Ailing Aoki given green light to keep fighting in DREAM Grand Prix

Shinya Aoki, who earned his spot in the second round of the DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix with a recent victory over Gesias "J.Z." Calvancante, will be allowed to continue on in the tournament despite recent injuries.

His bout with Katsuhiko Nagata will, however, be moved from its planned date of May 11 on the DREAM.3 fight card, to the DREAM.4 event on June 15. The promotion announced the move at a press conference on Monday.

According to his doctor, Aoki suffered a cervical injury in his March 15 bout with Calvancante, which impaired the feeling in his right arm. He also severely bruised a rib on April 29 in his second bout with the Brazilian. As such, he will not be allowed to fight on May 11.

Aoki was originally going to withdraw from the tournament due to the injuries. DREAM officials attempted to recruit Calvancante to take his place, but negotiations were unsuccessful. As a result, the promotion decided to allow Aoki time to heal up and remain in the tournament, fighting on June 15.

DREAM.4 is scheduled to feature Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic's next bout for the promotion, as well as the second round of its Middleweight Grand Prix.