“There’s actually a guy behind it” - Cole Abate honored to experience legendary Japanese fighter’s signature move

20-year-old American BJJ phenom and Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy product Cole Abate can't wait to partake in his first match in the world's largest martial arts organization.

Abate makes his ONE Championship debut this weekend against former multi-time ONE lightweight MMA world champion and Japanese legend 'Tobikan Judan' Shinya Aoki. The 20-year-old star says he is excited to connect with fans in Asia and take on one of their most beloved heroes.

Speaking to ONE Championship in a recent interview, Abate shared his thoughts on facing Aoki, and the magnitude of his promotional debut.

The Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy representative said:

"To be able to fight him in Asia where he’s got a lot of fans, where he’s known as a legend, where he literally has techniques named after him that you only find out that, ‘Oh, hey, the Aoki Lock isn’t just the Aoki Lock. There’s actually a guy behind it.'"

Abate is a former IBJJF No-Gi Pan American Champion and is the youngest male athlete to ever win the ADCC North American Trials. He honed his skills under grappling legends Guilherme Mendes and Rafael Mendes.

This weekend, he steps into the ONE Championship ring for the very first time, looking to make a statement.

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Cole Abate faces Japanese MMA legend Shinya Aoki in ONE debut at ONE Fight Night 26 on Prime Video

American star Cole Abate is set to square off with Japanese MMA icon 'Tobikan Judan' Shinya Aoki in his ONE Championship submission grappling debut.

The two lock horns at ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov on Prime Video, which broadcasts live in U.S. primetime this Friday, December 6. The event will be held at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and free with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event as it happens.