Joachim Hansen will defend his DREAM lightweight title for the first time when he faces Shinya Aoki, for a third time, this fall at Dream 11, according to a report on Sherdog.com.
Hansen (19-7-1) last July won revenge for a loss to the top-ranked Japanese fighter in December 2006, but has remained inactive since being hospitalized for a concussion on the eve of his first title defense against Gesias "J.Z." Cavalcante last December. Hansen has since recovered and is currently training in Norway.
Aoki (21-4) broke the news of the rubber match early Monday morning as he celebrated a win over Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro at DREAM 10. The submissions specialists surprised, and dismayed, fans by delivering a mostly stand-up battle during their 15 minutes together. Aoki, who in April had been knocked out of the promotion's welterweight Grand Prix by Hayato Sakurai's powerful knees, was there to make a point.
“Muay Thai is interesting, right?” said Aoki post-fight. “Yeah, I expected boos. In October, I’ll have a title fight, and on New Year’s Eve I will have my revenge.”
The Oct. 6 fight also hosts the finals of the promotion's featherweight Grand Prix, featuring Joe Warren vs. Bibiano Fernandes and Hiroyuki Takaya vs. Hideo Tokoro.