Shinya Aoki
Shinya Aoki
Ht: 5’11 – Wt: 155 – Age: 29
Born: Shizouka City, Japan
Fights out of: Tokyo, Japan
Team: Evolve MMA
Overall Record: 31-6
Promotion: Free Agent
2012 Forecast:
Shinya Aoki is widely considered to be one of the top submission artists in the world. Aoki made his MMA debut in 2003 where he competed in the DEEP and Shooto promotions. Aoki compiled a 7-2 record, while winning the Shooto welterweight (154 lbs.) championship. Aoki continued to compete in Shooto, but also signed with PRIDE where he won all 4 of his fights, highlighted by victories over Jason Black, Clay French, and Joachim Hansen. Aoki moved his talents over to the Dream promotion in 2008 where he participated in their lightweight Grand Prix tournament to crown its first champion. Aoki impressively defeated J.Z. Cavalcante, Katsuhiko Nagata, and Caol Uno to earn a spot in the finals against Eddie Alvarez. Alvarez was forced out of the fight due to injury and replaced by Joachim Hansen. Aoki had defeated Hansen in the past, but was unable to repeat the result, losing to Hansen via 1st round TKO. Aoki’s 12-fight win came to an end, but he quickly rebounded by pulling off 1st round submission wins over Todd Moore, Eddie Alvarez, and David Gardner. Aoki agreed to move up in weight in order to compete in Dream’s welterweight Grand Prix in 2009, but lost his first round matchup to Hayato Sakurai via 1st round knockout. Aoki dropped back down to lightweight where he defeated Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro and avenged his loss to Joachim Hansen. Aoki moved on to famously break Mizuto Hirota’s arm in a Dream vs. Sengoku match-up before making his way stateside to face Gilbert Melendez in Strikeforce. Aoki was surprisingly dominated for much of the fight, losing via unanimous decision. Aoki has since returned to Japan where he’s racked up 7 straight wins, including victories over Tatsuya Kawajiri, Marcus Aurelio, Lyle Beerbohm (in Strikeforce), Rich Clementi, Rob McCullough, and Satoru Kitaoka.
Aoki’s submissions skills make him one of the most dangerous fighters in the world. Aoki is long and lanky, which only enhances his ability to grab onto opponents’ limbs or necks. Aoki has struggled at times against strikers, especially when he does not get the early takedown. Aoki has proven his merits as one of the top fighters in the world despite some high-profile losses. Aoki’s lack of striking is apparent, but he is actively trying to improve in that area by recently changing fight camps. Aoki would be a welcome addition to the UFC or Bellator, but he may decide to keep his talents in Japan following his disastrous loss to Melendez.
Shinya Aoki Fight Record
Overall Record: 30-5
2008-2011 Record: 16-3
2011 Record: 4-0
Win | Satoru Kitaoka | Dec | Rd 5 | Dream | 12/31/2011
Win | Rob McCullough | Sub | Rd 1 | Dream | 09/24/2011
Win | Rich Clementi | Sub | Rd 2 | Dream | 05/29/2011
Win | Lyle Beerbohm | Sub | Rd 1 | Sforce | 04/09/2011
2010 Record: 3-1
Win | Yokthair Sithoar | Sub | Rd 1 | | 10/24/2010
Win | Marcus Aurelio | Dec | Rd 2 | Dream | 09/25/2010
Win | Tatsuya Kawajiri | Sub | Rd 1 | Dream | 07/10/2010
Loss | Gilbert Melendez | Dec | Rd 5 | Sforce | 04/17/2010
2009 Record: 4-1
Win | Mizuto Hirota | Sub | Rd 1 | | 12/31/2009
Win | Joachim Hansen | Sub | Rd 2 | Dream | 10/06/2009
Win | Vitor Ribeiro | Dec | Rd 2 | Dream | 07/20/2009
Loss | Hayato Sakurai | Tko | Rd 1 | Dream | 04/05/2009
Win | David Gardner | Sub | Rd 1 | Dream | 03/08/2009
2008 Record: 5-1
Win | Eddie Alvarez | Sub | Rd 1 | | 12/31/2008
Win | Todd Moore | Sub | Rd 1 | Dream | 09/23/2008
Loss | Joachim Hansen | Tko | Rd 1 | Dream | 07/21/2008
Win | Caol Uno | Dec | Rd 2 | Dream | 07/21/2008
Win | Katsuhiko Nagata | Sub | Rd 1 | Dream | 06/15/2008
Win | J.Z. Cavalcante | Dec | Rd 2 | Dream | 04/29/2008
NC | J.Z. Cavalcante | NC | Rd 1 | Dream | 03/15/2008
