According to a report from ESPN, heavyweight Todd Duffee has been forced to withdrawal from this weekend’s Dream event with an injury. The card entitled “Fight for Japan: 2011 Japan Bantamweight Tournament Final” takes place Saturday at Ariake Coliseum.
Duffee had been scheduled to face Nick “Afrozilla” Gaston on the card. The ESPN report also states that Gaston has been pulled from the event as well.
After beginning his career with five-straight victories, Duffee received a call up to the UFC. In his promotional debut, he set the record for fastest knockout in UFC history when he punked Tim Hague in only seven seconds. In his return fight, he appeared in control against Mike Russow. However, in the second half of the last round, Russow finished Duffee with a clean punch. In his last fight, Duffee fought Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem for the vacant Dream heavyweight title and lasted only 19 seconds.
Gaston was already a question mark going into this weekend’s event. On June 24, he suffered his first career defeat when Tyler East knocked him out in their King of the Cage heavyweight title fight.
In the Japan Bantamweight Tournament finale, Masakazu Imanari will meet Hideo Tokoro. The card also features light heavyweight and featherweight title fights.