While Japan has seen better days, with the country having recently been ravaged by tsunamis and earthquakes galore, one thing remains strong, and that is the mixed martial arts community. We've seen that first with the recent Strikeforce event, where three of Japan's best participated on the card, with DREAM's featherweight champion Hiroyuki Takaya, lightweight champion Shinya Aoki, and perennial contender Tatsuya Kawajiri all in action. Though the participants left the the event with mixed results, with Shinya Aoki the only one emerging victorious with a first-round submission win over lightweight prospect Lyle Beerbohm, DREAM hopes to give an extra push towards Japan's relief efforts by holding their May event side by side with various charities. And said event will also feature the organization's inaugural bantamweight grand-prix, which will feature many notable fighters. ...

Krazy Bee Atsushi Yamamoto (12-5-1) threw a smart boxing bout for a UD over Hideo Tokoro Tuesday night in Saitama, north of Tokyo. Yamamoto floored Tokoro early with a charging left, right hook combo, but got wrapped up in Tokoro's rubber guard when he pounced to finish. Yamamoto mixed his knose-busting jabs and hooks with an occasional knee. The fight was Tokoro's when the two went to the mat.  Tokoro attempted an armbar in the first round and ended the fight holding Yamamoto in an armbar attempt for a full minute, but couldn't finish. ...

DREAM on Thursday officially announced three fights that will take place at DREAM.6 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, 23 September. “Jacare” Ronaldo Souza (9-1) and “Benkei” Zelg Galesic (9-3) will take part in the Middleweight Grand Prix, as will “Marvelous” Melvin Manhoef (22-4-1) and Gegard Mousasi (22-2-1), who all fought at DREAM.4 in June. Also announced is a featherweight match-up between Hideo Tokoro (21-13-1) and Atsushi Yamamoto (11-5-1). “Jacare” defeated “Mayhem” Jason Miller (21-6) via unanimous decision at DREAM.4. Galesic got a TKO victory over Taiei Kin (3-3) when Kin injured his elbow. Manhoef TKO’d “Gracie Hunter” Kazushi Sakuraba (24-11-1) in the first round in July. Mousasi most recently won a unanimous decision over Dong Sik Yoon. Tokoro fought at DREAM.4 and DREAM.5, earning unanimous decision victories over Darren Uyenoyama (4-2) and Takeshi Yamazaki (14-8-2). Yamamoto, a Pancrase and Shooto veteran, lost his last fight unanimous decision to Masakatsu Ueda (8-0-1) in March. ...