The report said:
"Heath, Shinya and I have talked about this for the last year or so, and all three of us have decided that it is best for Shinya's future," said Chatri Sityodtong, the founder and one of the head coaches at Evolve MMA, "He can easily make 145. He is too small to be a lightweight, and he will be a huge featherweight. His body type at 145 is akin to Jon Jones with a huge wingspan and reach."
I would show him/her one of many YouTube clips of Shinya Aoki’s highlight moves. Aoki recorded 67% of his 33 wins (22 out of 33) via impressive submission moves in video game like fashion, and was once considered as one of the “Bad Boys” of MMA.
I’ve always wondered what the One FC’s Featherweight roster of fighters have to say about his dropping down in weight division. Would they have cowered in fear of the bad boy who broke Mizuto Hirota’s arm, after the latter didn't want to tapout?
The first to respond is Eric Kelly, one of One FC’s top Featherweights. Although he is coming off a loss in a title fight against Honorio Banario, he is very confident of his abilities that he recently told mmaweekly.com‘s James Goyder he wants to “Welcome Shinya Aoki to the One FC Featherweight division”. (See complete story here).
I had the privilege to talk to Eric Kelly after his last fight in February (see related post: OneFC 7).
He was gracious in defeat, acknowledging Banario as the better man who deserved to win the title that night. He also remained confident of his abilities, and remained focused on his goal as a fighter. Eric Kelly is a fighter who has big dreams, a proud Pinoy who wants to please his fans. It has been reported several times that he went into the cage with injuries and it took its toll on his body as he was dealt with the first loss of his career. Sounds like a lot of excuses as some might argue, but he is not one who would shy away from challenges. Not even a leg or eye injury would stop him. After his loss, he said that it’s his job to fight whoever OneFC Fight Boss Matt Hume wants him to, but at that time he also added that his priority is to fully recuperate from his injuries before taking on another fight.
Four months later, Eric Kelly calls out the One FC Lightweight champion who wants to campaign at Featherweight!
I truly respect other fighter’s humility when they’re asked the “standard” question of who they would like to fight. I understand the rationale behind a fighter’s decision to give the “politically correct answer” ala Manny Pacquiao’s “It’s up to my promoter Bob Arum”. From a promoter’s standpoint, that’s just the best answer. In my very humble opinion as a fan though, a greater amount of respect is due when someone steps up to the plate and issues a bold challenge.
"I want to fight Shinya Aoki. He says he wants to move down to featherweight and this is my division and
I think he would be a good challenge for me. I want to fight the best and he is the best in Asia so I hope ONE FC will let me fight him."
- Eric Kelly via mmaweekly.com
A few days later, after the mmaweekly.com report came out; I read a twitter discussion among respected journalists James Goyder, Anton Tabuena, Phuket Top Team (official twitter account), and Aoki’s coach at Evolve- Mr. Heath Sims. (Click on the image to the left to view large).
Anton Tabuena @antontabuena29 Jun |
“I can fight any one, even Aoki or even Jose Aldo if they want hahahaha”
“Ok bro. Please help spread to the world that it will be my pleasure to fight Aoki, one of the best MMA fighters here in Asia. I fought with one eye open and I fought with injuries just like in my last fight. That’s why I will fight any one in my weight class. I’m proud to represent my country against Japan.”
With his latest statement I believe that he badly wants to regain lost respect not only for himself, but also to regain Pinoy pride in MMA. Referring to his Pinoy compatriots’ losses at the recent One FC 9 in Manila, he believes its time someone steps up and get a win for the Philippines. Kelly wants it so bad that he is now calling out one of the most dangerous submission artists in the MMA world, and he’s confident he will emerge as the winner.
Do you agree with Eric Kelly being the first to fight Shinya Aoki in the Featherweight division?
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, most probably you already know my answer to this.
Let me know what you think.