The 2nd semi final matchup is up next…based on rankings Kawajiri would be the least favorable draw for Aoki but Eddie Alverez looked very sharp in his excellent bout against Joachim Hansen. If you haven’t seen Alverez/Hansen its a fight of the year candidate. Alverez a native of Philadelphia, a town that has produced no shortage of great fighters over the years including the great Joe Frazier. Bas Rutten gushing about Alverez and who can blame him? Alverez is the total package for a fighter technically, with the toughness and heart that you can’t teach. Wondering about DREAM’s contracts–are they non exclusive like World Victory Road? They have a relationship with EliteXC. Anyway, if the contracts allow it Affliction ought to sign Alverez to fight on their November return card.

ROUND ONE:

Kawajiri tries a kick and misses, Alverez tries to counter with a combination. Alverez has excellent handspeed. Kawajiri trying for a guillotine, which is such a physically draining hold to execute probably not a good choice for a tournament format. Fighters tied up against the ropes for a moment and exchange a couple of knees. Nice straight right by Kawajiri. Ref Shimata is known as “Mr. Boo”, a very oblique reference to Argentinian pro wrestling that about a half dozen other people get. Fighters trading punches, Kawajiri getting the best of it. Fighters throwing punches and now Alverez gets the best of it and knocks Kawajiri down. Kawajiri got some nice single punches earlier, but he can’t box with Alverez–his handspeed and boxing skills are too good. If Alverez doesn’t have an exclusive deal with DREAM it would be insane if Affliction doesn’t hook him up–he’s a good looking kid, conducts himself like a pro and is just an exciting fighter to watch. Insane sequence with Alverez tripling up his jab and Kawajiri responding with a wicked punch that knocks Alverez down. Kawajiri tries to finish things but Alverez smartly gets him in a close guard so he can recover. Great guard pass by Kawajiri which excites both Rutten and the knowledgeable Japanese crowd. You think a well executed guard pass would get a huge reaction in the US? 3:30 left in a first round that’s had about 20 minutes worth of action already. Fighters now exchanging strikes in the middle a la Don Frye and Takiyama. Alverez lets his hands go and Kawajiri goes down. Alverez jumps in and lays in some hammer fists before “Mr. Boo” stops it. Just an incredible round–Alverez quickly moving on a short list of most exciting fighters in the sport. Just a tough, exciting fighter…

EDDIE ALVEREZ WINS BY TKO

The Alverez/Aoki matchup has ‘fight of the year candidate’ written all over it. BJ Penn should be *very* glad that neither Aoki, Alverez or Takanori Gomi is in the UFC. In a potential matchup with Penn the most dangerous opponent may be Alverez–his quick hands and slick boxing skills, combined with his toughness and heart would negate Penn’s big advantage.