The Cecil Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award For The Greatest Display Of Utter Blindness And Ineptitude I’ve Ever Seen: The judge that awarded Darren Elkins a 30-27 victory over Michihiro Omigawa. I mean this without hyperbole: this was a travesty of justice, something so horrendous that many fans have voiced concern that either the judging in MMA is broken beyond repair or that this fight was fixed. There is simply no way Darren Elkins won this fight, and to give him a 30-27 is the highest of insults. There may have been bigger robberies… I just personally haven’t seen any of them. I’m not going to forget the way this fight made me feel for a long, long time.

The Best in the Business Award: Herb Dean, who I’ve been a fan of for a long time. Many people think Dean is the best referee in the UFC right now, at UFC 131 he made a serious case for being perhaps the best referee in the history of MMA. Herb Dean thought Shane Carwin could continue, and he could. Herb Dean had to restart a fight on the ground with both men arguing over what position they were in, and not only did Dean know the position, he even knew its technical name. If the judging in MMA could be even half as good as the job Herb Dean does just about every time he referees a fight, we’d basically never have a robbery again.

The “Too Close for Comfort” Award: Yves Edwards, for having me legitimately fear for his well-being after seeing him get knocked out so viciously. I’m not sure if I gave this award to Takeya Mizugaki after he fought Urijah Faber, but that fight had the same feeling: until it was announced that the loser was o.k., I couldn’t enjoy the moment. I couldn’t think “wow, what an awesome finish!” All I thought was “wow, that looked really bad and I really hope he’s not hurt.” In a world where the vicious KO is praised above almost all else, seeing Yves’ legs twitch while he was in the “fighter’s crucifix” position came too close to passing my comfort zone. Hence the name “too close for comfort”.

The Scott Smith Award For Most Inspiring Comeback After Getting Your *** Kicked: Dave Herman, for battling back from the brink and taking out Jon Olav Einemo. Herman was stumbling and fumbling all over himself thanks to some choice shots landed by his opponent, but he eventually gave as good as he got and ended up TKO’ing Einemo. It was a comeback that looked pretty improbable until it actually happened, so it definitely deserves a spot on this list.

So that’s what I think, fans and friends. And remember, it’s all in good fun… mostly.

We head to Sherdog for an official report that comes to us courtesy of Spike TV executives. According to them, the UFC 126 “Prelims Live” special peaked with two million viewers and pulled a 1.2 household rating, with a 1.7 rating in the UFC’s and Spike TV’s key demographics, males 18-34 and 18-49.

The special one-hour broadcast featured two live fights and one pre-aired fight. In the first bout, Chad Mendes and Michihiro Omigawa fought to a competitive, entertaining decision, with Mendes ultimately winning the bout via Unanimous Decision. Then fans saw Kyle Kingsbury KO Ricardo Romero in twenty-one seconds in a bout that had taken place earlier in the evening. The “Prelims Live” main event saw the successful UFC debut of WEC star and veteran Donald Cerrone, who submitted Paul Kelly with a Rear Naked Choke in the second round.

I’m very glad that the “Prelims Live” specials have a new record measure themselves up against, and this new record fills me with a lot of positivity regarding the future of the specials. I think the “Prelims Live” fights have been getting better and better, to the point where I find myself enjoying the “Prelims Live” fights more than the actual Pay-Per-View fights. For a specific example, I ended up being far more entertained by Donald Cerrone’s great performance than I was by the boring fight Miguel Torres and Antonio Banuelos gave us on the UFC 126 Pay-Per-View card.

To a certain extent, the UFC “Prelims Live” specials are even becoming my personal replacement to the WEC. What I mean by that is this: with the WEC, I always advocated watching the promotion as often as I could because I enjoyed the promotion immensely and I thought that not nearly enough people had discovered how great the WEC was. I’ve yet to really find another “underrated underdog” type of show to get behind and root for, I thought the “Strikeforce Challengers” series of shows were going to fit the bill, but some of their latest outings simply haven’t been living up to all of their potential.

Make no mistake, it certainly sounds and feels strange to see myself saying and writing the following, but I truly believe that these “Prelims Live” specials are becoming the “dark horse favorite” that I was left wanting when the WEC was folded into the UFC. Now more and more I’m making time for these preliminary fights, I’m watching them and enjoying them, whether it be on Spike or Facebook or anywhere else.

I think this rating signifies that more and more people are also beginning to realize the potential of this series, and I can’t wait to see how these specials develop in the future. The “Prelims Live” specials seem to be where the UFC goes to test out new things like Facebook, and it also seems to be the place where a lot of entertaining fights are going down. You may end up hearing me talk a whole lot more about “UFC Prelims Live” before the year is over.

And what about you, fans and friends? What’s your take on “UFC Prelims Live” and it’s latest, record-setting rating?

Champion Anderson Silva deftly defended his title with a rousing first-round knockout of former friend and teammate Vitor Belfort with a surprising front kick which floored the Brazilian. Following up with a few additional blows was all that “The Spider” needed to end the night of the former light heavyweight titleholder.

Forrest Griffin made a successful return to the cage, following a year-plus spent away from the cage, when he defeated former middleweight champ Rich Franklin, defeating the legend in a clean sweep decision victory.

The night produced several more exciting fights over, however some of those bouts came with their price.

UFC 126 took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas this past Saturday, and while some men listed below were victorious, they didn’t leave without their fare share of some bumps and bruises. Griffin especially has the potential to face some serious time away from the cage once again. The Xtreme Couture product returned to the octagon following a slew of personal problems and nursed injuries following a decision victory over Tito Ortiz, which took place in November of 2009. Griffin didn’t miss a beat in his return, but he may have re-aggravated a fracture in his foot that could have him out of action for large put of 2011.

Jake Ellenberger who was also victorious in a rousing welterweight affair against the previously undefeated Eduardo Rocha, could potentially be sitting alongside Forrest as he is required to have both of his hands x-rayed before he returns to action.

Below is a featured list of suspensions, courtesy of MMAJunkie.com by way of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

The full list of suspensions included:

* Vitor Belfort: Suspended until March 23 with no contact until March 8 for precautionary reasons

* Forrest Griffin: Suspended until Aug. 5 unless right foot is X-rayed and cleared by an orthopedic doctor

* Carlos Eduardo Rocha: Suspended until March 23 with no contact until March 8 due to a scalp laceration

* Jake Ellenberger: Suspended until Aug. 5 unless both hands are X-rayed and cleared by an orthopedic
doctor

* Paul Kelly: Suspended until March 23 with no contact until March 8 due to a right-eyebrow laceration

* Michihiro Omigawa: Suspended until April 7 with no contact until April 7 due to a right-eyebrow right brow
laceration and head blows

* Chad Mendes: Suspended until March 23 with no contact until March 8 for precautionary reasons

* Gabe Ruediger: Suspended until April 7 with no contact until April 7 due to a right-eyebrow laceration and
head blows

* Ricardo Romero: Suspended until March 23 with no contact until March 8 for precautionary reasons

* Kenny Robertson: Suspended until March 23 with no contact until March 8 for precautionary reasons

So, MMA peeps, any surprises you see here? Sound off in the comment section below.

Forrest Griffin deftly defeated former champ Rich Franklin in a pivotal light heavyweight match-up, moving him closer to the title, however Jon Jones beat him to it when he submitted then-undefeated prospect Ryan Bader with a second-round submission.

However nothing surprised me more then some of these fighter pay-outs with some seeming valid, while others have me scratching my head in humble confusion.

It looks like the fruit of Jones’ labor is finally paying off, as the 205-spitfire has since earned his first six-figure payday inside the worlds largest mixed martial arts promotion, which is justified by his exciting fight-finishing performances in the octagon.

On the same token, Anderson Silva, who is currently on a record breaking 13-fight win streak in the cage, as well as an equally impressive eighth-straight title defense, was a top earner on the pay-per-view card, however earned a reported $175k less than fellow countryman Vitor Belfort, whom Anderson knocked out inside of the first-round.

MMAJunkie also claims that should “The Phenom” had taken home the “W” last Saturday, he would have came home with an additional $100k for his efforts (win bonus). Most likely, Silva earned a large portion of his purse due to the PPV revenue that the super bowl card has picked up.

MMAJunkie.com has reported the following figures, which they had originally requested from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Champ Anderson Silva: $200,000 (includes no win bonus)
def. Vitor Belfort: $275,000

Forrest Griffin: $275,000 ($150,000 win bonus)
def. Rich Franklin: $75,000

Jon Jones: $140,000 ($70,000 win bonus)
def. Ryan Bader: $20,000

Jake Ellenberger: $32,000 ($16,000 win bonus)
def. Carlos Eduardo Rocha: $8,000

Miguel Torres: $56,000 ($28,000 win bonus)
def. Antonio Banuelos: $9,000

Donald Cerrone: $36,000 ($18,000 win bonus)
def. Paul Kelly: $19,000

Chad Mendes: $19,000 ($9,000 win bonus)
def. Michihiro Omigawa: $8,000

Demetrious Johnson: $10,000 ($5,000 win bonus)
def. Norifumi Yamamoto: $15,000

Paul Taylor: $36,000 ($18,000 win bonus)
def. Gabe Ruediger: $8,000

Kyle Kingsbury: $20,000 ($10,000 win bonus)
def. Ricardo Romero: $10,000

Mike Pierce: $28,000 ($14,000 win bonus)
def. Kenny Robertson: $6,000

So, MMA peeps, are you surprised by any of the payouts you see here? The figures above however do not include any “Fight Night” awards that several fighters earned over the course of the evening. Sound off in the comment section below.

Japanese import Michihiro Omigawa will make his return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship on the aforementioned February card, this time in the 145-pound division. Since departing from the UFC in 2008 following back-to-back losses against notables Matt Wiman and Thiago Tavares (respectively), Omigawa has reinvigorated his career.

The Judoka has gone 8-2-1 since his release from the worlds largest mixed martial arts organization, picking up some of the biggest wins of his career. During this stretch, Omigawa has defeated perennial top-10 fighters Hatsu Hioki, Hiroyuki Takaya, as well as current Sengoku and Pancrase featherweight champion Marlon Sandro.

At 35-years-old, Michihiro has hit the pinnacle of his career, and should he make a successful reentry into the UFC with a win over Chad Mendes, Omigawa could be challenging for the promotion’s title sooner rather than later. In defeating Chad, though, is a daunting task in of itself.

“Money” Mendes, a product of Team Alpha Male remains undefeated in his mixed martial arts career, due largely to his aggressive in your face style of mixed strikes and takedowns. His collegiate wrestling pedigree has brought Chad to a perfect 9-0 run so far since debuting into the world of MMA in 2008. While under the WEC banner, Chad won four-in-a-row, with big career defining wins over the likes of Eric Koch, Cub Swanson, and Javier Vazquez.

The winner between Mendes and Omigawa will likely be in the mix for a title shot within the UFC, behind Josh Grispi and Mark Hominick whom have both been promised title shots on separate occasions. Hominick was initially slated to face reigning 145-pound kingpin Jose Aldo as the co-main event at UFC 125, however the Canadian bowed out due to injury. Then Grispi was declared the new challenger for the title, however Aldo was then pulled from the card following a lingering back injury.

UFC 126 takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Feb. 5.

So, MMA peeps, what do you make of the news? Who do you favor in this featherweight match? Should the winner be warranted a title shot opposite of Aldo, or is someone else more worthy? Sound off in the comment section below.

MMA Weekly reports that Omigawa has re-signed with the UFC and is expected to face Chad Mendes sometime in 2011. Omigawa competed in the UFC twice before, once in 2007 and then again in 2008, and lost both fights. After returning to his native Japan and dropping down to Featherweight, Omigawa has managed to most recently string together five straight victories since November 2009, three of those victories being first-round stoppages. Mendes, his scheduled opponent, is on a four-fight win-streak in the WEC alone, and boasts an impressive 9-0 undefeated record since making his debut as a professional MMA fighter in September 2008.

MMA Weekly also reported on the signing of Norifumi “KID” Yamamoto, who was one of Japan’s premier “bad boy” fighters for quite some time. Yamamoto famously went on an amazing fourteen-fight unbeaten streak from 2002 to 2007 that included twelve stoppage victories, a vast majority of those coming by way of (T)KO. After taking over a year off, Yamamoto would return to Japan in May 2009 and lose two straight fights. His most recent fight did see him return to form, however, as he was able to KO Federico Lopez in under two minutes at the recent “DREAM.14” event. Yamamoto is currently pegged to face Demetrius Johnson at UFC 126 in February. After losing his WEC debut, Johnson most recently won back-to-back fights in the famed blue cage.

And finally, Five Ounces of Pain reports that LC Davis will not be one of the many WEC fighters making the transition to the UFC once the promotion is folded into the UFC in early 2011. Despite making his WEC debut by winning three straight fights (all by decision), Davis most recently lost two straight, including a first-round submission loss to Josh Grispi.

I’m honestly looking forward to both Omigawa’s and Yamamoto’s fights, and while I am a bit sad to see Davis let go, I can understand the reasoning behind it. I think Omigawa has earned another shot in the UFC, and I think Yamamoto’s international status as a star will help the UFC as it continues to stretch its borders. I think both Japanese-born fighters can be very entertaining given the right opponent, and they do seem to be getting good opponents. In regards to LC Davis… it is what it is. He did lose two straight, and he was unable to finish anyone in the WEC. I think you could make a case for him getting at least one fight in the UFC, but in the end, I knew from the get-go that not every WEC fighter would be getting their invitation into the UFC, so the continued release of under-performing WEC fighters prior to the merger doesn’t surprise me in the least bit.

And what about you, fans and friends? Any thoughts on these two new signings or the firing?

Having traveled all around the world, including a two-fight stint in the UFC as a lightweight fighter, the Japanese Judoka reinvented himself as a featherweight, and since making the drop to the new weight class, has looked nearly unstoppable.

After an adventure with both Sengoku and DREAM, where Omigawa has become a title contender in both organizations, it looks like he may give up infamy in his native country for a second shot here in the states, and what better organization to do that with then with the largest one in the sport.

Initially, the 34-year-old was rumored to appear with the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion by years end, possibly at the December show, however since the organization has assimilated with it’s sister promotion under the Zuffa banner, it now looks like Omigawa may be making a b-line straight into the big show. All this will come to fruition, according to MiddleEasy.com.

Having gone 8-2-1 since his release from the UFC in 2008, Michihiro has looked stronger than ever. The protege of mixed martial arts legend Hidehiko Yoshida, Omigawa has racked up victories over the likes of Pancrase and Sengoku champion Marlon Sandro, former WEC champ Cole Escovedo, Hatsu Hioki, Hiroyuki Takaya, and “The Ultimate Fighter” veteran Nam Phan.

His lone losses in this 11-fight stretch have come to “The Korean Zombie” and former Sengoku title holder, Masanori Kanehara, in the featherweight tournament finals–both by close decisions.

If the rumor’s are true, Omigawa could make an immediate impact in the 145-pound division, making a run for the title in the foreseeable future in a weight class that is begging for challengers after Jose Aldo has made all look elementary. Aldo is faced now with his toughest test to date for his featherweight strap when he meets with tough Massachusetts native Josh Grispi, serving as the co-main event at UFC 125 on New Years day.

So, MMA peeps, what do you make of the news? Would you like to see Omigawa in the UFC, and if so, who would you like to see him matched against with? Sound off in the comment section below.

After losing back-to-back fights in the UFC’s lightweight division against standouts Matt Wiman and Thiago Tavares (respectively), Omigawa then decided to try his hand in the 145-pound weight class.

Though his debut was spoiled by none other than “The Korean Zombie” in a DEEP event in 2008, the talented Judoka practitioner has since rattled off an impressive 8-1-1 record, with his only loss coming to the hands to former Sengoku featherweight champion, Masanori Kanehara in 2009, in an attempt to vie for the then vacant title.

After returning from Las Vegas, Nev., for reasons that can only be speculated by the uninformed, Omigawa revealed that he was offered a fight with the wec for the promotion’s 53rd event, which is to be held on December 16 in Arizona, this according to BloodyElbow.com.

However, Omigawa, whom has defeated division greats such as Hatsu Hioki, Marlon Sandro, and Hiroyuki Takaya, has his eyes set on a match up against another one of Japan’s best, and this man wears some of the flashiest spandex pants ever to be seen. Eat your heart out “Flash Dance” enthusiasts, Omigawa wants Shinya Aoki.

“Big news!! next target of OMIGAWA is…AOKI shinya!! He hiope [sic] NY eve Dynamite!! fight,and..he confirm the offer from WEC!!”, reports Gryphon, an MMA enthusiast who translates to the best of his abilities.

A bout with Aoki at the year end show, Dynamite!! 2010, would surely do wonders for the promotion, should it come to fruition. It would give the organization the numbers it so desperately needs to stay afloat in the mixed martial arts industry, seeing as how it’s financial woes have been anything but private.

So, MMA peeps, would you put your vote in for Omigawa to return under the Zuffa banner and compete in the WEC? Or would you rather see the DREAM veteran return to Japan to face Aoki, the DREAM lightweight champion? Sound off in the comment section below.

However, since dropping down to the featherweight division, Omigawa has accomplished more than any other 145-pound in his weight class has. Recording victories over current Sengoku and Pancrase featherweight champion Marlon Sandro, Hatsu Hioki, Hiroyuki Takaya and former WEC champion Cole Escovdeo in his most recent outing, it’s hard to argue with the results of the famed Judoka, who holds a pedestrian and deceiving 12-8-1 record.

Currently 8-1 in his past 9 fights, with his only loss coming to former Sengoku featherweight champion, Omigawa has been steadily making his mark in Japan’s MMA circuit, and looks to be now primed as the next contender to the featherweight title in DREAM… at least, that’s what he thinks.

“I defeated Marlon Sandro in Sengoku, I defeated Takaya”, began Omigawa in an interview with Kampiro, a Japanese MMA magazine, featured in the November issue.

“So my next target was DREAM champion…I thought, but I wasted time. So, they can do their business, but [the] featherweight belt’s value is nothing without me”, the featherweight belt in question, is currently held by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace and estranged champion, Bibiano Fernandes. Fernandes was asked to compete on the DREAM 16 event, the same event where Omigawa submitted Escovedo with a straight arm bar from his back, however, due to money and time issues was unable to accept.

“So DREAM should respect me. Now, I defeat striker by striking, defeat grappler by submission. I am new legend.”

So, apparently he is a “new legend”…why hasn’t anybody told me? I had no idea. Omigawa, is a great fighter nonetheless, despite the expanding ego. But, MMA peeps, what do you think? Is it cocky or confident? Sound off in the comment section below. Props to MiddeEasy.com for the find.

The bout was to determine a new top contender, conceivably, for the Japanese promotion’s 139-pound strap, however due to some on going talks with his manager concerning Warren’s safety.

In fact, according to MiddleEasy.com who first reported the loss of Warren from the September 25th show, Joe made no comittments to DREAM to compete at their 16th event.

No contract had been signed declaring the featherweight clash official, and thus the “Team Quest” product who part times with Urijah Faber‘s “Team Alpha Male”, thought it was in his best interest to decline the bout after coming off of a brutal fight with former Bellator champion Joe Soto.

While Warren prevailed victorious in the bout, it wasn’t without difficulty. In the early going’s of there headliner which took place at Bellator 27 on September 2, Soto was blasting Warren on the feet with effective upper cuts and hooks. Once Warren would engage the Cesar Gracie affiliate and try to clinch with him, he was merely shrugged off and on a few exchanges appeared to be rocked.

However, a cocky Soto came out the second round with his hands by his waist waiting for Warren to come forward on the feet–and Joe did just that. After a right hand clipped Soto, Warren followed up with a ground and pound attack that worked its way to the feet. After a knee and a left hook later, Joe was declared the new Bellator featherweight champion in his 7th professional fight and 4th fight of this year.

Due to the grueling nature of the fight, and with only 3 weeks to go until the proposed DREAM 16 bout, it was in Warren’s best interest to pull out of the fight.

So, MMA peeps, anyone you’d like to see tangle with Omigawa in place of Warren? Or do you think DREAM should wait until Joe returns to full form and re-create the bout? Let your opinions be heard in the comments section below.

Joe Soto, arguably a top-10 caliber fighter, looked every bit of that in the opening frame against the Olympic wrestling hopeful in their 145-pound clash at Bellator 27, just yesterday. After staggering Warren numerous times on the feet with effective close-quarters boxing, it looked like the end was imminent and Soto was in control. I guess somebody just forgot to tell Warren that.

As the second round began, immediately Soto got right in Joe’s face. An effective tactic that worked in the first round. When Warren would step in to clinch with the Cesar Gracie affiliate, Soto would meet him with upper cuts and short hooks galore–but his luck would soon run out.

Just as the Californian stepped in again to meet Warren with punches, the unthinkable happened. After a dominant, and arguably 10-8 round in his favor, Soto was floored with a right hook from Warren, and the Team Quest product who part times with Team Alpha Male, met him with punches in bunches. Once Soto was finally able to get back to his feet after absorbing a heavy dose of ground and pound, Warren uncorked a knee to the chin followed by a hook to the jaw that ended the bout in 33 seconds into the second round.

With the win, Warren improves to 6-1 in his young MMA career, and a 4-0 mark inside of Bellator after reigning victorious at the culmination of the season two 145-pound tournament, and finally ending with his first championship belt–becoming Bellator’s new featherweight champion.

His rise to the top wasn’t all that glamorous. Thrown to the wolves, Warren had to learn on the fly. In his first two fights as a professional, Warren defeated former WEC bantamweight champion Chase Beebe, then followed up the performance with a win over the former consensus number one featherweight and bantamweight fighter: “Kid” Yamamoto.

Joe is scheduled next to be facing Michihiro Omigawa on September 25 at DREAM 16 in Japan–for what is likely a top contenders bout for DREAM’s featherweight strap, just 23 days removed from his championship win over Soto.

So, MMA peeps, how’s Warren looking? He should pose a serious threat to most with his aggressive wrestling style and improved striking. While his defense does need catching up, and submissions to his repertoire would help, it looks like he’s getting there.

Where do you see Warren in the future and is there anyone in particular you’d like to see him paired up against? Let your opinions known below.

Recently crowned Sengoku featherweight champion Marlon Sandro, the proverbial knockout king with a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt to boot, is rumored for the September 25th event for DREAM 16.

According to MMAFighting.com, Sandro will be making his promotional debut for DREAM against former lightweight-turned featherweigth Kazuyuki Miyata, who will be riding a 4-fight win streak entering the bout.

Miyata made Youtube infamy when he was on the receiving end of “Kid” Yamamoto’s most impressive victory, a four second knockout via flying knee in May of 2006.

Should the bout materialize, Sandro should be the heavy favorite entering the bout. The Sengoku and Pancrase featherweight champion will look to make an immediate impact into DREAM’s 139-pound weight class with a decisive victory over Miyata–a weight class which is ruled by the neglected champion Bibiano Fernandes and features budding contenders such as Joe Warren, Michihiro Omigawa and DREAM featherweight tournament finalist Hiroyuki Takaya.

Following a controversial split decision loss to the aforementioned Omigawa in lieu towards World Victory Road’s (WVR is the equivalent to the UFC’s: Zuffa, get it?) inaugural featherweight champion, Marlon–a Nova Uniao product out of Brazil who trains alongside pound-for-pound great, Jose Aldo–has bounced back in a big way, with three first round knockout victories, including a 38-second knockout of former champion Masanori Kanehara, which earned him the Sengoku featherweight title initially.

So, is this an on going trend that will benefit both DREAM and Sengoku and rebuild the dying breed that is Japanese MMA? Or, does this solely assist DREAM in it’s feeble attempts to conquering the Japanese MMA world once again, as their predecessors Pride had done for so many years.

DREAM, one of the more popular Japan based organizations following the demise of Pride, is holding an event for September 25th in Nagoya, Japan–a card that was intended to be headlined by current featherweight (139 pounds) champion, Bibiano Fernandes.

According to MMAFighting.com, Fernandes was intended to make a title defense against Michihiro Omigawa, however declined to fight when he was still yet to be paid his purse from his last fight, a successful title defense against former DREAM lightweight champion Joachim Hansen.

The bout took place in March, and according to an interview the Brazilian had done with Tatame (a Brazilian based website and magazine covering mixed martial arts) Fernandes hasn’t seen one dime yet. The promotion has had many issues in regards to paying their fighters accordingly, or even in a timely matter. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza has yet to see his compensation after his last match with Jason Miller in May of 2009, and neither has veteran Gary Goodridge since his drubbing defeat against former DREAM middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi in late 2009.

And while the obvious approach for the promotion would be “cut and run” should they not be able to come up with the money, Fernandes can hold one thing over DREAM exec’s heads: one more fight, which he is contractually obligated to, since earning the featherweight title following the tournament’s end in October of last year where he was crowned champion, after an 8-man tournament concluded when Bibiano defeated Japan’s own Hiroyuki Takaya, via split decision.

“Dream called me two days ago to offer me a fight at September 25, but I said I won’t fight until they pay me for my last fight,” Fernandes said while speaking with TATAME. “I have family, I have a wife and I can’t work without getting paid. I’ll only fight [for DREAM] again when they pay me for my last fight.”

Here’s to another DREAM fighter moonlighting as a Japan fighter by day, and a Strikeforce debutant by night.

The aforementioned featherweight will be facing Bellator 145-pound champion Joe Soto on September 2. in San Antonio, Tex. for the title. Earning his crack at the belt, Warren fought his way through the season two, 8-man featherweight tourney, after claiming victories over Eric Marriott, Georgi Karakhanyan, and finally a split decision over the previously undefeated Patricio Freire for the season’s $100,000 check and number one contenders spot.

Even after all the pressure amounting on the world champion wrestler–who earned a gold medal in the Pan American Championship 60 kg class and was well on his way to Olympic infamy before testing positive for Marijuana in 2007–Warren will still follow through with his DREAM commitments when he meets contender and UFC veteran Michihiro Omigawa at DREAM 16 on September 25.

Omigawa made a Cinderella man like run through Sengoku’s featherweight tournament before losing to former champion Masanori Kanehara. Since his leave from the UFC’s lightweight class in 2008, Omigawa has picked many impressive victories, while some controversial, over standouts Marlon Sandro, Hatsu Hioki, Nam Phan, and Hiroyuki Takaya, making a case for himself as a top-10 featherweight.

The bout will likely determine the next number one contender to DREAM champion Bibiano Fernandes‘ 139-pound title (DREAM is currently in the process of adopting some, not all, of the Unified Rules and Regulations used here in the United States governing mixed martial arts–beginning with effective weight class regimes).

DREAM lightweight champion “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (24-5) forced “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (26-6-2) to tap out in an Achilles lock at 1:53 of their DREAM.15 title fight in Saitama Saturday.

Aoki returned from a drubbing by Strikeforce champion “El Niño” Gilbert Melendez (18-2) at Strikeforce in Nashville April 17 to defeat his longtime Japanese rival.

Aoki bit first and deep, shooting for a single-leg takedown.  Kawajiri stuffed it and attempted to reverse to top position, but that was just fine with Aoki.  Aoki flowed with the transition and pulled Kawajiri atop him.  By the Kawajiri realized he didn’t want to be anywhere on the mat with Aoki, Aoki had gobbled up Kawajiri’s left leg and was rolling with a heel hook.

Kawajiri rolled in defense and Aoki transitioned into an Achilles lock.  Kawajiri dotted Aoki’s left eye with two heel kicks with his free leg, but Aoki bit harder on Kawajiri’s left leg.

Kawajiri grimaced in pain.  For a moment it seemed as Aoki had worn himself out on the grip, but with one final tug he forced Kawajiri to tap out.

Aoki’s title defense was the main event on a seven-fight card that gradually and unintentionally developed the theme of rejected fighters from United States promotions UFC and Strikeforce.  Aoki was once regarded as a rival to former UFC champion  “Prodigy” BJ Penn (15-5-1), but was exposed as woefully one-dimensional at Strikeforce versus Melendez.

Earlier in the evening, “Uno Shoten” Caol Uno (25-13-5) announced his return to DREAM after a 0-2-1 run in the UFC.  Dutch kickboxer  ”No Mercy” Melvin Manhoef (23-6-1) returned to DREAM off of a first-round knockout loss to former EliteXC middleweight champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (17-6) at Strikeforce in Miami in January, only to lose to unheralded Tatsuya Mizuno (8-5).  UFC rejects Kazuhiro Nakamura (15-1) and Michihiro Omigawa (11-8-1) each walked away with wins at DREAM.

The era of Japanese MMA rivaling American MMA on an equal footing is over, even in the lower weight classes, and the Japanese sport is now unquestionably a minor league to both the UFC and Strikeforce.

American Top Team’s Miller went 2-2 in the WEC in 2007 and 2008, but enters ASTRA with a three fight win streak.  Most recently, Miller submitted “Cheesesteak” Anthony Morrison (15-8) at SHINE Fights 2 in Miami last September.

Omigawa went 0-2 in the UFC’s lightweight division 2007 and 2008, but has since gone 5-2-1 after returning to a more suitable 145 pounds.  Most recently he TKO’d “Streetfight Bancho” Hiroyuki Takaya (12-8-1) at K-1 Dynamite!! on New Year’s Eve.

The first ASTRA event will mark the end of Olympic judo gold medalist Hidehiko Yoshida‘s (9-7-1) honorable MMA career, though no opponent for his final fight has been announced.

Pancrase vet Hoshino will come in to the fight off three consecutive victories at CageForce, most recently winning a three-round UD over “Wicky” Akiyo Nishiura (6-3-1).

Sandro lost a controversial split decision to Michihiro Omigawa  (3-7) at Ninth Battle in Tokyo August 2, Sandro’s first career  loss.

Omigawa will also fight on the card versus Hatsu Hioki (15-3-2) who won a three-round UD over Masanori Kanehara (4-1-1) at Ninth Battle.

Also announced are former UFC heavyweight champion “Monster” Kevin Randleman (17-13), who now competes at 185 pounds, and former UFC lightweight Michihiro Omigawa (3-7).

No opponents were announced for any of the fighters.

A report Thursday claimed that Randleman could fight “King Mo” Muhammed Lawal (4-0), but Fighters.com has not confirmed that report.

Masanori Kanehara (5-2) stole the Featherweight Grand Prix Championship in a controversial final that featured Kanehara despite losing his semi-final fight by unanimous decision to Hatsu Hioki (16-3-2) versus Michihiro Omigawa (4-8) who was given a hometown free pass into the finals after majority draw on the cards versus Marlon Sandro (13-1) in the semi-finals.

Strikeforce middleweight champ “Grabaka Hitman” Kazuo Misaki (23-9-2) strangled judoka Kazuhiro Nakamura‘s (13-10) hopes of challenging Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago (21-7) in a guillotine at 3:03 of round one, leaving Kaz’ out on the mat. Denied a title challenge himself by Sengoku after pleading guilty to interfering with the duties of a public official following a March traffic stop, Misaki said nothing after playing spoiler, refusing the microphone in the ring.

Former UFC welterweight Akihiro Gono (30-15-7) returned to Japan after a 1-2 stint in the big show, but his opponent “The Handler” Dan Hornbuckle (16-2) made it a bitter homecoming with a head kick that left Gono unconcious for several minutes. Gono was carried out of the ring by stretcher and suffered a concussion and neck injury.

Heavyweight Samboist Blagoi Ivanov (1-0) won his MMA debut over Kazuyuki Fujita (13-8), scoring a draw on the cards but taking the split decision victory in Sengoku’s must decision system.

Lightweight Eiji Mitsuoka (15-6-2) tapped Clay French (15-6) in a guillotine choke at 1:51 of round one.

“Kiss” Yoshihiro Nakao (9-2) won a unanimous decision over Korean heavyweight Mu Bae Choi (2-2).

In the Featherweight Grand Prix reserve bout, “Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (2-0) tapped “Jagger Bomb” Matt Jaggers (12-6) in a triangle choke at 1:25 of round two.

Kitaoka weighed 69.9 kg while Hirota tipped the scales at 70 kg.

The card also features the semi-finals and finals of Sengoku’s featherweight grand prix and all competing fighters also made weight.

Michihiro Omigawa (3-7) weighed 64.9 kg and his undefeated opponent Marlon Sandro (13-0) weighed 64.7 kg. Hatsu Hioki (15-3-2) and his opponent Masanori Kanehara (4-1-) both weighed 65 kg. In the tournament’s reserve fight, “Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (1-0) weighed 64.8 kg and his opponent “Jagger Bomb” Matt Jaggers (12-5) weighed 64.6 kg.

In a face-off of middleweight title contenders, “Grabaka Hitman” Kazuo Misaki (22-9-2) and Kazuhiro Nakamura (13-9) both weighed 83 kg.

In the anticipated MMA debut of Samboist Blagoi Ivanov (0-0) versus Kazuyuki Fujita (13-7), the rookie weighed 110 kg and the vet outdid him at 112.5 kg.

Welterweight Akihiro Gono (30-14-7) weighed 76 kg and his opponent “The Handler” Dan Hornbuckle (15-2) weighed 75.3 kg.

Lightweight Eiji Mitsuoka (14-6-2) weighed 70 kg while his opponent Clay French (15-5) weighed 69.9 kg.

“Kiss” Yoshihiro Nakao (8-2) weighed 103 kg and his fellow heavyweight opponent Mu Bae Choi (2-1) weighed 109.4 kg.