Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG) made the official announcement Sunday that DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki (27-5, 1 NC) will take on former MFC lightweight champion Antonio McKee (25-4-2) on May 29 as part of DREAM 17.
Aoki, 28, has been busy since losing a five round unanimous decision to Gilbert Melendez for the Strikeforce lightweight title in April 2010.
He has won four straight fights since the loss to Melendez, most recently submitting the well-rounded “un-submittable” Strikeforce veteran Lyle Beerbohm via neck crank in the first round at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley in April.
McKee, 41, had gone undefeated for eight years and was the reigning Maximum Fighting Championship lightweight champion before signing with the UFC late last year.
McKee made his debut with the UFC against three-time Division I All-American Jacob Volkmann at UFC 125 on Jan. 1, but came up short losing a split decision. Then, in a rare move, McKee was released from the organization after just the one loss.
McKee was scheduled to return to the MFC in February against Drew Fickett but suffered a knee injury while training.
Having won 18 of his 25 fights by decision, McKee has faced criticism for his seeming inability or unwillingness to try and finish fights.
Because he is such a good wrestler though, he could pose problems for Aoki if he can keep him on his back. On the other hand, Aoki is never out of a fight when it is on the ground, top position or not.
DREAM 17 “Fight for Japan” is scheduled to take place Sunday, May 29, at Saitama Super Arena Hall in Saitama, Japan. The event will also feature the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the DREAM 2011 Japan Bantamweight Tournament.
Check ProMMAnow.com’s Upcoming Events page for the full DREAM 17 fight card line-up.
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