Bibiano Fernandes, Joe Warren, Akiyo "Wicky" Nishiura, Yoshiro Maeda, Hiroyuki Takaya and Masakazu Imanari all advanced Sunday in the DREAM.7 Featherweight Grand Prix at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto was the only fighter to receive a bye and will be in action at DREAM.8. The final spot will be determined by Hideo Tokoro vs. Daika "DJ Taiki" Hata bout at DREAM.8.

In non-tournament bouts, Mitsuhiro Ishida won a unanimous decision over Daisuke Nakamura, Shinya Aoki submitted David Gardner with a rear naked choke and Tatsuya Kawajiri also won by rear naked choke against Ross Ebanez.

Aoki was fighting at lightweight for one more time before he moves up to welterweight to enter the DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix.

Kawajiri called out Gesias "JZ Calvan" Calvancante for a number one contender bout to determine current DREAM Lightweight Champion Joachim "Hellboy" Hansen's first title challenger.

DREAM 7 was dedicated to Helio Gracie. Kazushi Sakuraba and Yuki Sasaki stood inside the ring for a moment of silence during the opening ceremony.

Below are the official results for DREAM.7:

Featherweight Grand Prix Opening Round Bouts:

• Masakazu Imanari def. Atsushi Yamamoto by split decision

• Hiroyuki Takaya def. Kim Jong-won Kim by TKO (punches) at 0:40 of Round 2

• Yoshiro Maeda def. Micah Miller by unanimous decision

• Abel Cullum def. Akiyo "Wicky" Nishiura by unanimous decision

• Joe Warren def. Chase Beebe by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 10:00 of Round 1

• Bibiano Fernandes def. Takafumi Otsuka by unanimous decision

Non-Tournament Bouts:

• Shinya Aoki def. David Gardner by submission (rear naked choke) at 5:58 of Round 1

• Tatsuya Kawijiri def. Ross Ebanez by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:03 of Round 1

• Mitsuhiro Ishida def. Daisuke Nakamura by unanimous decision

DREAM announced today the fight order for DREAM.7. Masakazu Imanari versus Atsushi Yamamoto bout will serve as the main event.

DREAM.7 ~ Featherweight Grand Prix 2009 1st Round ~
Date: March 8, 2009
Place: Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan

Fight Card:

• Takafumi Otsuka vs. Bibiano Fernandes (Featherweight GP)

• Chase Beebe vs. Joe Warren (Featherweight GP)

• Akiyo "Wicky" Nishiura vs. Abel Cullum (Featherweight GP)

• Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Daisuke Nakamura (Welterweight one match)

• Shinya Aoki vs. David Gardner (Welterweight one match)

• Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Ross Ebanez (Lightweight one match)

• Yoshiro Maeda vs. Micah Miller (Featherweight GP)

• Hiroyuki Takaya vs. Kim Jong-won (Featherweight GP)

• Masakazu Imanari vs. Atsushi Yamamoto (Featherweight GP)

Japan's DREAM organization announced on Friday that top ranked lightweight Tatsuya Kawajiri (picture) will take on BJ Penn trained fighter Ross Ebanez at DREAM 7 on March 8 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Kawajiri (22-5-2) made an impressive kickboxing debut at Dynamite!! 2008 after his MMA loss to Eddie Alvarez at the semifinals of the DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix.

Ross Ebanez (19-6) last competed in October, defeating Waachiim SpiritWolf at Rumble on the Rock: Beatdown 9.

DREAM 7 also features the opening round of the organization's featherweight tournament with fighters such as Masakazu Imanari, Chase Beebe, Atsushi Yamamoto, Akiyo "Wicky" Nishiura, Micah Miller and more competing in the tournament.