Nelson Out, Clementi Now In at 'Fight for Japan'

Rich Clementi (above) is the latest man to sign on to face Shinya Aoki. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Tuesday afternoon, Sherdog.com reported that Nelson would replace Antonio McKee against Aoki at the May 29 event. Instead, Aoki will now likely face another UFC veteran in Rich Clementi. Dream official Mike Kogan reported the news via Twitter on Tuesday evening, and Sherdog.com has confirmed with a source close to the event that both Clementi and Aoki have verbally agreed to the bout.

Dream's “Fight for Japan” goes down from Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, and will feature both the quarter- and semifinals of the promotion’s 2011 Japan bantamweight grand prix.

Clementi has gone 2-3 in his last five bouts. The 10-time UFC veteran made his Bellator Fighting Championships debut in September, dropping a split decision to Carey Vanier. Though the 35-year-old would rebound with a December victory, Clementi kicked off 2011 with an upset submission loss to Aaron Derrow. Most recently, the veteran was dealt a controversial unanimous decision defeat against Reza Madadi at Superior Challenge 7 in April.