Fighting and Entertainment Group’s latest mixed martial arts event, DREAM.15, took place Saturday evening (early morning for North Americans) at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event aired live on HDNet.
Looking to bounce back from a loss, DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki earned a quick submission victory over opponent Tatsuya Kawajiri by sinking in an achilles lock in the early minutes of their bout. After the victory Aoki talked about getting married soon and avenging his loss to Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez in September (Melendez has said he doesn’t expect to fight till later in 2010).
“With our fight, Pride is officially over as of today. Because of Kawajiri, many people have come to see us fight, and I was able to put on this performance. I will get married soon. I’ll make her happy, and [with this fight] I have made everyone happy. Thank you very much… I failed Dream in April (in the Melendez fight), but I will bring our dream back again. See me again in Nagoya, in September!”
(quoted via Tony Loiseleur via BloodyElbow.com)
The event also featured the opening round of DREAM’s Light-Heavyweight four-man Grand Prix Tournament.
Making their way into the finals were former Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi, who easily defeated Jake O’Brien via guillotine choke within the first minute, and Tatsuya Mizuno, who submitted K-1 striker Melvin Manhoef with a kimura at 7:38 of Round one.
Lightweight Championship Bout: Shinya Aoki def. Tatsuya Kawajiri via submission (Achilles lock) – R1, 1:53
Lightweight bout: Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante def. Katsunori Kikuno via split decision
Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Opening Round bout: Gegard Mousasi def. Jake O’Brien via submission (guillotine choke) – R1, 0:31
Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Opening Round bout: Tatsuya Mizuno def. Melvin Manhoef via submission (kimura) – R1, 7:38
Featherweight bout: Michihiro Omigawa def. Young Sam Jung via submission (guillotine choke) – R1, 7:31
Featherweight bout: Mitsuhiro Ishida def. Daiki “DJ.taiki” Hata via unanimous decision
Middleweight bout: Kazuhiro Nakamura def. Karl Amoussou via unanimous decision