Aoki: ‘My heart is still far from beaten’

“I lost big time. I would like to thank Scott Corker(CEO), and the DREAM staff who all cooperated to make this fight happen. Now that I have finished fighting Gilbert Melendez, I would like to say to the defending champion, Congratulations. Some might say that Japan MMA has lost, but my heart is still far from beaten. Back in Japan I will do whatever I can to improve in order to give it another try.”

“Thank you all very much.

“It did not particularly matter whether it was a cage or a ring. It was just that Melendez was strong. I felt great in the cage, which was my first, and fully enjoyed being there. I would like to thank having been able to stand in that cage.”

(When asked about the possibility of a rematch with Melendez)

“I have no right to say, “Let me fight Melendez again.” It should be that I would have to improve my value as a fighter so that in the future Melendez might think, “All right, I would not mind fighting Aoki again. No way I‘m in any position to say that I want to fight him again.”

Read entire statement… (in the original Japanese)