[70 Minutes of Value] [RIZIN Radio] Shinya Aoki discusses the "talent of Kyoma Akimoto" and the "final lesson" the legend imparted with his own body
Based on the content of the RIZIN official YouTube radio project "RIZIN RADIO 2026 Vol.18," we have summarized the "truth about the young monster, Kyoma Akimoto," as told by MMA legend Shinya Aoki.
In 2026, Kyoma Akimoto sent shockwaves through the Japanese martial arts world by defeating Patchy Mix. Behind that victory lay a special training regimen filled with both "poison" and "love."
In this episode of RIZIN RADIO, we welcomed Shinya Aoki as a guest to reveal the full scope of the previously veiled "Kyoma Akimoto Development Project."
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1. A dense month spent treating it as a "job"
Initially, when the Patchy Mix fight was decided for Akimoto, CEO Sakakibara tapped Aoki to be his training partner. However, Aoki says he struggled significantly before accepting.
Reason for hesitation: Because he had never before accepted a job as a "paid training partner."
Deciding factor: He felt that he only had one or two years left to teach in this way (putting his body on the line), and a desire to make his skills useful to someone else began to grow.
Aoki decided to set aside his personal feelings and commit to facing Akimoto as a professional "job."
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2. [Diagram] Dog-like hierarchy? How to build trust the "Aoki way"
Aoki's coaching didn't start with verbal advice, but by "connecting skin to skin."
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3. "Exceptional absorption"—the talent that is Kyoma Akimoto
What surprised Aoki the most was Akimoto's "learning speed."
Speed of updates: He would perfectly master what he was taught by the following week and provide feedback saying, "That was great."
The charisma of a main eventer: He was convinced at last November's event that this was "a kid with the sense of responsibility to be entrusted with RIZIN."
Shinya Aoki's prophecy: He possesses enough potential that Aoki says, "If he works hard for another year, he'll be fine even without me."
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4. Shocking future prediction: VS Sheydulaev
Regarding the matchup with champion Rajabali Sheydulaev, which is the fans' biggest concern, Aoki's view was surprising.
"If it were at the end of this year, Akimoto could overcome (defeat) him."
However, he says there is a condition for that.
Two-month preparation period: Being able to conduct solid, targeted training.
Choice of weight class: Moving to featherweight (66kg), where he can train to his heart's content, was the best decision for Akimoto during his growth phase.
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5. Shinya Aoki's "countdown" and views on retirement
In the second half of the radio show, a deep conversation unfolded regarding Aoki's own "exit strategy."
Thoughts on retirement: Rather than being "forced into retirement by a loss," he wants to put an end to it himself.
Martial arts and pro-wrestling: Fighting for 30 years since his teens. While he feels a sense of "boredom" with competition, he finds his energy in expressive activities, including pro-wrestling.
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Summary: The "poison" that is passed on
"Kyoma Akimoto is an enviable existence," says Aoki. Just as he once was, he has entrusted his own techniques to a rising star who is exploding with talent at a young age.
Akimoto's awakening, seen in his March fight against Patchy Mix, was only possible because of these days spent with the "world's strictest private tutor." We are witnessing the moment the history of the martial arts world shifts.
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