DREAM.7 took place on March 8, 2009, at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, promoted by Fighting and Entertainment Group’s DREAM. The main event features Shinya Aoki facing David Gardner in a lightweight bout, with Aoki coming off a unanimous decision win over Joachim Hansen at DREAM.5 and Gardner entering after a TKO victory in M-1 Challenge. Key featherweight Grand Prix opening round bouts include Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto vs. Joe Warren, Masakazu Imanari vs. Wicky Akiyo Nishiura, and Hiroyuki Takaya vs. Jong Won Kim. Other notable fights include Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Daiki Hata and Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Ross Ebanez.