The South China Morning Post reports that Shinya Aoki will be fighting on a ONE Championship card on January 22nd in Singapore. The newspaper in Hong Kong states that the former lightweight champion has been booked to face James Nakashima.
The ONE Championship schedule for 2021 has yet to be released. But this would be Aoki’s first fight for the promotion in over a year and Nakashima’s lightweight debut.
Aoki (45-9-0-1) is currently the #5 ranked lightweight. He submitted Honorio Banario at ONE: ‘Century’ Part II in 2019 and earned a decision win over Kimihiro Eto at Road to ONE 3 earlier this year.
Nakashima (12-1) saw his perfect professional record spoiled by Kiamrian Abbasov at ONE: ‘Inside the Matrix’ Part II last month. Following the first loss of his career the American has apparently decided to move down a division.
ONE: ‘Collision Course’ Part II will be broadcast tomorrow. The promotion traditionally announces future fights during the live feed so official confirmation of this lightweight bout could be imminent.
At present there are no events on the official 2021 schedule. However a flyweight title fight between Adriano Moraes and Demetrious Johnson has been confirmed for February 24th in Singapore.
ONE: ‘TBA’, Singapore, January 22nd
Shinya Aoki vs. James Nakashima (Lightweight)
