DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki is now targeted to face former WEC champ Jamie Varner at DREAM 17 after visa issues forced one-time UFC fighter Willamy Freire to withdraw from the May 29 event in Saitmama, Japan, according to Sherdog.
UFC vet Antonio McKee was also recently rumored for the matchup.
Aoki (27-5) submitted Lyle Beerbohm last month in Strikeforce for his fourth-straight win since falling to Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez last April, while Varner (16-5-1) fell to 0-3-1 in his last four with a December loss to Shane Roller.
Varner is first scheduled to fight Tyler Combs (14-5) next Saturday at XFO 39 near Chicago.
DREAM 17 also includes a bantamweight grand prix, as well as Joachim Hansen vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida and Caol Uno vs. Akiyo “Wicky” Nishiura.
UFC vet Antonio McKee was also recently rumored for the matchup.
Aoki (27-5) submitted Lyle Beerbohm last month in Strikeforce for his fourth-straight win since falling to Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez last April, while Varner (16-5-1) fell to 0-3-1 in his last four with a December loss to Shane Roller.
Varner is first scheduled to fight Tyler Combs (14-5) next Saturday at XFO 39 near Chicago.
DREAM 17 also includes a bantamweight grand prix, as well as Joachim Hansen vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida and Caol Uno vs. Akiyo “Wicky” Nishiura.
