When I caught him and tried to submit him, I heard a loud crackle sound. He did not tap so I thought ‘Ok, this match just became a death-fight’ and I was going to destroy his leg… I knew Kawajiri never taps so I could not win without breaking his bone. I was hoping for an open-fracture… Yes, yes. No one could have endured [that submission] like Kawajiri. His heart is iron.
—Shinya Aoki in his post-fight interview talking about trying to break Tatsuya Kawajiri’s ankle at DREAM.15
In Shinya Aoki’s post-fight speech immediately after “destroying” Tatsuya Kawajiri’s leg (still not 100% sure he broke it), Aoki told the crowd he would rematch Gilbert Melendez at DREAM.15, or he at least hinted at it. Either way, he’s not getting the rematch in September. Strikeforce already shot it down, claiming Melendez won’t be ready to return to action until later this fall. Melendez is still recovering from a broken hand and is expecting his first daughter later this summer.
Translated via MiddleEasy and GryphonJapan. Image via Dan Herbertson for MMA Fighting.
