Shuya Kamikubo Believes He Can Finish Muhammad Aiman In Singapore

Shuya “Stealth” Kamikubo wants to prove that he is a forced to be reckoned with in ONE Championship.

Four months after his successful promotional debut, the DEEP Tournament Champion plans to build on his momentum on Friday, 9 November.

The Japanese bantamweight is scheduled to face “Jungle Cat” Muhammad Aiman at ONE: HEART OF THE LION in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and expects to pick up another spectacular stoppage victory.

“I think I have the advantage when it comes to takedowns and scrambling,” says the 25-year-old from Kawasaki, Japan.

“I know that Aiman will look for an escape through scrambling, but I will control him in the midst of scrambling, and set myself up for superior position and finish.”

In July, Kamikubo made announced his arrival in the world’s largest martial arts organization at ONE: BATTLE FOR THE HEAVENS.

The Japanese grappler used his wrestling to put “The Terminator” Sunoto on his back and launched a relentless ground-and-pound attack to defeat the break the Indonesian’s four-bout with a TKO late in the second round.

Although he was unfazed at the prospect of competing outside of his homeland for the first time and earned the victory, he still feels like he is capable of a better performance in his next contest.

“I was not too worried about Sunoto’s takedowns, but I feel that I got taken down easily,” he offers.

“He started gassing, and his offense was petering out in the second round, but I was one-dimensional, offensively. I could have been more diverse and effective in my attack.

“I know that I still have a lot of room for improvement. Nonetheless, after my victory in my ONE Championship debut, I feel assured that I can hang with the other ONE Championship fighters as long as I work hard.”

Kamikubo will have a chance to prove that this Friday against the “Jungle Cat.”

Aiman, who trains out of Bali MMA, is known for his strong wrestling, razor-sharp striking, and near-bottomless gas tank.

The energetic 23-year-old has used his endurance and ever-improving skill set to record a three-bout winning streak.

In September, he posted the most impressive victory of his career by submitting previously unbeaten Chinese athlete “Rock Man” Chen Lei via rear-naked choke in September.

Kamikubo knows what his Malaysian opponent brings to the contest, and he has adjusted his preparation accordingly.

“He is an aggressive striker with good control of distance. His reflexes are excellent, too,” the Japanese man says.

“Also, he knows what he is doing when it comes to defensive grappling because he does not just try to fend his opponent off in desperation, but is very methodical and deliberate with the positioning of his arms and legs on the ground.

“I was prepared to fight for three, five-minute rounds in the last fight, too, but conditioning will be even more important for this fight because the fight will likely unfold in a very different manner. I need to be ready for anything.”

A victory over Aiman, would extend “Stealth’s” win streak to five bouts, and most likely show he has taken another step forward in his evolution as a martial artist.

Kamikubo knows he has a way to go before he becomes a World Title contender, but he believes his constant improvement and warrior spirit will carry him to his goals.

“I am not blessed with natural talent. I am simply trying to make do with what few assets I have,” he explains.

“At the end of the day, I cannot fight with any flash or flair, but I will fight my heart out during every fight, and hope to inspire those who see me fight in the process.”