The saga of who Shinya Aoki will face at DREAM 17 continues to change as now the Japanese fighter will face American Rich Clementi in place of an injured Antonio McKee.
Aoki (27-5 MMA, 11-2 DREAM) had refused to sign a contract to face Shane Nelson (13-5 MMA, 0-0 DREAM) at DREAM.17. Nelson’s fight contract has been voided, but he has been awarded a two-fight deal with the promotion. He will likely debut at DREAM.18. Aoki would not sign the agreement for the fight, and instead, has chosen a fight with Rich Clementi (40-19-1 MMA, 0-0 DREAM). Clementi is the fifth opponent for Aoki on this card, as Shane Nelson, Willamy Freire, Jamie Varner and Antonio McKee were all in negotiations at one time. DREAM.17 takes place May 29 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan with the following card.
