Shinya Aoki Interview: Talks Alvarez and Penn

[flyinpig]

My translation of an interview with Aoki on the DREAM website:

----- You'll be fighting Eddie Alvarez this NYE, which will be your 7th fight this year.
Aoki: Everyone seems unconcerned about making me fight so they must think "Aoki is fine". Actually they're mistaken! (laughter) But I feel good about the pace in which I'm taking the fights, so I don't think it's been tough of me. This time it's the "Dynamite!!" event, but being able to participate on a NYE card is something all fighters want to do. I'm very thankful to be in this position.

----- At first, there was a guy you wanted to fight...
Aoki: I'm a type of person who lives by the saying, "accept one who comes to you, do not chase one who leaves". So, it doesn't help to chase guys who leave. He runs fast. What can I do? (bitter smile) It'd be a pain the ass if something bad happened to me by chasing him any further. That's sort of how I feel.

----- So your feelings have changed.
Aoki: Yes they have. I've moved on.

----- Has your training been the same as usual?
Aoki: The things I do to prepare haven't changed. Because for me, I'm not fighting K-1 rules (laughter)

----- Tell us what you think about Alvarez.
Aoki: He is "Mr. Responsibility". You know he has kids, right? I don't have any (responsibilities). I'm "Mr. Irresponsibility" in a societal sense (laughter) It's "Mr. Responsibility" vs. "Mr. Irresponsibility". On a more serious note, he is fighting in the US from April, right? Since he will be mainly fighting in the US, and I have decided to carry the DREAM promotion on my shoulders, I feel that I must win this fight. Alvarez has beaten Kawajiri-san and Hansen too. If Alvarez beats me, I think as a foreigner he will feel that he has nothing else to prove in Japan. He would feel that, "my business is done here," so I have a feeling of "I can't let you get off like that."

----- What your impressions after watching the Alvarez fights in the Lightweight Grand Prix?
Aoki: He's simply very good. We both are armed with weapons that can kill, so I think we'll both be thrusting our swords making for an exciting fight.

----- If Alvarez didn't get hurt, you two would've fought on in the finals of the Lightweight Grand Prix on July 21.
Aoki: I'm not thinking about the tournament and what might have been at all. I'll leave it to the people to think of what-if's and have fun with it. Just know that Eddie Alvarez, a respected fighter throughout the world, and Shinya Aoki will put on a real MMA display.

----- From your viewpoint, are you expecting this to be a "striker vs grappler" match?
Aoki: A resounding yes. He's clever, isn't he? He's looked at as a brawler, but he's a really clever MMA fighter. That's why I think we'll be able to show a leading edge MMA fight.

----- What are some things you are looking out for?
Aoki: I will try my best not to eat his punches that he throws with bad intentions. His punches can act as a sleeping pill. I feel I am the only Japanese fighter that can beat him. Right now, the world's top fighter is a fighter named BJ Penn. I think that my fight with Alvarez will decide the world's #2 fighter. My goal is to get the win and the #2 position.

----- Number 2?
Aoki: Yeah, #2. Because honestly, BJ Penn is #1. The UFC being on top is an undeniable fact. No one can deny that, but we look at the mighty UFC and look at it as us vs. world. Isn't that how it should be? Does that look bad that we're boldly competing for the world's #2 position? In spite of things that may have been said, the US (MMA scene) is amazing. Those who can't see that don't understand MMA. The top Lightweight fighters all have their eyes on the US. No matter if a fighter goes or doesn't go to the US, I think that ignoring that fact means you're ignoring the best and lying to yourself about MMA. I don't want to lie, so yes.

----- So you're giving credit where credit is due?
Aoki: Yes. Because he's good (laughter) BJ is really good. I think he's the best pound-for-pound fighter.

----- You've said before that "don't think MMA will be around for ever."
Aoki: Because the economy is terrible. But in my case, I joined PRIDE after the economy took a downturn, so I've never been part of the good times. So I don't feel that it's too bad now (laughter) But you can see that the turnouts are weak, maybe because no one knows for sure what lies ahead and things are unstable. It seems people are freaked out and becoming stiff. No one wants to take a risk. If that's the case, the people that love MMA will not be satisfied and we'll end up losing fans. We need to go all-out. I know times are tough, but that's what needs to be done.

----- You're asking to take a step forward.
Aoki: Yes. No one is taking a step forward. Everyone is waiting to see what happens. It's what it is though.

----- But there will be no waiting around in the Aoki vs. Alvarez fight.
Aoki: It's going to be a war. Really. A true MMA fight. This fight could be held anywhere in the world as a top-level matchup. I don't think it's exaggeration to say this fight is garnering attention throughout the world. I think it's going to be a great fight. I want to bring 120% to the ring.

----- Can you close us out with one more comment heading into the NYE fight?
Aoki: Looking back at the year, it's been an enlightening one. I'm very thankful to be set up with a fight that can help represent my entire year. I'm going to head into NYE with everything I've got and I feel I will come out victorious. I would like to enjoy the experience. And when the new year dawns, I want to enjoy some delicious mochi rice (laughter)

----- By the way, what are your plans for New Year's Day?
Aoki: I really have no plans for New Year's Day (laughter) There might not be one.

----- What do you mean by that?
Aoki: I may be dead. That would suck if I'm dead (bitter smile) But that's how much I'm prepared for this fight - yes!

DREAM OFFICIAL WEBSITE

[Aas Gutú Adéli]

very nice read
I like Aoki even more for it
very respectful, intelligent guy

[DrSatanDracula]

Wow, this interview bleeds warrior spirit.

And now I am stoked for this fight!

[sek2dts]

good read, lots of fighters have been backing penn lately

[Bluesbreaker]

He's gained some respect points from me now. I must admit I didn't know alot about him before, except that he seemed to just pull submissions out of nowhere sometimes.

[black koala]

Shinya Aoki is a great fighter and I enjoyed the read.
thanks

[Toasted]

good translation, thanks

[Christoph]

Thanks a ton for the translation man!
Great read!

[Remi]

Someone is looking for a UFC contract

[BeardotheWeirdo]

Thanks for the translation.