“I think there’s no doubt that B.J. Penn is still the best at 155 pounds. He’s most likely the best fighter in the world. I don’t ignore the UFC. I respect the UFC because it’s a very high level organization a high summit in the sport…. Personally, the most decisive fight in the world, the culmination, the pinnacle for me is B.J. Penn. Please do not misunderstand I really need this to be clearly expressed in the media: Shinya Aoki will not go to the UFC. I just want to fight B.J. Penn. This is my selfish wish. I know that everyone says they want Penn, but I think I’m the number one Japanese fighter to be saying this.”