It appears that DREAM has secured the services of yet another lightweight opponent for promotional champ Shinya Aoki (27-5), for the upcoming DREAM: Fight for Japan at the end of this month.
On Tuesday evening, MMAjunkie.com is reporting that DREAM has secured the services of Shane “Sugar” Nelson (13-5), who replaces former MFC champ Antonio McKee who withdrew from the event due to travel visa issues.
DREAM: Fight for Japan is set to go down on May 29 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event will feature DREAM’s Bantamweight Japan Grand Prix Tournament, with the quarterfinal and semifinal bouts taking place on the card. The finals, and third place bouts, will take place later this summer with the top three fighters moving on to the World Grand Prix Tournament sometime this fall.
Nelson is a former cast member of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir (TUF 8) putting together a 2-2 record in the UFC. “Sugar” was released from the promotion after losing two straight, dropping fights to Matt Wiman and Aaron Riley in 2009. Since then, the Hawaiian based fighter has fought only once, earning a second round submission victory last March at a local event in Australia. Seven of Nelson’s wins have come via decision.