Yoshihiro Akiyama respects Shinya Aoki as a fighter, but not "as a human, as a guy"

Shinya Aoki: “Akiyama has a double face”

Longtime fans of mixed martial arts fans, particularly Japanese MMA, are in for quite the treat this Saturday, March 26th at ONE X.

ONE Championship presents their 10-anniversary show, ONE X-with heated rivalry between two high-level competitors that have paved their claim to fame via Japanese MMA, becoming a polarizing figure at their craft in their respect.

Shinya Aoki who is currently 38-years of-age, started his illustrious career back in 2003. His high energy and fast-paced grappling game, on top of his brightly colored, full-legged spats-rash guard bottoms, made him unmistakable to recognize. Almost notching 50 fights, Aoki has become a staple in Japanese mixed martial arts, making a name for himself in organizations such as Pride, Dream, Rizen, Shooto, and more recently, ONE Championships.

Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama, the elder of his opponent, currently is 46 years old with less than half of the fights of his opponent, Aoki has compiled. Akiyama soared through competition early in his career in K1, and Dream before getting the call to fight overseas for the UFC. “Sexyama” would go 2-5 with the UFC before his release from the promotion, ultimately bouncing back in Asia’s ONE Championship. Along with fighting, Akiyama has filled several voids for the promotion, including commentating. 

Following Aoki’s matchup at Road to One: “Sexyama Edition,” Aoki, visibly upset, took to the mic to slam Akiyama who was commentating at the time of his bout. Aoki was upset with “Sexyama” for refusing a potential matchup several months prior with Aoki.

“Why’d you decline the offer?” Shinya Aoki questioned. “Come on, say it! Don’t lie!” Aoki prodded Akiyama for an answer. Say something you *****,” Aoki followed, clearly agitated with Akiyama.

Akiyama assured Aoki that he would accept the matchup once he was recovered from an injury. While injuries happen all the time during training, Aoki didn’t seem to believe “Sexyama’s” excuse.

“I thought Akiyama could get the most attention from the Japanese fans,” Aoki says about the matchup. However, when it came time to book the matchup, Aoki visually showed his doubts. Emphasizing, “I didn’t trust him because I think Akiyama has a double face,” Aoki insists.

ONE X: Part II will broadcast live and free on Watch.ONEFC.com, ONE’s YouTube channel, and ONE’s Facebook page at 5 p.m. SGT/5 a.m. ET.

Also, ONE X: Part I will broadcast live and free on Watch.ONEFC.com, ONE’s YouTube channel, and ONE’s Facebook page at 1 p.m. SGT/1 a.m. ET.

ONE X

Saturday, 26 March 2022

GRAND FINALE

ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship

(C) Angela Lee vs. (1) Stamp Fairtex

Atomweight: 105 LBS – 115 LBS

Special Rules Super-Fight

Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs. Demetrious Johnson

Flyweight: 125 LBS – 135 LBS

ONE Flyweight World Championship

(C) Adriano Moraes vs. (2) Yuya Wakamatsu

Flyweight: 125 LBS – 135 LBS

Mixed Martial Arts

(3) Shinya Aoki vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama

Lightweight: 155 LBS – 170 LBS

Muay Thai

Eduard Folayang vs. John Wayne Parr

Lightweight: 155 LBS – 170 LBS

ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship

(C) Superbon Singha Mawynn vs. (1) Marat Grigorian

Featherweight: 145 LBS – 155 LBS

 PART II

ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship

(C) Nong-O Gaiyanghadao vs. Felipe Lobo

Bantamweight: 135 LBS – 145 LBS

ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship

(C) Capitan Petchyindee vs. (2) Hiroki Akimoto

Bantamweight: 135 LBS – 145 LBS

Mixed Martial Arts

(3) Ham Seo Hee vs. (2) Denice Zamboanga

Atomweight: 105 LBS – 115 LBS

Mixed Martial Arts

Itsuki Hirata vs. Jihin Radzuan

Atomweight: 105 LBS – 115 LBS

Mixed Martial Arts

(1) Kim Jae Woong vs. (4) Tang Kai

Featherweight: 145 LBS – 155 LBS

PART I

ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Championship Final

(4) Chingiz Allazov vs. (3) Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong

Featherweight: 145 LBS – 155 LBS

Submission Grappling

Reinier de Ridder vs. Andre Galvao

Middleweight: 185 LBS – 205 LBS

Muay Thai

Nieky Holzken vs. Sinsamut Klinmee

Lightweight: 155 LBS – 170 LBS

Mixed Martial Arts

(5) Lito Adiwang vs. Jeremy Miado

Strawweight: 115 LBS – 125 LBS

Mixed Martial Arts

(3) Stephen Loman vs. Shoko Sato

Bantamweight: 135 LBS – 145 LBS

Mixed Martial Arts

Amir Khan vs. Ryogo Takahashi

Featherweight: 145 LBS – 155 LBS

Mixed Martial Arts

Kang Ji Won vs. Paul Elliott

Heavyweight: 225 LBS – 265 LBS

Submission Grappling

Mei Yamaguchi vs. Danielle Kelly

Atomweight: 105 LBS – 115 LBS

Mixed Martial Arts

Ryuto Sawada vs. Senzo Ikeda

Strawweight: 115 LBS – 125 LBS

author avatar
Adam Crist
Currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Wilmington University, Adam’s passion for the sport only grows stronger when a fighter’s voice can be heard. He thrives on asking detailed questions to inspire the thoughts behind the punches in hopes that each fighter can find their proper justice. Specializing in pre and post fight interviews for MyMMANews, Adam strives to keep the fight fans up to speed with the most recent and authentic MMA news possible. He is Co-promoter of Delaware’s premier kick-boxing and Muay Thai organization, IBF Promotions. Recently he has also accompanied MMA organizations Global Proving Ground and XCC as Co-host and ringside commentator.