Creature vs. Creature: Shinya Aoki Will Dominate Tasuya Kawajiri at DREAM 15

At Dream 15 on Saturday, two of the best lightweights in the world will fight at what is one of the best cards of the summer. Featuring Gegard Mousasi and Melvin Manhoef, along with the aforementioned lightweights, it looks to be a card to remember. With that, I'm going to take you inside the lightweight title fight between Shinya Aoki and Tatsuya Kawajiri, in our latest edition of Creature vs. Creature.

I will be looking to prove to you guys that Shinya Aoki will win. Ken Foss, a colleague of mine and Tatsuya Kawajiri's backer, is picking the wrong end of this matchup, and I intend to show him so, along with my readers.

Now, on to the main event!

Shinya Aoki is one of the most gifted grapplers in MMA today. In an MMA world that features standouts such as Jacaré Souza, Démian Maia, and BJ Penn, that is saying a lot. It is his grappling that has got him this far, and it is his grappling which will propel him even further on Saturday.

Despite coming off a loss in his Strikeforce fight against Gilbert Melendez, Shinya Aoki has a lot that he can be confident about. Despite having a disadvantage in the strength and clinch prowess, Aoki is an absolute master when it comes to submissions.

Of his 23 wins, 14 have come by submission. If he can manage to get Kawajiri to the ground consistently, I can see no reason why he won't win this fight. Although Kawajiri is known as being a lethal ground and pound artist, most of his ability to deliver blows, if not all of it, will be nullified by Aoki's excellent bottom control.

If Aoki can keep out of the clinch while standing and work his submissions while grappling, then I believe he will win this fight.

With that, I'm predicting a second round submission win for Aoki.

I didn't sell you to it? If that's the case, you can view Ken Foss's take here .