Shinya Aoki signs with One FC

Dream champion Shinya AokiBloody Elbow's Anton Tabuena has reported that Singapore-based promotion One Fight Championship has signed top lightweight Shinya Aoki. According to the report, the fighter will make his debut in the main event of the promotion's fifth card, which takes place Aug. 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines.

Aoki's last outing ended a seven-fight winning streak. He rematched former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez and was stopped with punches halfway through round one. The "Tobikan Judan" previously defeated Alvarez on New Year's Eve in 2008. Over the course of his career, Aoki has defeated several top lightweights including Vitor Ribeiro, Joachim Hansen, Tatsuya Kawajiri, former WEC champion Rob McCullough and former Sengoku champion Satoru Kitaoka. He technically still holds the Dream lightweight title. However, the promotion has reportedly closed up shop.

His debut opponent is currently unknow. One FC does not currently sponsor a lightweight champion. However, lightweights Eduard Folayang, Ole Laursen and Felipe Enomoto has been some of the most promoted fighters. Laursen recently defeated Folayang, while Enomoto holds a victory over Laursen.

One FC 5 is also expected to feature UFC, Pride and Strikeforce veteran Phil Baroni. Smart Araneta Coliseum hosted the famous "Thrilla in Manila" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.