DREAM 17: Aoki Defeats McCullough, Imanari and Fernandes Among Tourney Winners
By FCF Staff
Shinya Aoki once again turned to his highly regarded submission skills to tap out former WEC champ Rob McCullough, in the headliner of DREAM’s latest event last night in Saitama, Japan.
After taking McCullough to the canvas and punishing him with various strikes from above, the DREAM Lightweight Champion finished off the non-title fight with a neck crank late in the first round.
DREAM 17 also featured the opening round of the promotion’s bantamweight grand-prix, which saw Antonio Banuelos, Bibiano Fernandes, Masakzau Imanari and Rodolfo Marques advance with victories.
Here are the official results from the card, which was hosted by Saitama’s Super Arena.
Dream Bantamweight Grand-Prix Quarterfinals
Antonio Banuelos def. Hideo Tokoro via split decision
Bibiano Fernandes def. Takafumi Otsuka via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – R1, 0:41
Masakazu Imanari def. Abel Cullum via submission (armbar) – R3, 0:46
Rodolfo Marques def. Yusup Saadulaev via unanimous decision
Shinya Aoki def. Rob McCullough via submission (neck crank) – R1, 4:52
Tatsuya Kawajiri def. Joachim Hansen via submission (arm-triangle choke) – R3, 2:30
Takeshi Inoue def. Caol Uno via knockout (kick) – R1, 4:17
Yan Cabral def. Kazushi Sakuraba via submission (arm-triangle choke) – R2, 2:42
Satoru Kitaoka def. Willamy Freire via split decision
Gerald Harris def. Kazuhiro Nakamua via split decision
Ikuhisa Minowa def. Baru Harn via submission (scarf-hold armlock) – R1, 4:39