Shinya Aoki, known as “Tobikan Judan” (The Grand Master of Flying Submissions), remains one of the most iconic figures in Mixed Martial Arts history as we enter 2026.
A legend of Japanese MMA, Aoki has captivated fans for over two decades with his unparalleled grappling skills and enigmatic personality. Despite being in his early 40s, he continues to compete at the highest level in ONE Championship and Rizin.
In this article, you will know Shinya Aoki’s Net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Shinya Aoki’s Biography
| Profile Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shinya Aoki |
| Nickname | Tobikan Judan (Grand Master of Flying Submissions) |
| Date of Birth | May 9, 1983 |
| Age | 42 |
| Education | Waseda University (Wrestling/Judo) |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77 kg) – ONE Lightweight Limit |
| Turned Pro | 2003 |
| Net Worth (2026) | Approx. $1.5 Million USD |
| Career Earnings | Est. $1.5 – $2 Million USD |
| Wife | Private (Married with Children) |
| Instagram Profile | @shinya050983 |
| Twitter Profile | @a_ok_i |
Early Career
Shinya Aoki began his martial arts journey with Judo, a discipline in which he excelled from a young age. He became a black belt and competed successfully at the national level in Japan.
During his time at the prestigious Waseda University, he expanded his grappling repertoire to include Sambo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, eventually earning a black belt in BJJ under Yuki Nakai.
He made his professional MMA debut in 2003 with the DEEP organization, quickly establishing himself as a submission specialist. His early run in Shooto was particularly dominant, where he won the Shooto Welterweight Championship in 2006 by defeating Akira Kikuchi.
This victory marked him as a top prospect in Japan and paved the way for his entry into bigger organizations.
Professional Career
Aoki’s career exploded on the international stage when he joined PRIDE Fighting Championships and later DREAM.
In DREAM, he became the Lightweight Champion and was widely considered one of the top lightweights in the world, holding notable wins over Eddie Alvarez, Caol Uno, and Joachim Hansen.
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He famously represented Japan in cross-promotional bouts, including a WAMMA title fight in Strikeforce.
In 2012, Aoki signed with ONE Championship, where he cemented his legacy as a global star. He captured the ONE Lightweight World Title twice and defended it multiple times. Even in the twilight of his career, Aoki remained active and dangerous.
In January 2024, he secured a first-round submission victory over John Lineker at ONE 165 after his original opponent, Sage Northcutt, withdrew. He followed this with a quick submission win against longtime rival Eduard Folayang at ONE 172 in March 2025.
However, his momentum was halted in November 2025 when he suffered a TKO loss to Hiroyuki Tetsuka at ONE 173.
Shinya Aoki’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Shinya Aoki’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 Million USD. This wealth comes from over two decades of fight purses, performance bonuses, and grappling seminars.
Fight Purses
| Event/Year | Opponent | Result | Est. Payout (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONE 173 (2025) | Hiroyuki Tetsuka | Loss | $75,000 |
| ONE 172 (2025) | Eduard Folayang | Win | $150,000 (inc. bonus) |
| ONE 165 (2024) | John Lineker | Win | $150,000 (inc. bonus) |
| ONE 163 (2022) | Saygid Izagakhmaev | Loss | $60,000 |
| ONE: Century (2019) | Honorio Banario | Win | $100,000 |
Career Earnings
| Year | Activity Level | Est. Earnings (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 Fights | $225,000 |
| 2024 | 1 Fight + Grappling | $180,000 |
| 2022-2023 | 2 Fights | $150,000 |
| 2019-2021 | High Activity | $400,000+ |
| Prior to 2019 | PRIDE/DREAM Era | Undisclosed |
Endorsements
Aoki generates additional income through sponsorships and affiliations. He is a key member of Evolve MMA in Singapore, one of the top martial arts academies in Asia, where he serves as an instructor and brand ambassador.
He also has merchandise deals and frequently appears in Japanese media and pro-wrestling events (DDT Pro-Wrestling), which diversifies his income stream beyond just cage fighting.
Career Stats
| Stat Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Fights | 62 (Approx.) |
| Wins | 49 |
| Losses | 12 |
| No Contests | 1 |
| By Submission | 33 |
| By Knockout | 4 |
| By Decision | 12 |
FAQs
1. What is Shinya Aoki’s fighting style?
Shinya Aoki is a submission specialist known for his world-class grappling. He uses a unique blend of Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to take opponents down and secure submissions like armbars and chokes. He is often called the “Grand Master of Flying Submissions” for his creativity.
2. Is Shinya Aoki retired?
No, Shinya Aoki is not officially retired. Although he is 42 years old, he competed as recently as November 2025 at ONE 173. While he has hinted at retirement after recent fights, he remains an active competitor on the ONE Championship roster.
3. Who is Shinya Aoki’s wife?
Shinya Aoki keeps his wife’s identity completely private. He has confirmed he is married and has a family, which influenced his decision to stay in Asia rather than join the UFC, but he does not share her name or photos publicly.
4. Did Shinya Aoki ever fight in the UFC?
No, Shinya Aoki never fought in the UFC. He received a contract offer from the UFC in 2013 but turned it down. He chose to sign with ONE Championship instead, citing better financial terms and the ability to stay close to his family in Japan.
5. What happened in the Shinya Aoki vs. Sage Northcutt fight?
Shinya Aoki was scheduled to fight Sage Northcutt at ONE 165 in January 2024. However, Northcutt withdrew last minute due to visa issues with his coaches. Aoki instead fought John Lineker on short notice and won by submission in the first round.
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