Japanese mixed martial arts has been behind the pack for quite some time when it comes to weight cutting. But in recent times, some fighters in Japan have taken steps to use weight cutting to their advantage, and it's paid massive dividends to fighters like Michihiro Omigawa and Mitsuhiro Ishida.
At Sunday's Dream 15 winners' press conference, event producer Keiichi Sasahara reported that Tatsuya Kawajiri was not seriously injured in his submission loss to Shinya Aoki. Photo: Taro Irei for Sherdog
Despite DREAM 15's successful event on Saturday, Japanese mixed martial arts talent pool still seems rather shallow as evident in a co-main event headlined by Katsunori Kikuno, an up-and-coming star not yet at elite status. Are these types of stars simply fill-ins through hard times, or is this a trend? We'll take an in-depth look.
Bloody Elbow brings you complete live coverage of Dream 15 in Saitama, Japan, including the anticipated lightweight clash between Shinya Aoki and Tatsuya Kawajiri.
All fighters but one made weight for Saturday's "Dream 15" cardin Tokyo, which features a lightweight title bout between champion Shinya Aoki and challenger Tatsuya "Crusher" Kawajiri.
A full, in-depth preview of DREAM.15, airing LIVE on HDNet at 3:00 AM EST on Saturday, July 10th, featuring a DREAM lightweight title showdown between Shinya Aoki and Tatsuya Kawajiri. Melvin Manhoef, Gegard Mousasi, Gesias Cavalcante, and Katsunori Kikuno will also be in action.
Shinya Aoki, Keiichi Sasahara and Tatsuya Kawajiri at today's official signing ceremony for Aoki and Kawajiri's lightweight title bout at Dream 15 on Saturday. More photos at Dream Official. DREAM.15 coverage
Four more fights official for DREAM 15: Kazuhiro Nakamura (14-10) vs. Karl Amoussou (11-2-2) Michihiro Omigawa (10-8-1) vs. Young Sam Jung (0-2) Mitshuhiro Ishida (18-6-1) vs. Daiki "D.J. Taiki" Hata (11-6-3) Gegard Mousasi (28-3-1) vs. Jake O'Brien (13-3) Source: Head Kick Legend DREAM 15 coverage
