Under the Microscope: Analyzing Lightweight Greats

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Shinya Aoki

* LIGHTWEIGHT RECORD: 31-3-1 (.900)
* OPPONENT WINNING PERCENTAGE: .704
* LONGEST WINNING STREAK: 12
* RECORD IN MAJOR LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE FIGHTS: 6-2
* FINISH PERCENTAGE: 79
* FINISHED PERCENTAGE: 66
* NOTABLE VICTORIES: Satoru Kitaoka, Rob McCullough, Marcus Aurelio, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Joachim Hansen (twice), Vitor Ribeiro, Eddie Alvarez, Caol Uno, Gesias Cavalcante
* CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Former Dream and World Association of Mixed Martial Arts and current One Fighting Championship lightweight titleholder; two gogoplata submissions

CASE FOR: Toting the best record in the lightweight division, and with longevity and consistency only matched by countryman Takanori Gomi, Aoki has been one of the best fighters outside of the UFC for the majority of his career. He has competed in most of the major organizations and has ascended to become champion in most of them. His submission savvy is without equal in the division, as his jiu-jitsu is among the most savagely dynamic the sport has ever seen. At 31 years old, he seems to be in the middle of his prime, and given the right competition, Aoki has the chance to make a legitimate claim as the best lightweight fighter of all-time.

CASE AGAINST: Being the best outside of the UFC can only get you so far. Aoki is undeniably talented, but at the same time, he has faltered against the creme de la creme of the division enough to cast some doubt into the equation. Beyond that, his options for top-level competition are slim to none if he remains outside the largest promotion in the world; his next opponent has a .500 record, a trait virtually nonexistent within the walls of the UFC. His resume lacks a signature win against a longstanding great, and it will be difficult for him to change that as it stands now. Should he make a solid run in the UFC, the “Tobikan Judan” will have a very real stake as history’s greatest lightweight.

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