Shinya Aoki will return to action after a year and a half away from the ONE Championship cage when he faces Eduard Folayang on November 11 at ONE: Defending Honor in Singapore.

The Japanese man is a legend of the sport having won titles in multiple promotions and with 46 professional fights already under his belt.

Ready to return

The current ONE Championship lightweight champion admits he’s enjoyed the time off, but he maintains he’s still been working hard in the gym while he’s been away.

“It feels great to be back in action, I am excited,” Aoki said. “I am doing my fight camp at Evolve MMA, training alongside all the world champions and my teammates on the Evolve Fight Team. Being able to learn from and go against all the guys from all the different disciplines at Evolve every day in practice makes sure I am as prepared as possible for the fight.”

A formidable opponent in Folayang

His opponent on November 11, Eduard Folayang, will be competing for his first ever ONE Championship title but is decorated striker with a two-fight win streak under his belt. Aoki has seen it all in his time, but he won’t be underestimating Folayang on November 11.

“Eduard is a good fighter but I am confident in my abilities and I see myself retaining my ONE Championship lightweight title,” Aoki said. “I have been in the cage with many good fighters and I train against world champions, both on the ground and standing up, at Evolve MMA so I feel comfortable with all aspects of MMA.

“I know he has good striking, I don’t want to get hit by one of his punches. Eduard is an experienced fighter who has been in ONE Championship since the beginning. He is a tough guy who has improved a lot over the last few years. I'm looking forward to meeting him in the cage.”

Everyone loses

Aoki hasn’t been beaten since 2012 and remains undefeated in the ONE Championship cage. While he maintains that he would like to keep his running going, the current ONE lightweight champion takes a unique perspective on defeat.

“If I fight against someone stronger than me, I will lose, that’s fighting,” Aoki said. “It’s very simple, you fight someone stronger than you, and you lose. So whatever happens, I don’t think that deeply about it.

“There is no room in my mind to think about continuing my winning streak, that’s how much I’m scared about the next fight. A person who talks about winning streaks is someone who has never experienced fighting.  Someone who has fought before fears every single moment. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I live for the moment.”

Admitting he's scared

Fear is a theme Aoki mentions constantly when talking about fighting. Despite his multiple accolades and experience, the Japanese man says that fear and need to survive is what drives him the most when he steps inside the cage.

“The only thing I feel right now is the fear,” Aoki said coldly. “I have been fighting since 2003 and I have experienced losses and fought in crazy environments—I know the fear and how to survive. I have the experiences I’ve been and lived through which will help me a lot this time [when he fights Folayang].

“He hasn’t experienced more fear than me. I’m not confident at all, I’m very scared. I fight the fear every time I step in the cage.”

A unique sign-off

When asked if he had a message for the fans or Folayang before the fight, Aoki answered in a unique way like only he would.

“Our skills probably won’t match up at all—whoever wins it will be very one-sided. It’s not going to be more than what is already there, what we already have. I just want everyone to face the reality and get excited whatever way they want.

“I’m sorry but I currently don’t have enough room in my mind to yell at my opponent. I will just try my best to go into the fight with good condition. I hope he prepares for the fight well.”