MMA Quick Quote: Shinya Aoki wants to fight BJ Penn to determine worlds best lightweight
by MMAmania.com on Jan 2, 2009 9:01 AM EST
Email
Print
"I think there’s no doubt that B.J. Penn is still the best at 155 pounds. He’s most likely the best fighter in the world. I don’t ignore the UFC. I respect the UFC because it’s a very high level organization -- a high summit in the sport.... Personally, the most decisive fight in the world, the culmination, the pinnacle for me is B.J. Penn. Please do not misunderstand -- I really need this to be clearly expressed in the media: Shinya Aoki will not go to the UFC. I just want to fight B.J. Penn. This is my selfish wish. I know that everyone says they want Penn, but I think I’m the number one Japanese fighter to be saying this."
-- Newly-crowned WAMMA Lightweight Champion Shinya Aoki talks to Sherdog.com about his desire to challenge BJ Penn to determine the top 155-pound fighter on the planet. He currently feels that Penn is the man to beat in the division. If a match ever happened it would be a clash of two high-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners. However, Aoki does not appear interested in competing inside the Octagon, which essentially negates a clash anytime soon. In the meantime, share your thoughts on a possible outcome in the comments section below.
72 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
BJ would kill him. Other than that, file under “another potentially great maych-up that will never happen.”
by the_mexicutioner on Jan 2, 2009 9:04 AM EST reply actions
Aoki and Gomi must be related or share a manager, both would make great match ups for Penn (Better than whats available for him at 155 in the UFC right now for contenders besides Florian, and Gomi would be again but still an update fight would be nice, a “see how far they have come” kind of thing.) And neither of them wants “in” with the UFC even though both could be rather large stars via the exposure and great match-ups/wars in the octagon, its wierd. What kind of top fighter doesnt want to be the potential top fighter for the top org in the world (cough . ..coFedorugh . uh huuuu. . cough) Thats like Jordan leaving North Carolina and passing on the NBA to join the Harlem Globtrotters, dudes are dumb. BJ BJ BJ!!!
by ( (AdamG ) ) on Jan 2, 2009 10:40 AM EST up reply actions
I’m going to assume you have no knowledge of the Fedor situation or just suckle on Dana’s teat, otherwise you wouldn’t have made that little cough gesture.
Aoki has said eventually he will be in the UFC, but his main goal is to build up Japanese MMA because after PRIDE collapsed it has gone downhill drastically. The ratings are awful for DREAM and Dynamite did terrible as well.
He should be commended for his actions instead of ridiculed like he’s scared of fighting top comp. when he has the entire year.
You can easily flip the whole argument and look at BJ, who only fights twice a year, and say he’s dodging comp. in his division because the only ranked fighter he’s beaten in the past 2 YEARS! is Sherk.
by R/p on Jan 2, 2009 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
Well that should teach you to make assumptions; I’m pretty sure Adam G knows exactly where Fedor stands hence the “cough” comment; as far as Aoki, how are you supposed to take his exact words, coming from the man himself when he clearly states:
“Please do not misunderstand — I really need this to be clearly expressed in the media: Shinya Aoki WILL NOT GO TO THE UFC. I just want to fight B.J. Penn.”
by O Damn he got caught on Jan 2, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
Aoki is a very respectful guy and I hell of a fighter. Everytime I hear an interview with him, he always is very respectful of the UFC fighters and the Brand. He isnt one of the fighters who say “UFC fighters are better” or Pride guys are better. CLASS ACT and he is a thinking man’s fighter. No physical talent, just a lot of pure SKILL!
If he were a welterweight like Jqake Sheilds, I would agree that he has to come to the UFC to fight top comp…but Overall the lightweights in Japan are better, ort at least Ranked higher…There are plentty of match ups available for him in Japan.
by john on Jan 2, 2009 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
No doubt, I’m just saying, I didn’t get “I won’t come to the UFC right now but I will make my way there eventually” out of that particular quote.
by O Damn he got caught on Jan 2, 2009 11:58 AM EST up reply actions
Dude, when it comes to Fedor, Dana is right, period.
BJ fights more than a twice a year average.
Pulver was an ex champ in the weight class, the only legit champ at that time to ever hold the strap (sherk=roids=tanted), the only guy to take Penn 5 rounds and one of 4 men to actually beat him, and BJ went the distance back in the day with Jens so Jens didnt beat BJs cardio he beat BJs heart that night. But yea, Jens doesnt matter huh, he also took Faber the distance but yea, a for sure can if i ever saw one . . .
And wether “world ranked” or not as a top fighter, Joe Stevenson was chosen as the #1 contender in the LTWT class by the UFC/Joe Silva, he was also a TUF season winner, faught guys like Pulver as a young kid while Pulver was in his prime, had over 30 wins on his resume, not too mention this fact buddy; he was world ranked and it was around #6 when BJ slaughtered him in under 2 rounds, but whatever ya know, no biggie and all = ) BJ BJ BJ!!!
by ( (AdamG ) ) on Jan 2, 2009 12:01 PM EST up reply actions
O Damn:
He’s saying that because he doesn’t want to offend FEG or Japan. He can’t leave right now because of the state of Japanese MMA.
He has mentioned several times before that he has entertained the possibility of going to the UFC but it won’t happen yet. Eventually he will be.
by R/p on Jan 2, 2009 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
I guess that he is contradicting WAMMA when they claim he is the undisputed LW champion of the world.
by the_mexicutioner on Jan 2, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions
BJ would hurt Gomi bad. Probably submit him again.
by rctrue on Jan 2, 2009 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
all you guys saying Aoki and other Japanese guys are loyal to their countries and thats why they don’t come to the UFC or USA. You guys need to do some research, the red sox had to pay just to talk to Matsusaka. It’s a well known fact that China and Japan are like the Mob, they need a "taste" of anything their guys make! It’s almost not worth an mma guy (compared to NBA) to come fight here, they’d have to give up to much. Yao Ming and jilin (spelling) are examples (chinese). They go through a lot to play/work here!
by kevin on Jan 3, 2009 12:11 AM EST up reply actions
You know I wouldn’t miss an Aoki thread right? I read all 72 posts and 95% of you are just mouthing off. Where are the facts people? Ever wonder why America is so far behind in education? Just check this thread for examples of the lacking Inference and Reading Comprehension. It’s evident by what people write that a lot of you barely know anything about Aoki or his opponents. And not as much about your precious BJ’s cage ability as you think. Keep letting Joe Rogan and Dana White be your MAIN source of information and you’ll always be living in a world that’s not quite accurate. THey both have personal agenda’s that do not require being objective. Quit being sheep and do some of your own research. I’m gonna start my debate by posting some cold, hard facts (Kevin, does this look familiar? LOL):
BJ’s Career Submissions (38% wins by Sub):
4 Rear Naked Choke’s
1 Arm Triangle Choke
Aoki’s Career Submissions (61% wins by Sub):
1 Heel Hook
1 Neck Crank
1 Mounted Gogoplata
4 Armbar’s
1 Gogoplata
1 Flying Triangle Choke
1 Triangle Choke
1 Standing Armlock
Based on these facts, who’s ground game is more impressive?
by Machine on Jan 3, 2009 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
What a worthless statement… “I want to fight BJ, but there is no way I will go to the UFC.” He is just trying to save face here. Thats like me calling out Anderson Silva, I know it will never happen so I dont have to worry about it.
by 1-0 via Arm Triangle on Jan 2, 2009 12:03 PM EST up reply actions
BJJ only- Draw
MMA- BJ by TKO after Aoki gets tired from takedown attempts
by Victory is ours on Jan 2, 2009 9:06 AM EST reply actions
“I want to fight BJ PENN, but I will never go fight him, just wish you could see this fight; cause, it’s not going to happen”
by O Damn he got caught on Jan 2, 2009 9:08 AM EST reply actions
Never saw that before, chasing you opponent around a ring on your ass :/
by DSmith on Jan 3, 2009 12:51 AM EST up reply actions
It’s easy to call anybody out when there’s a 0.5% chance of the fight actually happening.
by Eric on Jan 2, 2009 9:15 AM EST reply actions
Its like asking Aoki to bail on his country if he leaves the DREAM org to go to the UFC. He isn’t able to do that but by judging from his last few fights I’d say Aoki isn’t afraid to step in the ring with any LW, I’d be more interested in seeing Aoki try to fight Sherk than Penn cause I think Penn’s stand up dominates Aoki’s and Penn’s ground game can fairly negate Aoki’s.
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Jan 2, 2009 10:00 AM EST up reply actions
Would love to see it, two of the best BJJ fighters in MMA right now. But since he came right out and said he will not fight in the UFC – his comments are pretty much pointless! Wonder what his reasoning is for not wanting to fight in the UFC…
by TN Titans 1983 on Jan 2, 2009 9:20 AM EST reply actions
I dunno about this one. I would say if this fight would be on the feet bj would destoy aoki, but if it ever went to the ground I would actually put my money on aoki by submission.
by rydinlow on Jan 2, 2009 9:25 AM EST reply actions
BJ wont get subbed by Aoki, or anyone at LW in MMA right now for that matter!!! Basically, you would lose money!!
by 1-0 via Arm Triangle on Jan 2, 2009 12:05 PM EST up reply actions
You been drinkin red bull and fasting? Sounds like Delerium..
I kid I kid
by O Damn he got caught on Jan 2, 2009 9:50 AM EST up reply actions
Would love to see it but not very likely BJ BJ BJ!!!
by ( (AdamG ) ) on Jan 2, 2009 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t think that BJ is tougher of an opponent Alvarez. Aoki would definitely have a chance. Personally, I don’t even think that BJ is the best lightweight inthe world. There is Gomi, Alvarez, Aoki, and even Hansen would all give BJ a ton of trouble.
by bostonmmajunkie on Jan 2, 2009 10:18 AM EST reply actions
Well hes has already beaten Gomi’s ass, and he would rough up alvarez and especially hansen, the only one who could maybe give him trouble is aoki, and he would beat him too. B.J. is the concencus #1 lightweight in the world hands down, and im not even that big of a fan.
by Dave on Jan 2, 2009 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
He already kicked the crap out of Gomi, BEFORE he was even training seriously to fight.
by O Damn he got caught on Jan 2, 2009 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
how come so many top fighters do not want to go to the ufc? if i was a top level fighter i would try and compete with best to see where i was against the elite
by ruan-fiy on Jan 2, 2009 10:34 AM EST reply actions
Who knows, loyalty to current employer maybe, maybe he just doesn’t want to fight in America, maybe it’s the no compete clause and the signing your likeness away, etc etc.. Who knows; seems to be at least some fighters out there kind of boy cotting the UFC because they feel it is detrimental to the growth of the sport for one organization to monopolize MMA.
by O Damn he got caught on Jan 2, 2009 10:53 AM EST up reply actions
haha, well Aoki just doesn’t strike me as the money and ho’s type of guy, but who knows.
by O Damn he got caught on Jan 2, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions
it’s about the money and nothing else. if he fought in the UFC aoki wouldn’t even come close to making 1/8th of what he gets paid in Japan. plus he would have no sponorships either.
by jj on Jan 2, 2009 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
I believe BJ would dominate on the feet and would be too strong for Aoki to handle on the ground! BJ’s ground game is very good. Even if Aoki’s grounding is better that BJ’s, it’s definitely not by much! BJ’s superior strength would nullify that small difference. I call a fairly swift victory for BJ! I would still love to see it, though!
by Dana's a Crossdresser on Jan 2, 2009 10:55 AM EST reply actions
This is probably a perfect analysis, except Aoki can take quite a beating, so he might just last longer than we think. And I do not think at all that his ground game is better than Penns.
by The Anomaly on Jan 2, 2009 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
I want to fight BJ. I could beat him easily, but he’s going to have come fight in my orginization Ro-Sham-Bo Fighting Champoinship. Wow, BJ is lucky he’s under contract with the UFC. Oh, I could beat Brock and A. Silva to.
by Punch You in the Ovaries on Jan 2, 2009 10:58 AM EST reply actions
I never seen much on aoki till recently
So I didn’t kno what to expect in alv fight
His standup is ok after few fights I saw
Aoki will never submit bj that’s forsure
And bj never loses in standup (excluding machida hw fight)
How good wrestling does aoki have?
Gsp only man who takes bj down on will
If sherk had no chance best wrestler in lw
by phenomenal angel on Jan 2, 2009 11:00 AM EST reply actions
It is always great to read guys who reference the UFC to stay relevant but then say they will never fight there. Maybe Shinya can fight an aligator or lion in the charade that is Pride2/Dream/Heroes/Dynamite/K1.
by Karl Hungus on Jan 2, 2009 11:26 AM EST reply actions
Aoki can’t leave his country because without stars the whole, already wilting, MMA scene goes away completely. It’s more complicated than just being ignorant and assuming he’s “scared.”
by R/p on Jan 2, 2009 11:37 AM EST reply actions
Are you kidding, the loss of a fighter most MMA fans in America and most everywhere else have never heard of who just beat a guy that again most of the MMA world has never heard of would wilt the MMA world, come on Jerry Maguire, get real. Randy leaves the UFC along with Tito and nada, but Aoki is gonna leave DREAM and end a Japanese economy, dudes scarred, but its chill man, i would be to, i mean we are talking the same BJ Penn here right, the guy that licks his opponents blood off of his gloves after he’s finished with them, that guy right? BJ BJ BJ!!!
by ( (AdamG ) ) on Jan 2, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions
And i respect Eddie and Aoki very much, but lets not go making excuses for them is all, people stop making excuses for Gomi a long time ago on why he wasnt interested in the UFC, lets not start with Aoki. Bottom line, he will come when he does, to you, it will be at a time when it helps the Japanese MMA status, to me, it will be when BJ Penn moves so far up in weight that even if Fedor dropped down to LTWT he probably wouldnt be interested in fighting him or dropping all the way back down to do so, thats when Aoki will come around to me, perfect timing, for all involved im sure.
by ( (AdamG ) ) on Jan 2, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions
And how about athletes like Yoa Ming, countries like China love it when their star athletes come to the American market and do well against our top comp in any sprot, they arent ignorant to the fact that America has top athletes of all shapes and sizes in all sports. Aoki could actually lead the UFC to Japan and be the forfront star of that market for the UFC, a poster boy if you will, BJ=Hawaii, GSP=Canada, Nog=Braxil, Randy=GeneralUSA, etc etc, come on dude LMAO!!! Collapse a country, figure it out. AGAIN, “dudes scared”. BJ BJ BJ!!!
by ( (AdamG ) ) on Jan 2, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions
Not in all sports mate, American rugby is a complete joke for starters.
by paniczoo on Jan 2, 2009 7:22 PM EST up reply actions
Would be a good fight I would love to see it. I do believe BJ can win the fight I just dont think he will run through Aoki like he is not there like most of you think. I also think Aoki could win the fight. If you think BJ wont lose a stand up battel then wait till he fights GSP, he will beat BJ anywere the fight goes. The last time BJ and GSP fought it could have gone either way but GSP did win by a narrow margin. This fight will be completely differant, I think we will see GSP take it up a notch and totally dominate BJ on the feet and ground. That said I luv both BJ and GSP, cant wait for this one.
by Spyder on Jan 2, 2009 11:39 AM EST reply actions
BJ would defend the takedown and beat Aoki up on his feet. BJ is too hard to take down. Aoki would get creamed.
by DB on Jan 2, 2009 11:41 AM EST reply actions
Penn is going to fuck his shit up on the feet but grappling wise I have no idea this is a dream fight for me I hope and think Penn will win with his crazy ass.
by Wanderlei Fan on Jan 2, 2009 11:42 AM EST reply actions
I just hope BJ nad GSP both show up healthy!
by Dana's a Crossdresser on Jan 2, 2009 11:53 AM EST reply actions
Aside from ww
In 155
Penn will punch and lick his opponents blood at the same time while posing for the camera holding his other hand up with either thumbs up or down for a finish
Haha
by phenomenal angel on Jan 2, 2009 12:37 PM EST reply actions
The idea of licking someone’s blood makes me cringe! I can’t believe he does that!
by Dana's a Crossdresser on Jan 2, 2009 12:48 PM EST reply actions
u guys r funny, btw im not by any means an aoki fan im a jz fan. everybody said jz was gonna destroy him, same thing with alvarez and look what happened. bj is a better fighter but to write off aoki like that is just stupid, the guy is got the chin and the skills to give bj a good fight
by oscar on Jan 2, 2009 1:14 PM EST reply actions
If his name aint St Pierre or Anderson then im not worried for BJ and no amount of convincing will change that fact, sorry. BJ BJ BJ!!!
by ( (AdamG ) ) on Jan 2, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
i know all you hear about is how great BJ’s BJJ is and im not denying it…BUT in mma i donno.. like 4/5 of his submission wins are by rear naked choke thats not exactly a blackbelt technique Aoki’s won in impressive fashon gogoplata’s arm bars triangles his guard works really well for mma more effective then BJ’s.
by DmanCO on Jan 2, 2009 1:50 PM EST reply actions
Put up or shut up! Penn is the best and if you want to beat the best you need to face the best. Don’t sit in Japan and make statements about fighting certain people then follow up by saying, “I will not go to the UFC.” Classy guy or not, Fedor or Aoki, put up or shut up! BJ Penn is the man at 155, come and get him, try to take the title!
by Ray on Jan 2, 2009 2:21 PM EST reply actions
BJ would KO Aoki. His standup is 100 times better than Aokis, and I personaly think BJs Jits is as good if not better than Aokis too. BJ would make quick work of him.
by rctrue on Jan 2, 2009 3:08 PM EST reply actions
Aoki looks like a 12 year old in that pic. IMO he would get beat down like he did against Hansen. He would not be able to take down BJ and would probably be forced to stand. But I would be happy to see him sub Penn.
by stevo on Jan 2, 2009 5:19 PM EST reply actions
Since BJ is a spoiled rich-kid bitch and my most hated fighter ( yes I even pulled for douche-bag Hughes when they fought), I would like to see BJ’s future go something like this: GSP TKO rnd 4, a dejected BJ goes back to lightweight and get’s outworked and TKO’d by Diego Sanchez, then he fights Florian and loses a miserable lopsided decision, gets fat defects to Affliction fights at heavyweight and gets destroyed by Fedor, retires an alcoholic roaming the beaches saying : " I could of been the best".
by Balls on Jan 2, 2009 8:00 PM EST reply actions
perfect except for that hell fight Florian and get his face elbowed into the back of his skull THEN Diego. but i hate that douche too so i couldnt care. give BJ some credit, he has skills, but hes a cocky fag. and the tough guy role hes tryin to play up against GSP aint gonna work.
by JakeAnd on Jan 2, 2009 9:41 PM EST up reply actions
BJ would own aoki. yeah he wins by rear naked chokes. after pounding guys faces in to bloody pulps. DmanCO, i see what you’re saying about the subs but in all honesty why do a fancy easy to escape move like a gogoplata from the mount when you can do the most dangerous, most effective move to finish, which happens to be the rear naked choke. dont get me wrong i love the fancy subs but the rear naked is a man’s choke. imo
by jack_stand808 on Jan 2, 2009 11:21 PM EST reply actions
“rear naked is a man’s choke” ….dumbest statment i’ve ever read. Thanks for the entertainment tard.
by bytes on Jan 3, 2009 1:24 AM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on MMAmania.com
Related FanShots on MMAmania.com
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
