Gordon Ryan To Debut Against Shinya Aoki In Grappling Super Match
Gordon “The King” Ryan is getting ready to make his first appearance on the global stage.
The American, who is widely regarded as the GOAT of submission grappling, will make his highly anticipated ONE Championship debut against Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki in an openweight grappling super match on Friday, 27 August.
ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced the news on his official Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/ChatriSityodtong/posts/4120118068050323
In late March, Ryan signed with the world’s largest martial arts organization to compete in submission grappling, as well as mixed martial arts should he decide to transition to the all-encompassing sport.
The 25-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt may be young, but he is already quite accomplished in his field of expertise, where he is a three-time ADCC World Champion and a three-time IBJJF No-Gi World Champion.
Ryan will meet Aoki, who has a score to settle with his rival’s team, the Danaher Death Squad.
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Aoki, who owns black belts in both BJJ and judo, is a former four-time ONE Lightweight World Champion. Also, he is currently the #2-ranked lightweight mixed martial arts contender and holds the record for most submission victories in ONE Championship history at nine.
The Japanese star competed in the promotion’s first-ever grappling super match at ONE: DYNASTY OF HEROES in May 2017. That evening, he squared off against Ryan’s teammate, Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon, and ultimately tapped out via heel hook.
There is no doubt that “Tobikan Judan” remembers that fateful night in Singapore, and he would absolutely love to even the score with the revered Danaher Death Squad and spoil “The King’s” big debut.
Stay tuned to ONEFC.com for more updates.
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