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.
Get the latest gear
