Shinya Aoki headlined the first RIZIN card back in 2015, running through legendary Japanese star Kazushi Sakuraba in six minutes. A decade later, “Tobikan Judan” walks to that ring again for a return he never really expected to happen.
Aoki signed with ONE after his sole appearance in RIZIN, where he became lightweight champion. At 43 years of age, and booked to face local superstar Mikuru Asakura in the co-main event of Thursday’s Super RIZIN 5 card in Osaka, Aoki sees it as a chance for closure after MMA promotion DREAM failed to fill the gap left with the end of PRIDE.
“For me, being known to the younger fans is not too important,” Aoki told
