K-1 “Dynamite!! Power of Courage 2009”
Dec. 31, 2009 | Saitama, Japan
After watching it multiple times, it is hard to put into words the horrendous turn the bout took a little more than a minute after it began.
The end came when Aoki snapped Hirota’s upper arm with a hammerlock. Stomachs everywhere lurched. The masses cringed. Afterward, Aoki stood over his injured foe, flipped the middle finger and then began to run round the ring excitedly, repeating the obscene gesture to those in attendance. The antics won Aoki few fans. The 77-second victory was impressive, but the post-fight behavior exhibited by “Tobikan Judan” overshadowed the brilliant submission prowess of the reigning One Fighting Championship lightweight champion.
Hirota remains active today, potentially leaving the door open for a rematch between the two Japanese rivals.