Shinya Aoki was able to show exactly why he’s regarded as a Japanese MMA and grappling legend at ONE 172 on May 22nd, 2025, as he secured an incredibly quick submission win. He was facing Eduard Folayang for the fourth time in his career in a series that he was already leading 2-1. Folayang won their first meeting by TKO all the way back in 2016 but Aoki had gotten revenge with two submission wins in 2019 and 2021. This was also a rare opportunity to see Aoki competing in MMA these days, as his only fight in the last 3 years was a submission win over John Lineker at ONE 165.
The fight started with a bit of a feeling out process at first, before Aoki shot in for a takedown without throwing any strikes. Folayang stuffed the takedown and brought Aoki back up to standing, punishing him with a few knees to the body from the clinch. Aoki jumped into closed guard from there and he had a deep overhook on one of Folayang’s arms. He swung his leg over Folayang’s head and underhooked the leg with his free arm, but Folayang started to stand in order to pull his arm free. Aoki reacted quickly and turned belly-down, bridging into the armbar to secure the finish after just 53 seconds of action in the first round.
ONE 172 Full Results
Rodtang Jitmuangnon defeats Takeru Segawa via Knockout – Punch
Masaaki Noiri defeats Tawanchai PK Saenchai via TKO – Punches
Yuya Wakamatsu defeats Adriano Moraes via TKO – Punches
Jonathan Di Bella defeats Sam-A Gaiyanghadao via Decision – Unanimous
Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom defeats Kana Morimoto via Decision – Unanimous
Nabil Anane defeats Superlek Kiatmoo9 via Decision – Unanimous
Nadaka Yoshinari defeats Rak Erawan via Knockout – Punch
Shinya Aoki defeats Eduard Folayang via Submission – Armbar
Hiroki Akimoto defeats John Lineker via Decision – Split
Adrian Lee defeats Takeharu Ogawa via Submission – Anaconda Choke
Shimon Yoshinari defeats Yodlekpet Or Atchariya via Decision – Unanimous
Preliminary Card
Hyu Iwata defeats Zakaria El Jamari via Knockout – Knee
Ryusei Kumagai defeats Suriyanlek Por Yenying via Decision – Unanimous
The full ONE 172 event replay, including Shinya Aoki submitting Eduard Folayang, was uploaded to the promotion’s official YouTube channel:
