is a Japanese
mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world.
In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...
,
professional wrestler and
grappler competing in
ONE Championship
ONE Championship, formerly ONE Fighting Championship (ONE FC) until January 2015, is a Multinational corporation, multinational combat sports Promoter (entertainment), promotion founded on 14 July 2011 by Chatri Sityodtong and Victor Cui. Origi ...
's Welterweight division. He also competes in
DDT Pro-Wrestling where he is a former three-time
DDT Extreme Champion. A professional competitor since 2003, he is noted for being the
DREAM Lightweight Champion, former two time
ONE Lightweight World Champion, former WAMMA Lightweight Champion and former
Shooto Welterweight Champion. Aoki is an A-class
Shootist and
BJJ black belt, both under his long-term mentor
Yuki Nakai
Yuki Nakai (born 18 August 1970, ) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist. He currently teaches Shootfighting and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and is the president of the Japanese Confederation of Jiu-Jitsu.
He competed in Shooto, an early MMA ...
, as well as a black belt
Judo
is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, combat sport, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyc ...
ka. As of 2008, Aoki, along with
DEEP
Deep or The Deep may refer to:
Places United States
* Deep Creek (Appomattox River tributary), Virginia
* Deep Creek (Great Salt Lake), Idaho and Utah
* Deep Creek (Mahantango Creek tributary), Pennsylvania
* Deep Creek (Mojave River tributary ...
champion
Masakazu Imanari, and
Sengoku champion
Satoru Kitaoka have founded the "Nippon Top Team" as a group of elite Japanese grapplers competing in MMA. As well as his MMA credentials, Aoki has garnered several submission grappling accolades including two All Japan Jiu-Jitsu Championships, a Japan Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship, a Budo Open Championship, and an
ADCC Japan Championship.
Early life and judo career
Aoki described himself as a problem child while growing up, which caused him to be isolated by his classmates. He found relief joining the
judo
is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, combat sport, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyc ...
club while in
elementary school
A primary school (in Ireland, India, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, South Africa, and Singapore), elementary school, or grade school (in North America and the Philippines) is a school for primary ...
. In junior high school, Aoki found himself still below the level of his training partners, so he multiplied his training time, visiting other clubs and teams in his free time. He also researched
wrestling
Wrestling is a martial art, combat sport, and form of entertainment that involves grappling with an opponent and striving to obtain a position of advantage through different throws or techniques, within a given ruleset. Wrestling involves di ...
and
sambo techniques in books and magazines, which would lead to his signature eclectic style. His hard work paid off and his coach proposed him to aim for the national team, but he rejected it to spite his coach for previously looking down on him. Aoki even changed schools to the
Shizuoka Gakuen Junior and Senior High School so he would be in a rival team.
Despite his success in competition, Aoki was criticized due to his unorthodox grappling style. He described his judo career as, "a battle against the tacit notion that a judoka's favorite moves must be
seoi nage,
uchi mata and
osoto gari
is one of the original 40 Throw (grappling), throws of Judo
as developed by Jigoro Kano. It belongs to the first group, Judo Lists#Dai Ikkyo, Dai Ikkyo, of the traditional throwing list, Gokyo (no waza), of Kodokan Judo. It is also included in t ...
". He was also criticized once when he a struck a victory pose during a tournament, a practice frowned upon in judo. Aoki competed in national championships, rising as a star of the judo club of
Waseda University
Waseda University (Japanese: ), abbreviated as or , is a private university, private research university in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as the Tōkyō Professional School by Ōkuma Shigenobu, the fifth Prime Minister of Japan, prime ministe ...
. Even although his clash against his more traditional partners and teachers continued, he would score victories with unusual techniques like
tobi-juji-gatame,
waki-gatame and
kakato-jime.
However, his interest began to move to the more liberal format of
mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting combat sport, sport based on strike (attack), striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world.
In the early 20th century, various inter-s ...
, becoming a fan of
Kazushi Sakuraba
is a Japanese professional wrestler, submission wrestling, submission wrestler and former mixed martial artist, currently signed to Pro Wrestling NOAH, Pro Wrestling Noah, where he was formerly one-half of the former GHC Tag Team Championship, G ...
for his popularity and victories against much heavier opponents in
Pride Fighting Championships. Aoki's conflicts in the judo team would only worsen. He admitted he would be disruptive, even keeping submission holds on after his opponents tapped out so he could get revenge on them. While in third year of university, he was finally kicked out of the team, but he was already training in mixed martial arts by this point. He made his professional debut the same year.
Mixed martial arts career
Aoki initially joined the Judo-based RJJ gym before moving to Team Roken along with his longtime friend
Masakazu Imanari, though he later moved to Paraestra Shooto Gym, where he trained under former Kosen representative
Yuki Nakai
Yuki Nakai (born 18 August 1970, ) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist. He currently teaches Shootfighting and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and is the president of the Japanese Confederation of Jiu-Jitsu.
He competed in Shooto, an early MMA ...
. He earned both his A-class
Shooto rank as well as his
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Nakai, and became one of the team's main teachers.
DEEP and Shooto
Aoki had his MMA debut for
DEEP
Deep or The Deep may refer to:
Places United States
* Deep Creek (Appomattox River tributary), Virginia
* Deep Creek (Great Salt Lake), Idaho and Utah
* Deep Creek (Mahantango Creek tributary), Pennsylvania
* Deep Creek (Mojave River tributary ...
in November 2003, winning a one night tournament by fast armbar submissions. He later would show further unorthodox grappling skills against veteran
Seichi Ikemoto and
Keith Wisniewski, who he defeated by breaking his arm with a standing
wakigatame also known as a Fujiwara armbar. He also would face legendary
Hayato Sakurai
(born August 24, 1975) also known as , is a Japanese mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 1996, he has formerly competed for the UFC, PRIDE, DREAM, Shooto, Vale Tudo Japan, DEEP, and participated in the Yarennoka!, ...
in a
Shooto event, losing a decision which was seen as controversial.
Aoki went to compete in both companies until 2007, also defeating
Akira Kikuchi to win the
Shooto Welterweight Championship.
PRIDE Fighting Championships
In August 2006, Aoki made his
PRIDE Fighting Championships debut at
Pride Bushido 12, submitting American fighter
Jason Black in under two minutes with a
triangle choke. Following that win, Aoki was booked to face rising
Lightweight
Lightweight is a weight class in combat sports and rowing (sport), rowing.
Boxing Professional boxing
The lightweight division is over 130 pounds (59 kilograms) and up to 135 pounds (61.2 kilograms) boxing weight classes, weight class in the spor ...
star
Gilbert Melendez at the following Bushido card,
Bushido 13. However, prior to the fight Melendez received an elbow injury (a burst
bursa sac) in training and was forced to pull out of the fight. Aoki's opponent was changed to
Clay French. Aoki submitted French in just under four minutes with a triangle choke. Afterwards, Melendez was shown in the crowd with a sling, and announced he would like to face Aoki at
Pride Shockwave 2006 on New Year's Eve. Aoki agreed.
For unknown reasons, the proposed fight with Melendez did not take place. Instead, Aoki faced highly ranked
Lightweight
Lightweight is a weight class in combat sports and rowing (sport), rowing.
Boxing Professional boxing
The lightweight division is over 130 pounds (59 kilograms) and up to 135 pounds (61.2 kilograms) boxing weight classes, weight class in the spor ...
fighter
Joachim Hansen. Aoki submitted Hansen with a
gogoplata—this was the second successful
gogoplata in MMA competition (the first by Ryusuke Uemura).
After his win over Hansen, Aoki was set to rematch Kikuchi in Shooto, with Aoki's Shooto Welterweight title (previously won from Kikuchi) on the line. Aoki successfully defended his title against Kikuchi, winning via split decision.
Following his victory, Aoki announced that he was to be the Shooto representative in the forthcoming Pride Lightweight Grand Prix tournament. Aoki's next fight was at
Pride 34, where he faced little known Dutch fighter
Brian Lo-A-Njoe. At the event Aoki submitted Lo-A-Njoe in the first round with an
armbar. Following the fight, Aoki once again confirmed his participation in the Lightweight Grand Prix. With the purchase of Pride by the majority owners of
Zuffa LLC, the Pride Lightweight Grand Prix was cancelled.
On November 21, 2007, Aoki's participation on the New Year's Eve MMA card
Yarennoka! was announced. Originally, his opponent was to be two-time
K-1 Hero's Middleweight Grand Prix champion
Gesias "JZ Calvan" Cavalcante. Rumors that Cavalcante was injured surfaced only two weeks before the bout, though Cavalcante denied them before eventually admitting the injury and withdrawing from the fight. Aoki defeated Korean Olympic Judo silver medalist
Jung Bu-Kyung, Cavalcante's replacement, via unanimous decision in what was
Jung Bu-Kyung's mixed martial arts debut. Aoki had promised to use a never before seen submission in the match but was unable to finish the debut fighter.
Fighting and Entertainment Group
After the purchase of Pride by Zuffa LLC, most Japanese fighters signed to newly created mixed martial arts promotions, with Aoki signing to
Dream
A dream is a succession of images, ideas, emotions, and sensation (psychology), sensations that usually occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep. Humans spend about two hours dreaming per night, and each dream lasts around ...
. Here Aoki finally faced Cavalcante on March 15, 2008, at the opening round of the Dream Lightweight Grand Prix tournament. Early in the first round, the referee stopped the action when Cavalcante apparently landed illegal elbow strikes to the back of Aoki's neck. The ringside doctor announced that Aoki was unable to continue due to the injury and Cavalcante apologized for the incident. The fight resulted in a no contest. Elbow strikes to the neck and spine area are illegal under Dream rules. Aoki was later found to have sustained concussion of the cervical vertebra.
They had their rematch at
Dream 2 on April 29, 2008. In that match, Aoki defeated Cavalcante via unanimous decision. He sustained a severely bruised rib and tore cartilage in his
costal area during the match. At
Dream 4, Aoki defeated Katsuhiko Nagata via a mounted gogoplata (possibly the first ever in professional competition, later to be dubbed "the Aoki-plata") submission to advance to the semi-finals of the Dream Lightweight Grand Prix. At Dream 5, Aoki defeated Caol Uno by unanimous decision. Later that night, Eddie Alvarez was set to fight Aoki, but had to bow out due to injury from his previous match that evening. Joachim Hansen took his place and defeated Aoki by TKO (punches) at 4:19 round 1 to become the first Dream Lightweight Champion.
At
Dynamite!! 2008 on New Year's Eve, Aoki finally squared off against American
Eddie Alvarez for the WAMMA Lightweight Championship. Aoki started quickly, securing Alvarez's back after catching a kick, before being thrown to the canvas by the stronger American. In a scramble, Aoki latched onto the foot of Alvarez and applied a
heel hook. Alvarez fought the hold, but tapped out shortly after Aoki adjusted his grip. Alvarez also suffered ligament damage in his knee.
Aoki defeated David Gardner at the March 8, 2009, Featherweight Grand Prix card at
Dream 7 at the
Saitama Super Arena in
Saitama, Japan. This fight is remembered for Gardner waving to the crowd as Aoki was controlling his back and saying "Hello, Japan!", thus allowing Aoki to secure a rear-naked choke from that position. Aoki, who was still recognized by
Shooto as its Welterweight () Champion, also moved back to that weight to fight in Dream's Welterweight Grand Prix at
Dream 8 in 2009. His first match in the tournament was a rematch with
Hayato Sakurai
(born August 24, 1975) also known as , is a Japanese mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 1996, he has formerly competed for the UFC, PRIDE, DREAM, Shooto, Vale Tudo Japan, DEEP, and participated in the Yarennoka!, ...
. Aoki lost the fight in twenty-seven seconds via TKO due to punches and knees following a Sakurai reversal from a takedown by Aoki. As a result of the match, Aoki did not advance in the DREAM 2009 Welterweight Grand Prix.
Aoki met
Fedor Emelianenko during a five-minute "special exhibition" at an April 29 M-1 Challenge (presented by Affliction) event in Tokyo. Emelianenko made Aoki tap out from an Achilles lock.
Aoki defeated
Vítor Ribeiro
Vítor de Souza Ribeiro (born February 24, 1979) is a retired professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2001, he has formerly competed for Strikeforce, Sho ...
at
Dream 10 on July 20, 2009, which earned him a title fight against Joachim Hansen. Aoki faced
Joachim Hansen in a rematch for the
DREAM Lightweight Championship at
Dream 11 on October 6, 2009. Last time they met, Aoki previously fought a tough match against
Caol Uno on the same night which went on for both two rounds (15 minutes) when Hansen only fought for 2 minutes 35 seconds previously. Aoki ended up defeating Hansen in the second round for the title shot via submission (armbar) to become the new DREAM Lightweight Champion.
Hirota fight
On December 22, 2009, it was announced that Aoki would not be taking on fellow DREAM fighter
Tatsuya Kawajiri, but would be fighting Sengoku Lightweight Champion,
Mizuto Hirota. In his pre-fight interview Aoki stated that he felt insulted with the short notice changes as he was looking forward to battling it out with one of the world's other top lightweight competitors in Kawajiri. Aoki's opponent Hirota just came off a spectacular win over longtime friend of Aoki's,
Satoru Kitaoka to become the new
Sengoku Lightweight champion. The fight between Aoki and Hirota was considered to be one of the main events of the night along with
Satoshi Ishii vs.
Hidehiko Yoshida and the K-1 bout
Masato vs
Andy Souwer.
Aoki defeated Hirota with a brutal hammerlock submission that broke Hirota's arm in the first round at 1:17. In a moment which attracted great controversy, Aoki then proceeded to get in the face of his downed opponent and give him
the finger
"The finger", or the middle finger (as in giving someone the (middle) finger, flipping the bird or flipping someone off) is an obscene hand gesture. The gesture communicates moderate to extreme contempt, and is roughly equivalent in meaning t ...
, after which got up and ran excitedly around the ring doing the same to the crowd before leaving.
Despite the crowd actually cheering him back,
[ pundits found the act extremely offensive and unsportsmanlike. among them Dream executive Keiichi Sasahara and Aoki's own trainer ]Yuki Nakai
Yuki Nakai (born 18 August 1970, ) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist. He currently teaches Shootfighting and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and is the president of the Japanese Confederation of Jiu-Jitsu.
He competed in Shooto, an early MMA ...
.[
Aoki would apologize for his behavior in his post fight interview, stating "after my fight, I was excited, and so I did something rude that I should apologize for. But that showed just how excited I was over that fight."] He still defended his action: "when I had his arm behind his back, I could feel it popping, I thought, 'Well, this guy's pride just won't let him tap, will it?' So without hesitation, I broke it. I heard it break, and I thought, 'Ah, there, I just broke it.' I was stopped afterward, but even if I hadn't been, continuing to break it more would have been fine by me."[ As a result of his actions following his win, Aoki was dismissed as an instructor at the Paraestra Kasai gym,] though he kept training under Nakai and representing Paraestra.
DREAM and Strikeforce
Aoki lost his US debut against then Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez on April 17, 2010, at Strikeforce: Nashville. The fight was broadcast live to a North American audience on CBS. After Aoki's defeat to Gilbert Melendez in Strikeforce he has expressed interest to train at Cesar Gracie's camp in northern California.
Aoki successfully defended his Lightweight title against top contender Tatsuya Kawajiri in just under two minutes of the first round via an Achilles lock submission, at Dream 15
''Dream 15'' was a mixed martial arts event held by Fighting and Entertainment Group's mixed martial arts promotion Dream (mixed martial arts), Dream. The event took place on July 10, 2010 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Saitama, Saitama, ...
on July 10, 2010.
Aoki defeated Marcus Aurélio by unanimous decision in a non-title bout on September 25, 2010, at Dream 16.
He then competed again at Deep: 50th Impact on October 24 against former PABA and WBA boxing champion Yokthai Sithoar. Aoki won by submission (americana) 1:00 into the first round against Sithoar.
After the proposed rematch with Melendez fell through due to contract issues on Melendez's part, Aoki faced K-1 kickboxer Yuichiro "Jienotsu" Nagashima in a special rules exhibition bout at Dynamite!! 2010. In the first 3-minute kickboxing round, Aoki evaded Nagashima's offense by breaking the rules via excessive clinching, falling to the ground, and going for takedowns in order to run out the clock and move onto the 5-minute mixed martial arts round. Aoki was warned repeatedly by the referee, however no points were deducted as there could not be a decision winner. The commentary team of Michael Schiavello and Frank Trigg were openly criticising Aoki for his rule breaking during the first round, while the Japanese crowd uncharacteristically booed him. At 0:04 of the second MMA rules round, Aoki was knocked out immediately as he went for a double leg takedown via flying knee and subsequent grounded strikes. Since the bout was contested as an exhibition, the loss is not reflected on Aoki's professional mixed martial arts record.
Aoki then defeated Lyle Beerbohm on April 9, 2011, at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley via neck crank in the first round.
Aoki was expected to face Willamy Freire on May 29, 2011, at Dream: Fight for Japan!. Freire reportedly had trouble getting a visa, and it then appeared that he would be facing Antonio McKee instead, but then McKee chose to pull out of the card. It was then announced that Shane Nelson would fight Aoki, but he was quickly replaced with Rich Clementi. Aoki defeated Clementi by way of Neck Crank/Rear Naked Choke at the 2:32 mark of the second round.
Aoki defeated Rob McCullough by neck crank at the 4:57 point of Round 1 at Dream 17.
Aoki fought Satoru Kitaoka for the DREAM lightweight title at Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Aoki Took on former Maximum Fighting Championship Lightweight Champion, Antonio McKee at Dream 18 on December 31, 2012. He won via TKO in the second round.
Bellator Fighting Championships
Aoki faced Eddie Alvarez in a rematch at Bellator 66. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
ONE Championship
On June 27 it was revealed that Aoki had signed an exclusive contract with ONE Championship
ONE Championship, formerly ONE Fighting Championship (ONE FC) until January 2015, is a Multinational corporation, multinational combat sports Promoter (entertainment), promotion founded on 14 July 2011 by Chatri Sityodtong and Victor Cui. Origi ...
and would be making his debut at ONE Fighting Championship: Pride of a Nation in Manila on August 31. On August 16 it was revealed that Aoki would be fighting Arnaud Lepont in a lightweight super fight in the main event at ONE Fighting Championship: Rise of Kings He won the fight via triangle choke at the 1:25 point of the first round.
Aoki faced Kotetsu Boku
Park Kwang-cheol (), better known by his Japanese name , is a retired Japanese-born South Korean mixed martial artist and kickboxer, competing in the Featherweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation. He has mostly fought in Shooto, where ...
at ONE Fighting Championship: Kings and Champions on April 5, 2013, for the Lightweight Championship. He stated that win or lose, he will be dropping to the Featherweight division after the fight. Aoki defeated his opponent at 2:01 of the second round via rear-naked choke, successfully avenging his Evolve teammate Zorobabel Moreira.
Aoki made his featherweight debut on October 18, 2013, at ONE FC: Total Domination when he took on Cody Stevens. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Aoki later returned to lightweight and picked up a victory in the Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye promotion before successfully defending his ONE Lightweight World Championship against Kamal Shalorus by submission in the first round at ONE FC: Reign of Champions on August 29, 2014.
On December 31, he submitted Yuki Yamamoto in Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye, after which Aoki again taunted controversially his opponent and the crowd with a middle finger, while Yamamoto had to be restrained by his cornermen. Shinya left the arena without putting down the taunt. Aoki defended his title against Koji Ando at ONE Championship 28: Warrior's Quest on May 22, 2015.
RIZIN Fighting Federation
Rizin Fighting Federation announced Aoki would compete on December 29, 2015, against Kazushi Sakuraba
is a Japanese professional wrestler, submission wrestling, submission wrestler and former mixed martial artist, currently signed to Pro Wrestling NOAH, Pro Wrestling Noah, where he was formerly one-half of the former GHC Tag Team Championship, G ...
in the main event of their inaugural event. He won the fight via TKO at 5:56 in the first round after Sakuraba's corner threw in the towel.
Return to ONE Championship
In the third defense of his title, Aoki faced Eduard Folayang at ONE: Defending Honor on November 11, 2016. He lost the bout and title via TKO in the third round.
Aoki faced Ben Askren
Benjamin Michael Askren (born July 18, 1984) is an American former professional mixed martial artist, professional boxer and Olympic wrestler. He was the former Bellator and ONE Welterweight Champion, remaining undefeated for over a decade ...
for the ONE Welterweight World Championship on November 24, 2017, at ONE: Immortal Pursuit. He lost the fight via TKO in the fight's opening minute.
Aoki faced Ev Ting on October 6, 2018, at ONE: Kingdom of Heroes and won the fight via arm-triangle choke in the opening minute of the bout. Due to the victory, Aoki secured a fight for the vacant lightweight championship against the winner of Eduard Folayang and Amir Khan in the promotion's inaugural event in Tokyo, Japan on March 31, 2019.
On March 31, 2019, at ONE Championship: A New Era Aoki recaptured the lightweight title in a rematch with Eduard Folayang by defeating Folayang via technical submission.
Aoki lost the title in his first defense against Christian Lee at ONE Championship: Enter the Dragon on May 17, 2019.
He returned to defeat Honorio Banario via D'Arce choke at ONE: Century – Part 2.
Aoki next faced Kimihiro Eto at Road to One 3: Tokyo Fight Night on September 10, 2020. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Aoki faced James Nakashima on January 22, 2021, at ONE Championship: Unbreakable He won the fight via submission in the first round.
Aoki was scheduled to face Sage Northcutt at ONE on TNT 4 on April 28, 2021. The bout was subsequently cancelled due to Sage still having lingering effects from COVID-19
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...
. A new bout was scheduled for the event with Aoki facing off against former rival Eduard Folayang. He won the bout via armbar in the first round.
Aoki faced Yoshihiro Akiyama at ONE: X on March 26, 2022. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
Aoki faced Saygid Izagakhmaev on November 19, 2022, at ONE 163. He lost the fight by a first-round technical knockout.
Aoki was scheduled to face Sage Northcutt on January 28, 2024, at ONE 165. However, Northcutt withdrew during the event due to two of his coaches (one being Urijah Faber) not having work visas. Northcutt was replaced by John Lineker in a openweight bout. Aoki defeated Lineker by rear-naked submission in the first round.
Aoki faced Eduard Folayang in a tetralogy bout on March 23, 2025, at ONE 172. Aoki defeated Folayang by armbar in the first round.
Professional wrestling career
Inoki Genome Federation (2013–2017)
Aoki began dabbling in pro wrestling in 2014 for Antonio Inoki's Inoki Genome Federation (IGF), competing in a series of MMA fights on his cards before eventually transitioning to pro wrestling. In 2017, Aoki was announced as a member of Next Exciting Wrestling (NEW), a new show under the IGF banner. Aoki competed on the first show, defeating Keisuke Okuda. Aoki competed for NEW until IGF announced its cancellation in July 2017. In his last match for NEW, Aoki lost to Tatsuhito Takaiwa
is a Koreans in Japan, Zainichi-Korean professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and Pro Wrestling Zero1, as well as makin ...
.
DDT Pro Wrestling (2018–present)
After a short hiatus, Aoki announced his return to pro wrestling in 2018, and that he would be competing for DDT Pro Wrestling. Aoki made his in-ring debut at Maji Manji #15, quickly defeating Gota Ihashi. On October 28, at Maji Manji #21, Aoki defeated Harashima to win the DDT Extreme Championship. Aoki lost the title back to Harashima on February 19, 2019, at Judgement.
Grappling career
At the Reversal Cup in 2004, Aoki fought Kuniyoshi Hironaka in a superfight and submitted him with a flying armbar that broke his arm.
Aoki was scheduled to compete against Gordon Ryan
Gordon Ryan (born July 8, 1995) is an American Submission wrestling, submission wrestler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, considered by many to be the greatest no–gi grappler of all time due to his many accomplishments.
Ryan is a seven-time ...
at a ONE Championship event in August, 2021 but the match was cancelled due to a stomach condition that Ryan was suffering from at the time. He was then booked to compete against Kade Ruotolo at ONE 157 on May 20, 2021, instead. Aoki lost the match by decision.
Aoki competed against Mikey Musumeci in an openweight grappling match at ONE Fight Night 15 on October 6, 2023. He lost the match by submission.
Aoki competed against Cole Abate at ONE Fight Night 26 on December 6, 2024. He lost the match by submission.
Fighting style
Nicknamed "Tobikan Judan" (跳関十段 "The Grand Master of Flying Submissions") due to his spectacular submissions,[Snowden, Jonathan. ''MMA Encyclopedia'', ECW Press, 2010] Aoki is considered an unusual fighter for his heavy specialization in grappling at the expense of other areas of the MMA game.[ Therefore, virtually all of his stand-up game is focused on taking his opponent to the ground, utilizing chain combinations of wrestling and judo techniques from the clinch to secure his goal, as well as the more dramatic guard pulling.][
Once on the mat, Aoki is an electric grappler, drawing strength from his expertise in many different disciplines like Shooto's style of ]shoot wrestling
Shoot wrestling is a Japanese hybrid grappling style and combat sport. Shoot wrestling incorporates techniques from various wrestling, submission grappling, kickboxing and karate styles. It was particularly inspired and influenced by catch ...
, judo
is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, combat sport, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyc ...
, jiu-jitsu and Eddie Bravo
Edgar Bravo (Birth name, né Cano; born May 15, 1970) is an American martial arts instructor, podcaster, stand-up comedian, and musician. After earning a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2003, Bravo began teaching his own self-developed styl ...
's 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is a non-traditional system of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian jiu-jitsu developed by Eddie Bravo. It is a no-gi based style so the fighters use Rash_guard#Rash_guards_for_grappling_/_mixed_martial_arts, rash guards as their ...
system. He is an active guard player, favouring specially the rubber guard thanks to his flexibility,[ and is famous for his creative approach to submissions, excelling not only in armlocks and ]leglock
A leglock is a joint lock that is directed at joints of the human leg, leg such as the ankle, knee or hip joint. A leglock which is directed at joints in the foot is sometimes referred to as a foot lock and a lock at the hip as a hip lock. Leglock ...
s, but also in neck cranks and more exotic joint locks.[
Aoki will pursue finishes rather than leaving the fight to the judges. He describes his fights ending in decisions as, "whenever I win, it's dumb luck, and whenever I lose, it's my fault". He is known for often injuring his opponents, cranking up submissions to achieve breaks rather than seeking to force fighters into tapping out. He gained attention by breaking Keith Wisniewski's arm by waki-gatame,][ then doing the same with Kuniyoshi Hironaka via flying armbar in a submission grappling match, sidelining him for a year.
]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
*DEEP
Deep or The Deep may refer to:
Places United States
* Deep Creek (Appomattox River tributary), Virginia
* Deep Creek (Great Salt Lake), Idaho and Utah
* Deep Creek (Mahantango Creek tributary), Pennsylvania
* Deep Creek (Mojave River tributary ...
**DEEP West Chofu Tournament Winner
*DREAM
A dream is a succession of images, ideas, emotions, and sensation (psychology), sensations that usually occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep. Humans spend about two hours dreaming per night, and each dream lasts around ...
** DREAM Lightweight Championship (One time, last)
** two successful title defenses
*ONE Championship
ONE Championship, formerly ONE Fighting Championship (ONE FC) until January 2015, is a Multinational corporation, multinational combat sports Promoter (entertainment), promotion founded on 14 July 2011 by Chatri Sityodtong and Victor Cui. Origi ...
** ONE Lightweight World Championship (Two times)
** two successful title defenses
** Submission of the Year 2021
* Professional Shooto Japan
** Shooto Middleweight Championship (One time)
** one successful title defense
*World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts
**WAMMA Lightweight Championship (One time; first; last)
* Inside MMA
**2008 Submission of the Year Bazzie Award vs. Katsuhiko Nagata
is a Japanese Amateur wrestling, wrestler and mixed martial arts, who won the silver medal in the 69 kg Wrestling at the 2000 Summer Olympics, Greco-Roman wrestling event at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
He is also the brother of Professional ...
on June 15
*Sherdog
Sherdog is an American website devoted to the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). It also has many forums and discussion pages on the many topics of MMA like records, promotions, etc. The site is a member of the CraveOnline network and provides MM ...
**2011 All-Violence Third Team
**2006 Submission of the Year vs. Joachim Hansen on December 31
*Bleacher Report
''Bleacher Report'' (often abbreviated as B/R) is a website that focuses on sports and sports culture. Its headquarters are in San Francisco, with offices in New York City and London. ''Bleacher Report'' was acquired by Time Warner's Turner B ...
**2000s Grappler of the Decade
* fightmatrix.com
**Lineal MMA Lightweight Championship (One time)
**Six Successful Title defenses
Professional wrestling
* DDT Pro-Wrestling
** DDT Extreme Championship ( 3 times)
** Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship ( 3 times)
** KO-D Openweight Championship ( 1 time)
** KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Championship ( 1 time) – with Super Sasadango Machine and Yuki Ueno
** KO-D 8-Man/10-Man Tag Team Championship ( 2 times) – with Super Sasadango Machine, Antonio Honda and Kazuki Hirata (1) and Mao, Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata and Toui Kojima (1)
*''Tokyo Sports
is a Japanese daily sports newspaper founded in 1960.
See also
* Tokyo Sports Film Award
* Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards
References
External links
* http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp Official website
1960 establishments in Japan
Da ...
''
** Technique Award (2024)
Submission grappling
*ADCC Japan
**66–76 kg: 1st place
*Deep X
**Deep X Superfight Champion (2007)
*Shooto
**Shooto Grappling Champion (2006)
*Dumau/Kansai
**Dumau/Kansai Cup Champion (2005)
*All Japan Jiu-Jitsu
**All Japan Champion (2004-brown belt); (2005-black belt)
*Rickson Gracie's Budo Challenge
**2005 Middleweight Champion
*Rickson Gracie Invitational
**1st place
*Other Accolades
**Top five collegiate Judoka
**GI Grappling 05, 1st place
**Reversal Cup Champion (2004)
Mixed martial arts record
, -
, Win
, align=center, 49–11 (1)
, Eduard Folayang
, Submission (armbar)
, ONE 172
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:53
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 48–11 (1)
, John Lineker
, Submission (rear-naked choke)
, ONE 165
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:00
, Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 47–11 (1)
, Saygid Izagakhmaev
, TKO (punches)
, ONE 163
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:26
, Kallang
Kallang ( ) is a Planning Areas of Singapore, planning area and New towns of Singapore, residential zone located in the Central Region, Singapore, Central Region of Singapore.
Development of the town is centered around the Kallang River, the l ...
, Singapore
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center,
, Yoshihiro Akiyama
, TKO (punches)
, ONE: X
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 1:50
, Kallang
Kallang ( ) is a Planning Areas of Singapore, planning area and New towns of Singapore, residential zone located in the Central Region, Singapore, Central Region of Singapore.
Development of the town is centered around the Kallang River, the l ...
, Singapore
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 47–9 (1)
, Eduard Folayang
, Submission (armbar)
, ONE on TNT 4
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:20
, Kallang
Kallang ( ) is a Planning Areas of Singapore, planning area and New towns of Singapore, residential zone located in the Central Region, Singapore, Central Region of Singapore.
Development of the town is centered around the Kallang River, the l ...
, Singapore
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 46–9 (1)
, James Nakashima
, Submission (rear-naked choke)
, ONE: Unbreakable
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:42
, Kallang
Kallang ( ) is a Planning Areas of Singapore, planning area and New towns of Singapore, residential zone located in the Central Region, Singapore, Central Region of Singapore.
Development of the town is centered around the Kallang River, the l ...
, Singapore
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 45–9 (1)
, Kimihiro Eto
, Decision (unanimous)
, Road to ONE: 3rd Tokyo Fight Night
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
, Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 44–9 (1)
, Honorio Banario
, Technical Submission (brabo choke)
, ONE: Century – Part 2
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:54
, Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 43–9 (1)
, Christian Lee
, TKO (punches)
, ONE: Enter the Dragon
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 0:51
, Kallang
Kallang ( ) is a Planning Areas of Singapore, planning area and New towns of Singapore, residential zone located in the Central Region, Singapore, Central Region of Singapore.
Development of the town is centered around the Kallang River, the l ...
, Singapore
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 43–8 (1)
, Eduard Folayang
, Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke)
, ONE: A New Era
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:34
, Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 42–8 (1)
, Ev Ting
, Submission (arm-triangle choke)
, ONE: Kingdom of Heroes
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:57
, Bangkok
Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estim ...
, Thailand
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 41–8 (1)
, Shannon Wiratchai
, TKO (elbows)
, ONE: Reign of Kings
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:16
, Pasay
Pasay, officially the City of Pasay (; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, highly urbanized city in the Metro Manila, National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Philippine census, 2020 census, it has a ...
, Philippines
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 40–8 (1)
, Rasul Yakhyaev
, Submission (triangle choke)
, ONE: Unstoppable Dreams
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:15
, Kallang
Kallang ( ) is a Planning Areas of Singapore, planning area and New towns of Singapore, residential zone located in the Central Region, Singapore, Central Region of Singapore.
Development of the town is centered around the Kallang River, the l ...
, Singapore
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 39–8 (1)
, Ben Askren
Benjamin Michael Askren (born July 18, 1984) is an American former professional mixed martial artist, professional boxer and Olympic wrestler. He was the former Bellator and ONE Welterweight Champion, remaining undefeated for over a decade ...
, TKO (punches)
, ONE: Immortal Pursuit
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:57
, Kallang
Kallang ( ) is a Planning Areas of Singapore, planning area and New towns of Singapore, residential zone located in the Central Region, Singapore, Central Region of Singapore.
Development of the town is centered around the Kallang River, the l ...
, Singapore
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 39–7 (1)
, Eduard Folayang
, TKO (knees and punches)
, ONE: Defending Honor
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 0:41
, Kallang
Kallang ( ) is a Planning Areas of Singapore, planning area and New towns of Singapore, residential zone located in the Central Region, Singapore, Central Region of Singapore.
Development of the town is centered around the Kallang River, the l ...
, Singapore
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 39–6 (1)
, Kazushi Sakuraba
is a Japanese professional wrestler, submission wrestling, submission wrestler and former mixed martial artist, currently signed to Pro Wrestling NOAH, Pro Wrestling Noah, where he was formerly one-half of the former GHC Tag Team Championship, G ...
, TKO (corner stoppage)
, Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 1 - Saraba
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 5:56
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 38–6 (1)
, Koji Ando
, Decision (unanimous)
, ONE: Warrior's Quest
,
, align=center, 5
, align=center, 5:00
, Kallang
Kallang ( ) is a Planning Areas of Singapore, planning area and New towns of Singapore, residential zone located in the Central Region, Singapore, Central Region of Singapore.
Development of the town is centered around the Kallang River, the l ...
, Singapore
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 37–6 (1)
, Yuki Yamamoto
, Submission (twister)
, Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2014
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:21
, Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 36–6 (1)
, Kamal Shalorus
, Submission (rear-naked choke)
, ONE FC: Reign of Champions
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:15
, Dubai
Dubai (Help:IPA/English, /duːˈbaɪ/ Help:Pronunciation respelling key, ''doo-BYE''; Modern Standard Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic: ; Emirati Arabic, Emirati Arabic: , Romanization of Arabic, romanized: Help:IPA/English, /diˈbej/) is the Lis ...
, United Arab Emirates
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 35–6 (1)
, Toshikatsu Harada
, Technical Submission (triangle armbar)
, Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2013
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:49
, Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 34–6 (1)
, Cody Stevens
, Decision (unanimous)
, ONE FC: Total Domination
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
, Kallang
Kallang ( ) is a Planning Areas of Singapore, planning area and New towns of Singapore, residential zone located in the Central Region, Singapore, Central Region of Singapore.
Development of the town is centered around the Kallang River, the l ...
, Singapore
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 33–6 (1)
, Kotetsu Boku
Park Kwang-cheol (), better known by his Japanese name , is a retired Japanese-born South Korean mixed martial artist and kickboxer, competing in the Featherweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation. He has mostly fought in Shooto, where ...
, Submission (rear-naked choke)
, ONE FC: Kings and Champions
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 2:01
, Kallang
Kallang ( ) is a Planning Areas of Singapore, planning area and New towns of Singapore, residential zone located in the Central Region, Singapore, Central Region of Singapore.
Development of the town is centered around the Kallang River, the l ...
, Singapore
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 32–6 (1)
, Antonio McKee
, TKO (submission to punch)
, Dream 18
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 0:24
, Tokyo, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 31–6 (1)
, Arnaud Lepont
, Technical Submission (triangle choke)
, ONE FC: Rise of Kings
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:25
, Kallang
Kallang ( ) is a Planning Areas of Singapore, planning area and New towns of Singapore, residential zone located in the Central Region, Singapore, Central Region of Singapore.
Development of the town is centered around the Kallang River, the l ...
, Singapore
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 30–6 (1)
, Eddie Alvarez
, TKO (punches)
, Bellator 66
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:14
, Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–United States border, Canada–U.S. maritime border ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 30–5 (1)
, Satoru Kitaoka
, Decision (unanimous)
, Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011
,
, align=center, 5
, align=center, 5:00
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 29–5 (1)
, Rob McCullough
, Submission (neck crank)
, Dream 17
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:57
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 28–5 (1)
, Rich Clementi
, Submission (neck crank)
, DREAM: Fight for Japan!
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 2:32
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 27–5 (1)
, Lyle Beerbohm
, Submission (neck crank)
, Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:33
, San Diego, California
San Diego ( , ) is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a population of over 1.4 million, it is the List of United States cities by population, eighth-most populous city in t ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 26–5 (1)
, Yokthai Sithoar
, Submission (keylock)
, DEEP: 50 Impact
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:00
, Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 25–5 (1)
, Marcus Aurélio
, Decision (unanimous)
, Dream 16
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 5:00
, Nagoya
is the largest city in the Chūbu region of Japan. It is the list of cities in Japan, fourth-most populous city in Japan, with a population of 2.3million in 2020, and the principal city of the Chūkyō metropolitan area, which is the List of ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 24–5 (1)
, Tatsuya Kawajiri
, Submission (achilles lock)
, Dream 15
''Dream 15'' was a mixed martial arts event held by Fighting and Entertainment Group's mixed martial arts promotion Dream (mixed martial arts), Dream. The event took place on July 10, 2010 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Saitama, Saitama, ...
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:53
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 23–5 (1)
, Gilbert Melendez
, Decision (unanimous)
, Strikeforce: Nashville
,
, align=center, 5
, align=center, 5:00
, Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 23–4 (1)
, Mizuto Hirota
, Technical Submission (hammerlock)
, Dynamite!! 2009
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:17
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 22–4 (1)
, Joachim Hansen
, Submission (armbar)
, Dream 11
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 4:56
, Yokohama
is the List of cities in Japan, second-largest city in Japan by population as well as by area, and the country's most populous Municipalities of Japan, municipality. It is the capital and most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a popu ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 21–4 (1)
, Vítor Ribeiro
Vítor de Souza Ribeiro (born February 24, 1979) is a retired professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2001, he has formerly competed for Strikeforce, Sho ...
, Decision (unanimous)
, Dream 10
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 5:00
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 20–4 (1)
, Hayato Sakurai
(born August 24, 1975) also known as , is a Japanese mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 1996, he has formerly competed for the UFC, PRIDE, DREAM, Shooto, Vale Tudo Japan, DEEP, and participated in the Yarennoka!, ...
, KO (knees and punches)
, Dream 8
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:27
, Nagoya
is the largest city in the Chūbu region of Japan. It is the list of cities in Japan, fourth-most populous city in Japan, with a population of 2.3million in 2020, and the principal city of the Chūkyō metropolitan area, which is the List of ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 20–3 (1)
, David Gardner
, Submission (rear-naked choke)
, Dream 7
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 5:58
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 19–3 (1)
, Eddie Alvarez
, Submission (heel hook)
, Dynamite!! 2008
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:32
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 18–3 (1)
, Todd Moore
, Submission (neck crank)
, Dream 6
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:10
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 17–3 (1)
, Joachim Hansen
, TKO (punches)
, rowspan=2, Dream 5
, rowspan=2,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:19
, rowspan=2, Osaka
is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the List of cities in Japan, third-most populous city in J ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 17–2 (1)
, Caol Uno
, Decision (unanimous)
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 5:00
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 16–2 (1)
, Katsuhiko Nagata
is a Japanese Amateur wrestling, wrestler and mixed martial arts, who won the silver medal in the 69 kg Wrestling at the 2000 Summer Olympics, Greco-Roman wrestling event at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
He is also the brother of Professional ...
, Submission (gogoplata)
, Dream 4
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 5:12
, Yokohama
is the List of cities in Japan, second-largest city in Japan by population as well as by area, and the country's most populous Municipalities of Japan, municipality. It is the capital and most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a popu ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 15–2 (1)
, Gesias Cavalcante
, Decision (unanimous)
, Dream 2
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 5:00
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, NC
, align=center, 14–2 (1)
, Gesias Cavalcante
, NC (Aoki injured by illegal elbows)
, Dream 1
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:46
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 14–2
, Jung Bu-kyung
, Decision (unanimous)
, Yarennoka!
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 5:00
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 13–2
, Brian Lo-A-Njoe
, Submission (armbar)
, Pride 34
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:33
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 12–2
, Akira Kikuchi
, Decision (split)
, Shooto: Back To Our Roots 1
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
, Yokohama
is the List of cities in Japan, second-largest city in Japan by population as well as by area, and the country's most populous Municipalities of Japan, municipality. It is the capital and most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a popu ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 11–2
, Joachim Hansen
, Submission (gogoplata)
, Pride Shockwave 2006
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:24
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 10–2
, Clay French
, Submission (flying triangle choke)
, Pride Bushido 13
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:57
, Yokohama
is the List of cities in Japan, second-largest city in Japan by population as well as by area, and the country's most populous Municipalities of Japan, municipality. It is the capital and most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a popu ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 9–2
, George Sotiropoulos
, DQ (groin kick)
, Shooto: Champion Carnival
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 0:05
, Yokohama
is the List of cities in Japan, second-largest city in Japan by population as well as by area, and the country's most populous Municipalities of Japan, municipality. It is the capital and most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a popu ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 8–2
, Jason Black
, Submission (triangle choke)
, Pride Bushido 12
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:58
, Nagoya
is the largest city in the Chūbu region of Japan. It is the list of cities in Japan, fourth-most populous city in Japan, with a population of 2.3million in 2020, and the principal city of the Chūkyō metropolitan area, which is the List of ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 7–2
, Akira Kikuchi
, Decision (unanimous)
, Shooto: The Victory of the Truth
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
, Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 6–2
, Kuniyoshi Hironaka
, TKO (doctor stoppage)
, Shooto 2005: 11/6 in Korakuen Hall
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:10
, Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 5–2
, Hayato Sakurai
(born August 24, 1975) also known as , is a Japanese mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 1996, he has formerly competed for the UFC, PRIDE, DREAM, Shooto, Vale Tudo Japan, DEEP, and participated in the Yarennoka!, ...
, Decision (unanimous)
, Shooto: Alive Road
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
, Yokohama
is the List of cities in Japan, second-largest city in Japan by population as well as by area, and the country's most populous Municipalities of Japan, municipality. It is the capital and most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a popu ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 5–1
, Shigetoshi Iwase
, DQ (groin strike)
, Shooto 2005: 7/30 in Korakuen Hall
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:35
, Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 4–1
, Keith Wisniewski
, Submission (standing armlock)
, Shooto: 1/29 in Korakuen Hall
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:22
, Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 3–1
, Jutaro Nakao
, KO (punch)
, DEEP: 16th Impact
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:29
, Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 3–0
, Seichi Ikemoto
, Submission (armbar)
, DEEP: 15th Impact
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 0:52
, Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 2–0
, Yasutoshi Ryu
, Submission (armbar)
, rowspan=2, Deep: clubDeep West Chofu
, rowspan=2,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:51
, rowspan=2, Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 1–0
, Dai Okimura
, Submission (armbar)
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:14
,
Mixed rules record
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 0–1
, Yuichiro Nagashima
, KO (flying knee)
, Dynamite!! 2010
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 0:04
, Chūō-ku, Saitama City, Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
,
''Legend'':
Submission grappling record
, - style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
, style="border-style:none none solid solid; ", Result
, style="border-style:none none solid solid; ", Opponent
, style="border-style:none none solid solid; ", Method
, style="border-style:none none solid solid; ", Event
, style="border-style:none none solid solid; ", Date
, style="border-style:none none solid solid; ", Round
, style="border-style:none none solid solid; ", Time
, style="border-style:none none solid solid; ", Notes
, -
, Loss , , Mikey Musumeci, , Submission (Achilles lock), , ONE Fight Night 15, , October 7, 2023, , 1, , 3:05, ,
, -
, Loss, , Kade Ruotolo, , Decision, , ONE 157, , May 20, 2022, , 1, , 10:00, ,
, -
, Draw, , Tomoshige Sera , , Decision , , Road to ONE 2nd: Aoki vs Sera, , April 17, 2020, , 1, , 10:00, ,
, -
, Win, , Marat Gafurov , , Submission (rear-naked choke) , , ONE Championship: Kings of Courage, , January 20, 2018, , 1, , 12:22, ,
, -
, Loss, , Garry Tonon , , Submission (heel hook) , , ONE Championship: Dynasty of Heroes, , May 26, 2017, , 1, , 7:47, ,
, -
, Loss, , Kron Gracie , , Submission (guillotine choke) , , Metamoris II: Gracie vs Aoki, , June 9, 2013, , 1, , 6:50, ,
, -
, Win, , Pedro Akira , , Submission (rear-naked choke) , , DEEP X 2007, , 2007, , 1, , N/A, ,
, -
, Win, , Cameron Earle , , Submission (ankle hold) , , Budo Challenge –77 kg, , 2006, , 1, , N/A, ,
, -
, Win, , Ali Abdelaziz , , Submission (flying armbar) , , Budo Challenge –77 kg, , 2006, , 1, , 2:48, ,
, -
, Win, , Hiroshi Tsuruya , , Submission (gogoplata) , , Shooto, , 2006, , 1, , N/A, ,
, -
, Win, , Naoyoshi Watanabe , , Decision (points) , , Professional Jiu Kansai, , 2005, , 1, , N/A, ,
, -
, Loss, , Roger Gracie , , Submission (ankle hold) , , ADCC 2005 Absolute, , 2005, , 1, , N/A, ,
, -
, Loss, , Marcelo García , , Submission , , ADCC 2005 –77 kg, , 2005, , 1, , N/A, ,
, -
, Win, , Marcos Avellan , , Submission , , ADCC 2005 –77 kg, , 2005, , 1, , N/A, ,
, -
, Win, , Masato Fujiwara , , Submission (armbar) , , ADCC 2005 Japan Qualifiers, , 2005, , 1, , N/A, ,
, -
, Win, , Mateus Irie Nechio , , Submission (heel hook) , , ADCC 2005 Japan Qualifiers, , 2005, , 1, , N/A, ,
, -
, Win, , Jung Changyoru , , Submission (spinning choke) , , ADCC 2005 Japan Qualifiers, , 2005, , 1, , N/A, ,
, -
, Win, , Koji Komuro , , Submission (flying armbar) , , Campeonato Japones de Jiu-Jitsu Abierto , , 2004, , 1, , N/A, ,
, -
, Win, , Kuniyoshi Hironaka , , Submission (flying armbar) , , COPA Reversal 2004 〜Festa do Jiu-Jitsu〜 , , 2004, , 1, , N/A, ,
, -
, Loss, , Naoyoshi Watanabe , , Decision (points) , , Professional Jiu Ground Impact 〜Gi-05〜 Midday War, , 2004, , 1, , N/A, ,
, -
See also
* List of current ONE fighters
*List of current mixed martial arts champions
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a form of competitive combat sport, akin to boxing, muay thai, or kick boxing. MMA titles, or championship belts, are given to those fighters deemed by a promotional organization to have met a certain standard of athlet ...
*List of male mixed martial artists
This is a list of notable professional male mixed martial arts fighters in alphabetical order.
__NOTOC__
A
* Tank Abbott - ( UFC, Pride, Strikeforce)
* Hamdy Abdelwahab - ( UFC)
* Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov - ( ACB)
* Shamil Abdurakhimov - ...
* List of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners
References
Sources
*
*
*
External links
Shinya Aoki
at ONE
1 (one, unit, unity) is a number, numeral, and glyph. It is the first and smallest positive integer of the infinite sequence of natural numbers. This fundamental property has led to its unique uses in other fields, ranging from science to sp ...
Shinya Aoki
at Pride FC (archived)
*
Shinya Aoki
at BJJ Heroes
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aoki, Shinya
1983 births
Living people
Japanese male mixed martial artists
Japanese submission wrestlers
Japanese catch wrestlers
Lightweight mixed martial artists
Welterweight mixed martial artists
Mixed martial artists utilizing catch wrestling
Mixed martial artists utilizing shootfighting
Mixed martial artists utilizing judo
Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Japanese practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
People awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Japanese male judoka
Dream (mixed martial arts) champions
People from Shizuoka (city)
21st-century male professional wrestlers
21st-century Japanese professional wrestlers
DDT Extreme Champions
Ironman Heavymetalweight Champions
KO-D 8-Man/10-Man Tag Team Champions
ONE Championship champions
ONE Championship mixed martial artists
ONE Championship submission grapplers
KO-D Openweight Champions