DREAM and WVR announce details for NYE events

DREAM and World Victory Road have released details regarding their individual New Year's shows. That's right; unfortunately there will be no cross-promotion this year.

"DREAM DYNAMITE!! 2010" will take place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on December 31st. As per usual, the event will feature mixed martial arts and kickboxing bouts. It is not official, but it's expected for the event to air live on HDNet. FEG president, Sadaharu Tanikawa, has said previously that he'd like to only do a three-hour long broadcasted event this year.

World Victory Road's event will be named, "WVR Presents: Soul of Fight", and according to president, Toru Makai, may feature up to 30 fights between MMA, grappling, and kickboxing. The event is intended to be an all-day, family-friendly, martial arts "festival". It will take place on December 30th from the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan. This event is also expected to be shown on HDNet either live or via tape delay.

In terms of participants on the cards, those are largely speculative at this point. DREAM has announced that lightweight champion, Shinya Aoki, will predictably take part in their "DYNAMITE!!" event. His opponent has yet to be announced, but there are rumors of a potential Gilbert Melendez rematch. 2008 Olympic gold medalist, Satoshi Ishii, is looking like a likely participant on the DREAM card as well. No opponent has been named for him, but DREAM officials have said it will NOT be fellow decorated judoka, Hiroshi Izumi. "It's Showtime!" has gone on record last month in saying that K-1 veteran, Melvin Manhoef, will compete on "DYNAMITE!!" as well.