Tatsuya Kawajiri Booked Against Hacran Dias At UFC Singapore
Former Strikeforce lightweight Tatsuya Kawajiri made the headlines recently with his signing to the UFC featherweight division. It appears that he’s already got a new opponent, as Fight Sports Asia has reported Kawajiri will face Hacran Dias at the UFC Singapore debut on January 4.
Since dropping down to featherweight, Kawajiri has found success with a five-fight win streak. His grappling skillset has taken center stage, leading to three submission wins during the streak. Kawajiri’s last lost was to former UFC title challenger Gilbert Melendez.
It’ll be no easy welcome to the Octagon for Kawajiri, as the Nova Uniao-trained Dias is 10-1 in his 11 bouts. He owns a win over the dangerous Yuri Alcantara, but lost a grinding decision to the smothering Nik Lentz at UFC on FX 8.
The announcement comes as exciting news for Japanese fight fans. Kawajiri has an illustrious career fighting throughout Asia; now he will make his return under the world’s biggest MMA banner. Kawajiri is heading into a tough and talented division at 35 years-old.
He has an impressive 32-7 record and has finished a lofty 21 opponents throughout his 13-year mixed martial arts career.
Can “Crusher” make waves in the UFC and put together one last title run?
