DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki (26-5, 1NC) has confirmed that he will meet Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm (16-1) on April 9 at the upcoming Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley event.
The news was confirmed by MMA-Japan.com.
This comes from the man himself, Mr. Aoki…Contract signed, i’s dotted, t’s crossed. Add it to the calendar.
This bout would certainly make the live Showtime telecast and likely sees the main card filled out as Strikeforce has already announced two title bouts and one light heavyweight matchup for the event. Welterweight champ Nick Diaz will defend his title against British striker Paul “Semtex” Daley, while lightweight title holder Gilbert Melendez meets Tatsuya Kawajiri in a rematch in the co-main event. Former Strikeforce LHW champ Gegard Mousasi meets Mike Kyle in the other announced bout.
Aoki is coming off a knockout loss in a mixed rules (K-1/MMA) bout on New Years Eve as part of the Dynamite!! 2010 event in Japan. He was taken out by with a flying knee from Yuuichiro Nagashima at 4 seconds of the second round of the match. The first round was under K-1 rules and the second was under DREAM MMA rules.
The DREAM champs mma record as of late is 6-1 with a three fight win streak. He submitted Yokthai Sithoar at the DEEP 50 event in October, earned a unanimous decision against Marcus Aurelio at DREAM 16, and defended his title against Kawajiri at DREAM 15. The loss came while fighting for the Strikeforce title against Melendez who earned a unanimous decision last April.
Beerbohm suffered the first loss of his career last month in the headliner for Strikeforce Challengers 14 in Texas. He lost a unanimous decision to Pat Healy at the event. Before the loss “Fancy Pants” had wins with various organizations including several appearances with Strikeforce.
The Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley event is expected to take place at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif. on April 9.