Shinya Aoki renews call for fight with fellow legend Yoshihiro Akiyama: ‘You don’t have that much time left’

MMA News
Shinya Aoki renews call for fight with fellow legend Yoshihiro Akiyama: ‘You don’t have that much time left’

Never one to hold back on his true feelings, Japanese submission ace Shinya Aoki has issued a challenge to fellow MMA legend Yoshihiro Akiyama: “Take the fight.”

Following a recent grappling bout in Tokyo, in which Aoki (47-9) battled to a draw with Shutaro Debana, “Tobikan Judan” took the microphone to address Akiyama (15-7), who was also in the building as part of the broadcast team.

“I wake up, and I train,” Aoki said in his native Japanese. “I wake up, and I work. I try my hardest every single day. I’ve had enough. Living is full of suffering. I’ve had enough of this life. I’ve tried my hardest in martial arts, and after fighting for 20 years, I’ve realized just how lonely this is. But still, I continue fighting.

“On Sept. 6, there was an offer to fight. Why’d you decline the offer? Come on, say it. Don’t lie. Say something.”

While put on the spot, the 46-year-old Akiyama didn’t back down, instead explaining that a muscle tear forced him to decline the proposed matchup. “Sexyama” also said additional extenuating factors ensured he simply wasn’t available for the planned contest in September, but that he would be happy to book it in the future.

“Obviously not fighting isn’t an option,” Akiyama said. “Of course I’ll take the fight. Just wait.”

Aoki, who has been competing professionally since 2003 and has more than 50 professional bouts to his name, is somehow still just 38. But with Akiyama eight years his elder, Aoki seemed to suggest the pair should meet at December’s ONE X event in Singapore or risk the fight never coming to fruition.

“You still have two months, so just take the fight,” Aoki said. “Saying that you want to hype up martial arts is great, but it’s all talk. If you really feel that way, if you’ve committed to that, then let’s do it.

“I’ll be frank: You don’t have that much time left.”

To see Aoki’s challenge, check out the video above.

Shinya Aoki renews call for fight with fellow legend Yoshihiro Akiyama: ‘You don’t have that much time left’