Yoshihiro Akiyama (Pictures) will miss the Dream middleweight grand prix because of a nasal fracture.

The 32-year-old judoka re-injured the serious nasal bone fracture he sustained against Kazuo Misaki (Pictures) on New Year's Eve, according to Dream promoter Fighting & Entertainment Group, which held a press conference Monday in Tokyo.

"Akiyama wanted to be in this grand prix by any means, even interrupting his training to fully heal up," said Dream producer Keiichi Sasahara. "But at the current state, even a slight blow will cause such heavy bleeding that will have every doctor stop the fight."

Sasahara also shot down any speculation about whether Akiyama may be given a bye to the second round in June: "Either a fighter will participate in the tournament from the first round, or he won't be in it at all. This also applies to Akiyama."

With the second round of the middleweight tournament tentatively scheduled to take place in Seoul, South Korea, Akiyama is aiming for a return in his birth country -- regardless of whether he will receive a "sponsor nomination" in the tournament or not. Last October he scored a brutal knockout over Bushido grand prix finalist Denis Kang (Pictures) in his home country.

The first round of the Dream 185-pound tournament starts April 29.

Though a bout between Frank Trigg (Pictures) and Jacaré was announced, the American wrestler has denied in published reports that he will participate.