The Weekly Wrap: Nov. 29 - Dec. 5

Alvarez, Aoki, Sylvia, Slice looking to Japan

FEG was close this week to signing a high-stakes bout between two of the world's top-four lightweights for the K-1/Dream "Premium Dynamite 2008" card on New Year's Eve, as word emerged that Eddie Alvarez is set to face Shinya Aoki. The bout was supposed to be the final tilt of the Dream lightweight tournament in September before Alvarez was disqualified for suffering a cut in his fight against Tatsuya Kawajiri. Kawajiri will face grizzled kickboxer Kozo Takeda in a kickboxing rules match as one of the K-1 vs. Dream bouts being promoted on New Year’s Eve.

In addition, Tim Sylvia told Sherdog.com this week that he is seeking a fight in Japan, either on the Dynamite card or the Jan. 4th Sengoku show at the Tokyo Dome. Sylvia's manager told Sherdog.com that the former UFC heavyweight champion has been granted a certificate of eligibility to fight on either show.

And on a strange note, Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson made his first public appearance in Japan this week since his Oct. 4 loss. Slice will be on the commentary team for HDNet's live broadcast of the K-1 World Grand Prix event in Yokohama early Saturday morning. Rumors persist that Slice may rematch Seth Petruzelli in the Orient.