Shinya Aoki Returning to RIZIN for First Time Since 2015
Shinya Aoki is returning to RIZIN a decade after headlining the promotion's first event in 2015. The former ONE Championship lightweight titleholder aims for closure as he makes an unexpected return to the organization where he defeated Kazushi Sakuraba.
Legendary Japanese fighter Shinya Aoki is set to return to the RIZIN ring, marking his first appearance for the promotion in a decade. Aoki famously headlined the inaugural RIZIN event in 2015, where he secured a victory over MMA icon Kazushi Sakuraba in just six minutes. Following that standout performance, the submission specialist moved to ONE Championship, where he established himself as a dominant force and captured the lightweight title.
According to reports, the veteran fighter expressed that he had not anticipated a return to the RIZIN promotion after his long tenure elsewhere. His upcoming appearance signifies a return to his roots in the Japanese MMA scene, providing what he describes as a sense of closure to his journey that began at the promotion’s inception. Further details regarding his opponent or the specific event date for this return have not yet been disclosed, but the news marks a significant milestone for the veteran's career as he prepares to step back into the spotlight under the RIZIN banner.
Source: MMA Fighting.
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