A victorious Shinya Aoki (photo via ONE FC)

By FCF Staff

One of the world’s best lightweight fighters, ONE FC and DREAM champion Shinya Aoki, has decided to test the waters at featherweight. Yesterday, the renowned grappler tweeted a picture of two feet resting on a scale that read 65.8 kilograms (approximately 145 pounds) and had the caption: “Hello featherweight class.” In a follow up report from MMA Weekly.com, Evolve MMA owner Chatri Sityodtong has confirmed that Aoki plans to compete at featherweight. The Japanese fighter has been training out of the Singapore based, Evolve MMA facility now for some time.

The 5’11 tall Aoki secured ONE FC’s lightweight belt in April, by submitting Kotetsu Boku with a second round, rear-naked-choke. The victory was Aoki’s third straight following his quick stoppage loss to Eddie Alvarez at Bellator 66 last April. The 30 year-old, BJJ and Judo black belt is 9-1 in his last ten fights, and has defeated accomplished vets like Rich Clementi, Lyle Beerbohm, Rob McCullough, Antonio McKee and Satoru Kitaoka during that time,

There’s no word yet as to whether Aoki will continue to defend his lightweight championship with ONE FC, or when he plans to make his featherweight debut.