Article by Josh Gross. Photos by Daniel Herbertson

SAITAMA, May. 12 -- Assuming Shinya Aoki gets past Katsuhiko Nagata (the general consensus) at Dream 4, three of Japan's top lightweights -- including two who are considered among the best in the world -- will have a chance to walk away with the Dream crown on July 21.

No offense to Nagata, but let's map out the semis as if Aoki did what he's expected to do: Aoki meets Philadelphia's Eddie Alvarez, and Caol Uno faces sudden rival Tatsuya Kawajiri. Because the tournament champion must win twice in the same night, Alvarez is an interesting case as the American could conceivably defeat a twin bill of Aoki and Kawajiri. Along with his exciting decision over Joachim Hansen late Saturday at Dream 3, Alvarez would extend his record to 16-1 and his ranking from unmentioned to middle of the top 10.

See the pictures at SportsIllustrated.com