Dream’s past events always offered something to which hardcore fans could cling, from Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic’s return to Japan and the postponed match between Shinya Aoki and Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante to Alistair Overeem’s run through the heavyweight ranks and an impressive middleweight grand prix final.

At Dream 10 this Monday, the promotion pairs its underwhelming 167-pound tournament with a supporting cast of fighters that failed miserably in their previous appearances: Aoki, Melvin Manhoef and Paulo Filho. Perhaps the low expectations provide a chance for the event to deliver at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Past cards that appeared subpar on paper provided killer fights in the ring.