Shinya Aoki ready to make transition from Ring to Cage

by Zak Woods on Mar 10, 2010 3:00 PM EST Comment 3 comments

(Whether ring or cage Aoki will deliver a submission)

Shinya Aoki, current DREAM lightweight champion and Consensus #2 ranked lightweight, will make his U.S. debut this April and the Japanese fighter will have to make several adjustments from eastern MMA to western MMA.

For instance, Aoki won't be able to wear his technicolor grappling pants though he will be able to wear shorts, spandex shorts, knee and ankle sleeves. So basically, pants that don't cover the shins.

But there are other differences, like ring girls vs. cage girls. Speaking of cages and rings, Shinya will be fighting in a cage for the first time, which, according to Aoki, is no big deal.

"This is my first time fighting in a cage, but I've watched more cage matches than any fight fan out there," Aoki said. "I think I'll be able to put the pressure on. There's actually no difference to me. ... One difference is that in Dream since you're surrounded by five ropes, you're not allowed to stick your leg or anything out. But when you're in a cage, you won't be able to stick anything out anyway so there's probably not much difference."

It should be noted that Strikeforce doesn't allow elbows on the ground. Too bad they don't allow 'knee stomps' either...

Win or lose Aoki will probably fight Tatsuya Kawajiri in DREAM next but if Shinya wins the Strikeforce title it will be up to the Japanese promotion to decide when Aoki would return stateside to defend the belt.

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If Aoki really believes that there’s not a big difference between the cage and ring, he’s in trouble. Especially against a good GnP artist like Melendez, who can stop his subs by pushing him against the cage and stacking him. They won’t move them back to the center if they are against the cage.

"cotto broke your jaw and it took time to recoup, when the hitman finish you'll be sucking on soup"

by FloydJoyMayweatherSR on Mar 10, 2010 4:31 PM EST reply actions

I concur. Once he gets sat down along that chain link fence and finds his grappling range is severely hampered, he’s going to sing a different tune.

But I still pick him to win.

"Donuts don't wear alligator shoes" - Black Dynamite

by Greenbeard on Mar 10, 2010 6:22 PM EST reply actions

cro cop said the same thing about fighting in a cage and then got hit in the temple by

gabrial gonzaga’s ankle. i want him to do well b/c i would love to see him fight b.j. penn and watch penn break his arm with a hammerlock. hopefully it’s the arm with the middle finger he likes to use.

I'm all about covering the spread and moneylines. I was building a house, I don't deserve this, deserves have nothing to do with it. Bang. "Unforgiven" I drink your milkshake. I drink it up! "There Will BE Blood"

by wolfmanshowlforever on Mar 10, 2010 8:32 PM EST reply actions