All-Japanese lightweight MMA war between Shinya Aoki and Hiroyuki Tetsuka headed to ONE 173 in Tokyo

Former ONE lightweight MMA world champion Shinya Aoki will strap the four-ounce gloves again when the world's largest martial arts organization takes to the iconic Ariake Arena for ONE 173 on Nov. 16.

That evening, 'Tobikan Judan' clashes against fellow Japanese veteran, former Pancrase welterweight champion Hiroyuki Tetsuka, in a lightweight MMA tilt. The promotion confirmed the news on its official website yesterday.

Aoki needs no introduction to martial arts fans. The 42-year-old brings a 49-win resume with many of his triumphs being secured via his relentless ground game.

Over the course of his legendary career, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has used his skills on the canvas to tap 32 opponents from every imaginable choke, hold, and crank.

Put simply, when he's got enemies on the canvas, there's little to no chance of surviving.

Shinya Aoki heads into this clash riding two victories in the all-encompassing discipline against former ONE bantamweight MMA world champion John Lineker and ex-lightweight king Eduard Folayang, the latter of which took place during ONE's last show in Japan in March this year.

While he rides momentum from his two latest submission victories, his all-around game will be tested at maximum capacity against a dangerous knockout artist like Tetsuka.

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Hiroyuki Tetsuka needs to return to winning ways vs. Shinya Aoki

Tetsuka may not boast the same experience as Shinya Aoki, but he brings plenty of firepower in the striking department that can oust anyone standing across him from the Circle.

Eight out of his 14 career victories have come via knockout and TKO. When his potent stand-up tools don't provide him a solution, 'Japanese Beast' can suffocate fighters on the canvas, as seen in his four submission wins.

Tetsuka bagged five highlight-reel finishes in succession on the global stage of ONE from 2021 to 2024, but he's suffered back-to-back losses to Isi Fitikefu and Zhang Lipeng since.

He's eager to bounce back in style, and there's no grander stage and better opponent for him to do so when he locks horns alongside Aoki in an all-Japanese showdown at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri in Tokyo on Nov. 16.

Fight fans can secure their seats to catch the event live and in person here. How-to-watch details are available at watch.onefc.com.