Japan’s Fighting & Entertainment Group (FEG) today announced during a press conference that Japanese mainstay Hayato Sakurai (34-8-2) and lightweight superstar Shinya Aoki (19-3) are confirmed for the promotion's upcoming Welterweight Grand Prix commencing at DREAM 8 on April 5 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Featuring only eight fighters across two events, the 2009 Grand Prix will conclude on July 20 at DREAM 10.
Headlining the event will be the first-ever World Alliance Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA) lightweight champion Shinya Aoki, who is coming off a submission victory over Eddie Alvarez in the first round of their battle at Fields Dynamite!! on New Year's Eve.
The two were on a collision course at last year's Lightweight Grand Prix, until Alvarez got hurt and Aoki ran into finals alternate Joachim Hansen.
"Hellboy" would go on to upset the heavily-favored Aoki and bring home the belt.
The "Tobikan Judan" would rebound from that loss — just the third of his career — and submit Todd Moore via neck crank at DREAM 6 in September before finally getting a crack at Alvarez at year's end.
Now the very dangerous submission fighter will pack on a few pounds and join Hayato Sakurai in a quest for welterweight supremacy.
"Mach" -- who holds a unanimous decision win over Aoki from their days in Shooto -- has gone up against some of the most talented fights in the sport, from lightweight all the way up to middleweight.
In addition to Aoki, he’s competed against UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, Matt Hughes, Jake Shields, Joachim Hansen, Takanori Gomi, Frank Trigg, Jens Pulver and Caol Uno among countless others.
He's an exciting fighter and a crowd favorite in Japan. Having him meet Aoki in the finals for a rematch would be the ideal ending.
Here's to hoping.
Stay tuned for more additions to the DREAM 8 2009 Welterweight Grand Prix as they become available.