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Shinya Aoki to Take On Yoshihiro Akiyama in a ‘Japanese MMA Legends Fight’ at One X on March 26th
Japanese MMA legends Yoshihiro Akiyama and Shinya Aoki are all set to settle their differences and prove their valor at ONE Championship’s ONE X event on March 26.
Shinya Aoki (47-9, 1 NC) has been calling out the former UFC veteran ‘Sexyama’ for a fight since October last year. Aoki, who’s one of the biggest stars on the ONE roster, released a dramatic promo to call out Akiyama after a grappling bout.
Finally, his calls have been answered as UFC analyst Ariel Helwani confirmed the 170-pounds bout touted as “Japanese Legends MMA fight”
Shinya Aoki vs. Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama has been booked for ONE X on March 26, sources say.
The lightweight (170) bout will be billed as a “Japanese Legends MMA fight.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 24, 2022
Helwani Tweeted, “Shinya Aoki vs. Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama has been booked for ONE X on March 26, sources say. The lightweight (170) bout will be billed as a “Japanese Legends MMA fight.”
The 38-year-old submission artist Aoki has been a two-time ONE lightweight champion. The BJJ black belt has been a part of many noteworthy MMA promotions. Some of them are PRIDE, Strikeforce, RIZIN, and Bellator in the past. In his latest outing in April, Aoki finished his opponent, Eduard Folayang, in the first round via an armbar in April at ONE on TNT 4.
On the flip side, ‘Sexyama’ will return to action after almost two years. Akiyama (15-7, 2 NC) last competed in February 2020 against Sherif Mohamed, whom he finished via first-round knockout. The 46-year-old is an MMA legend who has also competed in the UFC. The list of fighters ‘Sexyama’ has faced includes Chris Leben, Vitor Belfort, and Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping.
Who else is fighting at ONE X?
Angela Lee and Stamp Fairtex will headline the ONE X event by ONE Championship in an atomweight title clash. ONE X will take place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore.
Also featured in the event is a ‘special rules’ fight between former UFC Flyweight champion Demetrious ‘The Mighty Mouse’ Johnson and Muay Thai specialist Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
What are your thoughts on the super fight? Let us know in the comments below.
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