Aoki to Attend Strikeforce, Might Fight in Early 2010

Japanese star Shinya Aoki could make his U.S. debut in the Strikeforce cage in early 2010, the promotion’s CEO Scott Coker confirmed with Sherdog.com on Friday.

“He’s fought for Dream and we’re hoping he’s one of the guys that we can bring over to our stable in the first quarter,” said Coker.

Coker mentioned Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson and interim champion Gilbert Melendez as two potential opponents for the fighter known for his colorful leggings and pretzel-bending submissions.

The Dream lightweight champion will attend Saturday’s Strikeforce event at the Sears Centre Arena just outside Chicago.

Strikeforce and Dream share a talent exchange partnership that has already resulted in Mitsuhiro Ishida and Kazuo Misaki appearing for the U.S. promotion.

Strikeforce also announced the signing of Dream welterweight champion Marius Zaromskis last week and the Lithuanian striker could make his promotional debut at Strikeforce “Evolution” on Dec. 19 in San Jose, Calif.

Coker, who met with Dream officials in Japan last month to begin talks for Aoki, said there isn’t a set exchange planned for the fighter.

“It’s not so much you send me this guy and I’ll send you that guy,” said Coker of the arrangement. “It’s more of an open-door policy and we’ll certainly reciprocate.”

Aoki, 26, grasped the Dream lightweight championship with a second-round armbar against Joachim Hansen at Dream 11 last October. He faces fellow countryman Tatsuya Kawajiri at K-1 Dynamite on New Year’s Eve in Saitama, Japan.