EDM star Steve Aoki has long been a fan of combat sports, but he recently hit the mats for a jiu-jitsu session for the first time ever – with a little assistance from UFC star Diego Lopes.
“Now, I’ve got the excitement,” Aoki said, after the session at the Iridium Sports Agency office gym.
Lopes met Aoki at one of his concerts in Guadalajara, Mexico. The two have been friends since, and Aoki even did a custom mix of “La Chona” for Lopes’ UFC 314 title challenge walkout in April.
Aoki, 47, said the mindset he’s drawn from watching fights might be the reason he’s been able to maintain a rigorous tour schedule a decade-plus after his first Grammy nomination.
“The resiliance, the training, the heart, the hard work,” Aoki said. “You’re putting your entire life in that octagon. That feeling of that moment is something that I love. You guys are putting your entire spirit in that octagon, and I know that. That’s how I look at my life, my career, my shows, my music. I think that may be one of the reasons why I’m still able to tour, being able to make music, and people listen.”
In stepping outside of his comfort zone, Aoki thinks he may have unlocked a new version of himself. While the recent session was his first, it doesn’t sound like it’ll be his last.
“I realize I know 0.0001 percent,” Aoki said. “But what I did learn was the inspiration and excitement to now step through the door. I’ve always been kind of fearful of it. I’ve been scared of it. I like to watch it on TV. I like to watch my f*cking friends do it. Now, I’m ready. So Diego, it’s all your fault.”
