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"JZ" Calvancante Hopes to Return by Year's End Against Joachim Hansen

Jzcalvan_medium

American Top Team lightweight Gesias Calvancante will soon resume training following a four-month layoff due to surgery, and according to a rough translation of an interview published this week on DREAM's official website, the Brazilian has his eyes on a late 2008 return against newly crowned DREAM Lightweight Champion Joachim Hansen. "JZ" also seems to leave the door open for a rematch with Shinya Aoki ("because we would not like to be defeated by anyone, don't you think?"). Calvancante sustained a severe knee injury during his DREAM.2 decision loss to submission wizard Aoki, who in turn was dismantled last month by tournament alternate Hansen in the final match of the promotion's inaugural lightweight grand prix.

Given Calvancante's timeline, the match appears be a no-brainer for one of Fighting & Entertainment Group's annual New Year's Eve spectaculars. Not only are Hansen and Calvancante arguably the two most popular non-Japanese lightweights currently competing in DREAM, but their controversial first meeting at SHOOTO in July of 2004 ended with split decision in favor of "Hellboy," the only fighter aside from Aoki to hold a win over Calvancante (14-2-1).

Hansen has stated on numerous occasions (including his post-Aoki victory speech) that he would like his first title defense to come against Eddie Alvarez, the Philadelphia, PA, native who originally erased Hansen from the GP bracket in a "Fight of the Year" caliber match at DREAM.3. However with Alvarez currently on hiatus and planning to get married in September - not to mention still technically under contract to EliteXC - the champ may have to take on another challenger first. A rematch with either Calvancante or Aoki would be a blockbuster for the next iteration of Yarennoka.

Video of the first meeting between "JZ" and "Hellboy" after the jump.

Star-divide

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Alvarez or JZ it doesn’t matter. It’s gonna be a great fight no matter who it is. I can’t wait!

by asmiley420 on Aug 23, 2008 7:24 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It should be Eddie. He rightfully deserves the first shot at the title. I know nothing, but it seems like he went to Japan and blew up? Watching him in the dream tournament was like a different fighter.

by Tommy7 on Aug 24, 2008 1:30 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Should be...

But Alvarez is getting married and wants personal time. They’ll have a rematch down the road, but JZ can lay a pretty decent claim to that fight seeing as he was winning the first Aoki fight until the “illegal” elbow. The second fight he busted up his knee and was not the same fighter. Also I don’t think DREAM wants to put their only championship on the shelf for months while Alvarez takes some personal time.

"I have opinions of my own --strong opinions-- but I don't always agree with them."
-George Bush

by B Money on Aug 24, 2008 2:46 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

One more thing...

One more thing to remember, Alvarez is actually under contract with EliteXC. They sent a prospect over to Japan and now they have a top 10 fighter back to them. They will want to reap the benefits of that. They want Alvarez to fight for them so they can promote and make money off their only top ten lightweight fighter. He will get his chance to go back down the road, but not until he fights for Elite first. Hopefully Elite goes under and Eddie can sign with the UFC. So many good matchups for him in their division.

by Nick Travaglini on Aug 25, 2008 8:30 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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