Just a day after MMAWeekly.com reported a matchup between DREAM lightweight champ Shinya Aoki (27-5, 1NC) and Brazilian fighter Willamy “Chiquerim” Freire (17-4), a member of Freire’s camp says the fighter has been forced to withdraw from the DREAM.17 event because of passport issues.
Nova União coach André Pederneiras told Tatame.com that “(Freire’s) passport expired and he won’t be able to make it before the fight.”
Now DREAM officials have a month to secure a new opponent for Aoki.
DREAM.17: Fight for Japan is scheduled to take place on May 29 at the Saitama Super Arena Hall in Saitama, Japan. The event features the Bantamweight Japan Grand Prix Tournament, with eight participants taking part. The top three will be chosen to participate in DREAM’s World Bantamweight Grand Prix Tournament which takes place in the fall.
Aoki has won four straight bouts, earning a first round submission earlier this month against Lyle Beerbohm in his second fight on U.S. soil at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley. The last time he’s defended his DREAM title was in June of last year at DREAM.15, earning a first round submission win over Tatsuya Kawajiri. That victory was the start of his four fight win streak.