It took Japanese lightweight superstar Shinya Aoki (24-5) only 1:53 to finish off Tatsuya Kawajiri (26-6-2) with an Achilles lock submission at Saturday’s DREAM 15 in Saitama, Japan.
The win enabled Aoki to retain his DREAM lightweight title and would serve as the perfect precursor for a rematch with Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez (18-2).
Aoki announced the rematch following his win over Kawajiri. We have reached out to Melendez for confirmation but have yet to hear back.
Aoki is viewed as the cream of the crop of lightweight Japanese talent. In his first fight with Melendez at “Strikeforce: Nashville” in April 2010, the bout was as much about Japanese MMA vs. American MMA as it was about Aoki vs. Melendez or DREAM vs. Strikeforce.
Aoki was seen as the number two lightweight in the world prior to their first bout. However, Melendez put such a dominating five round thrashing upon the DREAM champion it left many wondering if Japanese MMA was on its death bed.
When Aoki was asked after the fight what Melendez’s victory meant in regards to which is better, Japanese or American MMA, Aoki simply said, “The result speaks for itself.”
Prior to their first fight, Aoki was ranked number two and Melendez was number eight. Currently, Melendez is ranked third and Aoki six.
Their first meeting was on American soil and Melendez’s Strikeforce title was on the line. In September, they will fight in Japan, and almost certainly Aoki’s DREAM title will be on the line.
Will Aoki really put his title up for grabs against a fighter who absolutely destroyed him just a few months earlier? And what will it mean to Japanese MMA if Melendez is able to come into their house and take home their champion’s crown?
Yes, Aoki won on Saturday, but it was against another Japanese fighter. He has already proven he is the best Japan has to offer. Now Aoki has to prove he is the best the world has to offer.
UPDATE: Until we get confirmation from Melendez, a rematch between he and Aoki for DREAM.16 has not been confirmed.
Aoki better have a different game plan cuz it might be the same scenario. Aoki needs to work on his striking.
Aoki. This is martial arts! Come in to the fight with some striking skills against Melendez. You can’t stay 1-Dimensional forever. Aoki needs to strike and transition from that to his judo takedowns. That will be very effective against Melendez. I hope he beats Melendez. But the Gil trained with Eddie Bravo and learned all the technical skills to avoid the rubber gaurd. Basically, I’m not sure wtf Kawajiri was doing, or if Aoki really trained hard for this fight and became really good at takedowns…. But Melendez basically created the blueprint for beating Aoki. Lets hope the Japanese MMA fighter becomes a mixed martial artist.
I would like to see Aoki vs Josh Thomson in Japan first. Winner gets a rematch with Melendez, or the winner of Melendez vs. Alvarez if they fight in Bellator.
How can you say Aoki is not a Mixed Martial Artist? He holds black belts in BJJ and Judo. On top of that, he has really underrated wrestling, and even took down an Olympic wrestler with a double leg. I think the fact that he has more quality wins than any other lightweight on the planet means that he is a Mixed Martial Artist and a quality fighter.
Gilbert Melendez is not fighting Aoki in 2010. If it happens it will be in 2011.
Blame the HDNet broadcast crew