"Something that I wouldn't be afraid of" - Cole Abate unfazed by the dangers of the "Aoki Lock" at ONE Fight Night 26

20-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) rising star Cole Abate knows Shinya Aoki will attempt to catch him in his trademark 'Aoki Lock' when they clash at ONE Fight Night 26 on Friday, Dec. 6, inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

However, it is a challenge that he wholeheartedly welcomes with open arms. Speaking with ONE ahead of his promotional debut, Abate declared:

"I think that if we do get into an exchange where we're both trying to finish on the legs, that's something that I wouldn't be afraid of, and I think would actually be interesting to get to feel his attacks."

A modified version of the heel hook executed from the ankle lock grip, the 'Aoki Lock' can be pulled off from various positions, which 'Tobikan Judan' has done multiple times throughout his decorated combat sports career.

Going up against one of the most feared grapplers in Japan's extensive combat sports history would have anyone else worried. However, Abate appears to have prepared a counter for the former ONE lightweight MMA world champion's most devastating maneuver at ONE Fight Night 26.

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Cole Abate shares his goal ahead of ONE Championship debut

Because of his insatiable drive for greatness, Cole Abate's goal of becoming one of the best submission grapplers of his generation ultimately led to him signing with the world's largest martial arts promotion.

In another interview with ONE, Abate shared:

"I've had my goals since I've been a kid about what I wanna do once I'm a black belt. My goal is to go down as one of the best Americans this sport has ever seen, and everything that ONE is offering to me is in line with that."

ONE Fight Night 26 will air live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.