Even more important, what better way to get things going than with a final four that included Caol Uno, Shinya Aoki, Eddie Alvarez, and Tatsuya Kawajiri?

So let's hear the story on the Lightweight Tournament fights as only Submit To MMA can tell it.

Joachim Hansen vs. Kultar Gill in the reserve match

Hansen came right in and went for the takedown against Gill, a man with a strong kickboxing background. Though Gill made it hard on him and connected with some knees and kicks, eventually Hansen grabbed an arm.

And that was all she wrote.

Joachim Hansen wins by way of first round armbar.

Shinya Aoki vs. Caol Uno

This fight was interesting in a number of ways. First, Aoki did not have the same problem getting Uno to the ground as Mitsuhiro Ishida did. In fact, he took this fight to the ground on numerous occasions. That said, submitting Uno was a different story. Namely, Aoki nearly pulled off a heel hook and had his opponent caught dead to rights in a triangle choke; but somehow Uno managed to persevere through.

In other words, the fight was definitely won by Shinya Aoki. Still, Caol Uno came to fight and showed some toughness and ridiculous submission defense.

Shinya Aoki takes it home by decision.

Tatsuyi Kawajiri vs. Eddie Alvarez in another Top 10 Fight of the Year candidate for the Philadelphia fighter

"I think it's important just to focus on my first round opponent," said Eddie Alvarez before taking on Tatsuya Kawajiri. "If I don't get through him I can't finish the tournament."

Boy does Eddie Alvarez always come to fight.

This was a brawl where both fighters knocked the other down to the canvas to rain down punches on them. That said, for his efforts Alvarez sustained a cut to the side of his eye. Kawajiri, on the other hand, was knocked out after two hard rights floored him and several strikes on the canvas made sure he was done.

The win was bittersweet for Alvarez, however. You see, the cut on his eye caused the doctors to determine that he couldn't fight in the championship. Thus the alternate, Joachim Hansen, got to fight in the final.

Alvarez addressed the crowd about this. He was very gracious.

Joachim Hansen vs. Shinya Aoki in the DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix Final

Here's how it went down. Aoki had no problem getting Hansen to the ground. But early on, with Hansen standing over him, the man they call Hellboy unleashed a furious left handed punch that dazed Aoki. A few strikes later and it was all over.

And just like that Joachim Hansen became the first DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix Champion.

DREAM 5 Results

Daisuke Nakamura def. Andy Ologun via submission (armbar) - R1 (3:41)

Shinya Aoki def. Caol Uno via unanimous decision

Eddie Alvarez def. Tatsuya Kawajiri via KO - R1 (7:35)

Joachim Hansen def. Black Mamba via submission (armbar) - R1 (2:33)

Joseph Benavidez def. Junya Kodo via submission (guillotine choke) - R1 (2:42)

Kuniyoshi Hironaka def. Motoki Miyazawa via TKO (cut) - R1 (8:57)

Hideo Tokoro def. Takeshi Yamazaki via unanimous decision

Yoshihiro Akiyama def. Katsuyori Shibata via submission (choke) - R1 (6:34)

Alistair Overeem def. Mark Hunt via submission (keylock) - R1 (1:11)

Joachim Hansen def. Shinya Aoki via TKO (strikes) - R1 (4:19)

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