Shinya Aoki: I have more to gain in ONE FC
Earlier this month Japanese featherweight submission ace Shinya Aoki turned down a UFC offer. Manager Chatri Sityodtong cited ‘more favorable economics’…
Earlier this month Japanese featherweight submission ace Shinya Aoki turned down a UFC offer. Manager Chatri Sityodtong cited ‘more favorable economics’ as the reason behind the decision to stay with the Singapore based One FC.
Cagewriter’s Elias Cepeda interviewed Aoki to learn more about what was meant by favorable economics.
“OneFC has taken care of me,” Aoki said.
“They’ve treated me well. I know the fighters there and I’m comfortable in OneFC. I think I have more to gain from fighting there.”
Aoki described his toughest fights as Gilbert Melendez and Eddie Alvarez, both of which took place in the US, but did not express any particular desire to build his US fan base.
“I’m happy that any fans from anywhere would watch me fight,” said Aoki. “I’m honored that they are watching but it isn’t my goal to appeal to everybody.”
In a past interview, Aoki exhibited distate for the wrestling heavy style of play that for better and for worse works best in this sport.
The American wrestling style – punching a little bit, getting a takedown and moving to side control to win the round has no risk, said Aoki to MMAFighting.com. It’s an easier fight. It’s just using the judges. They don’t even have to worry about injuries or anything like that. There is no risk.
Japanese MMA is totally different. We go for knockouts and submissions from the beginning and going for the decision isn’t an option.
Aoki is fighting Toshikatsu Harada at IGF – Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2013 in Tokyo, Japan, on New Years Eve.
