Japanese mixed martial arts legend, Shinya Aoki, earned an early victory over Brazilian John Lineker in the main event of ONE 165 held in Tokyo.
Aoki was originally scheduled to fight Sage Northcutt in the 77.11kg (170lb) weight class, however, it was announced as the event was being broadcast that the American had withdrawn from the fight due to “unforeseen circumstances involving seconds,” and Lineker, who showed 68.5kg (151lb) on the scales, was named the new headliner of the tournament.
Outnumbering his opponent by nearly ten pounds, the larger and taller Aoki was able to impose his game on Lineker, eventually finishing the Brazilian with a rear-naked choke at the 3:00 mark of the first round.
With the loss, Lineker snapped his two-fight win streak at flyweight, while Aoki in contrast put his career back on a successful track after two consecutive early losses.
Sage Northcutt announced on social media that he made the decision to withdraw from the fight after two of his cornerbacks were denied entry into the country.
All ONE 165 tournament results.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/33770-dzhon-lineker-dosrochno-proigral-shine-aoki.html?rand=19907
