As announced today in Japan, two more MMA bouts have been added to the New Year’s Eve card that is shaping up nicely.
On the MMA portion of this merged DREAM 18 and GLORY 4 event, Hiroyuki Takaya (17-9-1) will face Bellator vet and Tachi Palace Fights champ, Georgi Karakhanyan (19-3-1).
Takaya, the reigning DREAM featherweight champion, has won 5 of his last 6, with quality wins over Bibiano Fernandes, and Joachim Hansen. He’s had two title defenses, but hasn’t fought since the promotion’s last event a year ago. Karakhanyan on the other hand, has won 5 straight since his stint in Bellator, winning and defending the Tachi Palace Fights title in the process.
Earlier rumored to be facing Shinya Aoki, American prospect Will Brooks (7-0) will instead be facing Shinya’s long time friend and training partner in Satoru Kitaoka (30-11-9).
Also made official for the card, a previously reported welterweight bout between Phil Baroni and Hayato Sakurai.
Here’s the current NYE card so far:
DREAM.18 – GLORY 4 NYE Special 2012
December 31, 2012 — Saitama Super Arena, JapanMMA Rules:
– Bibiano Fernandes vs. Yoshiro Maeda
– Shinya Aoki vs. Antonio McKee
– Tatsuya Kawajiri
– Hiroyuki Takaya vs. Georgi Karakhanyan
– Satoru Kitaoka vs. Will Brooks
– Melvin Manhoef vs. Denis Kang
– Phil Baroni vs. Hayato SakuraiGLORY Grand Slam Tournament:
– Semmy Schilt vs. Brice Guidon
– Sergei Kharitonov vs. Rico Verhoeven
– Gokhan Saki vs. Raomoru
– Anderson “Braddock” Silva vs. Igor Jurkovic
– Remy Bonjasky Filip Verlinden
– Errol Zimmerman Jamal Ben Saddick
– Peter Aerts vs. Mourad Bouzidi
– Daniel Ghita vs. Fabiano Aoki
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