!!!!!!
by BigDickChainey on Apr 2, 2010 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions
A nifty pair of New Balance shoes and a cauliflower ear, hehe!
"...twice this fight was like about 'mega-seconds' from bein' over!"
-Mike Goldie commentating during the 4th round of the GSP-Hardy fight
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