The Bantamweight Grand Prix tournament is set to re-invigorate the mma scene in Japan, with notable contenders Masazaku Imanari, Hideo Tokoro , and Bibiano Fernandez competing in the opening rounds of the tournament. A noteworthy new-comer, Rodolfo Marques ( 11-1-0) is also set to make his debut in the Dream ring. He is fighting out of Brazil’s famed Nova Uniao where BJ Penn earned his black belt in bjj and where Jose Aldo trains. The card is stacked with other enticing fights including bouts between Joachim Hansen vs Tatsuya Kawajiri, Shinya Aoki vs Rob McCullough, and Takeshi Inoue vs Caol Uno.
For those of you mainstreamers who have never watched these men fight, rest- assured they are veterans of the sport with a very deep understanding for the sport. And with Shinya Aoki riding a 5 win streak since his loss to Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez, expect a worthy challenge from Rob McCullough: a 5-time World Muay Thai Champion and fomer WEC lightweight title holder who has never been submitted in his Career.