Alvarez's mobility, positioning and power. The American's game plan was simple -- get on top and pound away. From the side, rear, half or full mount, Alvarez pumped the fists and the knees without respite.

Dida did his best to weather the storm, but could not lock up his opponent, and instead of starting his own challenges remained ever on the hurting end, until the referee finally came in to call it. An instance of power and aggression overwhelming technique, delivering a convincing win for Alvarez.

Next up, spunky Japanese mixed martial arts fighter Tatsuya Kawajiri met the dynamic Black Mamba of India. Plenty of wrestling here, the pair twisting in the clinch, Kawajiri twice getting on top before finally sweeping to a side then rear mount that Mamba slammed to escape. After more clinching Kawajiri went down into Mamba's closed guard, improved to a side and then another rear mount, but again could not get the choke to work.

Kawajiri was controlling the fight but could not direct it to conclusion, and we had much of the same in the second. Mamba opened with a nice front kick and looked like he wanted to stay on his feet. But Kawajiri dove in for the single leg takedown, and after eating a knee soon had the ground game in play again. Mamba's closed guard and legwork were sound, and there were no real threats through the end of the bout. Judges gave a unanimous decision to the more aggressive Kawajiri.

The night's victorious tournament bout fighters will re-converge in Saitama in May to fight spots in the DREAM Lightweight GP Final this July in Osaka. The last man standing will be awarded the first-ever DREAM Championship Belt.

In other one-match fights tonight, Hayato "Mach" Sakurai of Japan used a ground and pound attack to notch a win over compatriot Hidetaka Monma by referee stop; while the athletic Minowaman of Japan got a takedown to half mount on hulking Korean former professional baseball pitcher Kwan Bun Lee, then extracted the leg for a heel lock and tapout win at just 1:25.

The DREAM.1 Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 1st Round attracted a sellout crowd of 19,120 to the Saitama Super Arena. It was broadcast live across Japan on the TBS television network. For delay-broadcast information in other countries, contact local providers. As always, visit the K-1 Official Website (www.k-1.co.jp/k-1gp) for comprehensive coverage of this and all FEG productions.