First-round matchups for the upcoming eight-man bantamweight tournament on May 29th in Japan are now set. Previously dubbed the “Japan Cup,” the event has been rebranded the DREAM Japan Grand Prix: “Fight For Japan” and will be held under the DREAM banner at the Saitama Super Arena.
All four of the quarterfinal matches were announced by the promotion today. Among those participating are DREAM veterans Yoshiro Maeda and Hideo Tokoro, who will square off in one first-round bout. Past and present DEEP champions Takafumi Otsuka and Masakazu Imanari will also compete.
A bantamweight battle between former WEC champion Brian Bowles and Japanese standout Takeya Mizugaki is currently targeted for UFC 132 on July 2nd in Las Vegas. The UFC announced plans for the fight today, and verbal agreements are in place. Bout agreements have not been signed.
Two-time All-American wrestler Carla Esparza needed just 53 seconds to submit Yadira “Little Ya Ya” Anzaldua on Friday in Clovis, New Mexico. The brief fight was part of an all-female pro card promoted by Evolution Combat Sports, and was Esparza’s first since suffering a broken nose last year.
Three additional bouts have now been announced for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s return to Brazil at UFC 134: Rio on August 27th. Among the additions to the card is a 205-pound rematch between former UFC Light Heavyweight Champions Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Forrest Griffin.
These days, Elena Reid is a busy woman. The 29-year-old former champion in both boxing and mixed martial arts is not preparing for a fight, however. Reid is currently planning her October wedding and just closed on her first house. Fighting is the last thing on her mind, and she couldn’t be happier.
UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva will receive a chance to avenge his last loss when he faces Yushin “Thunder” Okami at UFC: Rio on August 27th. The long-rumoured matchup was confirmed by UFC President Dana White in an interview with USA Today this evening.
Four fights are now official for the upcoming all-female Jewels 13th and 14th Ring doubleheader on May 14th in Tokyo, Japan. The promotion announced a pair of kickboxing matches for 13th Ring and two mixed martial arts bouts, dubbed “Jewels vs Valkyrie,” for the 14th Ring card earlier today.
Decorated jiu-jitsu specialist Roger Gracie will put his undefeated mixed martial arts record on the line against former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal in a bout targeted for July 9th. A location and venue for the July event have not yet been announced.