Shinya Aoki is no stranger to the world of pro wrestling and that was even more evident after a recent appearance. The ONE Championship star recently made an appearance at the Kawasaki Strong 2021 event from Japanese wrestling promotion DDT Universal Championship. After interrupting a match and getting on the mic, Aoki proceeded to pull […]
Shinya Aoki is no stranger to the world of pro wrestling and that was even more evident after a recent appearance.
The ONE Championship star recently made an appearance at the Kawasaki Strong 2021 event from Japanese wrestling promotion DDT Universal Championship.
After interrupting a match and getting on the mic, Aoki proceeded to pull down his pants, stand on the turnbuckle and give a stink face to another wrestler who was forced to make contact with his butt.
If you think that sounds bizarre enough, you can watch footage of it below:
This isn’t Aoki’s first foray in professional wrestling as he has also competed for another wrestling promotion in Inoki Genome Federation as far back as 2013.
As far as mixed martial arts goes, Aoki is currently on a three-fight winning streak after returning to action last month and submitting James Nakashima at ONE’s Unbreakable event.
He will undoubtedly be looking for another shot at the ONE lightweight title after suffering a TKO defeat to current champion Christian Lee back in May 2019.
For now, pro wrestling will seemingly fill the gap for the Japanese legend.
What do you make of Aoki’s appearance at this pro wrestling show?
The lightweight division in MMA has probably featured more back-and-forth wars in the sport than any other division. While the UFC always seems to set the bar, there are fighters in other promotions that have put in the work and won titles all over the…
The lightweight division in MMA has probably featured more back-and-forth wars in the sport than any other division. While the UFC always seems to set the bar, there are fighters in other promotions that have put in the work and won titles all over the landscape of the sport. Some still fight, even when they […]
Newly-crowned ONE Championship lightweight champion Shinya Aoki has always marched to the beat of his own drum. So it was no surprise that following his first-round submission victory over Eduard Folayang at ONE: A New Era, the 35-year-old immediately began planning his first title defense. What was surprising, however, was of all the names he […]
Newly-crowned ONE Championship lightweight champion Shinya Aoki has always marched to the beat of his own drum.
So it was no surprise that following his first-round submission victory over Eduard Folayang at ONE: A New Era, the 35-year-old immediately began planning his first title defense. What was surprising, however, was of all the names he could have called out from the ONE roster, the Japanese veteran chose featherweight title challenger Christian Lee.
Lee was as taken aback as the rest of MMA world when he got word of the callout.
“I had no idea that Aoki wanted to face me,” Lee recently told LowKickMMA.com.
“Shinya and I are good friends, and I had just congratulated him the day before I found out the news of him wanting to fight me. However, there is no bad blood between us, and I am honored to fight for his belt.”
The pair will clash on May 17, 2019, at ONE: Enter The Dragon from Singapore. Lee is unfazed about competing as a lightweight. He is also not concerned about the tight timeframe in which to put together his training camp
“It will not be a problem for me moving up a weight class as I typically walk around at 170 pounds. I train hard year-round, so I know that I will be ready come May 17.
The 20-year-old five-time Pankration world champion presents a type of threat that Aoki has not faced during his championship run. Aoki has built his recent success around his ability to control the action on the ground. However, Lee is a fighter who feels at home off his feet as he does on them.
“I know that Aoki is a dangerous opponent, but I trust in my skills, and I know that I can win this fight striking on the feet or grappling him on the ground.”
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong recently hinted that the Singapore-based promotion could hold an event in the United States in the future.
If this does happen, then one location which could be an option to host the promotion’s debut is Hawaii. The Aloha State is home to not only Christian and Angela Lee, but also Bruno Pucci and undefeated lightweight Lowen Tynanes. The idea of ONE taking their show to the 50th state is one that meets with Lee’s approval.
“I would love for ONE Championship to make their USA debut in Hawaii. The fight fans in Hawaii are extremely passionate about martial arts, and I know it would be a sellout show.
For now, though, all of Lee’s focus is centered around one goal; stopping Shinya Aoki.
New champions were crowned at ONE Championship 92 and two former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title holders made their promotional debuts. ONE Championship: A New Era took place earlier today (March 31) in Tokyo, Japan. In the main event, Shiny…
New champions were crowned at ONE Championship 92 and two former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title holders made their promotional debuts. ONE Championship: A New Era took place earlier today (March 31) in Tokyo, Japan. In the main event, Shinya Aoki submitted Eduard Folayang to recapture the ONE Championship lightweight title. Xiong Jing Nan finished […]
Reigning ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang will defend his title at ONE: A NEW ERA against a man he respects, Japanese legend Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki. The square off in the main event on 31 March at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. Folayang knew Aoki was perhaps the best grappler he had […]
Folayang knew Aoki was perhaps the best grappler he had ever faced in his entire career even when he first challenged the Japanese warrior back in 2016.
Though he was able to win the match by way of technical knockout in the third round, Folayang was tested in every way as Aoki took every opportunity to bring the Filipino into his grappling world.
“I have the utmost respect for Shinya [Aoki],” Folayang said.
“In my opinion, he’s a terrific martial artist and a true martial arts hero. He’s been around for so long and he’s faced the best in the sport. I am certainly not taking him lightly. Shinya is and will always be a legend in my eyes. That being said, I’m preparing to take him out on March 31st. In my mind, I finish him within the distance.”
In a classic striker versus grappler matchup, Folayang has done his due diligence in studying everything about Aoki’s style. He knows that Aoki will inevitably be able to take him down, so he and his teammates at Team Lakay are coming up with a game plan to make sure he is able to hold his own against the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo black belt.
“If he does successfully take me down to the mat, I have to remain calm and work to escape,” Folayang said.
“The thing with Shinya is, if he’s able to bring you into his world, it can be extremely dangerous, especially if you panic. You are prone to making mistakes and trust me, he recognizes every opening.”
Besides his improved takedown defense, Folayang also plans on keeping Aoki busy with his heavy strikes. While Aoki is on the defensive, Folayang will continue to unleash a barrage of punches and kicks until he claims the desired result.
“I have to make sure my explosiveness is there in this bout,” Folayang said.
“I have to be very aggressive and keep him on the defensive. He’s going to eat a handful of strikes if he tries to come close, that’s for sure.”
Folayang is confident that his training has equipped him the tools necessary to finish off Aoki once and for all, as he has no plans of letting the result go to the judges’ scorecards. It is hands down the most important title defense in his career and Folayang will push forward for the people who have motivated him since day one.
“I am dedicating this match to our Lord, my family, to my teammates at Team Lakay, and all the fans in the Philippines,” Folayang concluded.
“I will do my best to finish this guy within the distance and not put the result in the hands of the judges.”
By Dan Paulo Errazo Reigning ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang will headline ONE: A NEW ERA on 31 March as he defends his ONE Lightweight World Title against Japanese legend, Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki in a highly-anticipated rematch. The heavily stacked card at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan will house the rematch […]
The heavily stacked card at the Ry?goku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan will house the rematch between the Filipino striker and the Japanese submission artist. After relinquishing his golden strap to Folayang, Aoki made a statement by winning his last three matches in the first round where two of those were by submission, and one impressively by knockout.
The wins earned Aoki another shot at the ONE Lightweight World Title, setting up an epic showdown in Japan.
“I knew at one point or another, I would be facing Shinya [Aoki] again. It was inevitable,” Folayang said.
“He was quickly coming back up and I had just won the title again. Plus, the huge Japan event was announced. I anticipated defending the lightweight belt against him there. “
Folayang was happy with the news that he would be facing Aoki once more. He feels that this is another opportunity to see how much he has improved against the hungry Japanese veteran.
“Nevertheless, I am grateful for the opportunity to once again face this legend,” Folayang said.
“He’s the greatest submission artist in mixed martial arts history. I couldn’t be happier to headline this event against him. It is an honor.”
Coming into this bout, Folayang’s game plan involves heavy focus on takedown defense.
Knowing that Aoki is known for his vaunted ground game, Folayang has been working closely with coach Mark Sangiao in developing techniques to counter and escape each and every position on the ground.
A successful title defense would mean a lot to Folayang and Team Lakay as they slowly rise back to the top of the sport. Takedown defense, and avoiding the mat with Aoki at all costs, it seems, is the primary focus.
“As much as possible, I will not give him the opportunity to bring me down to the mat,” Folayang concluded.
“It all boils down to how well I defend myself from his takedowns, knowing how expertly he moves with this sole purpose in mind. Takedown defense is a very important part of my training right now, and I am constantly improving in this area.”
