Shinya Aoki Has Inner Demons That Drive Him to Fight | MMAWeekly.com

Shinya Aoki is an interesting character. It is tough for English speaking audiences to get a handle on the reigning ONE Championship lightweight king, who speaks to the media exclusively in Japanese and comes across as a very private person.

We know that he’s the most decorated lightweight in Asian MMA history. Before winning the ONE Championship belt, he held titles with Dream, Shooto and WAMMA. With 25 submission wins to his name, he is undoubtedly one of the greatest grapplers in the game.

However, Aoki will leave the subject of his legacy to others. He’s not overly concerned with mantles and accolades.

“I really don’t care about being ‘the best’ or being ‘a champion.’ What I’ve gone through, all the struggles, the suffering and the pain, is what I am proud of. Winning the fight, becoming the champion is just a bonus, the outer layer. It’s not about winning or losing, but I really don’t want to lose.”

Aoki has not been beaten since 2012 and the last time he lost a fight on Asian soil was 2012. The 33-year-old is set to make the third defense of his ONE Championship lightweight belt when he faces Eduard Folayang on Friday, but maintaining a nine-fight winning streak is the furthest thing from his mind.

“That’s not very important for me. If I fight against someone stronger than me, I will lose, that’s fighting.  It’s very simple, you fight someone stronger than you and you lose.  So whatever happens… happens. I don’t think deeply on that.”

Their fight is set to headline ONE: Defending Honor at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. It’s one of the most eagerly anticipated lightweight matches in Asian MMA and has been talked about ever since Aoki first signed with the promotion in 2012.

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Folayang fought on ONE Championship’s inaugural event in 2012 and is only a year younger than Aoki. But the gulf in experience is stark with the Japanese veteran having fought 46 times and faced the likes of JZ Cavalcante, Joachim Hansen, Caol Uno, Eddie Alvarez, Gilbert Melendez, Tatsuya Kawajiri, and Satoru Kitaoka.

By contrast, Folayang has a mere 21 fights and Aoki believes his experience will be crucial on Nov. 11.

“It is my biggest advantage over him. I have been fighting ever since 2003 and I have experienced losses, so I know the fear and how to survive. I have the experience, which will help me a lot this time.”

Some fighters talk about the adrenaline rush of entering the cage, but for Aoki the experience is more about trepidation than exhilaration.

“I don’t get excited as the fight comes closer. I’m scared of fighting the next fight; I’m scared of losing.”

Aoki clearly subscribes to the old adage that you should “face your fears” because, while the prospect of fighting might invoke feelings of fear, he’s not going to stop any time soon.

“I want to fight as much as possible, that’s all I think about now. I’m gonna fight until 40 or 45; I’m serious about that. I’m 33, but I don’t feel weak at all.”

Photos of Aoki smiling might be few and far between but, while he seldom allows it to show, the Japanese fighter genuinely does enjoy his job.

“I really love what I do. It’s the pleasure of fighting, the pleasure you feel when you achieve. I know how great it feels, so I train hard to improve more, to become stronger than before.”

However, he clearly needs the fear to motivate him and, going into his title defense against Folayang, the Japanese lightweight is feeling far from complacent.

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“There is no room in my mind to think about continuing my winning streak. That’s how much I am scared of the next fight. I’m not confident at all; I’m very scared.”

While Aoki isn’t feeling confident, the odds are clearly in his favor. He’s regarded as the most dominant fighter in the division for a reason and whatever mind tricks or motivational tactics the 33-year-old employs, they are clearly working.