In a tense encounter during the weigh-in for their upcoming match, highly anticipated fighters Asakura and Aoki refrained from customary handshakes, adding to an already palpable tension. It's unclear why the two have decided to forego this traditional display of sportsmanship, but it certainly denotes the intensity and seriousness of their rivalry. The weigh-in took place yesterday, however, the match's location and exact date are yet to be announced.

In Japan, MMA events and fighters command a sizable following. The rivalry between Asakura and Aoki will undoubtedly fuel fans' excitement for the match. The absence of a weigh-in handshake could be interpreted as a lack of respect between the fighters, amplifying the drama and stoking anticipation for when the fight does happen.

Much like in the US or EU, fighters in Japan partake in public weigh-ins before matches to highlight the upcoming fight, with handshakes generally accepted as a sportsmanlike habit. The absence of the traditional handshake similarly escalates the public interest and anticipation, as it often does in Western contexts.