Shinya Aoki tapping out Lyle Beerbohm (photo via Strikeforce / Showtime)

By FCF Staff

Shinya Aoki has been regarded for some time as one of the world’s leading lightweights, but the former DREAM champion’s 2012 campaign has featured only one fight: a quick and one sided TKO loss to Eddie Alvarez.

On October 6th, the feared submission artist will return to action under the ONE FC banner, and will take on France’s Arnaud LePont. While the Malaysian based lightweight has made some noise by going 9-1 to date, LePont’s resume and profile has yet to reach that of his next opponent.

While speaking to MMA Weekly recently, Aoki discussed his continued evolution as a fighter through the Singapore based gym Evolve MMA, as well as his upcoming bout with LePont. The “Tobikan Judan” relayed that he doesn’t know much about LePont, other than the fact that it was Lepont who asked to fight the Japanese star.

One of Aoki’s comments regarding LePont’s call out included: “I am not a fan of Arnaud Lepont because I don’t know who he is and I think he has made a mistake by asking to fight me.”

Aoki will arrive in ONE FC having gone 8-2 in his last 10 bouts. The 30-6 fighter’s only other loss during that stretch came against reigning Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez. During this run, Aoki has scored wins over veterans like Rich Clementi, Rob McCullough, Lyle Beerbohm and Satoru Kitaoka.

The upcoming ONE FC “Rise of Kings” event will be hosted by Singapore’s Indoor Stadium and will be available via online and television PPV.