Dubai: Shinya Aoki promised a Dubai return to defend his Lightweight World Championship belt after easily seeing off challenger Kamal Shalorus of Iran at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) late on Friday.
Aoki was one of three Japanese fighters who were defending their world belts as One FC made its Middle East debut before an adoring crowd of 5,000. Billed as the main event on the night, Aoki wrapped his tiny frame around his challenger and got him into a rear neck choke mid-way through the first round, and Shalorus signalled for a submission.
“My plan was simple. I was here to win and keep my belt. Of course, I was apprehensive before the fight, but I was focused on what I had to do today,” Aoki told media.
“Dubai has been an amazing place for me. One FC has made its debut and I have had my first fight here and both have been successful. I would love to return and defend my belt here again,” the Elvolve MMA fighter added.
The other two Japanese fighters were not as fortunate as they lost their crowns just before the title fight. American challenger Ben Askren ran riot with a commanding display to defeat Nobutatsu Suzuki in their Welterweight World Championship bout, while Narantungalag Jadambaa of Mongolia dispossessed Koji Oishi of his Featherweight belt.
Askren, a former Olympic wrestler, took Suzuki down to the mat in the opening seconds and immediately started with a barrage of kicks and punches till the referee stopped the bout due to strikes from the American. “My back is strong and my hips are ready to carry this [belt] for a long time. I’ve told every opponent to be careful and I am here to beat them all. I have a great team and a fantastic coach and my past experience as a wrestler is such a huge advantage,” Askren told media after taking down his opponent in under three minutes.
“I had made a plea to my opponent to just hand me the belt before the fight, but some people like to learn things the hard way. I am ready for my next opponent now,” the American added.
The third title fight between Oishi and Jadambaa went the full distance of five rounds, but it was clear that the Mongolian MMA champion meant serious business after a swift left-right combination had the world champion reeling with a cut left eye in the very first round.
To his credit, Oishi continued gamely and even seemed to have made an impression with the judges following a counter-attack in the third round that had Jadambaa seeing red with a cut upper eye lid in the third round. But the Mongolian had done enough damage by then and the three judges were unanimous in their decision in favour of Jadambaa.
“Honestly, I don’t want to think about the next challenge right now. This is the time to enjoy my success and I am so happy that I have achieved what I wanted to,” Jadambaa said.
