Fedor Emelianenko submits Shinya Aoki in Japanese exhibition match
Size doesn’t always overcome technique, but it sure helps.
Fight officials pitted heavyweight star Fedor Emelianenko vs. lightweight stand-out Shinya Aoki in an “exhibition sparring match” that took place in 2009.
The bout, which resembled more of a grappling session, ended when Aoki tapped out to his much-larger opponent.
The exhibition was part of Deep/M-1 Challenge event at the Differ Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. However, because of existing broadcast deals in the U.S., fight officials ultimately decided to black out the Emelianenko vs. Aoki matchup from telecasts worldwide.
Emelianenko easily man-handled his opponent and suplexed him to the mat, though a friendly tone accompanied the match. Emelianenko reportedly would give up a submission attempt to try another and even allowed Aoki to slap on a hold so he could power his way free. Aoki ultimately tapped out from an Achilles lock three minutes into the scheduled five-minute fight.
Vs Mousasi:
