A year ago, we selected the inaugural class of fighters that would make up the first edition of the World MMA Scouting Report. It's been a gratifying experience to see some of the athletes we selected go on to succeed in major fight opportunities, and a heartbreaking one to see others come up just short.
There was some doubt whether Shinya Aoki would attempt to stand and bang with former WEC lightweight champion Rob McCullough in the lead-up to their DREAM 17 main event showdown on Saturday night at Saitama Super Arena.
DREAM held its Fight for Japan event last night. Masakazu Imanari and Hideo Tokoro advanced to the bantamweight GP finals to be held later this summer, while Shinya Aoki submitted Rich Clementi.
#1 Jose Aldo actually made the division more interesting with his poor finish to an otherwise dominant performance against #7 Mark Hominick at UFC 129.
On Sunday, DREAM officially announced that Japanese lightweight kingpin Shinya Aoki would face MFC and UFC veteran Antonio McKee at the 'Fight for Japan' charity event on May 29th at Saitama Super Arena.
DREAM event producer Keiichi Sasahara announced Monday that DEEP featherweight champion Koichiro Matsumoto (12-2) will battle former Shooto 143-pound champion 'Lion' Takeshi Inoue on the DREAM 'Fight for Japan' card, taking place on May 29th, 2011 from the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
We're still waiting for #1 Jose Aldo's UFC debut at UFC 129 where he'll defend his title against #8 Mark Hominick. The winner's next challenge will likely come from the winner of Kenny Florian vs. #7 Diego Nunes which is being contested at UFC 131.
#1 Jose Aldo will make his UFC debut at UFC 129 as he defends his title against #8 Mark Hominick. The winner’s next challenge will most likely be the winner of UFC 131’s bout between #6 LW Kenny Florian and #6 Diego Nunes
At #5 on our 2011 World MMA Featherweight Scouting Report, DEEP Featherweight champion Koichiro Matsumoto (12-2) chimes in on our countdown as one of two Japanese featherweights breaking into our top ten.
2011 World MMA Scouting Report Review - Featherweights
by Bloody Elbow from Bloody Elbow on Dec 29, 2011 8:01 AM EST
DREAM 17 Results: Shinya Aoki, Tatsuya Kawajiri Impress, Kazushi Sakuraba Crumbles
by Leland Roling from Bloody Elbow on Sep 24, 2011 9:01 AM EDT
Dream: Fight For Japan - 'Live' Results and Commentary
by Brent Brookhouse from Bloody Elbow on Jun 3, 2011 8:00 PM EDT
Dream results and recap for 'Fight for Japan' on May 29
by Brian Hemminger from MMAmania.com on May 31, 2011 12:08 AM EDT
DREAM Fight for Japan Results: Imanari and Tokoro Advance, Aoki Taps Clementi
by Scott Haber from Bloody Elbow on May 29, 2011 11:43 AM EDT
Programming Note: DREAM 17 to be Broadcast on HDNet on June 3rd
by Kevin Haggerty from Cageside Seats on May 28, 2011 12:39 PM EDT
USAT/SBN May 2011 MMA Consensus Rankings: Featherweight
by Richard Wade from Bloody Elbow on May 25, 2011 6:00 PM EDT
Shinya Aoki vs. Antonio McKee Completes DREAM Fight for Japan Fight Card
by Leland Roling from Bloody Elbow on May 15, 2011 11:00 AM EDT
DREAM 'Fight for Japan' Adds Koichiro Matsumoto vs. Takeshi Inoue
by Leland Roling from Bloody Elbow on May 10, 2011 11:00 AM EDT
Dream 17 Adds Lion Takeshi vs. Koichiro Matsumoto
by Tim Burke from Head Kick Legend on May 9, 2011 1:51 PM EDT
DREAM 17: 'Lion' Takeshi and Koichiro Matsumoto will 'Fight for Japan' on May 29 in Saitama
by Jesse Holland from MMAmania.com on May 9, 2011 10:26 AM EDT
DREAM 17 'Fight for Japan' Bantamweight Grand Prix fight card and rumors for May 29 in Saitama
by Jesse Holland from MMAmania.com on Apr 20, 2011 9:55 AM EDT
USAT/SBN March 2011 MMA Consensus Rankings: Featherweight
by Richard Wade from Bloody Elbow on Mar 30, 2011 6:00 PM EDT
USAT/SBN February 2011 MMA Consensus Rankings: Featherweight
by Richard Wade from Bloody Elbow on Feb 23, 2011 3:30 PM EST
World MMA Featherweight Scouting Report : #5 - Koichiro Matsumoto
by Leland Roling from Bloody Elbow on Feb 10, 2011 8:00 PM EST