DREAM targets Shinya Aoki vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri for DREAM.16 in July

Shinya Aoki won’t linger long in the U.S. after his April 17 lightweight title bout with Gilbert Melendez at “Strikeforce: Nashville.”

The Japanese grappling ace is penciled in to fight lightweight standout Tatsuya Kawajiri at DREAM.16 planned for July, multiple sources close to the situation told MMAjunkie.com. A date for the event has yet to be determined.

Kawajiri called out Aoki this past October at DREAM.11 after Aoki submitted Joachim Hansen to win the DREAM lightweight title. Aoki mocked the overture but welcomed the fight.


Shinya Aoki won’t linger long in the U.S. after his April 17 lightweight title bout with Gilbert Melendez at “Strikeforce: Nashville.”

The Japanese grappling ace is penciled in to fight lightweight standout Tatsuya Kawajiri at DREAM.16 planned for July, multiple sources close to the situation told MMAjunkie.com. A date for the event has yet to be determined.

Kawajiri called out Aoki this past October at DREAM.11 after Aoki submitted Joachim Hansen to win the DREAM lightweight title. Aoki mocked the overture but welcomed the fight.