Dream is most likely off peoples radar as they have been pretty inactive in 2011 as they prepare for only their 2nd event of the year. Fights like this however should get them back on the MMA map as Featherweight champion Takaya will defend against Miyata with the winner possibly making their case to break into the top 10 rankings.
Sarah Kaufman vs Liz Carmouche at Strikeforce Challengers 17 on July 22nd
Since Zuffa made the deal to perchase of Strikeforce one of the burning questions that arose was what will happen to the women's divisions? One of the biggest issues Zuffa most likely has with a women's division is the lack of depth to actual sustain a consistent division. One way to create contenders is to actually book fights, and with Kaufman vs Carmouche it's a good start to showcase what the women's division can produce. This fight could earn the winner a title shot for the Women's Bantamweight title even if both Kaufman and Carmouche have a loss to current champion Marloes Coenen.
Had to basically flip a coin between the 2 Featherweight semi-final bouts that Bellator will have this month I picked this one because I think it's just a more competitive fight between 2 rising stars in the Featherweight division. Curran looks to not only the first winner of 2 Bellator tournaments but in 2 different weight classes as well. Mann no stranger to tournaments having competing in Sengoku's Featherweight tournament in 2009 where he lost in the 2nd round to eventual champion Hatsu Hioki. The winner of this bout will be making not just a statement to the other 2 semi-finalists but to the entire featherweight division and will also be one step closer to facing Bellator champion Joe Warren.
Masakazu Imanari vs Hideo Tokoro at Dream 17 on July 16th
This fight is the finals for the Japan Bantamweight Grand Prix with both competitors winning 2 fights in one night during Dream's last event in May. Having both fell short during Dream's Featherweight Grandprix neither of these competitors want to fall short again even with a birth to Dream's World Bantamweight Grand Prix has already been guaranteed. The winner of this bout should make a case for being at the very least a top 15 Bantamweight in the world and perhaps an early favorite for the World Grand Prix slated to take place later this year.
Tatsuya Kawajiri vs Williamy Freire at Dream 17 on July 16th
This fight makes it on the list based on it's potential of just being a great fight. Both are coming off loses in their American debuts. Before losing to Waylon Lowe at UFC Fight Night 23 Freire the former Shooto Welterweight champion was on a 11 fight win streak that included Patricky Freire (no relation). Kawajiri still a top 20 ranked Lightweight will be looking to get back on track with a win in front of his home crowd after his disastrous Strikeforce debut against Gilbert Melendez.
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