For the first time in six years, Shinya Aoki will fight under the DEEP banner. He will meet Thai boxer Yokthai Sithoar at DEEP 50th Impact, which is DEEP’s tenth anniversary show. The card will take place in Tokyo on Oct. 24.
The promotion announced the bout at a press conference today.
Last weekend, Aoki defeated Marcus Aurelio in a non-title fight. He currently holds the Dream lightweight championship, which he last defended against Tatsuya Kawajiri.
Aoki began his career fighting under the DEEP banner. He won his first three professional bouts and the “Future King” tournament before Jutaro Nakao stopped him at DEEP 16th Impact. He went on to star in Pride FC and Dream.
Sithoar competed at the highest level of Muay Thai before making his boxing debut in 1994. As a boxer, he put together a 29-6-3 record. He also held the WBA and PABA super flyweight titles. He is 0-3-2 in his last five boxing matches, and has not won since 2003. This will be his MMA debut.
Several other top Japanese fighters are expected to be added to the anniversary card. The list of names includes Ryo Chonan, Ikuhisa Minowa and Katsunori Kikuno.