ONE Fight Night 26 results and recap: Shinya Aoki vs. Cole Abate

Japanese legend and Shinya Aoki returned to action after almost a year from his previous match, and he welcomed promotional newcomer Cole Abate in a lightweight submission grappling match at ONE Fight Night 26 card inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday evening.

The former ONE lightweight MMA world champion looks to spoil the 20-year-old's debut on the global stage and potentially earn his 15th victory under the world's largest martial arts organization.

See all the action from this lightweight submission grappling match.

Round 1: Aoki started aggressively, and they scrambled their way position with the Japanese icon on top. But Abate wasn't bothered by the fact that his back was against the canvas because he was able to threaten a triangle choke, but it never materialized. 'Ice' also magnificently controlled 'Tobikan Judan's arms to break his posture.

They started to fight position with leg locks at the two-minute mark, but the 20-year-old phenom took advantage of the position by rolling over and cranking Aoki's leg with a heel hook submission that left him no choice but to tap out of it.

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ONE Fight Night 26 - Shinya Aoki vs. Cole Abate official fight result

20-year-old BJJ phenom Cole Abate proved that he is ready to showcase his talents on the global stage after he defeated the Japanese legend Shinya Aoki in their lightweight submission grappling match at ONE Fight Night 26 on Friday night.

The Art of Jiu-Jitsu representative produced a nasty heel hook submission against one of the pioneers of leg lock submissions to pick up his 18th straight victory. Abate's crank was so tight that Aoki instantly tapped once it was locked in.

Making his victory sweeter was the $50,000 bonus from ONE honcho, Chatri Sityodtong, for this outstanding performance by the American submission specialist.

Cole Abate defeated Shinya Aoki via heel hook submission in their lightweight submission grappling fight.