In the Cage – 8.24.11

Each day, The MMA Corner will provide a recap of event announcements, fight matchups, and injuries/cancellations from throughout the world of MMA.

Bellator’s lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez may finally have found a top-ranked opponent to face in Dream’s lightweight champion Shinya Aoki.  The two fought once before in 2008 when Aoki won via heel hook early in the first round.  The rematch is being targeted for a Bellator event in early 2012.

Former WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner has agreed to headline Titan Fighting Championship 20 on Sept. 23 facing off with Bellator veteran Alonzo Martinez.  A month later, Varner will headline XFC 14 against Nate Jolly on Oct. 21.

Titan Fighting Championship 20 takes place Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan.  XFC 14 takes place at the UCF Arena in Orlando, Fla., on the campus of University of Central Florida.  Both events main cards will air live on HDNet.

Dream executives have made the rumored middleweight bout between Gerald Harris and Kazuhiro Nakamura official for Dream 17.  The card features Joachim Hansen against Tatsuya Kawajiri and Shinya Aoki taking on Rob McCullough, as well as the quarter-final round of the bantamweight Grand Prix.

Dream 17 takes place on Sept. 24 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

British Association of Mixed Martial Arts, or BAMMA, has been holding shows in England over the last couple of years.  While BAMMA has six shows planned in England in 2012, they are also looking to expand internationally.  Dublin, New Jersey and Canada are all considered potential targets for the promotion.

Undefeated welterweight prospect Dhiego Lima faces UFC veteran Terry Martin at MFC 31.  The Canadian promotion’s event is being headlined by a light-heavyweight title fight between Ryan Jimmo and Pride and UFC veteran Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou.

MFC 31 takes place Oct. 7 in the Mayfield Inn Trade and Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and airs live on HDNet.