'My spirit is not broken': Shinya Aoki talks Strikeforce CBS debut
by Akimitsu Kuwabara on Apr 18, 2010 10:58 AM EDT
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DREAM lightweight champion and the official delegate of Japanese mixed martial arts to Strikeforce, Shinya Aoki, struggled to unleash his usual grappling magic during his five-round "Nashville" title affair against the promotion's champion, Gilbert Melendez.
The buildup of pre-fight pressure was immense for "Tobikan Judan," as he assumed the role of representing not only DREAM but the entire Japanese MMA.
The outcome was a disaster.
Melendez repeatedly shrugged off Aoki's takedown attempts and even displayed the audacity to jump into the guard of the dangerous jiu-jitsu master en route to an unanimous decision victory -- one that may have cemented himself as one of the world's top lightweight fighters.
Aoki on the other hand must now return to Japan and atone for his loss. But don't expect him to spend much time lamenting his loss, as he is already planning to rebuild his name value by returning home.
From the Tobikan Judan:
"It was a decisive defeat. I would like to state a word of appreciation for Mr. Scott Coker and DREAM staff who have worked hard to make this fight a reality. I would like to congratulate Gilbert Melendez for defending his title in our fight tonight. Though some may perceive this as a loss for Japanese MMA, my spirit is not broken and I plan on going back to Japan and putting forth prodigious effort so that I will be able to challenge for the title once again. The difference between fighting in the cage and the ring was negligible, and Melendez was just plain good. Fighting in the cage for the first time, I felt comfortable in the new setting and had a blast. I am just grateful that I got to step into the cage. Right now, I am in no position of asking for a (DREAM) rematch and I think it's best that I strive to raise the value of 'Shinya Aoki' so that Melendez can say, 'I do not mind fighting Aoki once again' on his accord. As things stand right now, I would cringe if I said, 'I want to fight him again.'"
Whatever the cause of Aoki's defeat (i.e. fighting in the US and cage for the first time, no grappling pants) the losing streak continues for DREAM fighters in the semi-official, "Strikeforce vs. DREAM" showdown.
And DREAM's prospect certainly looks grim ahead of the Nick Diaz vs. Hayato "Mach" Sakurai at DREAM 14.
Furthermore, Aoki's defeat reinforces the hardship Japanese fighters have suffered when crossing over to North American MMA.
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That's a far cry from...
‘If I lose, Japan MMA becomes a colony of the US!’
and they had this guy ranked #1 LMAO i didnt think so
I said Gilbert would beat crap out of Fruit pants
Open up the Shit Gates and where the Hell was Marv?
i just wish i coudl recall the jackass in here saying friut pants would beat any LW in SF or UFC
Open up the Shit Gates and where the Hell was Marv?
I'm with you BJPF
I really don’t know how so many people on here were positive Aoki was going to win the fight. I thought the fight would look exactly the way it did, methodical and boring with Melendez dominating for the win. Melendez trains with one of the best BJJ camps in Caesar Gracie’s, and he has the wrestling to keep the fight from going to the ground. Aoki is definitely different from anyone else in the world, but unless Melendez got sloppy it was his fight.
"Before I do anything I ask myself, "Would an idiot do that?" And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing." - Dwight Schrute
He lost because he wasn't wearing his glasses
Hey - who cuts your hair?
Cheech Marin - Up in Smoke
by hairybumcrack on Apr 18, 2010 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Butt Scoot
FTW
Conan : You are known as a striker. Is that correct? Tell me what that means.
Chuck : Well I like to punch people, or kick them.
Humble in defeat
He needs to greatly improve his striking and more importantly his boxing if he is going to beat top 10 LW fighters
atleast he didnt cry :*(
he has beaten top 10 lws ,alvarez,hansen,jz but he got munched in this fight
Wow!
I can’t believe so many people had this guy ranked so high (aoki). Neither of these guys would even be able to get past a gate keeper in the UFC so Edgar, Penn, or Florian would destroy either of them. I loved the fact the Gilbert turned it up in the last 20 seconds. If he would’ve fought like that from the beginning he would’ve finished the fight in the first round. Aoki is way overated and Gilbert would be a gate keeper at best in the UFC. I did love the butt scoot as well daftmania, he looked like a crab or something!
rankings are based on resume not what you think of the man or
how one or two dimensional his game is. Wand wasnt #1 for all those years because he was a standard stand and banger with little ground game? yea he’s a bb and can go for guillotines that never close but so what…..
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Apr 18, 2010 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Well for one, Gil has beaten UFC Caliber/Gate keeper fighters in Clay Guida, beaten Josh Thompson who in turn has beaten a number of UFC fighters, Ishida who isnt exactly a slouch either, ect. ect.
Shinya has beaten his fair share of UFC Caliber fighters as well, however MMA math isnt the most reliable way of looking at things, nor is lookin at opinion as fact, for the matter. Too say both are/were overrated an wouldnt do shit in the UFC is kinda dumb tbh, as theyve both already proven that they can infact hang with them for the most part. Aoki was off for whatever reason last nite an didnt perform to the best of his abilities no doubt, same for GIl I think, pressure can get to the best of people so who knows. Just dont understand the tirades people are going off with about Aoki/Gil. Last nite may not have been the best card, but far from the worst(thank gad lol). Hopefully CBS will give SF another chance to redeem themselves with anyluck.
How do you Know where Im at? If you dont Know where Ive been...Understand where Im coming from??
Melendez was going to knock out Aoki in the 4th round if Mario Yamasaki didn’t save him with that retarted call. Then he had the balls to give Melendez a lecture. That was some Steve Mazzagatti shit right there.
i wish that Gilbert didnt see him and would of knocked out Yamasaki
The refs and judges suck ass
Open up the Shit Gates and where the Hell was Marv?
I dont think
I ever bought in AOKI as a top 3 lightheavy weight…. Any international fighter should not be in the top 5 because he is ifghting way different comp and weaker com at that… This isnt the days of Pride and the American MMA scene is dominant in this era right now.
Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, Muhammed Ali, FEDOR EMELIANENKO
he is still a great fighter, he only lost to an even greater fighter last night. no reason to destroy what he’s done…and what he is.
by Jon-Michael Herlth on Apr 18, 2010 12:30 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
^
What Bolthorn said…Cant believe how fast people can be/are swayed off bandwagons an the like. Too many ripping on Aoki an Gegard for my liking, shit happens, some nites guys just arent on. Anderson Silva ring any bells?? Paulo Filho? Who knows exactly why neither guys performed at the best of their abilities, but you cant take away from the fact their excellent fighters who have accomplished alot already an will continue to do so. This Overrated shit has to end, getting annoying more then anything. And Im not even a big fan of Either fighter tbh, just tired of seeing fans turn so fast lately I guess.
How do you Know where Im at? If you dont Know where Ive been...Understand where Im coming from??
Fairweather fans
That’s how I sum it up. Some people switch bandwagons by the day. Aoki, while not a favorite of mine, is still incredibly talented. It’s just that Melendez had the perfect game plan for beating him. You keep Aoki busy with some GNP and unable to use his guard much, he’ll lose. Same for keeping him standing. Gil just had the perfect game plan. Also, not sure what was up with Mousasi. He just looked too relaxed really. Injury maybe?
maybe im just bias against the japs they tried to kill my grandpa in the war
Open up the Shit Gates and where the Hell was Marv?
what a bunch of haters! stop hating!
I am impressed by his response after the fight….and yeah, I saw the dynamite fight..
aoki is a fun fighter to watch depending on the fight…credit melendez for never giving him an arm or a leg….because aoki tried all night
Team Pioli/Haley
you must of not of had to put up with a few people on here fucking with me on how Aoki will kill Gilbert and then BJ next
Open up the Shit Gates and where the Hell was Marv?
i can understand gilbert but no one in there right mind would pick him over BJ.
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Apr 18, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
oh trust me it was said now i just cant recall who said it
it almost worth going back and trying to find out
Open up the Shit Gates and where the Hell was Marv?
Someone had to be high
BJ would beat most LWs (Edgar included in a rematch). I’m telling you, there’s some fairweather fans out there.
Ya, BJ is the best LW
I know he just lost to Frankie, but I think that when BJ has a rematch with him, he will become champion once more. Aoki is great on the ground, but not the best MMA champion.
1. BJ
2. Florian
3. Melendez
4. Edgar
5. Aoki
by i_am_awesome_o on Apr 18, 2010 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Five rounds of...
Trying to pull guard and do lame takedowns.
I was hoping to see a nice throw or something…
If they fight in DREAM will it be for Aoki's title?
That would really look bad for Aoki if Gilbert whoops his ass here then goes to Japan and takes his belt too.
by HappyLittleTreez on Apr 18, 2010 1:49 PM EDT reply actions
yeh if they go back to JApan it will be all Japan rules and for the belt
Open up the Shit Gates and where the Hell was Marv?
if your talking about FRuit pants then you must of not watched the card
Open up the Shit Gates and where the Hell was Marv?
so did fruit pants but im not sure if he had a round
Open up the Shit Gates and where the Hell was Marv?
Hendo did way better than Aoki
Aoki did nothing offensive (although some may have found his performance offensive) during the entire fight. Hendo dominated the first round and almost stopped Shields multiple times. So I think the guy who almost won his fight in the first round (even though he did nothing in the other 4 rounds) did significantly better than the guy who never had his opponent in any danger whatsoever.
"Before I do anything I ask myself, "Would an idiot do that?" And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing." - Dwight Schrute
Neither one of them have much to be proud of. They both looked like shit last night.
I give them both 2 thumbs down
Also..
I remember when BJ was actually considered like number 3 or 4 and Aoki was number 1. I like Aoki, but he has HOLES for sure.
by i_am_awesome_o on Apr 18, 2010 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
You know, he's only in his mid-20s
Still got room to grow. He did terrible last night, but he’s still got time to get better.
After a minor genealogical search, I have determined that Cain Velasquez's great-grandfather was a truck.
And Mirko Cro Cop is a direct descendant of a wrecking ball. But I think you already knew that.
Yep
Aoki’s just gotta find a way to get some wrestlers down whether it’s buy a shooting in for the takedown or some sort of throw. He’s got the talent to do it. Same for when he’s got his guard and trying to avoid some GNP. If Aoki learns how to do those two things then he’ll do well in American MMA.
He just needs to develop his all around game
I think he was always overrated and one dimensional. He had a reach advantage and if he would of thrown half as many strikes as Melendez he might of made a decent fight of it but all he was worried about is getting the fight to the ground. If you think Melendez was hard to get down imagine BJ Penn!!
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
If Aoki's striking was even mediocre he could have knocked out Melendez.
Melendez (rightfully so) had no respect for Aoki’s striking and only had to focus on defending takedowns. If Aoki can’t develop a more well-rounded game he’s going to be dominated by any decent strikers with good wrestling that aren’t sloppy enough to let the fight go to the ground (i.e. Alvarez).
"Before I do anything I ask myself, "Would an idiot do that?" And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing." - Dwight Schrute
calling all the "haters"...
it’s unfair to call everyone who bashes shinya a hater. seriously. for weeks we’ve had to endure the unfounded praise of how shinya was a “top two” lw from loretta hunt and her ilk being called “UFC fanboys” if we disagreed. so cut us some slack if we assist aoki in eating his humble pie.
i was watching strikeforce on a crappy stream in a message board group last night and was called a UFC fanboy for predicting a dominant decision from melendez.
forget the UFC; from what i saw? these guys would get torched by the WEC lw division.
formerly JB, trying to figure out this whole new SB deal. oh, and another thing; i'm not impressed by your performance.
Great post.
Acknowledging the obvious holes in someones game doesn’t make you a hater. Nit picking arbitrary details and devaluing their skills does. There’s a big difference.
"Before I do anything I ask myself, "Would an idiot do that?" And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing." - Dwight Schrute
Maybe he needed his magic pants to win
Confucius says:
"Baseball is wrong; man with four balls cannot walk."
Awww.
Well, not that I think Japanese fighters suck, but I really like to see them win. I think that it has a lot to do with their stubbornness to train with other people around the world. I know Aoki has started doing that recently, but I think they should just like move to the Americas and start training here permanently.
by i_am_awesome_o on Apr 18, 2010 10:27 PM EDT reply actions
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