The DREAM 3 post-presser had enough interesting notes that I couldn’t help but read into a bit for the sake of speculation and excitement regarding some of the future matchups we could potentially see in future events. Here’s a few of the items that were noteworthy:

• Sasahara, DREAM’s event producer, talked about possibly having Kimbo Slice on a future DREAM card due to their new partnership with ProElite. He stated that Kimbo has zero name recognition right now, but only one appearance could shift the fans to love him. Interestingly enough, Japan loves fighters with that monster physique and ability to stop opponents with one punch. It could definitely be a match made in heaven from an entertainment perspective, but I’m not sure if the Japanese fans would love his street thuggish look.

• Sasahara also stated that the promotion was growing and didn’t have a need for a women’s division at this time, but talk of Gina Carano making an appearance in the future on a DREAM card wasn’t out of the question.

• Jason Miller made comments that he would love to be matched up against a legend in Japan such as Sakuraba. I’d definitely love to see this matchup in the next round, but DREAM officials may look elsewhere to keep Sakuraba in the tournament as a draw. It’s an interesting development because Mayhem seemed to have won over the crowd with his antics, so matching both fighters against each other may produce much more interest in the event.

• Kawajiri wants to take on Uno due to Uno defeating his T-Blood campmate Mitsuhiro Ishida. I’m inclined to believe that the proposed fight between “The Crusher” and Uno will probably take place. It has a storyline to an extent, but who knows what DREAM will do. Uno still has status in the Japanese MMA fight scene, but I doubt DREAM will give him an easier fight.

• Alvarez talked about wanting to become a regular fighter for the organization. He also joked about being the lone American in the tournament. Alvarez definitely has a shot at winning the Grand Prix, and it’ll be very interesting to see how he handles his next opponent. Hansen was definitely a big win for Alvarez.

Overall, I like some of the suggested matchups that the fighters want. Miller vs. Sakuraba and Kawajiri vs. Uno both have storylines associated with them, but as we all know, MMA in Japan is a different beast when it comes to making money. We’ll see how it plays out in the coming weeks.

There is one huge piece of news that definitely gives DREAM some dreamier matchups for American fans. Their newly announced partnership with ProElite is going to bring over some fighters and possibly create a co-promotional event in the States. We could see Kimbo in Japan, and we are going to see Nick Diaz in Japan against “Mach” Sakurai according to MMAWeekly.com. We could definitely have some exciting fights happening in the coming months between DREAM and ProElite.

Caol Uno upsets Ishida with the choke!

Why isn't Nick Diaz a star? I don't know, but he smacks Inoue around fairly easily in this battle.

Miller clowns Shibata in this fight, and put on a good show for the fans.

Melvin "Marvelous" Manhoef, one of my favorite fighters, crushing Dae Won Kim. It could have been more spectacular, but hey, we can't always have ridiculously exciting.

DREAM announced that "JZ" Calvancanti will in fact rematch Shinya Aoki at DREAM.2 on April 29th from Saitama Arena in Saitama, Japan, and the winner will move on in the Lightweight Grand Prix against Katsuhiko Nagata. A no-contest was ruled in their last matchup at DREAM.1 with Calvancanti landing elbows to the neck and spine during an attempted takedown.

I don't think Aoki really stands much of a chance in the matchup. The little that we saw in the DREAM.1 bout was enough to give fans who were really hoping to put money or pick Aoki a chance to see what Aoki offers. He looked much smaller than Calvancante, wasn't able to get close to a takedown, and he still has a huge disadvantage against most fighters in the striking game. His only real chance is to get "JZ" to the floor, which seems like an impossibility.

Also on the DREAM.2 will be Denis Kang vs. Gegard Mousasi. It should be a good battle between power strikers, but Mousasi has been facing lesser competition than Kang has in the past. Nonetheless, Mousasi has the power to flatline Kang like Akiyama accomplished back in October. Akiyama and Minowa are also rumored to be fighting on the card as well. Masakatsu Funaki will take on Kiyoshi Tamura, and Kazushi Sakuraba will fight Andrews Nakahara.

DREAM.3 Lightweight Second Round matchups

Joachim Hansen vs. Eddie Alvarez

This is a superfight if I've ever seen one. Joachim absolutely crushed Kotetsu Boku in the preliminary round. Although it went to decision, Hansen was dominating on the ground and in the standup. Boku had some flurries, but Hansen clearly outclassed him. Hansen has an all-around great skillset with submissions and knee strikes. He has multiple ways to end the fight, and it should be a good matchup for Alvarez.

Alvarez has strong wrestling and great hands. He's got some devastating ground and pound that put Andre Dida out of the tournament, and he could turn it on again against Hansen. Hansen isn't exactly susceptible to the TKO though, in fact, he has never lost via TKO. The matchup has the makings of a war.

Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Luis "Buscape" Firmino

This oughta be a decent battle, but Kawajiri holds a win over Firmino at Bushido 8 back in 2005. I imagine it may go the same way with Kawajiri using his crushing ways to keep Firmino on his back for most of the fight. Firmino has some submission skills, but Kawajiri is too smart to get caught. His power will likely allow him to power out of most attempts.

Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Caol Uno

Ishida has been on a tear as of late. His wrestling has been phenomenal lately, and he took a big win over Gilbert Melendez on New Year's Eve by taking the back at will for most of the first round. Uno will have his hands full.