Aoki vs Aurelio, Miller vs Sakuraba announced for DREAM 16
DREAM, Japan’s largest mixed martial arts promotion, has confirmed two more bouts for its upcoming DREAM 16 card, set for 25 September. Shinya Aoki, the promotion’s lightweight champ will be taking on veteran Marcus Aurelio in a non-title bout, whereas the popular American fighter Jason “Mayhem” Miller will be taking on one of the greatest active legends of the sport in Kazushi Sakuraba.
The Aoki-Aurelio fight was announced at a press conference, whereas the Miller-Sakuraba bout was announced just hours later on DREAM’s YouTube channel. Aoki recently revived his reputation by taking on Japan’s number two lightweight, Tatsuya Kawajiri, submitting him in the first round. Aoki faced many doubters after he received a drubbing from Gilbert Melendez in a five-round bout for the Strikeforce lightweight title in April. But he proved his aggressive submission attack could still claim victims by submitting Kawajiri in July.
Aurelio is perhaps best known for pulling off an incredible upset in 2006 when he defeated the then-best lightweight in the world, Takanori Gomi. Gomi eventually won a rematch, but after the PRIDE’s promotion’s demise Aurelio went to the UFC, where he compiled a 3-4 record before being released. Since then he’s won two fights in smaller promotions against lesser-known opponents, both by rear-naked choke. He’ll be coming in as the underdog against a vicious submission artist like Aoki, who is known for breaking limbs as well as egos.
Miller on the other hand was lobbying for months for a match against Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz after the two clashed in an infamous televised brawl on the same card that saw Melendez beat Aoki. A popular middleweight who hosts his own MTV show, “Bully Beatdown”, Miller is known for his colourful personality as well as being almost impossible to submit.
Sakuraba on the other hand at 41 is one of the greatest figures of MMA. He is famous for wins over top fighters such as Vitor Belfort, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Guy Mezger as well as his fights against the Gracie family of fighters. He lost his last fight to Ralek Gracie, the first time he’s ever lost to a Gracie (he’s 4-1) and is considered to have slowed down considerably. Sakuraba though has a well-deserved reputation for being willing to fight anybody against huge odds, which he’ll be doing against the 29-year-old Miller.
The event will take place in Nagoya, Japan and will be aired live on HDNet.
Tags: