can ask me anything you like. You could ask me what color my underwear is and I’d answer. Today is black, yesterday was camouflage. You know, that fight was disappointing, but you just got back to the drawing board and fix your mistakes.

You come from the gym The Body Shot, and I don't think many people know about it. How is it training there with lots of up and comers?

It is great training there. I moved from the Midwest to California specifically to train there. I am doing my part this week to put us on the map, and one of the guys is fighting next week. We are always ready to go, and if you ever need someone to fight give us a call and someone will come out.

Today you showed a beautiful choke, but what is your favorite technique?

I like to throw guys out of the ring, but that is against the rules. I like chokes like the guillotine, but I will take anything given to me. Like a thief in the night.

So, you studied wrestling?

Yes I did.

Did you watch the other Grand Prix fights, and who do you want to fight next?

I watched them all. I was really impressed with Sakurai. I doubted his game plan when he came at Aoki like that, but he did well. I don’t mind who I fight next. They are all really tough fighters. I will just do my best to be ready to get the next two fights over with.


Yuya Shirai

How do you feel about the fight?

I think death would be better than this.

What happened in the fight?

I got caught early, and…that was it.


Hayato “Mach” Sakurai

How did you feel?

I don’t really remember it…

When Aoki took you down, how did you feel?

I do jiujitsu and submissions too, so I don’t mind if I am on top or on the bottom, I will be able to pressure him. I am all about freestyle. He said he was freestyle, but he isn’t at all. Surrounding me are many good jiujutsu fighters and black belts. I don’t mind on the top or bottom.

Have you ever been so angry before a fight before?

I have been fighting 15 or 16 years, so I don’t remember all the old things. But this time I was upset.

Did you watch some of the other fights, and what did you think of the other fighters?

I did, and they were all strong. Honestly I felt all the Japanese would survive, but now I am alone. Hopefully they’ll cheer for me now. The other fighters are all very strong.

Kid Yamamoto said you seemed very cool, saying you’d win freestyle and then doing so…

Well, it was either stop Aoki or be stopped. I guess if he thinks it was cool, then it might have been cool. Like I said, I don’t mind if I am on the top or on the bottom. I even asked for a black belt!

After the fight what did you say to Aoki?

I told him what I said was bad before the fight, and we should actually try to get along from now. He was still spinning from the knees, so I don’t think he understood me at all. He probably doesn’t even remember.


Shinya Aoki

What do you think of the fight?

I am the one that loves DREAM and loves kakutougi the most. He was strong, but Shinya Aoki doesn’t stop here. Shinya Aoki keeps going. If I win, I usually say everything I want and get everything off my chest. But I can’t do so this time. So, I just have to keep trying.

Was the Mach you fought the fighter you expected?

Anything can happen in a fight, and it is all about spirit. Martial arts are very exciting aren't they? I also felt welterweight is strong. But I expected that. Now, the fight has ended, but I still feel I am not wrong.

Do you know how many knees you took?

One? I don’t know. I have no idea. How miserable is that eh?!

You are still ranked very highly in the world as a lightweight fighter, so would you like to return to that weight?

From next time I want to rebuild the lightweight division. I am a lightweight fighter. I am not making excuses. I went up in weight. I lost. Shinya Aoki doesn’t make excuses.

Sakurai said he apologized and said he wants to be friends after the fight, so what did you say if you remember?

I said thanks. He is very strong. Thank you all. I will do my best again from the next fight!