DREAM officially announced the second round match-ups for its Lightweight Grand Prix, which will take place on May 11 at DREAM.3. The promotion also addressed the controversial bout between Gesias “JZ” Calvancante and Shinya Aoki at its debut event on March 15.
Many fans were left wondering what would happen after officials ruled the bout, which was part of the lightweight tournament, a no contest. Calvancante landed a series of illegal elbows to the back of Aoki’s head during the fight, leaving him unable to continue.
A resolution was announced on Friday. The two fighters will rematch at DREAM.2 on April 29. The winner of that fight will then move on to the second round, which will be held two weeks later at DREAM.3, and will face off with 2000 Olympic wrestling silver medalist Katsuhiko Nagata.
Nagata defeated former Cage Force lightweight champion Artur Oumakhanov by decision in the opening round of the Grand Prix.
It was also announced that T-Blood lightweight Tatsuya Kawajiri will face off with Brazilian Top Team lightweight Luis Buscape in a rematch, as part of the second round of the tournament. These two previously met at Pride Bushido 8 with Kawajiri winning a decision over Buscape.
Kawajiri won a decision victory over Kultar “Black Mamba” Gill at DREAM.1, while Buscape submitted Japanese wrestler Kazuyuki Miyata on the same show.
In what looks to be one of the more promising fights of the second round, former Shooto welterweight champion Joachim Hansen takes on former Bodog Fight welterweight champion Eddie Alvarez.
Hansen scored a dominant decision victory over Koutetsu Boku at DREAM.1, while Alvarez stopped Brazilian striker Andre “Dida” Amade by TKO.
With one spot left open in the tournament, Caol Uno will be seeded into the second round, but has the task of facing former Shooto Pacific Rim welterweight champion Mitsuhiro Ishida.
Ishida won a decision over Korean judoka Bu Kyung Jung at DREAM.1, while Uno hasn’t fought since dropping a decision to Amade at Hero’s10 in September of 2007.
DREAM.3
Saitama Super Arena
May 11, 2008
Lightweight Grand Prix Bouts:
-Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Luis Buscape
-Joachim Hansen vs. Eddie Alvarez
-Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Caol Uno
-Katsuhiko Nagata vs. Winner of Shinya Aoki/Gesias Calvancante Bout
