Made evident by it’s home grown star, Shinya Aoki, the promotion has helped produce some of Japan’s greatest rising stars and has cemented it’s place in the Japanese mixed martial arts industry, especially with Saturday’s night of fights. (or Sunday morning, depending on where you are)

The promotion was in rare form, when it was able to secure some of the biggest names in the sport for one night, and what a night it was.

Here is the fight card in it’s entirety, thanks to Sherdog.com.

1 Kazumasa Sugawara defeats Yoshihiro Sasaki TKO (Punches) 1 2:27
2 Takahiro Ashida defeats Shun Fukazawa TKO (Punches) 2 1:49
3 Yusaku Nakamura defeats Isao Terada KO (Punch) 2 3:48
4 Hiroshi Nakamura defeats Tatsumitsu Wada Decision (Unanimous)
5 Ryuta Noji defeats Hiroshi Nagao TKO (Knees) 1 1:33
6 Hidetaka Monma defeats Yoshihisa Yamamoto Submission 1 1:07
7 Shoji Maruyama defeats Jin Suk Jung TKO (Punches) 1 2:58
8 Yoshiyuki Nakanishi defeats Katsuyori Shibata TKO (Punches) 1 4:06
9 Yoshiro Maeda defeats Takafumi Otsuka Decision (Majority)
10 Ryo Chonan defeats Jun Hee Moon TKO (Punches) 3 2:57
11 Ikuhisa Minowa defeats Chang Hee Kim Submission 1 2:07
12 Sanae Kikuta defeats Lee Sak Kim TKO 1 1:21
13 Shinya Aoki defeats Yokthai Sithoar Submission 1 1:00
14 Masakazu Imanari defeats Daiki Hata Decision (Majority)
15 Yuya Shirai defeats Shigetoshi Iwase Decision (Unanimous)
16 Katsunori Kikuno defeats Nobuhiro Obiya Decision (Split)

The DREAM lightweight champion, Shiny Aoki, extended his winning streak to three in a row when he took on former professional boxer, Yokthai Sithoar (try saying that five times fast). It was an easy going for the “Grabaka Survivor” when he was able to work the fight to the ground (his domain) immediately, with little effort. There, Aoki was able to lock a fight ending Keylock, forcing the tap just 60 seconds inside of the first round.

Also on the card, Deep lightweight champion and DREAM fighter Katsunori Kikuno now made it two in a row when he defeated a spirited Nobuhiro Obiya. Having only been defeated by the likes of Eddie Alvarez and Gesias Cavalcante in his professional career, many pegged Obiya to be an easy win for the dynamic striker in Kikuno, however Obiya hung tough, and lost only by way of points when the bout went to the judges score cards.

Ikuhisa Minowa, or simply “Minowaman” returned to the win column after a disappointing loss to the 2008 Judoka Olympian Gold Medalist, Satoshi Ishii at DREAM 16. The Super Hulk Champion came back in true form, when he defeated the over matched Chang Hee Kim, inside of the first round with an arm bar submission, needing just a little over two minutes. Kim now falls to 0-2 against his 80-plus fight veteran.

So, MMA peeps, what do you make of the event? Sound off in the comment section below.

A bevy of some of the most notable fighters will grace the card, including DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki, who will be returning to Deep after a 6 year absence from the promotion that gave him his start as a professional mixed martial artist.

Among Aoki, Deep 50 will also feature the current DREAM Super Hulk Champion and all around Japanese Icon, Ikuhisa Minowa–whom is affectionately more so recognized as simply “Minowaman”.

Both Aoki and Minowa last competed at DREAM 16 last Saturday, though reached different results. Aoki was featured in a non-title bout against former PRIDE and UFC veteran Marcus Aurelio. A dangerous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Aurelio has recently left American Top Team to train under Team Nogueria out of his native Brazil. Aoki seemed to be the more versed grappler, however, as he was able to easily control Marcus on the ground, mounting him on several occasions and eventually secured the unanimous decision victory towards the bouts end.

Shinya is now riding a two fight win streak since a loss to current Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, which began with a victory over rival Tatsuya Kawajiri in defense of his DREAM title last July.

Minowaman, meanwhile, witness a five-fight win streak snapped when he met the 1-1 and Judo Olympic Gold medalist, Satoshi Ishii. The bout was largely decided by Ishii’s effective ground skills, where he was able to position himself in dominant positions all throughout the bout. Ikuhisa threatened with a leg lock early, however Ishii was in no imminent danger, and the Olympian walked away with his second win in a row, a victory over a legend, and his first in DREAM.

The line up, which will also feature Sengoku and Pride veteran Kazuo Misaki in action, Aoki in a bout against a former Pro Boxer making his MMA debut, and two title fights on the line, is as follows:

Katsunori Kikuno vs Nobuhiro Obiya (LW Title)
Yuya Shirai vs Shigetoshi Iwase (WW Title)
Shinya Aoki vs Yokthai Sithoar (confirmed)
Sanae Kikuta vs TBA
Ikuhisa Minowa vs TBA
Takafumi Otsuka vs Yoshiro Maeda
Ryo Chonan vs Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Toshikazu “ISE” Iseno vs Won Sik “Parky” Park
Kazuo Misaki vs Akira Shoji
Daiki “DJ Taiki” Hata vs Tomomi “Taisho” Iwama
Shoji Maruyama vs Tatsunao Nagakura
Hidetaka Monma vs Yoshihisa Yamamoto
Isao Terada vs Yoshiki Harada
Ryuta Noji vs Hiroshi Nagao

So, MMA peeps, what do you make of this card? For those who are true fans of Japanese MMA, this is a card that you do not want to miss. Sound off in the comments section below.

UFC on Versus is headlined by “The Truth” Brandon Vera (11-4) versus “Bones” Jon Jones (9-1). The co-main event for the event has “Napao” Gabriel Gonzaga (11-4) taking on Fighters.com fifth-ranked heavyweight “Cigano” Junior Dos Santos (10-1) in a fight to determine yet another challenger for the UFC heavyweight title.

I am excited to watch Vera take on Jones and see if he can get back to the Vera we knew before his year long layoff due to contract disputes. We keep saying this could be his comeback fight and it never seems to happen for Vera. He has looked tentative and seemingly OK with grinding out decisions. Could this be the last of Vera or will he expose the much younger Jones on his rise to the top?

Either way this will be a thrilling fight but maybe not quite as brutal as when we see Cheick Kongo (14-6-1) versus “The Executioner” Paul Buentello (27-11). These two men love to stand and trade and this could very well be the fight that gives us the “Knock Out of The Night”.

Eventually we will shift from the UFC over to Japan for DREAM 13 which is scheduled for five full hours on HDNet. DREAM starts at midnight PST and any fight should be tuning in to this for a few reasons.

Pride Fighting Championships is now a long lost organization that many hardcore fans swoon over. The loss of Pride left an empty pit the size of the Grand Canyon in the world of Japanese MMA. Japan loves MMA and has some of the most knowledgeable fans in the entire world. DREAM may be the last chance to revive those long lost days of glory and fill that void.

DREAM has seen it’s fair share of issues though with financial instability, soon very bad ratings and matches that seemed to defy any real sense of reason. Their saving graces thus far though have without a doubt been the grand prix tournaments and the recent partnership with Strikeforce. Those alone will not carry the promotion but a fantastic night of fights tonight could endear them in the hearts and minds of fight fans around the world.

Fighters.com fourth-ranked lightweight “Hellboy” Joachim Hansen (18-8) finally makes the much anticipated drop to featherweight to take on DREAM’s featherweight champion and jaw dropping grappler, “The Flash” Biannual Fernandes (7-2). These two fighters are both great grapplers and yet neither are afraid to stand and throw down toe to toe.

This fight is already being talked about as a Fight of the Year candidate then add the fact that these guys are both top-tier elite fighters and no fan of combat sports in their right mind should miss this.

Also on the DREAM card is the return of KJ Noons(7-2) after almost a two year hiatus from the sport. His fight against “Dida” Andre Amade “(6-3-1) is not going to be the easy win some are making  it out to be this week. While Andre is not a very technical striker, he has the heart to gut it out and Noons lack of any significant power leaves this fight wide open.

Do I need to mention every hardcore MMA fans Japanese super hero? “The Punk” Ikuhisa Minowa (42-28-8) steps back inside the ring once again to the delight of fight fans everywhere. Watching him fight is always a treat and I suggest everyone tune in as you never know when we may see him finally retire. Get it while you can!

There is much more in store tonight on DREAM 13 including the chance to listen to one of the best announcers in all combat sports, “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and his amazing one-liners.

Until next time, in the words of The Voice, Goodnight Irene!

Marquee lightweight “Hellboy” Joachim Hansen (18-7) weighed 150.4 pounds and opponent “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (17-4) weighed 153.9 pounds.

MMA legend and Japanese hero “Gracie Hunter” Kazushi Sakuraba (21-13-1)  weighed 184.1 pounds and rookie opponent Rubin Williams weighed 181.9 pounds.
 
Lightweight “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2) weighed 154.1 pounds and “Barracuda” Melchor Manibusan (1-1) weighed 152.6 pounds.

Featherweight Grand Prix contestant Joe Warren (2-0) weighed 138.2 pounds and his semi-final “Flash” Bibiano Fernandes (5-1) weighed 138.2 pounds.

In the other GP semi-final, Hideo Tokoro (19-15-1) weighed 138.5 pounds and “Evil Fist” Hiroyuki Takaya (11-6-1) weighed 138.9 pounds.

In the GP reserve bout, Daiki Hata (2-0-1) 138.5 pounds and Kazuyuki Miyata (4-6) weighed 138.5 pounds.

In the Super Hulk Tournament semi-finals, “African Assassin” Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (6-4) weighed 220.5 pounds and his replacement opponent “Beast” Bob Sapp (10-5-1) weighed 341.7 pounds.

Finally, in the other Super Hulk semi-final “Minowaman” Ikuhisa Minowa (40-28-8) weighed 192.9 pounds and Techno Goliath” Hong Man Choi (1-1) weighed 319.7 pounds.

DREAM.11 will be broadcast on HDNet in North America.

The two leg-lock specialists hit the mat toot sweet and exchanged techniques.

Minowaman rolled free from one heel hook; so, Funaki switched sides and inverted the technique until Minowa yelped in pain and tapped out.

The zainichi judoka has been given a choice between three unnamed opponents, according to Japanese website SportsNav.

Akiyama returned from a seven-month layoff 21 July in Osaka to tap puroresu star Katsuyori Shibata (2-5).

Also added Thursday, welterweight “Mach” Hayato Sakurai (32-8-2) will fight UFC vet Kuniyoshi Hironaka (12-5), not Nick Diaz (18-7) as originally planned.

Sakurai tapped in a guillotine to Frenchman David Baron (16-2) in Tokyo 3 May, subsequently earning Baron a UFC contract.

Hironaka followed his 1-3 stint in the Octagon with a TKO of Motoki Miyazawa (4-1) in his DREAM debut in Osaka.

Former UFC welterweight “K-Taro” Keita Nakamura (14-3-2) will face Adriano Martins (9-3).

Nakamura ended his three-fight UFC run with a split decision loss to Robert Emerson (8-6) in Las Vegas 2 February, going 0-3 in the Octagon.

Brazilian Martins was kayoed by Roni Torres (13-1) in Amazonas in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest 7 April.

Japanese heroes “Minowaman” Ikuhisa Minowa (40-28-8) and Masakatsu Funaki (38-13-1) will battle.

“Minowaman” slayed another MMA god in Okayama 16 August when he tapped “Predator” Don Frye (19-7-1) in a kneebar.

Funaki has weathered a dismal return to MMA after seven-years’ absence, tapping in a Kimura to “Gracie Hunter” Kazushi Sakuraba (24-11-1) and most recently TKO’d in 57 seconds by Kiyoshi Tamura (32-13-2).

The rest of the card were fights in the Middleweight Grand Prix.

Gegard Mousasi (21-2-1) submitted Denis Kang (29-10-1) in a triangle choke at 3:10 of round one.

Taiei Kin (3-2) won a unaninmous decision over “The Punk” Ikuhisa Minowa (39-28-8).

“Benkei” Zelg Galesic (8-3) submitted Magomed Sultanakhmedov (4-2) by armbar at 1:40 of round one.

“The Gracie Hunter” Kazushi Sakuraba (24-10-1) sumbitted Andrews Nakahara (0-1) by neck crank at 8:20 of the first round.

“Jacare” Ronaldo Souza (8-1) submitted Ian Murphy (0-1) by rear naked choke at 3:38 of the first round.

Kiyoshi Tamura (32-14-1) TKO Masakatsu Funaki (38-13-1) in 57 seconds.

Dong Sik Yoon (4-4) won a unanimous decision over Shungo Oyama (7-11).

Fighters.com’s seventh-ranked middleweight “Twinkle Toes” Frank Trigg (16-6) will welcome Brazilian jiu-jitsu stud “Jacare” Ronaldo Souza (7-1) to the big leagues.

Trigg, a former WFA and Icon champion, is the favorite to win the tournament.  He comes off a 1:40 Kimura submission of former UFC tough guy “Babyface” Edwin Dewees (34-12) in December.

“Jacare” is on a seven-fight “W” streak after losing his MMA debut by KO in 2003.  The ADCC absolute division runner-up last submitted Wendell Santos (0-1) in October.  Souza has never fought competition like “Twinkle Toes”.

“The Punk” Ikuhisa Minowa (39-27-8) will stand across the DREAM ring from Taiei Kin (2-2) on the same card.

Croation “Benkei” Zelg Galesic (7-3) has been matched against Russian Magomed Sultanakhmedov (4-1).

Finalyly, veteran PRIDE and K-1 judoka Dong Sik Yoon (3-4) will fight Shungo Oyama (7-10) in the tournament’s opening round.

Three other Middleweight Grand Prix fights were announced previously.

The K-1/former-PRIDE collaboration featured mismatches of size and skill, world-class MMA, late stoppages, carnival theatrics, a tournament format, and the banshee herself, Lenne Hardt, introducing it all.

The card featured the opening round of DREAM’s lightweight grand prix in which Eddie Alvarez (13-1), “Buscape” Luiz Firmino (12-3), “Hellboy” Joachim Hansen (17-6-1), “Endless Fighter” Mitsuhiro Ishida (16-3-1), “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (21-4-2), and Katsuhiko Nagata (4-2) all advanced to the next round.

The tournaments seventh and most anticipated match-up betwen “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (14-2) and “JZ” Gesias Calvancante (14-1-1) ended in a No Contest.

In non-tournament bouts, “Mach” Hayato Sakurai (32-7-2) and “Cro Cop” Mirko Filipovic both won first round TKOs and “The Punk” Ikuhisa Minowa won a first round submission.

Ishida and Korean judoka Bu Kyung Jung (0-2) fought the most competitive bout with Ishida squeezing a unanimous decision over the MMA rookie.

The Japanese wrestler, Ishida, whirled around Jung for the first two minutes, peppering leg kicks into the Korean’s thighs.  On Jung’s lunging clinch attempt, Ishida slammed him to the mat.

On the mat, inside Jung’s tightly closed guard, Ishida heaved him into the air and slammed him again before raising back to his feet.

Jung followed and lunged to clinch again, but Ishida ducked.  Jung slammed face first into the corner, Ishida pouncing atop him.

From a full guard body lock, Jung transitioned into an armbar as the Japanese fighter tried to yank free.  It was close, and Jung took the opportunity to kick the struggling wrestler in the face before Ishida broke free.  Another powerful Ishida slam countered Jung’s near miss.

As the ground game went on, Ishida’s spurts of G’n'P became more effective as the Korean filed through submissions, but the ref stood them anyway.

Backed into a corner, Ishida threw a clumsy left roundhouse kick Jung blocked as Ishida slipped.  This time it was Jung who pounced, locking Ishida’s head beneath his armpit for another tight neck crank submission attempt.

Again, Ishida popped free, both fighters slick with sweat by that point, and worked an effective ground’n'pound until the ref stood the fighters.

This time it was Ishida who lunged for a single leg takedown and Jung pulled guard, then slipped a slick armbar on the wrestler.  Again, the “Endless Fighter” slipped free and hammered on the judoka to the first round bell.

The second round began as the first, with Ishida avoiding a head-on collision by circling.  Ishida shot for the same single leg takedown that got him in trouble near the end of round one and Jung again pulled guard and sucked up arms at angles looking for submissions.  Ishida countered by grinding fists into Jung’s face until the ref stood them up.

Ishida made it a trilogy with a third identical takedown and Jung responded as he had to the first two.  Both fighters exchanged leather while Jung worked his high guard into a weak triangle choke, but wasn’t able to lock his leg beneath his knee.

The bout ended with both exhausted fighters pitty-patting each other on the mat.

An argument could be made to give the judoka the win, but the judges saw Ishida’s aggressive ground’n'pound as the deal breaker and awarded him a unanimous decision.

In another exciting tournament fight, at the bell Alvarez and “Dida” Andre Amade (6-3-1) stormed to the center of the ring throwing leather.  The American shot a single leg and stood-up with the ankle he had snatched.  He swept Dida’s other foot from beneath him and dumped the BJJ black belt on his back.

The ref stood Dida and he immediately resumed throwing haymakers, catching Alvarez square on the chin with two big left hooks, then dropping him with a third as the American retreated.

But on the mat Alvarez’s superior wrestling positioned him for a two-minute vicious ground’n'pound onslaught that lead to the TKO stoppage at 6:47 of round one.  Dida was simply overpowered and out-positioned.

Tattooed Norwegian Hansen resembled a snow leopard feasting on Kotetsu Boku (13-5-1) of Krazy Bee.  Since becoming the first MMA fighter to tap in a gogoplata in 2006, the former kickboxer Hansen has been all out on the mat.  He took Boku to the ground and paired an octopus-like submission game with brutal ground’n'pound for the entire 15 minutes.  The decision was unanimous for Hansen.

“Buscape” of Brazilian Top Team found a rear naked choke on undersized Kazuyuki Miyata (5-7) at 7:37 of round one.

In a mild upset, Nagata took a unanimous decision over the Russian Artur Oumakhanov (7-3).

Kawajiri earned the sixth spot in round two of DREAM’s lightweight grand prix with a unanimous decision over surprisingly durable “Black Mamba” Kultar Gill (9-7) of Canada.

The tournament’s most hyped match-up fizzled when Aoki took an errant elbow to the back of the head from Calvancanti after much ado about nothing.  There’s been no clarification about a rematch or whether either fighter will advance in the tournament.

Hidetaka Monma (14-8-3) was never in his fight with Sakurai, but evidently the ref was unaware of the mismatch.  From the top position, Sakurai pounded Monma in the head 20-seconds longer than necessary before the referee called a stoppage at 4:12 of round one.

I’m hereby dividing the MMA universe into two halves.  Those, like me, who’re disgusted to witness “Cro Cop” as a characterture of himself matched up against veritable heads-on-a-tee like Tatsuya Mizuno (3-3) and those who lust to see the former PRIDE OWGP champ served-up such heads for entertainment, not sport.  “Cro Cop”, in an awkward performance, TKO’d Mizuno at :56 of round one.

And in the last of the three rings that made-up non tournament action at DREAM.1, Minowaman swung from half mount into a kneebar to submit overweight Korean Bum Chang Kang (1-2) at 1:25 of round one.

DREAM.2 follows on 29 April with the first round a a middleweight grand prix.