Japan's best lightweights will finally meet in the ring as Tatsuya Kawajiri will get his long awaited title shot against Dream lightweight champion Shinya Aoki at DREAM.15 on July 10.The pair share many common opponents but notably, Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez.
The hopes of Japan were upon Aoki's shoulders going into Strikeforce: Nashville in April but he failed to offer a challenge to Melendez and easily lost a five round decision.
Kawajiri fared much better however on New Year's Eve 2006 against Melendez, also losing a decision but only by the narrowest of margins with many observers giving the fight to "Crusher".
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