SKILL MMA

Is age nothing but a number?

2012-01-17T10:25:00.003+09:00

I recently looked at Sherdog's top 10 MMA rankings list and updated the names here with ages. I expected that the lighter weight classes would have a younger average age because, at lighter weights, speed is a more important factor. Speed and reflexes become reduced at an earlier age than the reduction of power.

For a result, we find that heavyweight has the highest average age. Also, we find that lightweight has the lowest average age. Of course, speed isn't the only factor to consider when looking at the average age of each division. The talent pool that is available to each weight class also has a large effect on the numbers.

I have some thoughts about fighters who have changed divisions by either moving up or down in weight.

Some have succeeded when moving up from light heavyweight to heavyweight. For example, Randy Couture and Alistair Overeem. Other fighters have dropped down from light heavyweight to find success at middleweight (Chael Sonnen, Brian Stann).

However, we must also look at fighters who have not had success when moving down a division, such as Kenny Florian and Tyson Griffin (lightweight to featherweight).

I can predict many things from these numbers. Age isn't the only factor to take into account here, but I'm sure that you can follow the same line of thought as me.

Oldest: Dan Henderson (age 41)
Second Oldest: Shane Carwin (37)
Third Oldest: Anderson Silva (36)

Youngest: Dustin Poirier (22)
Second Youngest: Jon Jones, Anthony Pettis, Pat Curran, Renan Barao and Darrell Montague (all 24)

Heavyweight

Junior Dos Santos - 27
Cain Velasquez - 29
Alistair Overeem - 31
Fabricio Werdum - 34
Brock Lesnar - 34
Shane Carwin - 37
Frank Mir - 32
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - 35
Josh Barnett - 34
Daniel Cormier - 32

Oldest: Shane Carwin (37)
Youngest: Junior Dos Santos (27)

Average Age: 32.5

Light Heavyweight

Jon Jones - 24
Dan Henderson - 41
Mauricio Rua - 30
Rashad Evans - 32
Quinton Jackson - 33
Lyoto Machida - 33
Phil Davis - 27
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira - 35
Forrest Griffin - 32
Rafael Cavalcante - 31

Oldest: Dan Henderson (41)
Youngest: Jon Jones (24)

Average Age: 31.8

Middleweight

Anderson Silva - 36
Chael Sonnen - 34
Yushin Okami - 30
Mark Munoz - 33
Nate Marquardt - 32
Demian Maia - 32
Brian Stann - 31
Michael Bisping - 32
Vitor Belfort - 34
Luke Rockhold - 27

Oldest: Anderson Silva (36)
Youngest: Luke Rockhold (27)

Average Age: 32.1

Welterweight

Georges St. Pierre - 30
Jon Fitch - 33
Nick Diaz - 28
Josh Koscheck - 34
Jake Ellenberger - 26
Jake Shields - 33
Carlos Condit - 27
Johny Hendricks - 28
Martin Kampmann - 29
B.J. Penn - 33

Oldest: Josh Koscheck (34)
Youngest: Jake Ellenberger (26)

Average Age: 30.1

Lightweight

Frankie Edgar - 30
Gilbert Melendez - 29
Gray Maynard - 32
Ben Henderson - 28
Shinya Aoki - 28
Jim Miller - 28
Clay Guida - 30
Anthony Pettis - 24
Donald Cerrone - 30
Michael Chandler - 25

Oldest: Gray Maynard (32)
Youngest: Anthony Pettis (24)

Average Age: 28.4

Featherweight

Jose Aldo - 25
Hatsu Hioki - 28
Chad Mendes - 26
Pat Curran - 24
Kenny Florian - 35
Marlon Sandro - 34
Diego Nunes - 29
Dustin Poirier - 22
Bart Palaszewski - 28
Joe Warren - 35

Oldest: Kenny Florian (35)
Youngest: Dustin Poirier (22)

Average Age: 28.6

Bantamweight

Dominick Cruz - 26
Urijah Faber - 32
Joseph Benavidez - 27
Brian Bowles - 31
Scott Jorgensen - 29
Demetrious Johnson - 25
Renan Barao - 24
Miguel Torres - 30
Brad Pickett - 33
Masakatsu Ueda - 34

Oldest: Masakatsu Ueda (34)
Youngest: Renan Barao (24)

Average Age: 29.1

Flyweight

Ian McCall - 27
Jussier da Silva - 26
Yasuhiro Urushitani - 35
Mamoru Yamaguchi - 34
Darrell Montague - 24
Shinichi Kojima - 32
Yuki Shojo - 31
Kiyotaka Shimizu - 27
Louis Gaudinot - 27
Jose Maria Tome - 30

Oldest: Yasuhiro Urushitani (35)
Youngest: Darrell Montague (24)

Average Age: 29.3

Big thanks to Robert Sargent (MMA Rising) for English editing.

Japanese MMA scene Fighter to watch out 2012

2012-01-06T07:10:00.001+09:00

I write about annual Japanese MMA watch out fighters article.As always there is more fighter in majors or Japanese majors you can check.I only listed not known fighter except for diehards.

Kyoji Horiguchi

Huge three KO run at 2011 after he won Shooto Rookie tourny.Horiguchi will face Masakatsu Ueda who is world ranker and will enter Bellator tourny.Massive speed and karate strike with huge KO power.Horiguchi is not bad odds against Ueda.

Doo Ho Choi

Known for decision win over Ikuo Usuda 2010.Choi breakout his perform 2011.His vicious knee and sprawl skill earn win against Mitsuhiro Ishida and Nobuhiro Obiya.He will face Kazunori Yokota for vacant DEEP feather weight and should be strong favourite.I curious to see if he will face strong striker with hard punches.

Jon Shores

Shores is known for submission finish skill at very early career.This year, he improve his strike skill but still,there is ton of room to improve.He beat Tomonari Kanomata with using strike pressure.He will likely to face Takumi Nakayama for Pancrase interlim FW title who won by wrestle BJJ fusion grapple.

Yasuaki Kishimoto

Recognize name from win over Un Sik Song who were prospect but can't make former form after back from military duty, Kishimoto have finally almost reach to challenge DEEP LW title.He had win over veteran Jutaro Nakao.I can't see his Osaka fight. But I can say he will likely get shot.

Yuta "Uruka" Sasaki

Uruka's 2011 campaign was hard fought.He get close decision against Yoshifumi Nakamura and Kosuke Kindaichi.His lack of finish skill not solve yet.That7s cost him lose against guy Delumeau who brings Wrestle and BJJ fusion positioning.While he still young,he need finish skill.

Michinori Tanaka

Tanaka is MVP of this year's Shooto rookie tounament and his division is most stacked rookie tournament for this year.I can say finalist Akihito Ishihara isn't bad rookie,second best rookie this year from Shooto.But he dominate him at ground chain grapple.

Hideto Tatsumi

Japanese heavier weight talent pool is thin so I can't judge convincingly but Hideto Tatsumi who have Judo background may the guy worth check.After losing debut with Christian M'Pumbu,Hideto upset veteran Hiromitsu Kanegara at 3rd fight.I can say judge this is too early.But his perform is not bad too.He had train with Japanese star Yushin Okami.Will face Yang Hae Jun at Legend FC.

Also DEEP will crown flyweight champ with tournament.If Tatsumitsu Wada drop flyweight,it guarantee tounrament's winner quality.

SKILL MMA : Japanese MMA scene Fighter to watch out 2011

Who Can Solve the Ultimate Challenge?

2011-12-08T20:50:00.001+09:00

Jon Jones has put together an absolutely fantastic record as a fighter. Through 15 fights, he has lost only once, via disqualification, and has finished his last five fights in vicious fashion while sustaining hardly any damage.

Lyoto Machida has been tabbed as Jones’ most interesting and, potentially, most dangerous opponent to date, but why? Is it because of Machida’s exotic crane kick? Here, we’ll break down the most interesting facet of this Saturday’s UFC light heavyweight title fight.

Perhaps the best aspect of Jones’ striking game is the variety which he uses to keep opponents guessing. It’s a merit which shines even more given Jones’ long-distance attack. Basically, Jones’ opponents can’t hit him because his reach is simply too long and his strikes are too unpredictable.

On the other hand, Machida is known for out-striking opponents from long range. His hand strikes aren’t exactly like boxing punches; his “tsuki” (thrust) comes with less shoulder motion, which benefits speed but causes less damage than punches thrown with more shoulder rotation.

Because of his karate-influenced technique, Machida isn’t as effective when fighting at short range. His losses to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson came when he was out-struck in close quarters. Both Shogun and Rampage pressured Machida in the pocket and struck from varying angles.

Jones’ extremely long frame his one of his greatest assets as a fighter, but we’ve never seen Machida lose when striking a long range. I’m most interested in whether the fight will play out from a distance.

At short range, we’ve seen less flattering sides of both fighters. As he did with Machida, Rampage got inside on Jones and found some success, but Jones’ long frame isn’t easy to control at short length either. With his wrestling base, Jones can shoot for strong takedowns when opponents get close enough. Machida will have had a tough time finding someone with Jones’ frame and grappling acumen to train with, so I will favor Jones at close range.

Machida has other strengths, such as the wicked front kick he used to knock out Randy Couture and other unpredictable karate tricks. Like Jones, he has a variety of strikes to keep opponents on their toes, which could lead to both fighters trying to trick one another with feints and fakes.

Of course, there is a chance the fighters won’t choose to trade from a far range. They may go for a takedown, choose to fight in the clinch, or utilize some other unexpected strategy. If it turns out like that, well, that’s the fun of this kind of fight.

Big thanks to Chris Nelson (from Sherdog) for English and editing.

Breakdown of Junior Dos Santos vs Cain Velasquez at UFC on FOX

2011-11-15T03:08:00.001+09:00

The heavyweight title fight between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos ended so quickly that it disapponted some people. I, like many, think the UFC and Fox should have shown Guida-Henderson instead of 30 minutes of of hype. But, I don't understand why people think it's a total failure. If you look at the details of the fight, I think any MMA fan can still enjoy it, even if it was short.

Immediately, Dos Santos was superior in terms of speed to Velasquez, so, he didn't need to attack first. Dos Santos was able to react to Velasquez's attack and counter, instead. Moreover, dos Santos is great at using his back step to create an angle for his dominant right hand. He goes to the right side to set up that right hook, making it much harder to see.

Dos Santos throws a left hook with 4:22 remaining, and Velasquez answers with a left hook of his own. I think that movement made dos Santos try it again. At 4:18 remaining, dos Santos shows a left hook feint, then throws a right hook to the body, bringing the attention to Velasquez's torso.

Then, with 4:05 remaining, dos Santos throws a left jab, which I don't think he had any intention of landing. If you watch the replay at the end of the fight, it looks like he uses the jab to gauge Velasquez's movement. He expected Cain to answer with the left hook, and he was able to counter with his right hand. Look at the post-fight replay and watch the mechanics.

Short fights can still have plenty of rich MMA content if you really look.

Big thanks to Jordan Breen (Sherdog) for English editing.

Jessica Penne interview

2011-11-12T00:38:00.001+09:00

I interview Jessica Penne who is Bellator veteran.I interview about how she think about female MMA's new division 106 pounds and her division at Bellator, 115 pounds.She talk about how she interest potential fight against Jewels 106 pounds tourny fighter.

- Please talk a bit about what first made you interested in MMA. Was there any particular moment that motivated you to start training? Before you began training in MMA, did you have any other martial arts or sports background?

Before I began training in MMA, I was involved in a few different sports. I played soccer, softball and competed in swimming. I was interested in wrestling and tried to join the high school team, but they didn't allow me to join. I was very curious about grappling and kickboxing for some time, but I was not sure how to go about training and competing in it. I started training in grappling and kickboxing in 2005 and had my first MMA fight in November 2006.

- With your recent win against Rena Kubota in Shoot Boxing, many people realized your talents. Do you think that your fighting style fit well with the Shoot Boxing rules? You seemed to have a lot of success with throws.

I took that fight on about a week’s notice, and before that I didn’t know what Shoot Boxing was, but I thought it sounded like a great challenge. I’m more comfortable grappling than with my throws and striking, so this was a good opportunity to test all of the work I’ve put in. I really enjoyed fighting under the Shoot Boxing rules and I think that it was a natural transition from my MMA fighting style. I hope to have the opportunity to fight there again.

- Please talk about your experience of fighting at a Japanese event and spending time in Japan. Did you have time to train at any gyms or go sightseeing before you returned home?

Fighting in Japan was by far the best fighting experience that I have had. I had always wanted to go there, and to have the opportunity to fight there was a dream come true for me. Everyone was very welcoming and treated us very well. It was nice to see fighting so well-received there. It was a very short trip, so I didn’t get to sightsee as much as I had hoped, but I did have a little time to do some tourist type stuff. I can’t wait to go back.

- The female 48kg./106lbs. division in MMA isn’t very deep yet and you used to compete at a higher weight. Jewels recently began a 106lbs. tournament and a champion will be crowned in December. Would you be interested in fighting in Japan against any of the tournament fighters? Any fighters in particular?

I competed at a higher weight because there really weren’t many opportunities at a lighter weight in the States. Japan has a lot of good fighters at 106lbs. I had heard about that tournament and wanted to be a part of it. I hope in the future I will have that opportunity to go back to Japan and fight MMA and/or Shoot Boxing soon.

- When you faced Zoila Frausto in 2010, she was much bigger and you seemed to struggle with her power when trying to take her down. Would you like to continue fighting for Bellator at a higher weight (115lbs.) or do you hope that they will make a new division for you at 105lbs.? Please talk about your view of the 105lbs. division in the United States and its future.

I was small for that tournament. I usually walk at 115, and was actually below weight the week before that fight. I had hoped that by not having to cut any weight, I might have an advantage over people who had a big weight cut. After the Bellator tournament, it had been mentioned to me that they would want to do a lighter weight tournament, but I haven’t heard anything since then about it.

It would be great if they did, or if there were more opportunities at 105lbs in the States. I like fighting at 105lbs and my first preference would be fighting at that weight, but I have not ruled out competing at 115lbs, either, and there are opponents at that weight that interest me.

- Please discuss your training at Reign MMA. Who are your main trainers for striking, grappling and wrestling, and what is your opinion of them? Also, please talk about how Mark Munoz contributes to your fighting style. Has he helped you a lot with your wrestling and takedowns?

I currently train at Kings and Reign for MMA. Those gyms cross-train with each other. For striking, I have been learning from Rafael Cordeiro and Andre Dida. I have learned a lot from them and really enjoy their striking style. For wrestling, I have been training with Mark Munoz and Jacob Harman. And for jiu-jitsu, I have been training with Lucas Leite at Checkmat.

I work with Gavin MacMillan at Sport Science Lab for strength and conditioning and have never felt more athletic. I feel really lucky to be around such great teams and trainers. They have so much knowledge and are so supportive of everyone there.

- Do you currently have any fights coming up? If so, please talk about them. If not, what are your plans for next year?

I don’t have any fights booked yet, but I am looking and hope to fight in Brazil early next year. I competed at the No-Gi Worlds this past weekend to stay busy until then.

- Please give a message to the fans, both the English-speaking and in Japan, about your fighting career and your future.

I would like to say thank you to everyone for their support. My family, friends, coaches and teammates are amazing. I am very lucky to be involved in this sport, and it has brought me a lot of happiness. Training and fighting have brought a lot of wonderful people into my life and I hope to make them proud.

Jessica Penne Official Twitter

Big thanks to Robert Sargent (MMA Rising) for interview arrangement and English editing.

Wajyutsu Keisyukai restarted

2011-11-11T16:54:00.001+09:00

After financial trouble on running own cage event Cage Force and Valkyrie, biggest Japanese MMA Gym Franchise Wajyutsu Keisyukai keep silence.Cage Force and Valkyrie didn't hold event.

Because of financial trouble, Wajyutsu Keisyukai lose Tokyo head quarter gym and A-3 gym closed by financial trouble.GODS gym have trouble too.But fighters decide take own control.Because of that, they can continue GODS gym.Toyoki Kubo is basically missing after financial troble of GCM.But fighters still claim they don't arbitrarily decide this decision.

Wajyutsu fighters get rid of under control by GCM (Greatest common multiple) and organization head Toyoki Kubo.Fighters directly get permit to use bland "Wajyutsu Keisyukai)" from Yoshinori Nishi.Who is founder and ValeTudo Japan veteran.

For the conclusion,fighters withdraw from old "Wajyutsu Keisyukai" under GCM control and start running new "Wajyutsu Keisyukai (same name)" by fighters.

Wajyutsu Keisyukai known for produce Yushin Okami ,Caol Uno.

Ronda Rousey interview

2011-11-10T05:27:00.000+09:00

I interview Ronda Rousey who is MMA prospect and Olympic Bronze medalist at Beijing.I interview about how elite Judoka adapt MMA, what Judo skill is useful for MMA and how she want build herself as a fighter.

- You started in MMA with influence from your mother and you have referred to MMA as “old judo” where there’s more focus on ground skills. Today’s judo rules limit ground techniques and the morote gari (double-leg takedown). What is your opinion on the rule changes in judo and what advice would you give to other judokas who are interested in competing in MMA?

I absolutely hate the new rule changes in judo. I think it entirely favors the Japanese style of fighting and makes it a less realistic fighting sport. If the rules in judo continue to be influenced by politics, I see a steady decline happening for what really is a beautiful sport and martial art.

- You often prefer osotogari and harai goshi throws in MMA, which allow you to land in side control. Are there any other judo techniques that you would recommend for use in MMA?

Foot sweeps, which I wasn’t a huge fan of in Olympic Judo, are extremely effective and underutilized in MMA. I’ve actually used them a few times in fights, but it’s very subtle and hard to notice.

- All of your fights so far have ended very quickly by submission. I am curious how you will perform in a tougher fight. What can we expect to see from you if you have a longer fight? Positional dominance, striking skills or will you just try to finish the fight in any way that you can?

I just try to finish fights in any way I can. Improvising is a talent I am lucky to have, and whatever I see, I try. It’s hard to predict what will come to mind in a fight, and I think that’s what makes me a difficult opponent to prepare for.

- Cris Cyborg is the Strikeforce champion in your weight class and you have said that you believe that Cuban judokas are better athletes than she is. I think this is true. If other Olympic medalists in judo come over to MMA, what do they need to do to make the transition easier?

If judoka want to be successful in MMA, they have to focus on their ground game and transition from standing to ground. If you want to succeed in MMA with a grappling style, like judo, you have to be completely well-rounded and be able to finish fights on the ground.

- How have you fused and balanced your judo skills with the other skills that you need in MMA? Have you added bits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to your judo or do you find that you are using BJJ most often now?

I see no big difference between BJJ and judo. When people compliment me on my BJJ, I tell them I am a BJJ white belt, because it’s true. I believe BJJ and judo are the same sport with different emphasis. BJJ is 20% standing and 80% on the ground, whereas judo is 80% standing and 20% on the ground. It’s all the same to me.

- Which fighter’s style had the biggest influence on you when you moved from judo to MMA? Perhaps Karo Parisyan or Rick Hawn?

Actually, Fedor is the fighter I try to emulate the most. I study his videos and try to be just as explosive and just as smooth transitioning from standing to ground.

- How much of an effect does the discipline of judo have on you in life and in fighting?

Judo taught me that I am capable of anything. No matter how favored my opponent is to win, or how injured or sick I could be, I can mentally push past anything and be victorious. My mom used to always tell me, “No one has the right to beat you.” I never would have learned that if it wasn’t for judo.

- You will face Julia Budd for Strikeforce on November 18. She is a good striker. Please provide your thoughts on the fight and list what you think is key to victory.

I think the key to victory will be to force her to play my game, which is in the clinch and on the ground. I am used to fighting people who try to keep me at a distance and only strike with me, whereas she has never faced anyone like me before. One advantage to having so little cage time is that my opponents don’t really know that much about me. I am sure I will be much more prepared than she will.

- How much longer do you think you will compete until you are ready to fight for a championship?

I would like to have 6 or so pro fights before I make a run for the 145lbs title. The thing is, a fight against Cris would be the most important of my career, and though I know I am capable of winning that fight today, I want to be at my absolute peak, as I would for an Olympic Games, when that fight happens.

People forget I have only been doing MMA for one year and have only a little over 3 minutes of experience in the cage. I am improving every day and still feel like I can keep getting better. When my management and coaches say it’s time, we’ll take the fight.

- Please leave a message for the fans, both the English-speaking and in Japan, about your fighting career and future.

Well…here’s a quote from Will Rogers: “Women are not the weak, frail little flowers that they are advertised. There has never been anything invented yet, including war, that a man would enter into, that a woman wouldn’t, too."

And here’s a quote from me: DEMAND WOMEN’S MMA!

Ronda Rousey Official Web

Big thanks to Robert Sargent (MMA Rising) for interview arrangement and English editing.

Marloes Coenen interview

2011-11-04T10:19:00.002+09:00

I interview former Strikeforce women's bantam weight champion Marloes Coenen .Who will be fighting for BlackEye promotion.I interview about a history and future of female MMA, how she thinks about a being a pro with getting money and how to make recognition for female MMA.

- I was reminded of the ReMix World Cup from 2000 when you won your Strikeforce title last year. It was the first big tournament in women’s MMA history, and after ten years of ups and downs in your career, you won the Strikeforce belt. Women’s MMA began as a niche interest, but it has come a long way. What are your thoughts on that? Is it nostalgic to think back to the ReMix tournament?

Yes! It definitely is. About a week prior to the tournament, I visited Japan for the first time in my life and had my first professional fight (after only two amateur Shooto fights). It was unexpected. I was busy with a different life and just started University in Rotterdam. Looking back at it, it feels to me that the universe was telling me something. Showing me a different life path.

I never thought of myself as a fighter. That was not how I was brought up. My mom is a strong person and the mother of my father is an truly brave and unique woman…but fighting? That was sooooo not an option for a girl like me! And now 10 years later I'm a professional cage fighter…

- You were released from Strikeforce this year and could not get a new contract. My understanding is that you could not agree on financial terms. Strikeforce paid some female fighters better than Zuffa pays some of its male champions. As someone who is seen as a leader in women’s MMA, what is your opinion of the current situation for women who are trying to make a living as professional fighters? What can be done to make things better?

We need good role models to attract a big audience. I firmly believe we can empower, intrigue and entertain so many women. And if they tune in to watch us fight, the big sponsors will follow. Maybe we need a female-only organisation and broadcast that on TV. L'Oreal would more likely sponsor that than a UFC-only show with heavy metal music and a rough and tough male vibe.

- Female fighters in MMA do not receive the same amount of recognition that male fighters do. What needs to change in order to increase the popularity of women’s MMA? Better athletes or more advertising? Is it better to have recognition for the sport (of MMA) or as an individual?

Gina Carano proved that a single woman can do a lot for the sport. Like I said above, good role models are needed. A variety of girls. What I see now is that a lot of girls are trying to be the pin-up girl. Some take it, in my opinion, too far, though it does work with the male audience. Then on the other end, others don't understand at all that they are not just an athlete. It's hard to find the right mixture.

A second thing that can enhance our recognition is when famous male fighters publicly endorse females in MMA. Because their fans will listen to them, and in that way the audience can be educated. If a Nick Diaz commentates on a female fight for instance, and tells why it's a good fight, a lot of people will be influenced positively. I know, from talking with a lot of famous male fighters, that they are positive about women in the sport. They respect us big time because they know what it takes. Only be a bit more vocal about it, please. ;)

- Until recently, women often did not compete with the same rules as male fighters do and it was difficult to fight the best opponents without changing weight classes. Now the talent pool is growing and the rules are usually the same. You have fought under many different rules in your career. What is your opinion on the current rule set in MMA? What improvements could be made?

Keep it the same. We need to get the same amount of respect as the guys so we should fight under the same rules. The term 'WMMA' annoys the hell out of me. When I started fighting it was called MMA, and now since a year or two I'm doing WMMA? Nothing has changed on my side. I use the same techniques, the same round times and fight under the same rules. The added 'W' is only there to separate…but why? It has no function whatsoever.

- You are known for finishing fights with submissions from the bottom. This can sometimes be risky, though, depending on the rules and if fighters can strike to the face on the ground. Especially with elbows. Do you have particular strategies when trying for submissions from the bottom? Also, do you think that the Unified Rules make it so that you need to try to have top position more often?

It's quite simple…there are a lot of techniques that you can do from the bottom. Of course I prefer the top position, but you should be able to finish a fight from every position.

- You recently appeared on a sports variety show on Japanese TV and also attended a Shooto event as well. How was your latest trip to Japan? What else did you do besides the TV appearance and Shooto?

I LOOOOOOOOOOVE Japan! I missed it so much!! We went to DREAM & Shooto and ate at my Japanese brother Taro Obata’s. His wife Chica made Okonomiyaki for me and Kawasaki-san joined us for dinner, too. I was lucky to meet Takashima-san, who's my Japanese father, at the Shooto show. And Shinobu was there, too. She's my Japanese sister. Believe it or not!

Of course I did some shopping! Gifts…I was lucky to buy my Shu Uemura makeup at the airport. And I ate all my favourite Japanese food: sushi (I tried whale, too), tako yaki, Imagawayaki and Okonomiyaki. My trainer Martijn wants to eat Korean BBQ all the time so we eat that a lot, too! Then I had to fly back to Kansas, where I was staying.

- This summer, you announced that you would be fighting for BlackEye Promotions. Who are some fighters that you hope to face in the United States in 2012?

There are a lot of great female athletes in the States that I am interested in facing in 2012. Two rematches are on my list: Tate and Cyborg!

- Please leave a message for the fans, both the English-speaking and in Japan, about your fighting career and future.

I would like to thank the Japanese people for the life-changing experience that your country gave me. I look forward to training hard and getting into the cage soon! If you are interested in my journey, please follow me on Twitter @marloescoenen. And don't forget to vote for me in the Fighters Only Awards (I'm nominated 2x!)! The voting will end soon! Stay strong! :)

Marloes Coenen Official Facebook

Big thanks to Robert Sargent (MMA Rising) for interview arrangement and English editing.

Bruce Lee fan bring Shooto to America

2011-10-07T02:30:00.000+09:00

The early UFC era's unsporting, duel-type fights bred animosity between MMA and many country's political structure. Many states banned MMA, beginning the early struggles and the Dark Ages of MMA in North America.

In the same era, Japanese MMA organization Shooto started MMA with idealized goals. They defined international and regional commissions, and an amateur system which is still very ahead of its time. American promoters such as Jeff Osborne started promoting Shooto stateside, largely because they felt they needed to change the American public view of MMA.

Yorinaga Nakamura was charmed by the trailer for Bruce Lee's Game of Death, when he went to see Close Encounters of the Third Kind in the theatre. Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do said that any and all offense which is effective is encouraged in combat. Therefore, he very much liked the idea of Shooto founder Satoru Sayama, which offered this same structure.

Nakamura joined Sayama's Super Tiger Gym in the pre-Shooting era, and won a championship at 145 pounds. But, Nakamura badly wanted to be Bruce Lee, so like his idol, he went to America. He bulked up to around 200 pounds, so he could deal with larger American foes, and then moved to the United States.

Lee had a heritage in America by this time, through his student Dan Inosanto. Inosanto continued to teach Lee's Jeet Kune Do at his academy in Los Angeles, so Nakamura joined and studied under Inosanto. However, the teacher was also interested in his student's experience with Shooto, as Jeet Kune Do stresses a philosophy of accepting any and all effective martial arts.

One of Nakamura's student was Erik Paulson, who learned many martial arts, including Shooto, where he would go on to become a world champion. His gym, CSW, continues to teach Shooto techniques that many are unaware of.

Erik Paulson talks about his mixture of training experiences.

Paulson is the head trainer of Brock Lesnar and Josh Barnett. So his Shooto, Japanese and English submmision wrestling knowledge remain relevant in elite fighter's skillsets in current MMA.

Trainer Greg Nelson talks about Dan Inosanto, Yorinaga Nakamura and Erik Paulson.

Erik Paulson had student named Greg Nelson, who experienced many martial arts too. Nelson would go on to found The Academy in Minnesota, a gym including Sean Sherk, Nik Lentz, Jacob Volkmann, Cole Konrad and others.

Satoru Sayama's Shooto and Japanese submmision wrestling exported United States by Yorinaga Nakamura has conciously and unconciously impacted many fighters, right through to the contemporary era of MMA.

So, a Japanese child, charmed by Hong Kong martial arts movies was the bridge for Shooto to move to the United States, all reinforced by the Jeet Kune Do (and MMA) mentality to accept any martial arts.

Yorinaga Nakamura is still teaching Jeet Kune Do in the United States, while Dan Inosanto is still interested in adding new skills to his own, which has led to him learning jiu-jitsu under the Machado brothers.

We can find Jeet Kune Do fighters, sometimes even in major MMA organizations. UFC veteran and Bellator welterweight Ben Saunders, for instance, still proclaims himself to be a Jeet Kune Do fighter.

If we judge from Lee's movies, it's a little too far from MMA, so people might be quick to laugh or mock the idea. However, it is Lee's philosophy that helped pave the way for so many new skills and techniques to make their way to America.

Yorinaga "Yori" Nakamura show his Shooto skill.

Big thanks to Jordan Breen (Sherdog) for English editing.

Fetish in MMA

2011-09-26T14:02:00.000+09:00

There are people out there who are obsessed with the martial arts. For those who practice MMA, they of course train in several different martial arts disciplines. Therefore, it is the tendency of onlookers to find the "backbone" discipline of MMA fighters, which leads them to favor particular techniques and fighters, based upon that discipline.


This practice disrupts proper discussion in analyzing MMA, as people often develop unbalanced opinions when discussing a fighter's backbone. MMA has absorbed many different martial arts, but you can discern which techniques are more appropriate for MMA.

For example, in the beginning, Muay Thai and judo's effectiveness was not fully understood and evaluated for MMA, but now many people have come to realize the effectiveness of neck clinches and trips from those disciplines.

MMA isn't only a mix of martial arts, it's also a mixed culture. To fully understand it, one must study up on how it became "mixed" and what that mixing it implies. A prime example is Fedor Emelianenko, who has recently lost three straight fights. Like many other countries, Russia has a strong sporting culture which is supported by the Russian state, but other than Fedor, there aren't many top talents from Russia in major-level MMA. Critics have often pointed to the fact that Russian fighters have difficulty catching up in the grappling department because grappling training isn't stressed outside of Russian sambo. Fedor's recent losses and the fact that there weren't freakishly big fighters at heavyweight who are as skilled as they are today ten years ago speak to this notion. Today's heavyweights now understand how to counter Fedor's wild hook game and have the footwork and cage savvy to defend against it.

Information is the key to obtaining such results. I won't say that all MMA can be boiled down to just strategy, but given how much knowledge is needed to properly perform in MMA, acquiring that knowledge is critical, whether it's through reading, watching videos, or traveling to different places to train.

In 2005, the UFC had Andrei Arlovski, Chuck Liddell, Rich Franklin, and Matt Hughes as champs. While I do believe they all rightfully earned their titles, they do point to one thing in particular about the UFC at that time; its roster was not as culturally diverse as it is today, let alone as diverse as Pride's roster, at the time.

Thus, I believed that a more diverse selection of fighters would deliver for the UFC when Zuffa bought DreamStage Entertainment in 2007. As we've seen since however, the UFC's ability to thrive wasn't only delivered on the part of former Pride fighters, but also on the part of ethnically diverse American and Brazilian fighters.

In the past, I've sometimes said that former Pride fighters from America and Brazil have had better results than former Pride fighters from other countries. I am not saying that information is the only factor, but in actuality, fighters from countries where knowledge and technique relevant to cage survival is more readily accessible have clearly benefitted from it.

As a point of reference, look at the growth of talent from the United Kingdom. There were regular MMA events in the UK in the past, but not many talents rose to the upper levels of the sport until recently. Given the fact that UK-based fighters speak English, they have benefitted from the many sources of information out there in the MMA world, most of which is in English. Whether it's gathering information through written texts or exchanging information with fighters and trainers across the Atlantic in the US for example, the benefit of language that UK fighters have is a huge advantage to their overall MMA game.

I've already talked about the fusion of skills in the sport, and how hybridized knowledge is born day by day, year by year. Without that evolution of skills and knowledge, catching up to and staying current in today's MMA game is impossible. In the current state of MMA, learning how to chain skills is critical, but I want to see a twist for the future. I don't just want MMA to mature, I want it to become a cultural amoeba, consuming and absorbing all martial arts and adding their unique skills and repertoires to its own vast pool of knowledge. I want to see new challengers from martial arts that MMA fans have never heard of before. I want to encourage traditional martial artists to continue to try their hands at MMA.

For that matter, MMA already has incorporated traditional martial arts skills, whether fans realize it or not. Who wasn't excited to see Lyoto Machida's karate crane kick on Randy Couture, for example? How many fighters now use the spinning back fist, as innovated by the little-known Japanese martial art, Koppo? Skills like these show that MMA has room for the more radical techniques found in the traditional martial arts, right alongside better athletes and better informed fighters. While I don't deny the effectiveness of athleticism and the fundamental knowledge that MMA lays claim to now, I can also buy into the fetishization of traditional martial arts. Many watch and become fans of exotic techniques as displayed on sites like YouTube, and they too are a huge part of how our sport will gain its audience.

Big thanks to Tony Loiseleur (Sherdog) for English editing.

Local prospects are in Bantam weight

2011-09-01T22:11:00.000+09:00

Who are next generation of Japanese Mixed Martial Artist?At local Japanese organization,I can find Bantam weight prospect.Dream doing Bantam weight grandprix now..There are usual Japanese member who are former feather weight.But we will see new talent of clopsin that division.I will list who is worth attention.

Shooto

Kyoji Horiguchi 20 years old

Krazy Bee's most promising prospect.At first heard about there is rookie fighter sparring partner for "Kid".It's sound wired when heard Major level fighter sparring with 2 to 3 fight rookie.Horiguchi show improve with fit his Karate skill to MMA.Currently have 4 KO streak."Kid" says he should get Shooto title in one year.Horiguchi had only 4 armature shooto fight experience because too strong at categoy.

Kyoji Horiguchi

He will face Naohiro "Chokugekigamon" Mizuno at September 23, Shootor's Legacy 04.

This year's Shooto rookie tournament have high level competition too.So we will see. Shooto's Feather weight division (same as international Bantam weight division) will stacked.

DEEP

Tatsumitsu Wada 22 years old

Yoshida Dojo's prospect have experience karate and judo at childhood.He won 2007's future king tournament.He already have major winagainst Dream veteran Daiki "DJ Taiki" Hata.Hata can't handle Wada's punch speed.He will fight for DEEP title soon against Takafumi Otsuka.He can drop to Flyweight.

Tatsumitsu Wada

Yusaku Nakamura 25 years old

From Seiichi Ikemoto's style gym,Nakamura have Nihon Kenpo background.He stepped up as a late replacement of Darren Uenoyama at Dream.He had only 3 pro fight before he step up for Dream.This is shortest record of fight amount to fight Dream. His condition is not good since his injurydidn't heal yet.But he shock people with knock down Atsushi Yamamoto.He lose but his reputation rise.

Yusaku Nakamura

He will face Seiji Akao at Septemvber 4 DEEP Osaka Impact.

ZST

Shunichi Shimizu 26 years old

From Uruno Dojo, Shimizu evaluated win against Manabu Inoue at SRC Asia Bantam weight tourny.He succeed to chain grapple against Inoue.He fought at feather weight recently.But he should fight for higher tier Bantam weight.

Pancrase

Motonobu Tezuka 24 years old

It's hard to choice Bantam weight prospect from Pancrase since their champ lose to ZST's Shimizu.But if I choice,Tezuka.From Dokonjonosuke Mishima's Cobra Kai.Tezuka show variety of takedown and lose split decision against Shintaro Ishiwatari.

Human behavior at MMA

2011-07-27T18:24:00.005+09:00

Regardless of body type, human beings have many common physiological features.

For example, all people can run faster forward than they can backwards. All people have eyes designed to see a horizontal panorama instead of a large vertical one, making the uppercut the most difficult punch to see.

When a fighter throws a punch, there is a moment when they must bring their hands back to throw another punch. It is at that moment an opponent can take occasion to counter and attack. In this way, basic human behavior defines how to move to attack your opponent, and how you should decide to counter them.

This is why fighters watch one another and feint, without committing to strikes, to simply gauge their opponent's movements and reactions.

If you understand that intention, you can watch fights differently. It allows you to understand how fighters use footwork to make an angle to attack, for instance. Certain angles of attack make certain punches easier to throw and land, and you begin to develop a sense of how to track and locate punches.

Also, in MMA, situations change rapidly. If a circumstance changes -- a fighter gets rocked, or time is running out -- fighters know they need to change their gameplan. That is one of the true joys of MMA. You can see fighters who are competitive, adjusting their gameplans to take the foe out, or, a fighter whose gameplan completely crushed and overwhelms his opponent's.

MMA gives more freedom than other martial arts, but its governed not just by rules, but how humans move and react to the techniques. Knowing these human behaviors and fighting behaviors shed a new light on combat.

Big thanks to Jordan Breen (Sherdog) for English editing.

Supplement to Sherdog's "In Search of the Real Tiger Mask"

2011-07-14T14:16:00.003+09:00

I helped Sherdog.com's Tony Loiseleur to research the aforementioned feature article on Shuichiro Katsumura.

After the catastrophic disasters of March 11, I penned an article on SKILL MMA that touched on how certain media outlets irresponsibly reported the event and its fallout. Today, however, I want to talk more about someone who actually lives in Japan that has put forth great effort to support the earthquake and tsunami victims.

Hayato "Mach" Sakurai, Enson Inoue, Ryo Chonan and many other fighters in the MMA community have done much to contribute to the aid effort for Japan's Tohoku region. In discussing with Tony a potential feature for Sherdog on fighters taking part in disaster relief, all these names came up as suggestions to whom I thought were suited for his article.

At the time, the various names above had already received some amount of press in the English MMA media. However, one person who had not received attention was Katsumura, whom I suggested to Tony because of his active and ongoing mission to make regular relief trips to Tohoku despite the closeness of his first Shooto featherweight title defense. The relief missions admittedly went on throughout Katsumura's fight camp, making his story an intriguing and unique one. Tony and I came to the conclusion then that, rather than other fighters in the news, Katsumura would be the best choice to focus on because his desire to help his fellow countrymen outstripped his professional desire to preserve his Shooto title and few people in the Western MMA community knew about him and his situation.

Katsumura is not a well-known fighter to Western MMA fans, but he has a unique career that is worth sharing. He started in Shooto where he struggled. Then, after losing to Marcos "Louro" Galvao in 2004, Katsumura was suggested and offered a move to the ZST promotion by Sustain promoter Kazuhiro Sakamoto, which he took. While Galvao went on to become a highly-touted prospect after that win, Katsumura left the Shooto circuit with a promise to the fans that he would be back.

He was later brought in to K-1 Hero's, thanks to FEG's discovery of his day job at a local orphanage. Naturally, FEG liked the image of Katsumura being a fighter who also worked for the public good. While the exposure made him famous among the casual television-watching audience of Japan, he fought opponents well above his weight in K-1 Hero's and lost, leading him to feel self-conscious about his position in the promotion.

"Why should I be getting famous in K-1 by losing and working in an orphanage?"

He withdrew from fighting after the losses in Hero's, though he continued working for the public good by becoming a school teacher. Soon after, through the encouragement of his friends and the support of ZST, he started his own gym with the intent of resetting his career after two years of absence. He made his comeback in Shooto in 2009 by beating So Tazawa. He unexpectedly submitted the young Shooto title contender with a Brabo choke, making it look easy. With that surprising submission victory, Katsumura himself was vaulted into the Shooto title picture.

Masakatsu Ueda was Shooto's 132-pound champion at the time and was thus considered a top-10 bantamweight, naturally making the returning Katsumura a huge underdog. No matter how stacked the odds or widespread the belief that Ueda would crush him, however, Katsumura pulled off a shocking upset by catching Ueda in his "Ninja choke"; a signature move that Katsumura developed on his own over the course of two years extensively studying Eddie Bravo's rubber guard system.

Though the story of his returning to Shooto after so long to win the championship was an inspiring one, it was not a story without turbulence. After the Ueda victory, he lost by TKO to Darren Uyenoyama in a non-title bout several months later. Recently, he lost by knockout to Koetsu Okazaki; thus relinquishing the belt to him.

Though Katsumura is no longer a Shooto champion, he is still an active and integral part of the Japanese MMA community. As a teacher, Katsumura has many students in the local promotions of Japan, helping them make their way up their own competitive ladders. It is this social aspect of Katsumura--of him being a teacher, and consequently, his deep desire to help people--that I believe makes him unique, and also what I would like to focus on.

One particular example that is interesting and telling about Katsumura relates to his gym, Reversal Gym Yokohama Groundslam, which does not take children as students. This is surprising given his history of helping and educating children as both an orphanage worker and school teacher. The reason for this, however, is due to Katsumura's childhood goal to become a teacher himself. The desire was reportedly born out of his resentment of his own teachers at the time.

As a youth, he took particular dislike to his teachers' philosophy of "I know the key to success. You must work hard like I did, and that is how you will succeed." As a result, students who stuck to these philosophies of discipline tended in theory to be favored by teachers. Katsumura's primary objection lies in the notion that while this philosophy might work for dedicated and obedient children like the type that might become "honor students," not all children are, in fact, honor students. There exists a whole range of personalities; good, bad, and in the middle. His concern lies with the care and welfare of children considered "bad" or "in the middle," who may not receive the kind of care and attention that honor students would.

He also finds an uncomfortable similarity with MMA fighters who teach children and trumpet similar ideas about "discipline for children." "Only a good-for-nothing can understand a good-for-nothing," Katsumura is quoted as saying. While he agrees that it is important to give children virtues such as "consideration for others," and for them to benefit from the physical conditioning that martial arts can provide, teaching martial arts to children can be dangerous, given its nature. Katsumura does not believe that he is a good candidate to be promoting similar lessons however, given his own past and understanding of children.

Katsumura claims that he wouldn't be able to continue running his gym if he started teaching children, primarily due to the fear that those he teaches could potentially use MMA techniques in brawls with their peers; the worst would be if he inadvertently taught a bully how to use MMA techniques. While he generally thinks that children are good, he understands that he cannot make that guarantee for every child, and that despite what problems a child may have, there is a possibility that Katsumura may never find out about them even if they are his students. Will his young students still be trustworthy once they are outside of the gym, beyond his guidance and supervision?

I acknowledge the fact that the teaching of martial arts is fraught with problems; it is understandably never an easy situation. The case of children in martial arts makes things much more difficult, as not every child can be expected to choose the moral and just way to act with such knowledge, nor can there be assurances that all children will learn these things from their teachers.

I imagine that most teachers watch their children in the hopes that they will improve their skills and that like school teachers, the ones that excel will receive the most attention. However, it must be remembered that teaching a child to know the difference between right and wrong and impressing upon them a sense of responsibility is just as important as learning martial arts techniques. Further, it is just as important to focus on children that are considered "underachievers"; overstressing "success" and "achievement" in martial arts is unimportant to Katsumura since he believes people should be able to make and learn from mistakes. He has those children in mind because they need equal attention.

This kind of education is also a long and difficult process, and martial arts teachers will have more difficulty teaching young students about responsibility over technique. This is how I feel in dealing with children even outside of the martial arts realm.

Katsumura does, however, teach wrestling to the children he has known during his time at the orphanage; all of whom he claims he can take better care of and responsibility for beyond the wrestling mat. However, he still refuses to teach them striking or grappling techniques. Of course, the children he teaches still have their problems, and admittedly, they still get into fights. Whenever problems arise, however, he meets with the parents and tries to resolve the troubles with these former orphans through discussion.

While I acknowledge that the most important thing in sports is determining who is the best, I'm often surprised by how many charming and wonderful people I meet in the fight scene despite how competitive that goal is. What troubles me is that fans tend to forget about these people when they lose, as if they are no longer relevant. This is the reason why I wanted to write and remind fans about someone like Katsumura. He is not only a talented fighter with a unique story, but he is also a socially responsible and charitable person that people should know about and never forget. He is an example that I think we should all strive to emulate.

I think that Tony did a great job in writing about these things that make Katsumura the person and athlete that he is. At the time, I even suggested to him that he should write about the idea that Katsumura "had become the real Tiger Mask," because of how his good works outside of the ring reflected those of the famous cartoon character. Tony smiled and said, "I know, and I already will."

In researching Katsumura, I was pleasantly surprised that Tony had the same ideas as I had, and that he came to the same conclusions. It is my hope that people read that article and not only enjoy it, but also understand what kind of person Katsumura is and why he is so important to our MMA community.

Further, if the story resonates with you and you can spare the expense, please continue to support the victims of the Tohoku quake and tsunami by donating to the Japanese Red Cross link below. Of course, it is what "the Real Tiger Mask" would do.

Japan／Earthquake Donation by Japanese Red Cross Society

Quotation Shuichiro Katsumura's official blog

Big thanks to Robert Sargent of MMARising.com and Chris Nelson and Tony Loiseleur of Sherdog.com for their help in editing this piece.

Jessica "Jag" Aguilar interview

2011-06-21T14:40:00.005+09:00

I recently got the opportunity to interview Jessica "Jag" Aguilar, who will be fighting Carla Esparza at Bellator 46. Here are my questions for her regarding her upcoming fight, her earthquake experience in Japan last March, and get some details on her lucky teddy bear, Forest.

- With your loss to Zoila, do you feel more apprehensive to let fights go to a decision? Tell me what you think about the current hot topic that "judges obviously fail sometimes."

Jessica: Of course--I never want to experience that type of judging situation again. Something is amiss when two judges watching the same fight score it 30-27 in opposite directions. In my case, I know I had a far greater strike count, delivered an extreme greater amount of physical damage, and literally had to chase her for 3 straight rounds as her game plan after getting hit hard repeatedly was to just backpedal all night. So yes, the end results were a major disappointment in the scoring system.

- Also, how did you score Zoila vs Megumi Fujii?

Jessica: I obviously watched this fight with great interest, and personally scored it 29 to 28 in favor of Megumi.

- Marcos “Parrumpinha” DaMatta is your trainer and I think he's helped you develop a fight style that values strong positions. Do you see yourself as part of a Gracie style of Jiujitsu that values dominant positions? Are there any particular positions you aim to use in fights?

Jessica: My ground game style is a bit different as it is a combination of Grappling and BJJ. I really do not aim for particular positions as much as I come in [to fights] well-prepared and always have solid game plans, then by way of executing [them] and reacting to any mistakes or opportunities my opponent gives me, I try to explode on it. My sole goal is to take care of business as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

- How has your striking game improved under Howard Davis Jr? People tend to view you more as grappler, but you outstruck Zoila.

Jessica: Yes - earning 4 gold medals in international competition for Team USA has earned me a strong grappling reputation. But to truly excel in MMA you need a well-rounded skill set. Hence starting a few years back I took advantage of every training and coaching opportunity I could with Howard Davis Jr, and in return earned his respect. He has invested a lot of time with me and truly took my standup game to new, incredible heights. Knowing that Zoila would want to avoid having me take her to the ground given that her main strength is her standup game, we decided that this is where I would take the fight to her as I am sure she would underestimate my boxing skills. One of my goals going into the Zoila fight was to clearly demonstrate that I have a stronger standup skill set than Zoila, given that she is regarded as one of the best standup fighters in the game today. I have heard your same comment from many MMA experts that my stand up skills were clearly superior that night. The good news is that since then, I have continued to work very hard at both my submissions and standup skills and they are vastly improved from just 1 year ago.

- You come to Japan for Jewels 12th Ring, but it was canceled due to the Earthquake. You were expected to face Ayaka Hamasaki, who has had a short career but has become Jewels' champ in that time. Is she still an opponent you'd like to face if there's another opportunity in the future? What are your thoughts on her? (Hamasaki said "I can't lose to a Valkyrie fighter because I want to fight you.")

Jessica: While Ayaka does not have the vast experience of, let's say a Megumi (as no one has that much experience), she clearly earned her Jewels championship, so I was incredibly excited about facing her. It is so hard to get quality fights, so when you have an opportunity like this, you jump on it. I was asked to come to Japan to fight her as a last-minute replacement and accepted without hesitation as I was just coming off 2 scheduled fights where [both] scheduled opponents decided near fight time that they did not want to face me for various reasons. So, I was in fighting shape, on-weight (as I am always) and jumped at the opportunity.

- You've had the unique and unforgettable experience of being in Japan during its March 11 earthquake.Tell me about your experiences in Japan. (Also, thank you for asking for tsunami relief donations at your official website.)

Jessica: The earthquake experience was just unreal, as no one can image that level of tragedy, of human loss, personal pain and suffering short of witnessing what was happening. And I was just a visitor, I cannot come close to imagining the pain those who personally suffered family losses must have experienced. I was also very impressed with how I was treated after the earthquake stuck, as total strangers on the streets helped me. Locals I met went to extraordinary lengths to help me a visitor return home. I was just so moved, and so emotionally touched. My heart still goes out to everyone that experienced loss due to this tragedy.

- You met Dream champ Shinya Aoki in Japan. Did you roll with him or watch him roll? If so, what's your impression of him?

Jessica: No such opportunity to roll with him, but my impression is that he has earned tremendous respect in Japan, and not just because of his fighting success, but because of the professional way he carries himself.

- I heard you have a teddy bear named Forest and that you bring him (or her) everywhere. Tell me about Forest and why he (or she) is your constant companion.

Jessica: I do not want to admit or sound superstitious, but when you have been through a lot of extremely tragic and just very difficult periods, it is important to seek out positive energy sources, just because they are positive and as such represent good feelings. I am sure that I have invested a lot of positive attributes and feelings into Forest over the years and when I want some extra positive private energy, I look to Forest; as the bank account of positive energies I have invested into over the years, and now want some of that back from time to time. Sort of like a sentimental photo or feelings that we all have some place in our lives, mine just happens to be a teddy bear named Forest!

- You will meet Carla Esparza at Bellator 46. You're both known for your grappling abilities, but you have striking finishes.What should we expect from this fight?

Jessica: I have a tremendous amount of respect for Carla, as she always shows up very well prepared and is an incredible fighter. You may think she does not have striking skills as good as her wrestling, but I have paid closer attention, and clearly remember her opening round against Megumi. She delivered more than a few very impressive strikes. I think this is going to be a great fight as MMA fans will get to see two very skilled fighters at their best, and I am sure we will both be extremely well prepared for each other.

- Give me a message for the fans, both the English speaking and in Japan, about your next fight.

Jessica: I cannot wait to be part of something special, to show how much women's MMA has progressed, an opportunity to show how much I have progressed, and hopefully to fuel more positive feelings for all those in Japan that look forward to the day we can have more mixed international completion at the highest levels. I promise to do right for women's MMA!!!!

Bellator 46 Jessica "Jag" Aguilar vs Carla Esparza

Jessica Aguilar Official Web

Big thanks to Tony Loiseleur (Sherdog) for English editing.

BEST fight style at lighter weight?

2011-06-02T23:27:00.001+09:00

MMA looks differ when weight class isn't same.But how?

MMA always looks different when the smaller weight classes are involved. But why?

Speed? Yes, but it's not only that.

This past New Year's Eve, there was an upset on the local Japanese scene. Pancrase bantamweight champion Manabu Inoue, one of the SRC Asia tournament favorites, lost to ZST's Shunichi Shimizu.

Manabu Inoue is known for his takedowns and immobilizing opponents, but Shimizu succeeded in sweeping, changing position and continuously attacking Inoue.

ZST, as an organization, has strongly and silently recommended and preached an aggressive style of chain-grappling to its fighters. Because it has rules that mostly prohibit ground-and-pound, ZST has developed a different type of fighters from other Japanese organizations. It doesn't work well for the upper weight classes, but think about Masanori Kanehara's run in Sengoku, or some of Masakazu Imanari's big wins; it's beneficial for lighter-weight fighters.

I'm not saying diversity of rules is always a good thing, but I can say that I enjoy fighters who developed under different rulesets.

In heavier-weight fights, position changes and sweeps are rare, because opponents are heavier, but also because there is less space to move arms, legs and bodies, which are more thickly muscles.

In this way, weight classes and body frames greatly impact fights. Sadly, there's less talk about these difference. People always talk about reach advantages, but how about the benefit of muscularity? We need to consider this kind of thing, too.

Recently, the smaller weights like featherweight and bantamweight have had two strong teams: one is Nova Uniao, the other is Team Alpha Male. The latter is known for scrambling and positional changes. Whether east or west, weight classes and rulesets continue to impact fights, and in many ways we often don't consider.

Big thanks to Jordan Breen (write for Sherdog) for English and editing.

Breakdown of Morango vs Escudero at Tachi Palace Fights 9

2011-05-14T02:38:00.001+09:00

I wrote about Efrain Escudero's knockout of Cole Miller on this blog. Read it if you haven't yet.

Breakdown of Escudero vs Miller at UFC 103

I recommend you watch Escudero-Miller, then watch Camoes-Escudero.

Fight Video of "Morango" Cameos vs Escudero by Sherdog

Escudero is waiting to counter Morango, and Morango notices it. So, he uses different strikes than Miller did. He uses hooks, compared to Miller's mostly straight punches. Why? It's harder to counter. It is harder to track the course of a hook. A cross is easier to watch and recognize once you recognize the distance.

Morango notices that when he strikes, Escudero aims to counter, so he went with hook combinations, clinched up, or stepped back after his strikes to end the exchange.

Morango was very aware of Escudero's game in other ways. He also forced clinches and went for takedowns early on, having success with both, as Escudero was so focused on counterpunching he couldn't respond. Escudero was always looking to counter, whereas Morango used punches to set up his takedowns. That made Escudero think about what Morango was doing, and slowed down his own attack.

Big thanks to Jordan Breen (write for Sherdog) for English and editing.

Sneak into the Kick Boxing gym with Mr Luis Giraldo

2011-04-11T23:26:00.002+09:00

I got many mail for my SKILL MMA's mail address.I basically return mail if it's decent mail and not advertise.

I got mail from Mr Luis Giraldo who is Colombian American.He said he want train at Japanese Kick Boxing gym and want help to book it.

I book gym for him and guide him.(Of course I get paid from him for works)

He really get treat well at Silver Wolf and Shooto Boxing headquarter, Caesar Gym.

Let's watch interior of those gym and how he get teach personal from professional fighter.

Silver Wolf

Silver Wolf

K-1 fighter Yasuhito Shirasu and Luis Giraldo

Shooto Boxing Head Quarter "Caesar Gym"

Shooto Boxing Head Quarter "Caesar Gym"

Shooto Boxing Head Quarter "Caesar Gym"

Shooto Boxer Hiroki Shishido and Luis Giraldo

Shooto Boxer Hiroki Shishido and Luis Giraldo

Shooto Boxer Hiroki Shishido and Luis Giraldo

Shooto Boxer Hiroki Shishido and Luis Giraldo

For reference.

Luis paid 6000 yen for 1 hour personal training at Silver Wolf also he paid 2000 yen for 1day train at Shooto Boxing headquarter.Also he bought some merchandise.

Japan had hard time now.But I think it will be safer and foreign people will come back as sightseeing in near future.If you really interest at train at Japan.You can mail me.I can't guide by free but I research all kind of gyms and event at Japan.So I think I'm best person for it.

Big Thanks to Luis Giraldo, his Diana, Hiroki Shishido and Yasuhito Shirasu for cooperate.

Supplement to the Shooto Article "Inside Shooto's Scandal, Legacy and Future"

2011-04-01T12:22:00.000+09:00

"Inside Shooto's Scandal, Legacy and Future"

I helped Tony Loiseleur put this article together. It was praised by one of its sources, Noboru Asahi himself, on his blog.

I believe it is the best Japanese MMA article by a non-Japanese writer so far. It was detailed, timely, and had multi-dimensional perspective on Shooto's current situation and the Shooto community's fight for transparency.

Personally, I support transparency in organizations like Shooto, but before explaining why, I would first like to share the perspective of people on Taro Wakabayashi's side of the situation as a supplement to the article.

His brother, jiu-jitsu competitor Jiro Wakabayashi, said, "At least my brother has no cause to receive blame, but rather only suspicion. He worked so hard [for Shooto] and got a stroke because of it, but he doesn't seem any richer for it. 'What are the Shooto Association people doing?' I thought.

"Given [Taro's] personality, I think that he is someone who cannot work less, even if there's a chance it will make him ill. In a way, it's nice to have this type of problem.

"But I say to those who speak critically of him that you must acknowledge how strong my brother's work ethic is."

I read what many of Wakayabayashi's relatives thought on the Web, but this much aggression only seems to come from his brother Jiro. There is also support for him within the Paraestra group, of course, where Wakabayashi has a long history with the gyms and his gym mates.

Returning to the Shooto situation, however, it isn't good when one person receives absolute responsibility and power, according to Asahi. Asahi wants a more systematic approach to Shooto as well as an even distribution of responsibility and work amongst its community.

I personally believe this is the right step, but now is the time where he must back up his critiques. For example, amateur Shooto in Kyushu has recently received a bad reputation when it comes to organizing and running events. Given Asahi's proposals, however, even if the work is redistributed amongst the community there, poorly managed events can still happen. With Wakabayashi now removed, though, the structure of the system itself can be changed. An example of a viable plan would be to widen the lines of communication between the Shooto Association and local Shooto communities in regions like Kyushu; allowing the Association the ability to observe and offer suggestions and assistance in executing events. Since amateur Shooto in Kyushu has already failed when only one person controlled things, the Shooto community needs to think of new ways to manage regional operations beyond just redistributing the work amongst separate people.

On a related note, the media cannot run a promotion, so they sometimes feel unfairly ridiculed when they receive blame from promotions for reporting bad news. Sometimes, the media is responsible for unreasonable hysteria, however. Take the sensationalized international coverage of the Fukushima Nuclear reactors, for example. However, this does not mean that promoters and fighters can or should refuse to talk to the media.

Being transparent has more value than just doing publicity with the MMA media. I don't think every single figure and organization needs to be 100-percent open, but answering questions from relatives and the general public is critical.

For the sake of fairness, the media needs to improve their approach to covering and reporting, too; particularly in the MMA media. Rather than simply focusing on the reporting of bad news, the media should be active in covering events and people in MMA that elevate the sport and its community, as well as proposing and promoting ideas to that same end. In the past, the focus of the media on reporting "the sky is falling"-type news has generated tension between them and many MMA organizations. In Japan, it is difficult to maintain steady and open relationships with this kind of tension between parties, but openness is absolutely necessary if our society is to be elevated to a new level of understanding and cooperation.

Articles on SKILL MMA use a lot of book research, many of which you can see via my LibraryThing link. This kind of research is integral when you can't draw conclusions or make a sound judgment in a particular situation. In these instances, you need to examine and judge the sources of information behind the situation. There is no need to feel shame by having no knowledge. Nobody can come up with competent conclusions if they are not adequately informed first. After forming a conclusion or judgment, you will be tested and evaluated based on what source of information you have chosen. The most important determining factor in what you believe should depend on science or fact. You know that water will boil at 100-degrees centigrade. That's something that cannot be changed by emotion, blind faith, or superstition.

I believe that you can get the same kind of information from what official organizations can provide as information as well, but only if they believe in ideals such as cooperation and transparency.

Full disclosure of information along with transparency will elevate all of us, and bring us to a point where we can have a fresh start.

Big thanks to Robert Sargent (editor of MMARising.com) and Tony Loiseleur (Sherdog) for English editing.

Let's get physical

2011-03-08T02:32:00.004+09:00

Top Japanese talent continues to struggle fighting in the United States, except one.

Yushin Okami: why has he succeeded where others have not?

I think there are several reasons that Okami has had this kind of success, but I want to focus on one thing: quite simply, too many Japanese fighters overlook the physical aspect of the game.

I think there's a cultural difference between Japanese and western athletes, but there's also genetic differences. Take for example, Jon Entine's "Taboo: Why Black Athletes Dominate Sports and Why We're Afraid to Talk About It" as just one work that explains the difference across race when it comes to sports and potential success.

Okami is known for his power. When you watch his fights, you can hear his opponents tell their corners between rounds that he's too strong to handle. It's not surprising that Okami has focused on his physical strength, employing strength coach Yuya Igarashi since he was 26. It's rare for a young Japanese fighter to start emphasizing physical training so early on.

Okami doesn't believe Japanese are genetically weak, saying that the Japanese can compete in sports like powerlifting at the world level. However, there are many fighters who feel that way. I don't want to say that Okami is winning only because of strength and conditioning -- that's not it -- but I want to get rid of Japanese fighters making excuses about not being able to physically excel.

"Japanese fighters should try to evolve their skills; we don't have the genetics to get better physically." These thoughts are rampant in Japanese MMA. Many fighters try to compensate by overtraining. For example, former Deep champion and Pride veteran Nobuhiro Obiya took a year off after losing to Kazunori Yokota. He'd essentially overtraining and hurt his back. He needed the time off to heal his cervical vertebrae.

There are physical trainers for MMA purposes in Japan, but compared to the U.S., they're still far behind in terms of knowledge. MMA fighters need to physically experiment with their bodies and learn what works best, but they lack the knowledge. For example, many fighters still feel it's a risk to try to cut weight, fearing adverse effects or injury. As a result, there are still tons of Japanese fighters fighting in the wrong weight class even at the highest level.

This is the severe truth. If Japanese MMA doesn't correct it, fighters will face the savage results. However, there is hope. If somehow, Yushin Okami could earn a major title, it would be a huge statement about what's possible for Japanese fighters and how to achieve it.

Big thanks to Jordan Breen (write for Sherdog) for English and editing.

Japanese MMA scene Fighter to watch out 2011

2011-01-27T01:35:00.004+09:00

I do same thing as 2010.Who going to get attention? I don't make major list cause it's almost same as last year.You need attention Omigawa,Hioki,Sandro,Kanehara,Kikuno,Parky,Jung,Maxi as last year.(Kanehara and Jung's career in tough situation though)

If SRC do Bantam weight world grand prix.I think it will be interesting. It depend on what talent they bring,but think about how there Feather weight grand prix turn out and they seems to have at least one top ten Bantam weight. (Masakatsu Ueda　(Paraestra Tokyo))

Who is up and comer at local level.

Let's make a list.

from local

Yuta "Uruka" Sasaki (Wajyutsu Keisyukai Suruga Dojo).
Trained by Kenichi Serizawa who is referee.Have great sense of grapple at young age.Won Shooto rookie tourny and will participate March's Shooto.Of course need time for major even he grow fast.

Battle for flyweight.

Pancrase have Kiyotaka Shimizu 　(SK Absolute) as a champ.
ZST clowned Ryosuke Tanuma　(Reversal Gym Yokohama Groundslam) as a champ.

DEEP recently started division.Guy like Hirotaka Miyakawa (Alliance Square) fought at that weight.But I want give attention Yusaku Nakamura (Style) who fought at Bantam weight expected to drop.Who looking good at three fight fighter.

Of course Shooto have longest history at that division.But recently match making are limited for them.So I want cross over match ups for Shooto's that division.

I can see fight for top of division get tougher.Jussier, Urushitani and Mamoru rank is still higher, but may they will get challenged.

Rambaa "M16" Somdet (M16 Muay Thai Style) vs Junji "Sarumaru" Ito (Shooting Gym Yokohama)
First most significant fight for minimum weight.After flyweight developed.Minimum weight (or Straw weight) is the last place for new weight division for Men's MMA.

Junji "Sarumaru" Ito

Female prospect improvement.

Last year have many prospect for Japanese female MMA.Crops are become more significant when they got title.(Ayaka Hamasaki (AACC),Rin Nakai (Shooto Dojo Shikoku))

SKILL MMA : Japanese MMA scene Fighter to watch out

Fundamentals

2011-01-07T11:21:00.003+09:00

Generally speaking, when people discuss MMA, they talk about the basics: a fighter’s conditioning, mentality, striking or grappling skills.

But these are only the fundamentals. Of course, these things do affect fights, but I’m often dubious of people who think that one fundamental can dictate the outcome of a fight.

One fundamental affects the others, and the relationship between fundamentals differs depending upon the combination.

For instance, a fighter needs good instincts for exchanging strikes. They can’t pause to think and then trade; those two need to happen simultaneously.

Looking at it this way, one begins to understand that having instincts and thinking are two different things, and that both can affect a fight. There is a structure to how the brain works that can’t be ignored.

Similarly, how you think of the game’s fundamentals can change how you view the game.

MMA is, by definition, a fusion of skills from various martial arts. Applying what I said above as a premise, you can see how different people view and talk about MMA differently.

Basically, when new ideas are introduced to MMA, they’re hard for some to recognize or understand. But, in both life and MMA, new ideas are born from old ideas.

In this way, even when I write about MMA that people have never heard of, it’s still easy to understand.

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/shiroobi/yourlibrary
I read books to get new ideas.

There’s no wrong metaphor that can be used to explain MMA.
What I recommend when trying to explain MMA is to apply ideas from other sports.

But importing ideas directly from other sports can be a bad idea, too.

For instance, I thought Marlon Sandro beat Michihiro Omigawa in their 2009 Sengoku fight. However, many Japanese fans, as well as MMA professionals, felt differently, because they thought that Omigawa had tilted the balance by landing several power shots. In their eyes, that was an important factor.

I don’t agree with their view, but I still think that kind of opposing viewpoint is necessary. MMA isn’t boxing. MMA uses smaller gloves, so I think the importance of power shots must be different.

In a bigger concept, I can apply the same explanation to other sports.

In sports, various skills -- such as the physical aspect, technique, strategy -- carry different levels of importance.
As a beginner, the focus is on the physical. As a mature competitor, the latter two gain more importance.

You can reach these ideas without thinking and making fantasy in your mind. I’m really bored with MMA articles that talk about the writer’s fantasy, so here, I write about method.

Big thanks to Chris Nelson (write for Sherdog) for English and editing.

Japanese MMA referee list

2010-11-15T05:41:00.005+09:00

People have really started to pay attention to referees recently, so I made a list of Japanese MMA referees.

I won't critique these referees here, but knowing the background of these officials should help create a greater interest in the third man in the ring or the cage, especially in Japan, where many fans don't know the individual officials.

Dream

Yuji Shimada: A famous referee since the Pride era, who gets booed when he's introduced (because of his pro-wrestling character). He runs his own gym, BCG, in Hamamatsucho, Tokyo.

BCG Official Web

Daisuke Noguchi: Noguchi also belongs to Yuji Shimada's BCG gym.

Ryogaku Wada: Wada started his career with UWF International, a shoot-style pro-wrestling organization, eventually moving to Rings. He made the Rings King of Kings rules, as well as ZST's official rules. He's also a personal physical trainer; Akihiro Gono, Eiji Mitsuoka, Hideo Tokoro and Kazuyuki Fujita have trained under him.

Minoru Toyonaga: Toyonaga started a pro-wrestler in Kingdom, eventually becoming a Pancrase 1999 Neo-Blood Tournament finalist and a Pride veteran. He founded the martial arts school Try.

Moritaka Oshiro: Oshiro started his career within Kingdom, eventually moving to Kenichi Yamamoto's Power of Dream gym, where Hideo Tokoro started his career. He founded and leads the gym Core in Kamata, Tokyo.

Shooto

Toshiharu Suzuki: For a long time, Suzuki was Shooto's only referee.

Taro Wakabasyshi: Wakabayashi started his career in Rings and eventually was an event coordinator with K-1, but those were short periods in his career. He is known for being a Shooto referee and being a founding member of the Paraestra gym network, with Yuki Nakai. His greatest contribution is the development of Shooto's amateur system, creating a system in which amateur Shooto is contested in every city and prefecture in Japan.

Pancrase

Kenichi Serizawa: The leader of Wajutsu Keishukai Surugua Dojo in Numazu, Shizuoka. In his fighting career, Serizawa actually challenged for the welterweight King of Pancrase title against Kiuma Kunioku. He has recently come out of retirement and started to fight again.

Ryogaku Wada: See above.

Kenji Kosuge: A former amateur wrestler and judoka, Kosuge debuted as a Pancrase referee in 1995.

Yoshifumi Oyabu: Oyabu fought in amateur Pancrase events before becoming a referee for the promotion in 2004.

Tomoki Matsumiya: A Kokushikan University alum, Matsumiya studied sports systems and rules as a graduate student. He believes MMA should have two basic rules sets: MMA, the fusion of martial arts and vale tudo, a real 'fight' with less restrictions and.

Samio Kimura: Kimura is the head of the CMA Ikusa Gym. CMA is an MMA management company who also rents rings and cages. The company is led by Hidekatsu Morooka; CMA Korea is part of this company. Japanese event Gladiator in run by CMA, as well.

Yoshinori "Chiba" Umeki: Umeki originally wanted to be a Pancrase fighter, but in 1995, he suffered a head injury and had to abandon his fight career. He debuted as a referee in 1996. He's the head of Pancrase's official gym, P's Lab Tokyo, and is responsible for the development of the fighters from the gym. He became famous for being the third man in the ring for the Kazushi Sakuraba-Yoshihiro Akiyama incident. He is Sengoku Raiden Championship's chief referee. He has recently taken on the stage name "Yoshinori Chiba".

Big thanks to Jordan Breen (from Sherdog) for English and editing.

Female MMA History

2010-10-21T16:52:00.008+09:00

MMA has history. It’s not a very long history, and it’s constantly changing, so sometimes people don’t think it’s important, but I think examining the sport’s history is essential to understanding its present and future.

There hasn’t been much written on the history of female MMA. Here, I’ve attempted to construct a history, pieced together with all the information I could research. Most of the information comes from Japanese sources, so the history must be slightly Japanized. But, this was a piece that needed writing, so I’ve written it to the best of my abilities. If you have the will and knowledge to write something similar, please write it.

Japanese women’s MMA has its roots in female pro wrestling. In 2010, you can still find many current and ex-pro wrestlers competing in Japanese women’s promotions like Jewels and Valkyrie. The thin female scene has also acquired much of its talent from kickboxing. I don’t judge those fighters by their backgrounds, but I do think elite martial artists are a special breed. Martial artists who convert from other disciplines only truly shine against stiff competition, and the Japanese female MMA scene isn’t at that level yet, aside from a handful of top-tier fighters.

Female MMA in Japan began when the promotion Ladies Legend Pro Wrestling (LLPW) started its “shoot fighting” Ultimate L-1 Challenge tournament in 1995. The first L-1 tourney was ruled by Svetlana Goundarenko, a Russian Olympic judoka who tipped the scales at 150kg (330 lbs.).

After a few shows, LLPW discontinued its experiment, but in that era, female pro wrestling orgs couldn’t ignore MMA. Therefore, Neo Women’s Pro Wrestling started an event named ReMix in 2000.

The first ReMix World Cup offered a huge bonus of $100,000 to the tournament winner. That type of money had never before been offered in female MMA, so many foreign fighters came to participate in the events, including current stars like Marloes Coenen and Erin Toughill.

L-1 ruler Goundarenko also took part in the tournament since, like men’s MMA, there were no weight classes in the early stages. One would think that the heavier fighter would have an advantage, but Goundarenko lost in the tournament semifinals to 60kg (132 lbs.) fighter Megumi Yabushita. How? ReMix rules prohibited ground-and-pound, and featured a 20 second time limitation for ground fighting. Yabushita was able to avoid Goundarenko’s submission game with the turtle position, and Goundarenko’s stamina proved to be less than impressive, having competed in Olympic judo at 72kg (158 lbs.). So, Yabushita outstruck the Russian with low kicks, and then tried to take down the gassed Goundarenko. After this bout, female MMA began to favor small-but-athletic fighters over heavyweight fighters. Of course, there aren’t many heavyweight female competitors anyway, compared to the number in men’s MMA.

Neo recognized that it couldn’t continue to hand out the huge cash bonus which drew many competitors to the ReMix tournament, and therefore made a new brand for female MMA.

From 2001 to 2008, Japanese women’s MMA was ruled by one promotion: Smackgirl. Founded by Neo Women’s Pro Wrestling head Daiki Shinosaki, Smackgirl operated with a limited rule set, prohibiting ground-and-pound and setting a 30-second time limit for ground work. The ground limitation was eventually lifted in 2007, but it stunted the level of skill improvement in the early stages of women’s MMA. Still, Smackgirl was the only all-female MMA organization in the world to continuously hold events; therefore, almost all of the day’s well-known female fighters passed through the Smackgirl ring.

Koichiro Kimura is the man who developed the ground rules for women’s MMA in Japan. He started an event separate from Smackgirl, named AX. It would run for less than one year, but AX did host some crucial matches. Early on, Smackgirl’s Ikuma Hoshino was considered the Japanese female fighting ace. However, Hoshino lost to Yuka Tsuji via armbar at AX’s second event. It was Tsuji’s first fight, and Hoshino’s first loss.

Tsuji would prove to be Japan’s first elite female fighter, notching 22 wins between 2001 and 2009. Her only loss in that period came at the hands of Ana Michelle Tavares in July 2003, and that memory was erased when Tsuji won a rematch via first-round TKO in September 2009.

Yuka Tsuji

Tsuji’s loss to Tavares took place in Deep, and set a new standard for local Japanese MMA promotions, who began mixing female fights into previously male-only cards. Also during that period, a new rookie beat Tavares and assumed Tsuji’s position at Japan’s female ace. Her name was Megumi Fujii.

After dissolving AX, Koichiro Kimura continued trying to promote female MMA events. He worked with Shooto to start G-Shooto, which opened doors for female fighters to participate in the world’s longest-running and most sporting MMA promotion. Despite Shooto’s reputation for churning out top fighters, G-Shooto never reached its potential, running for just two years before folding.

It was in G-Shooto that Megumi Fujii became the first fighter to defeat Tavares. Fujii was known for her participation in sambo and BJJ competitions, and did not debut in MMA until the age of 30.

Megumi Fujii

If you’ve watched local female MMA in Japan, you’ve probably realized that the lower tier of female fighters is simply not well-trained. It’s no great secret. Male MMA fighters often point to this fact when asked why they refuse to treat female competitors as equals.

Fujii was the opposite of that stereotype. She told her students, “we need to be well-trained in order to not be looked down at by males.”

In December 2004, lightweight fighter Takumi Yano refused to participate in a Pancrase event. His reasoning? Yano had a philosophy about female fights, and therefore would not take part in a card which involved female fighters.

Pancrase, itself an offshoot of professional wrestling, began holding female fights in 2004 under the specially devised “Pancrase Athena” division. The rules consisted of three-minute rounds (as opposed to the standard mens’ five), but did allow for ground-and-pound.

Pancrase began cooperating with the All-Japan Kickboxing Federation (AJKF), bringing in kickboxing converts such as “Windy” Tomomi Sunaba. However, the Athena division had only one true prospect, and that was Hisae Watanabe.

Watanabe made her debut with Smackgirl in 2002. She lost to rival Satoko Shinashi in the 2002 Smackgirl tournament, but audiences were interested in Watanabe because of her “gal” style.

Watanabe’s weak area was on the ground, so she began working out at Gutsman Shooto Dojo and cross-training with male fighters to develop her submission game.

In 2006, at Deep’s 25 Impact, a rematch between Watanabe and Shinashi drew huge attention in the Japanese MMA scene. Four years after their initial meeting, Watanabe outgrappled Shinashi and scored a huge first-round knockout win. Until that point, elite Japanese female fighters had been mostly dependent on submission styles. This type of striking and grappling fusion at a high level was really a first for Japanese female fighters.

However, Watanabe would lose her next match to Seo Hee Ham, a South Korean kickboxing convert with a background in Sanshou. Watanabe showed confidence in her striking, but Ham still outstruck her. Watanabe tried to work her newly-developed ground game, but that wasn’t enough to finish Ham either, and the Korean debutante eventually took a two-round unanimous decision.

Seo Hee Ham

Ham made her name in the Watanabe fight, but her grappling game was not strong enough to hang with Japan’s elite female fighters. She would lose bouts to both Fujii and Tsuji after being outgrappled. Immediately after her win over Watanabe, Ham also lost to a young up-and-comer named Miku Matsumoto.

Hailing from Toyama, Matsumoto was not well-known in Tokyo, since half of her early fights were held in her hometown. She also didn’t participate in Smackgirl, which drew the most attention from women’s MMA fans at the time, being female-only.

Matsumoto became known following a controversial loss to Carina Damm wherein the Brazilian scored an armbar submission, secured in part by grabbing Matsumoto’s glove. Deep promoter Shigeru Saeki -- who sent Matsumoto to the fight in the now-defunct promotion MARS -- got angry and demanded a rematch from the organization’s head, Yuki Amano. One month later, Miku beat Damm by unanimous decision.

Matsumoto’s next fight would be a submission loss to Lisa Ward in Smackgirl. Afterward, Miku said Ward was on a “different level” from herself. This loss drove Matsumoto to become a more complete fighter.

Matsumoto went on to claim the Deep title by outstriking the striker Watanabe to a majority decision in August 2007. Matsumoto showed a technical prowess and brutal knockout power which is rarely seen in female MMA. In August 2008, having armbarred Misaki Takimoto in three previous meetings, Matsumoto knocked Takimoto out with vicious kicks to the body. Six months later, she destroyed Nicdali Calanoc in 21 seconds with similarly nasty knees from the Thai clinch. Matsumoto was not only showing a new level of striking in female MMA, but simultaneously building a viral video fanbase.

Putting her Deep belt on the line, Miku rematched Lisa Ward in front of a supportive hometown crowd in June 2009. This time, Matsumoto totally outgrappled Ward, eventually submitting her via armbar in the third round.

After this, many fans called for Matsumoto to fight Fujii, since they were now considered the top two pound-for-pound female fighters in Japan. Miku intended to fight Fujii, but Fujii changed weight classes and Matsumoto made a sudden decision to retire. Matsumoto didn’t explain to fans why she chose to retire, stating only that there was nothing left for her. However, she said, if there was enough money for top-tier female mixed martial artists, she might return someday.

On April 17, 2010, Fujii and Matsumoto took part in a special exhibition match at Deep’s 47 Impact, after which Miku relinquished her title and retired. Near the same time, Fujii took her act stateside and began participating in Bellator Fighting Championships’ 115-pound women’s tournament.

When Smackgirl folded in 2008 due to financial issues, it gave way to two separate all-female organizations: Jewels and Valkyrie. The result has been a diluted talent pool too shallow to support either organization.

The separate promotions created a horrible situation. A few years before, every female MMA fan thought of a dream match between Meguji Fujii and Yuka Tsuji; now, it was prevented from happening by organizational politics. (Fujii worked with Deep-affiliated Jewels early on, while Tsuji sided with the Greatest Common Multiple-ran Valkyrie.) It’s unacceptable for fights like this not to materialize because of political reasons. Female MMA doesn’t have an endless supply of fighters to help boost popularity. With such a small amount of quality fighters, organizations simply can’t afford to avoid these matchups.

Still, today’s local female MMA scene is the best ever. There are more prospects than ever before, with fighters like Rin Nakai, Hiroko Yamanaka, Ayaka Hamasaki and Sakura Nomura all steadily rising in the ranks. I can say that more real talent with all-around MMA knowledge will continue to rise up, both locally and in the world.

Ayaka Hamasaki

Hiroko Yamanaka

Rin Nakai

With the American MMA market expanding in the post-TUF era, the women’s MMA market in the U.S. has also grown. With Strikeforce creating major women’s titles, female fighters are receiving more attention than ever before.

At first, the stateside scene didn’t get much attention at all, since there was no stable organization holding all-female MMA events. Some investors tried to develop a female MMA scene after watching the success of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Internet casino owner Calvin Ayre started bringing elite female competitors onto his BodogFight events, including Tara LaRosa, Amanda Buckner, Hitomi Akano and Shayna Baszler. While it made many dream matchups possible, the events were mostly held outside of the U.S. market and didn’t generate much attention.

After BodogFight, fans saw two fighters as sitting atop the women’s 60kg (132-pound) division: Tara LaRosa and Amanda Bucker. (No, I didn’t forget Laura D’Auguste, but she chose not to continue her career.) In April 2008, one Japanese fighter beat Buckner and shook up that situation. Her name was Takayo Hashi.

Hashi had won the Smackgirl title against Hitomi Akano, and although that was a sound accomplishment, Hashi was not considered among the super elite. Hashi went in underweight against Buckner, but outstruck the American with superior kickboxing technique.

I’m not sure if I need to explain Gina Carano to visitors of this website, so I’ll just talk about the basics. Carano was known for her charm and beauty, and gained great popularity on MMA forums. She fought for EliteXC and became something of an idol, maintaining an unbeaten record while beating mostly undersized opponents.

Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos was first known for being the wife of Pride veteran Evangelisa “Cyborg” Santos, but she became known as the first female fighter to combine a stunning physique with actual striking skills. Her impressive early performances against the likes of Baszler and Yoko Takahashi gave people the idea of “Cyborg” vs. Carano.

In 2009, Strikeforce purchased EliteXC’s assets and held a 145-pound female championship bout between Santos and Carano. It was the first female title fight to be held within a major MMA organization.

“Cyborg” used her physical strength to put Carano down and pound her out. Watching Santos’ power, people couldn’t help but think that a new generation of athlete had entered female MMA.

After the event’s success, Strikeforce started a second women’s title division at 135 pounds, where Sarah Kaufman became champion. “Cyborg” and Kaufman were seen as the new evolution of female fighters.

Because of the money and attention available there in the early days of MMA, most elite female fighters have fights in Japan on their records. Roxanne Modafferi, on the other hand, always had ambitions to live and fight in Japan.

Roxanne is known as an optimistic character, so she’s gained a lot of support from fans and those around her. She started in Japan teaching English at a private school, or eikawa.

Modafferi continued to evolve as a fighter with support from her Wajyutsu Keishukai teammate, Ryan Bow, and his Kaminari Dojo people. Despite always having a popular online presence, her first real fan attention came after the 2007 K-Grace tournament.

The eight-woman K-Grace tournament was held by Japanese sports newspaper (or tabloid) Naitai Sports on May 27, 2007, and carried a $10,000 bonus for the winner. It was there that Modafferi beat Megumi Yabushita in the semifinals, then went on to defeat Marloes Coenen by a close decision in the final round. Coenen knocked Modafferi down in the first round, but Modafferi took the Dutchwoman down in the second and worked her ground-and-pound, avoiding Coenen’s armbar attempts.

Coenen had a tough time at 66kg (145 lbs.), losing a unanimous decision to the debuting Cindy Dandois in January 2009. However, Coenen signed with Strikeforce and, in November of that year, took her revenge on Modafferi with a first-round armbar submission. She next stepped up to face the champion “Cyborg,” but couldn’t handle Santos’ striking and physical pressure and, like many others, was TKO’d.

In October 2010, 10 years after winning the first ReMix tourney, Coenen dropped to 135 pounds and armbarred Sarah Kaufman to take the Strikeforce title.

It was this nice coincidence and timing which made me think it was a good time to look back at female MMA history. In 10 years, we’ve confirmed that actual divisions can develop when elite fighters face one another often enough, such as in Strikeforce and Bellator. Having finally jumped that hurdle, female MMA can look forward to having even greater success.

Big thanks to Chris Nelson (write for Bloody Elbow and Sherdog) for English and editing.

Martial Arts's spread and MMA

2010-09-19T13:52:00.001+09:00

How has MMA grown as a sport? When it started, the sport was a mix of unorganized fighters from different backgrounds. Now, MMA has evolved, and fighters have started their own gyms and teach "MMA" itself. Children learning "MMA" from a young age has become an ordinary thing in this generation.

But, is that the best way to start an MMA career? I don't think your IQ is the most important part of MMA, but I do think it's beneficial for fighters to at least dedicate themselves to high school.

As a child or a teenager, the body is a lot weaker than an adult male, so trainers have to take care of the health of their younger pupils. There are chances for more serious injury, or even death, if you're training when you're young. That's true even with stick-and-ball sports, and we all know there are greater risks associating with fightsport.

So, it's not a surprise that martial arts has tried to resolve these issues long before MMA. That's why judo teaches ukemi first, and why judo and jiu-jitsu both teach students to tap out.

Wikipedia Ukemi

Some evaluate gyms and dojos by how effectively they instil discipline in children. That's not wrong, but self-defense is important for education. Education isn't discussed a lot, but it's necessary. Athletes need to find stable ways to grow up as fighters, and mature as people. Gyms need to learn to cope with this, as the development of their young students is directly connected to that gym's reputation.

Gyms and dojos aren't regulated by government or commissions, only by the owners and trainers. However, giving MMA strong, rich diversity is dependent on having trainers who, from a young age, can mold adolescents into well-rounded, mature adult athletes. Even if it's not a flashy topic, this kind of knowledge and relationship with trainers is crucial.

Big thanks to Jordan Breen (from Sherdog) for English and editing.

More official DEEP 50 card coming

2010-09-08T16:54:00.001+09:00

Today DEEP 50 announce new match ups.As expected from E-plus's unintentional match ups.Many match up become reality.Here it is.Chonan's match up change from Yoshiyuki Yoshida to Jung Hwan Cha.Other than that,same as E-plus list.At least for now.

Yuya Shirai vs Shigetoshi Iwase (WW Title)
Takafumi Otsuka vs Yoshiro Maeda

Takafumi Otsuka

Ryo Chonan vs Jung Hwan Cha
Shoji Maruyama vs Tatsunao Nagakura
Hidetaka Monma vs Yoshihisa Yamamoto
Ryuta Noji vs Hiroshi Nagao
Isao Terada vs Yoshiki Harada

participate Sanae Kikuta, Katsunori Kikuno

How many match ups become truth at DEEP 50's unintentional match making introduce?

2010-08-29T08:06:00.002+09:00

Yesterday I introduce DEEP 50's match making from E-Plus.It introduce by many major MMA web and had a massive interest.I need edit post cause E-Plus withdraw card they announced online and said we have wrong announcement.

So I need explain how much we can trust those information.

I basically think those card are planned but not official yet.So if there is reason to avoid match ups those can change.Saeki said he plan 13 to 14 fights so mathematically E-plus match ups have more than 14 match ups if they doing all those fight plus making match for participants fighters.We should think some of those fight just seeking possibility at now.

Ryo Chonan said on his twitter,"(Watching E-Plus list)There is many card undecided yet.My one too." Since Yoshiyuki Yoshida had fight at Bellator before DEEP 50's event day.That's not really surprises me.

Shiya Aoki said at magazine "I have high priority on participate DEEP's commemorate event.But if my high salary effect event's profit,I need think about that part."Aoki thinks he want to be part of this event,but his high salary and his potential match ups at Dream 16 is risk for him to participate event.

Kuniyoshi Hironaka said on his twitter "Yoshihisa Yamamoto come to train at my gym.He have fight at October, same as mine" I feel this remark secure Yamamoto at least participate this event.How about you?

DEEP already officially announce some of match ups and participants.

Yuya Shirai vs Shigetoshi Iwase (WW Title)
Takafumi Otsuka vs Yoshiro Maeda

participate Katsunori Kikuno,Ryo Chonan,Sanae Kikuta

You are sure about what is already official now.It's rare to see plan match ups leaked in Japan.So you can enjoy how much those match ups can be official.

Trivia
1 : Hiroshi Nagao is former pro wrestler fight for event "Hustle" as ring name "Giant Babo".His debut for MMA if it will happen.

2 : There is plan other guy debut MMA at E-plus list (I'm just forget cause after I introduce E-plus list to western world.Too many response to handle.)Katsuaki Furuki will debut if list is true.He is former NPB professional baseball player.He doing MMA training since December 2009.

Bloody Elbow : Tentative Mega-Card for DEEP's 10th Anniversary Show Includes Shinya Aoki, Minowaman

MMA Fighting : Shinya Aoki, Ikuhisa Minowa, Kazuo Misaki, Ryo Chonan and More Planned for Deep 50

Head Kick Legend : Shiroobi of SkillMMA is reporting that DEEP has announced several bouts

DEEP 50 Impact card take shape

2010-08-28T11:39:00.010+09:00

note (must read): DEEP 50 card announced by web ticketing services.But after many people spread information,They just change to we have wrong announce.Currently ticketing web just show us Takafumi Otsuka vs Yoshiro Maeda and participant Kikuno, Chonan, Kikuta.But I guess they did mistake introduce fight they don't want at now.Cause Shirai vs Iwase's title fight is already confirm by Saeki.We will see what is truth in near future.

October 24 DEEP celebrate own 10th anniversary with own bigger card at Tokyo JCB Hall.Here is card introduce by ticketing service.

Katsunori Kikuno

Katsunori Kikuno vs Nobuhiro Obiya (LW Title)
Yuya Shirai vs Shigetoshi Iwase (WW Title)
Shinya Aoki vs TBA
Sanae Kikuta vs TBA
Ikuhisa Minowa vs TBA
Takafumi Otsuka vs Yoshiro Maeda
Ryo Chonan vs Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Toshikazu "ISE" Iseno vs Won Sik "Parky" Park
Kazuo Misaki vs Akira Shoji
Daiki "DJ Taiki" Hata vs Tomomi "Taisho" Iwama
Shoji Maruyama vs Tatsunao Nagakura
Hidetaka Monma vs Yoshihisa Yamamoto
Isao Terada vs Yoshiki Harada
Ryuta Noji vs Hiroshi Nagao

participate Kazunori Yokota,Yoshiyuki Nakanishi,Jutaro Nakao,Syunsuke Inoue,Hiromitsu Kanehara,Hisae Watanabe,Seigo Mizuguchi

DEEP org's head Shigeru Saeki said DEEP 50's card will around 13 to 14 fight.So I can imagine some plan card won't happen.

Japanese MMA Stream list

2010-08-13T23:38:00.000+09:00

Stream is new media for live streaming.MMA organization start to using that.It's small list,but I will add new channel if other organization add own channnel.

FEG Official Ustream (Dream and K-1)

Pancrase Official Ustream

GCM Official Ustream (Cage Force and Valkyrie)

Nihon Shooto Kyokai Twitcast (Amateur Shooto)

M-1 Global Japan Ustream

Traceability in MMA

2010-08-03T02:49:00.001+09:00

Traceability is important for breakdown what's happen in the fight.Chris Nelson (from Bloody Elbow) find interesting concept web.So I introduce that web.

MMA Decisions

It include comprehend judge card list of UFC event.You can find how judge's tendency in the card.I hope they improve add other major event's judge, match to major MMA web's score card.

I hope this web add math to indicate more tendency to audience.But we should give props to the people who built new data base for the web.

Fight Metric

I think you can think more about judges decision with this MMA Decisions and Fight Metric.

Clouds Of Childishness

2010-07-29T21:28:00.000+09:00

In the past, I wrote about the supremacy of Lyoto Machida's karate. He then lost immediately.

Does that mean what I thought was wrong? I say yes and no.

Karate fighters know better how to create length with their kicks. But Shogun is not heavily reliant on his boxing skill; he has tremendous kicks, and was able to outkick Lyoto. Lyoto couldn't use his counters and hand work because he got stopped by Shogun's kicks.

Also, Lyoto has great clinchwork and he has the ability to determine the distance of a fight. However, Shogun has the strongest clinchwork in the light heavyweight division and was able to take that part of Lyoto's game away.

I still believe diversity is the major charm of the sport, but single martial arts can't win in MMA, and I underrated that aspect. But, karate will remain an important skill for effective MMA because of what Lyoto was able to do with his particular skillset. How to adapt a fighter's background skills to MMA is important, but it will remain an interesting theme to watch how these fighters show off their backgrounds.

I do think that there's a huge value to people who understand MMA and can try to predict the sport by evaluating fighters' skills and fundamentals. However, MMA can't be broken down by theory.

For instance, takedowns and judo throws are completely different skills, but their goal is the same: to take the opponent to the ground. There are different ways to take fighters down, knock them out, to submit them. Considering what kinds of skills comes from what martial arts and what foundations can make this sport's discourse much richer. The more exotic skills of fighters can't be judged by the most common analysis, yet, those skills will determine the new generation of fighters and contenders.

People in MMA claim that MMA itself is the almighty fighting skill. However, MMA can't run from other martial arts and their impact. Their effect will change MMA and for the better. MMA charms people with the whole package -- the idea that a fighter has all the skills necessary to win a fight -- so people want to draw the insane conclusion that MMA itself has all the answers about fighting. In order to not sound ridiculous, you need to be conscious where different elements of MMA come from and how they impact the sport.

MMA is notorious for this kind of behavior, though. It's childish, but then again, MMA has always had a immature essence going back to the style versus style days. That kind of argumentative childishness is in all of us, whether we're conscious of it or not.

If you want to watch my childishness, look at my Twitter.

Big thanks to Jordan Breen (from Sherdog) for English and editing.

Kazuyuki Miyata's Reaction to HDNet K-1 Commentary

2010-07-27T11:14:00.007+09:00

On July 23, HDnet's North American broadcast of July 5's K-1 Max 2010 contained frank and critical commentary from Michael Schiavello and FEG USA president Mike Kogan. This was covered by MMA media outlets like MMAFighting.com and BloodyElbow.com.

A Refreshing Piece of Candor on a K-1 Broadcast

Honest Moments in Combat Sports Commentating: Michael Schiavello and Mike Kogan Do K-1 Edition by Bloody Elbow

Since then, Miyata seems to have found out about it and has reacted on his blog.

Kazuyuki Miyata's blog July/27/2010

Here is a translation of his reaction (note: he only names Mike Kogan in his blog entry):

"K-1 USA's commentary man Mike Kogan was insulting me.

"He knows me but he's still saying things like that? I have confidence at 63kg. Of course, I have confidence in K-1 too. I have many weapons. I can win with my body strength alone at that div. I'm so pissed off that I'll fight in the next K-1 as well. I'll even fight anybody.

"I really want to kick someone's ass. It's been a long time since I've felt that way."

Kazuyuki Miyata

My personal opinion is that Miyata should not be the one blamed by the commentators. I think Miyata is better at MMA and should be fighting in MMA. However, the reason he is doing K-1 is that he was offered a fight from the organization. Miyata probably found it difficult to decline since he has a long history and relationship with K-1 Hero's, which is the promotion that produced him and made him popular in Japan. However, the organization's responsibility should still be to make the best kickboxing-oriented matchups, and not a match pitting a boxer versus an MMA fighter.

Alas, why must we still be saying these kinds of things in 2010?

Big thanks to Tony Loiseleur (from Sherdog) for English editing.

SKILL MMA want English editor

2010-07-13T22:02:00.009+09:00

(Thanks for apply for English editing. We have English Editor now.But in future,if people leave from Editing Job I will accept new people who apply. So still I will apply editing.But you need sure I can't work with you immediately.)

SKILL MMA run by myself and sometime get help from Jordan Breen.That work really well.But I want edit my old work as better English.Jordan is basically busy so I want another people to make him work less (At new writing, I think I want get help from him though.).I can't pay money for work,but if you help this web and finish editing every old works web with quality,I will credit you as English editor and send you Japanese some MMA collectable(like pamphlet).I'm sure you can't get those thing at abroad.

I want quality as a work (I'm probably severe about it.Because I get help from professional daily.).So I want test translation quality.If you interest it, please send me as a mail of better English editing version of link below.It's famous Japanese MMA story.

Cult Martial Arts In MMA

Warning:I can't pay anything from English editing and this testing.I just say if I apply many of your English editing work to SKILL MMA,then I can give some my collectable.

(shiroobimma@gmail.com)

Japanese Kick Boxing / Muay Thai Scene Gym List

2010-07-01T11:52:00.030+09:00

This is Japanese Kick-boxing or Muay Thai version of gym list.I know this isn't comprehensive list.But I think it's still best list at English language.Kick Boxing / Muay Thai is not specialty on this web so please understand it.

I mention gym's official links,what prefecture they belong,what railway station is nearest and Notable Fighters .

Attention.Some of gyms really luck to have ability to welcome foreigner due to luck of language skill or just teacher's capacity to run gym.I think you better go gym get welcomed.So I think better ask it at phone before you go.

Silver Wolf Official (Tokyo Sangenjyaya)
Notable fighter "Masato" Kobayashi

Nagoya JK Factory Official (Aichi,Amagasaka)
Notable figher Yoshihiro Sato

Dragon Dojo Official (Tokyo,Machida)
Gym's head Kensaku Maeda
Notable figher Kyotaro,Daisuke Uematsu,Keiji Ozaki,Ryuji Kajiwara

Caesar Gym Official (Tokyo,Asakusa)
Notable Fighter Takaaki Umeno,Kenichi Ogata,Hiroki Shishido

Fujiwara Gym Official (Tokyo,Minowa)
Notable fighter Masahiro Yamamoto,Hisanori Maeda

Seishun Juku Official (Tokyo,Keiseiaoto)
Notable fighter Yuya Yamamoto,Naoki Ishikawa,Sakon Terada

Bungeling Bay Official (Tokyo,Ebisu)
Notable Fighter Hiroki Nakajima,Naoki Samukawa

Oikawa Dojo Official (Osaka,Chidoribashi)
Notable fighter Tomohiro Oikawa,Rena Kubota

M & J Kick Boxing Gym Official (Osaka, Nihonbashi)
Notable fighter Kizaemon Saiga

Taniyama Gym Official (Kanagawa,Isehara and Kanagawa,Sobudaimae)
Notable fighter Yasuhiro Kido

Try Hard Gym Official (Kanagawa,Kobuchi)
Notable fighter Hiroya Kawabe

Yamato Gym Official (Aichi,Kanayama)
Notable fighter Tetsuya Yamato

Oguni Gym Official (Tokyo,Ikebukuro)
Notable fighter "Tomonori" Sato,Takashi Yoneda

Weerasakreck Fairtex Muay Thai Gym (Tokyo,Mikawajima and Tokyo,Minowa and　Saitama,Warabi and Chiba Makuhari and Tokyo,Ochiaiminaminagasaki and Fukuoka,Shimoyamato and Tokyo,Higashiyamato and Chiba,Tennodai)
Notable fighter Wanrop Weerasakreck,Kuntap Weerasakreck,Kanongsuk Weerasakreck

Sugawara Dojo Official (Chiba,Aohori)
Notable fighter Yuji "Mad Fist" Takeuchi

DC Lab. Gym Official (Tokyo,Ebisu)
Notable fighter Yuta Kubo

Real Deal Official (Tokyo,Omori and Fukuoka,Heiwadori and Fukuoka,Hakata and Fukuoka,Nishijin and Fukuoka,Tenjin)
Notable fighter Yuki

TARGET Official (Tokyo,Sugamo)
Notable fighter Naoki

Nungsiam Gym Official (Tokyo,Okubo)
Notable fighter Koji Yoshimoto

King Gym Official (Tokyo,Ojima)
Notable fighter Rasyata

Fire Takadanobaba Official (Tokyo,Takadanobaba)
Notable fighter Fire Harada

Japanese Defunct MMA Event List

2010-06-22T23:25:00.019+09:00

The Japanese MMA scene has been through a lot of turmoil in the past. There are some organizations that have been and gone and are now defunct.

They are listed here to remind people of the history of Japanese MMA.

Major promotions:

PRIDE
This was the biggest Japanese MMA promotion and arguably ruled the MMA world from 1997 until 2007.

PRIDE official (archived)

Hero's
Hero’s was created by FEG, K-1’s parent organization, to try and compete with PRIDE. DREAM is the spiritual successor to this promotion.

Hero's official

--------------------------------

Local-level promotions

Smack Girl
Smackgirl was the only stable women’s MMA organization and ran from 2001 to 2008. It was known for its 30 second ground limit.

Smack Girl Official (archived)

Seikendo
Seikendo was created by Satoru Sayama (Tiger Mask and founder of Shooto.) It was focused on realistic “street fight” style fighting.

Seikendo Official (archived)

MARS
MARS was an MMA organization created by Korean residents of Japan. It was thought to be able to give Korean fighters a chance to succeed. However, the organization fell apart due to inexperience and poor management.

MARS Official (archived)

AX
A women’s MMA promotion. Not that well known, but it was where Yuka Tsuji broke out of a crowd of talented fighters. She beat Ikuma Hoshino who was the most accomplished female Japanese MMA fighter at that time.

AX Official (archived)

---------------------------

Regional-level promotions

Real Rhythm
MMA organization in Osaka that was connected with DEEP.

Real Rhythm Official (archived)

J-Do
This organization had a mixture of MMA and Judo rules. It resembled Judo with strikes. Throws were awarded points, two ippons would be the equivalent of a KO.

J-Do official (archived)

SKILL MMA's Current Japanese MMA Event List

Big thanks to Matt Benyon (from The Grappling Dummy) for English editing.

Fight

2010-06-08T14:24:00.003+09:00

Slowly but surely, MMA has become a fightsport -- emphasis on "sport". However, people might be forgetting another aspect of the game: it's a fight. It's one of MMA's roots, and the reason themes like "vale tudo", "samurai" and "gladiators" are popular.

In 1999, Shooto founder and pro-wrestling legend Satoru Sayama started his own martial art, Seikendo. In Seikendo, it defined throws as finishes for a fight. Why? Because a throw is effective in a real fight if you're standing up. Seikendo didn't succeed as a sport, largely because it focused on budo and real fighting purpose, and lacked business sense.

It's one of the things that makes "freakshow" fights appealing. In the early days, there was no mind paid to an opponent's weight, just like in a real fight, there are no weight classes. It's impossible to explain or excuse all "freakshow" fights in this way, but that thought definitely effects the minds of fans.

I heard Jordan Breen's radio show, and he was talking about Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. He said that he couldn't explain why he had such a large and dedicated fanbase compared to some other more known fighters. I say that charm comes from the versatility and imaginative fight style he brings. He, like Sakuraba, gained global support because of that point. Their viral video popularity proves it.

One of MMA's charms is that wild things you could never imagine happen in fights. But this mystique has been lessened recently. People know MMA better, fighters are more well-rounded, better prepared and have well-developed backgrounds.

This isn't necessarily negative; I'm not against MMA becoming more of a sport. I'll always support that. But I am worried MMA is becoming less imaginative. Of course fighters need to improve, so they take the more well-known blueprint to success. But, that's what made me excited when Lyoto became champ. I wanted to see MMA be imaginative. I still want MMA to have wild, stylistic twists. Lyoto's success was dependent upon his efforts to make karate fit MMA. MMA's imagination allows these turns to happen.

In the UFC, Shogun is definitely showing his versatile skills. But, his fighting charm was greatest in the Pride era. With soccer kicks and stomps, he could really show his imagination as a fighter. Because of fighters like him, you don't heard many fans complain about soccer kicks and stomps; the concerns are always about the sport's reputation from those outside the MMA world.

Moreover, when you think about going for a takedown, and you put your head down as an opponent's legs, you risk getting kicked in the head. In a real fight, it would be foolish to go for a weak takedown like that.

We need knees to the head on the ground first, but after people realize they're safe, I would like to introduce soccer kicks and stomps. I think it should work, since there is proof called "Pride" that it's not as dangerous as it seems.

Giving people freedom creates fighting imagination. That's fightsport: it makes profit like a true sports competition, but also satisfies our ideas about what a "fight" really is.

Big thanks to Jordan Breen (from Sherdog) for English and editing.

5 fighter decided for Sengoku Bantam weight tournament

2010-05-26T12:38:00.007+09:00

Wataru Inatsu
Hiryu Okamoto
Wataru Takahashi
Takuya Eizumi
Kyu Jin Choi

Takuya Eizumi

SRC planned other 4 fighter get recommended from Shooto,Pancrase,Cage Force and ZST.

One candidate can imagine.

Winner of Manabu Inoue vs Seiya Kawahara from Pancrase.

I hope Philippine,China and Mongolian fighter enter tournament.Win and lose isn't that much matter.When Korean fighter come to Japan many of them lose before but they improve lately and clearly become strong MMA country.

How to apply SRC Asian bantam weight tournament

2010-05-14T14:05:00.007+09:00

When I found out that SRC (formerly named Sengoku) will hold a Bantamweight Asian MMA tournament and that it was open for applicants (with certain conditions),
I thought it was a brilliant idea because many Asian fighters outisde of Japan lack a route into Major MMA events.

But there is a problem: SRC didn't translate their conditions for entry into the tournament from the original Japanese notification.

I have translated the details of the entry conditions, but I'm not a professional translator, so keep in mind that I can be wrong. You will need to read the original text in Japanese to know how to fill out the application.

(the original Japanese notification and entry conditions by SRC)

【SRC Bantamweight ASIA Tournament 2010 entry requirements】

●　Tournament's purpose

1　To define who is the Bantamweight champ in Asia, which is the most competitive class in the region.

2　To hold an open tournament, and to give opportunities to more pro-fighters to participate in a Major MMA event. We aim to give fighters a chance to win substantial prize money and fair fight purses which will help them realize their dreams and hopes.

3　To display difficult survival matches that will move a wider audience and elicit their sympathy, which will broaden the MMA market.

●　Prize money and Purse

1 Tounamet Winner　： 3000000 yen (32000USD)

2 Fight purse　： All fighters' first purse of the tournament will be 100000 yen (1070USD)

● Qualifications for entry into the tournament

1　Weight limit： 61.2 kg and under　（SRC's Bantamweight class will be in effect from the next SRC event, SRC 13）

2 Experience： Applicants must have verifiable Japanese citizenship, citizenship in an Asian country, or must have lived in the Asia region for 10 years. Applicants must also fulfill at least one of three conditions below:

・Have a professional license in a Japanese or overseas professional MMA organization.

・Have at least five professional mixed martial arts fights with a better than .500 overall record.

・Have a recommendation from the gym or promotion to which the applicant belongs.

3　Age：　 Applicant must be 35 years old and under　（as of June 30, 2010）

4　Medical examination： Applicants who pass the above documentation selection must pass a medical examination by SRC within the designated application acceptance period.

● Method to apply for particpation in the tournament:

1 Fill in the application and submit it to the SRC Committee by FAX.

2　Application acceptance period ：　 10/5/2010 to 5/6/2010

●　Examination and results announcement

Fighters participating in the tournament will be decided by the SRC Committee by examination of their applications. The final number of participants in the tournament will be decided by the number of applicants received by SRC. However, SRC basically plans to host 16 fighters for the tournament, including some seeded fighters and some reserve fighters.

SRC will render decisions on or before June 12, 2010 and contact the participating fighters.

●　Fight date and match-ups

1　The first round of the tournament will be held on July 4, 2010 at SRC Asia vol.1

SRC plans to hold the second and future rounds of the tournament at SRC 14 and SRC 15.　

2 Match-ups and the order of fights will be decide by a random draw at SRC's upcoming press conference.

● other

※　SRC will pay travel and living expenses in region as per our tournament regulations (1 fighter and 1 cornerman). (shiroobi's note: "region" in this sentence means a Japanese region not near to Tokyo.)

You can download the application from here (shiroobi's note: there is only a Japanese version of the application)

(shiroobi's note: 81-3-5725-7109 is the FAX Number you need to send the application to from outside of Japan. I recommend that you confirm the transmission of your fax by getting an e-mail (info@src-official.com) receipt from SRC.)

How to write application

Big thanks to Tony Loiseleur (from Sherdog) for English and editing.

How to use SKILL MMA's link section?

2010-05-03T14:28:00.010+09:00

SKILL MMA is known as bring new view point for westerners MMA audience.But not only that.I make biggest misc information database of Japanese MMA.I make amount of photo section about Japanese MMA.I make link section connect to useful MMA Data web or nice MMA photo web or international MMA web.I give explanation about how to use SKILL MMA as a MMA portal.All of those can access from SKILL MMA's link section.

At first watch SKILL MMA's link section right side of this web just below blog's archive.

SKILL MMA relate

SKILL MMA's Picasa
(SKILL MMA's photo section.)
SKILL MMA's Digg
(SKILL MMA's social bookmark.I plan to introduce quality MMA article)
My Twitter Account
(I tweet when I get news or I watch live MMA event)
Sherdog's SKILL MMA readers group
(SKILL MMA's Social group at Sherdog forum)

MMA News
(Those are MMA news web.SKILL MMA isn't news web.So if you want news,use those web.)

Sherdog
Bloody Elbow
TATAME
BLOODY KNUX
Head Kick Legend
MMA For Real

MMA Data

Upcoming events list from Sherdog
(Future event list.I hope you using this for find future event you plan to go.)
Fight Finder from Sherdog
(Fight record)
Fight Metric (fight stats)
(You can confirm your score is right or wrong)

MMA Data from SKILL MMA (I update those list when I need to.)

Japanese MMA Fighter blog list
(List of Japanese MMA scene fighter's blog.Most comprehensive one.)
Japanese MMA venue list
(list of Venue where MMA event hold and explanation)
Japanese MMA gym list
(list of Japanese MMA gym include nearest station and gym's head information)
Japanese MMA Fighter twitter list
(You can find Japanese MMA fighter's tweet)

Other Martial Arts Data by SKILL MMA

Martial Arts exist in Japan list
(list of martial arts exist Japan and link to headquarters web)
Japanese Kick Boxing and Muay Thai event list
(List of Japanese Kick Boxing and Muay Thai.Introduce not only official web but also include official youtube channel or blog anything related)

MMA TV
(You can watch official MMA movie for those TV web)

SPIKE : UFC
VERSUS : WEC
Showtime : Strikeforce
HDNet : Dream and SRC aka Sengoku
iaTV : Pancrase

MMA Book
(MMA instruction book)

Victory Belt

MMA Photo
(Introduce MMA photographer's official web)

Daniel Herbertson Photography
All ELBOWS (Esther Lin and E. Casey)
Susumu's Gallery (Susumu Nagao)
one day sugi 2 (Hirofumi Sugi)

MMA ORG
(Link to world's regional MMA web)

North America

UFC
WEC
Strikeforce
Bellator
Shine Fights
UWC
MFC
KOTC

Japan

Dream
SRC aka Sengoku
ASTRA
Shooto
Pancrase
DEEP
Cage Force
Valkyrie
Jewels

SKILL MMA's Japanese MMA event list (More event listed)
(One of most popular section at SKILL MMA.Introduce not only official web but also include official youtube channel or blog anything related)

Europe

M-1 Grobal
Ultimate Challenge UK
KSW
Bushido

South America

Jungle Fight

Central America

Combate Exteremo

Asia

Art Of War
URCC
Legend FC

Oceania

XPLOSION
Shooto Australia

One Year Of SKILL MMA

2010-04-30T16:34:00.002+09:00

This site has finally reached its one-year anniversary. It surprises me. It's a hell of a lot of work me, and requires a lot of time, especially since English isn't my primary language. I wasn't sure I'd make it this long.

After one year of SKILL MMA, I want to give some credit to those who helped me make it one year.

First is none other than Jordan Breen. I met him just a bit before he started writing for Sherdog. I never thought he'd become famous. I talk a lot with him, and really enjoy improving one another's knowledge about this sport. I must admit, I always want to tell him my viewpoints, because I love this man's passion for the sport. He does a nice job translating my writing. I don't think it's easy: it includes sports, culture, and having to know my thoughts and meanings. He's a professional, so he adds so nice editing to my writing. I couldn't imagine the site's quality without him.

I also want to thank Tony Loiseleur of Sherdog and Daniel Herbertson of Fanhouse. They are both great professionals with great minds. Tony is the heart and soul of Sherdog in Japan, and he's helped advertise my site, too. Daniel is an awesome photographer. Both are helpful when I'm around MMA venues, and I must say they an important part of this site, too.

I want to thank everyone who links to thie site. Bloody Elbow is first major MMA website to link to SKILL MMA. I've always appreciated the quality of the site. Head Kick Legend focuses on the Japanese MMA and kickboxing. They followed me at twitter, and I asked about bout mutual linking. I thank them for the opportunity. MMA For Real is a North Carolina MMA website. I realized they mention my twitter, so I asked them about a mutual link exchange. Tokyo and North Carolina get linked via MMA. How great is that?

I don't think I' the most knowledgeable MMA writer, but I think I can still contribute unique pieces. Generally, English language MMA writers haven't impressed me. That doesn't mean they aren't good writers per se, or not knowledgeable. However, there is a large focus on pro- or anti- opinion and editorial writing in the MMA media. Writing opinions about organization's business or what martial arts are "best" aren't interesting writing.

With this site, I've used my words to examine traditional martial arts in MMA, pro-wrestling's effect on MMA, the history of Machida karate and so on. I choose topics like this because I want there to be a diversity in MMA discussion, a uniqueness that fits the most chaotic and culturally hybrid sport in the world. MMA is a combat sport where often power appears to trump skill. However, power exists only in the framework of skill, and the differentiation in these skills is what makes MMA so exciting. That is why this is is called "SKILL MMA".

Expanding that idea, I do feel maybe contemporary MMA is not enough to show all MMA's charms. The Best of Pride is doing good ratings on Spike. Why? Well, you could say that casual fans don't realize that quality fights ever happened outside the UFC, but I don't think that's it. Pride allowed knees to the head on the ground, soccer kicks, and stomps. These rules allowed more freedom, and made different fight structures and strategy. These fights had their own charm, just as fights under the Unified Rules.

Many say that MMA's rise in Japan owes a lot to Kazushi Sakuraba, but I would also add that it's not just about Sakuraba himself. Sakuraba showed MMA could be innovative, while being easy to understand for a casual audience. I love to see those sorts of moves I think just short video clips from that early era created many now-lifelong MMA fans, before "The Ultimate Fighter" ever started.

Pride's rules were unordinary, and might offer ammunition for an opponent of the sport. But MMA, or fightsport in general, are not made with social justice in mind. That is part of the reason why the sport has become cool for young people. The MMA community is filled with individuals behaving anti-socially, and many become more popular for that reason. Consciously or unconsciously, that behavior gets supported. I'm never surprised that the MMA media makes a big deal out of Nick Diaz or War Machine, even if it's immature.

This is all why I try to introduce unordinary subjects about MMA. I don't always give my opinion, but often want to give information, viewpoints and stories from others. Putting those stories together is my work, I leave it up to others to create their own views and opinions.

I'm not sure how often I'll write in this second year, but if you want to help this site continue, please sponsor, donate, or link to the site.

Lastly, I need to thank the biggest part of this site: you. I thank everyone for reading this site, and motivating me to continue.

Big thanks to Jordan Breen for English and editing.

Japanese Boxing World champ blog list

2010-04-11T14:13:00.011+09:00

Japanese boxing scene struggle by luck of talent at rate 80s.Japanese failed to get world boxing title 21 times continuously at 88 to 90.So it's amazing to see 6 world boxing champ in Japan now.Hozumi Hasegawa will face Fernando Montiel at 30th April.That test current most skilled boxer in Japan.I think Hasegawa is worth attention from international people.

Nobuhiro Ishida official blog (Kanazawa Gym)

Takashi Uchiyama official blog (Watanabe Gym)

Toshiaki Nishioka official blog (Teiken Gym)

Hozumi Hasegawa official blog (Shinsei Boxing Gym)

Nobuo Nashiro official blog (Muto Boxing Gym)

Daiki Kameda official blog (Kameda Gym)

Former champ not retired yet

Yusuke Kobori official blog (Kadoebi Boxing Gym)

Takafumi Aoh official blog (Teiken Boxing Gym)

Takefumi Sakata official blog (Kyoei Boxing Gym)

Koki Kameda official blog (Kameda Gym)

SKILL MMA's article about Hozumi Hasegawa

Japanese Kick Boxing / Muay Thai event list

2010-04-03T08:49:00.010+09:00

This time I introduce Japanese Kick Boxing / Muay Thai event list.This web is about MMA so bit go away from the point.But you guys know Japanese kick boxing scene effect J-MMA both good and bad.I know it's not perfect list but I spend lot time.So I just open this and going next thing.

Major

K-1 official(English)
K-1 official(Japanese)
K-1's official youtube channel
K-1 Max (70kg and 60kg)
K-1 Koshien (High School)

------------------------------------------------------------------

Local / Region

Krush
Krush official

NJKF
NJKF (New Japan Kick-Boxing Federation) official
NJKF official youtube channel

R.I.S.E.
R.I.S.E. official
R.I.S.E. official blog

Shooto Boxing
Shooto Boxing official
Shooto Boxing's official youtube channel
Shooto Boxing's Girls S'cup stream

J-Network
J-Network official
J-Network's official youtube channel
J-girls (Female)
J-girls official
J-girls official youtube channel

M-1
M-1 Muay Thai challenge official
REBELS (joint event with cross point gym)

MA Kick
MAKF official(Martial Arts Japan Kickboxing Federation)
MAKF's event SUPREME stream

SKB
SKB official(Shin Nihon Kickboxing Association)

NKB
K-U official gym Hachioji Fighting Sports Gym
JKF
JKF's stream

Survivor
Survivor official
Survivor official youtube channel
Survivor official blog

Big Bang
Big Bang official
Big Bang official youtube channel

DEEP Kick
DEEP Kick (Japanese local MMA org DEEP's kick box event web is integrate with MMA web)

HEAT
HEAT official(Japanese region MMA and Kick box org web is integrate with MMA web)

DEEK
DEEK official

Nagoya Kick
Nagoya Kick
Nagoya Kick official youtube channel
Nagoya Kick Flickr

Kakimidashi
Kakimidashi official

Tenkaichi Fight
Tenkaichi Fight official
Tenkaichi Fight official blog

SKILL MMA gain ground to Digg

2010-03-26T06:29:00.008+09:00

I know other sports fan who love MMA also have unsatisfactory for MMA media.But I think it improve lately.Of course it's mixture of good and bad.I know bad MMA article can be really bad.

So I suggest article which I like.I using Digg (social network bookmark) for that.

I will add more in future.Be wait.

SKILL MMA's Digg

Sekkotsu (or Seikotsu)

2010-03-21T02:00:00.006+09:00

Hanamaru Seikotsuin

Massage and manipulative therapy have their own demands in MMA which aren't often discussed. Professional athletes use these treatments to take care of their bodies, but which styles are popular among fighters? I'm not sure.

In Japan, however, one skill is famous: Sekkotsu (or Seikotsu).

There are several Sekkotsu doctors around the MMA world who have gained reputations as specialists in relieving lumbago.

How do they treat it? Basically, if you had a backache, the doctor wouldn't even touch the affected area, and would instead massage your leg or shoulder muscle to relax the lumbar pain.

How can they do such a thing? Because the balance of the rest of the body affects the waist. Before writing this article, I went to a Sekkotsu hospital for myself and I was convinced that it was worth writing about. I can say from my experience that it was worth a try for someone like myself who needs treatment on the waist. Of course, the skill level and results can vary from doctor to doctor, depending on your ailment. When it comes to medicine, I'm not a professional and I can't be held responsible for your result.

Hanamaru Seikotsu In (In = Clinic in Japan)
Run by Ken Yamamoto
Hiroto Dojo
Run by Soihci Hiroto, a former MMA referee. He has experience treating players on the Atlanta Braves
All Elbows
MMA photo and video website All Elbows has a video with Ken Yamamoto as staff for Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal

Fight Journal: King Mo Sengoku 7: Fight Night from All Elbows on Vimeo.

Big thanks to Chris Nelson (from Bloody Elbow) for English and editing.

Foreign fighter who fight for Japanese local MMA twitter list

2010-03-12T01:53:00.003+09:00

MMA is international sports.Fighter or trainer or supporter around the globe across border make this fight game richer.I introduce foreign fighter (include former) who fight in Japanese local MMA to commemorate them.People not knowing local MMA's international relationship compare to major MMA.But that's most certain power for help MMA to broad globe.

I introduce fighter who fight at Japanese local MMA more than 5 times who also have twitter account.

Erik Paulson
First American Shooto title holder.Defend belt for 5 years long.His gym "CSW" have Shooto style element and many fighter come to know what he learn and experience at Japan.

CSW Training Center

Joachim Hansen
He had Shooto's best divisions title "welter weight" with victory over Takanori Gomi.Beat Shinya Aoki make him first Dream light weight champ.His next bout for Dream feather weight title against Bibiano Fernandes.His appearance appear MMA exist in north Europe.

Team Joachim Hansen (support team in Japan)'s blog

Frank Shamrock
He had Pancrase title,Participate Vale Tudo Japan,Participate UFC Japan.clearly have long history with Japan.Won UFC championship.Still fight for Strikeforce.

Official Frank Shamrock web

Shonie Carter
Have a fight with Shooto and Pancrase.UFC veteran.Learn Shidokan Karate,Judo and Jiujitsu.

Official Shonie Carter web

Ryan Bow
Move to Japan for fighting joining PUREBRED Omiya.Long time Shooto ranker.Challenge DEEP light weight title.Back to the states.Currently run gym at Kentwood, Michigan and Kamata, Tokyo

Kaminari Dojo (His gym)

Antonio Carvalho
Move to Japan for fighting.Join AACC (Abe Ani Combat Club) Challenge Shooto lightweight title.Fought in Cage Force too.His interest not only MMA fought grappling (DEEP X) or Kick Boxing (Shooto Boxing) too.

Jake Shields
Former Shooto Middile weight title holder.Rumble On The Rock Welter Weight tournament winner.Elite XC Welter Weight title holder.Current Strikeforce Middle weight champ.

Jake Shields Official Web

Roxanne Modafferi
Choice Japanese language for University studies.Not only doing MMA but also doing English teacher.Debut at Japanese promotion Smack Girl.Winner of K-GRACE tournament winner.

Roxanne Modafferi Official Web

Guy Mezger
Former Pancrase title holder. UFC light weight tournament winner.HDnet commentator.

Guy Mezger's combat sports club

Ricardo Almeida
Former Pancrase title holder.UFC fighter.

Enson Inoue
Beat Randy Couture make first time people's eye to Shooto.Basically one of source people bring Brazilian Jiujitsu skill to Japan.Making PUREBRED branches gym at Japan,Saipan,Guam and contribute produce local fighter.

Enson Inoue Official blog (English)
Enson Inoue Official blog (Japanese)
His gym Purebred Omiya

Nathan Marquardt
Former Pancrase title holder.(with youngest record).UFC title challenger.Make famous Pancrase's brand in UFC.

Nathan Marquardt Official Web

Bas Rutten
Former Pancrase title holder.Move to UFC and Take UFC title.Doing coach at IFL.Famous at PRIDE commentator.

Bas Rutten Official Web

SKILL MMA's twitter list "Foreign fighter who fight for Japanese local MMA"

This young sport will get old

2010-03-08T14:27:00.005+09:00

I've already wrote about this sport's cross-cultural charm, audience viewpoints and the business outlook. If you're reading this site, you understand that MMA's own culture has been developed by different things: reality television, internet forums, pro-wrestling, and so on. When I talk about "sport", I don't deny all those things have their effect.

MMA often shows the same cultural values as pro-wrestling such as nationalism and the admiration of bigger physical powers, ignoring smaller men and women in favor of heavyweights. These ideas are simple, and easy to understand. It's easier to excite people with them.

However, pro-wrestling isn't a sport, and MMA is. In a real sport, aggressive, abrasive promoters, big-money mismatches show how young the sport is. Normally the "youth" of MMA is celebrated, but it also means the sport is fairly immature. After a certain time, MMA won't be "young" any more, but it still might be immature.

Still, this game is new. That is a fact. But even if MMA sells itself on athletic merit, but it can't be sold that way forever.

In the sport now, people talk continuously about matchmaking, and what fighters are underrated and overrated. It's all about fighting, so I would never say tell anyone not to talk about those thing, but there is a lack of diversity in discussion topics. For now, those topics will provide enthusiastic debate, but at some people, people will find its limitations.

Why did I make a venue list for MMA events? Because it's interesting. There is a difference in quality as a fan in the audience. A good seat at a good venue allows you to see a fighter's footwork, down to his knee and ankle movement or submission transitions. If you have a ringside seat, you can see how a corner advises their fighter, and how they change their attack after that. I never found reviews of venues, or audience experiences based on seat price.

Sometime's MMA fans attack other martial arts people, who are part of MMA's grassroots. MMA can still learn from traditional martial arts: cultivating manners and discipline is a big part of martial arts. That doesn't mean MMA needs to get conservative; chaos is one of the sport's charms. But, MMA isn't only growing because of American culture -- television, media, and money -- other nations' cultures impact MMA, too. For instance, the different martial arts skills from different countries add new skills to regional fighters. This makes fights themselves more diverse, and a joy to watch.

"This is fastest growing sport in the world."

We need to show maturity as this sports grows. We need to talk about all aspects of the sport to do that.

SKILL MMA's Japanese MMA Scene venue list

Big thanks to Jordan Breen for English and editing.

How to buy MMA ticket in Japan? (DEEP and Jewels)

2010-02-25T21:38:00.001+09:00

How to buy MMA ticket in Japan? (DEEP and Jewels)
Note : I can't grantee this information's correctness.Ticket system or organization policy will change when they need.

How to buy MMA ticket in Japan? At first you need go Japanese MMA's organization web to find out ticket code.If you know those code,you can buy it at convenience store. I write about DEEP and Jewels at this article.I will write about other organization soon.I want respond if you use this article.I write this kind of thing and use diigo first time,so I don't know it works well.

At first you need install diigo to watch my web sticky note.

diigo

Did you install it? Then let's find out ticket code.

How to buy DEEP's ticket

DEEP official web

This is DEEP's official web.Click biggest jpg to watch event page.

event page

event page

You need watch sticky note and confirm card,date,venue,venue open time,event start time,ticket fee,when ticket start selling and most importantly p-code or l-code.

You need memo those code and bring them to convenience store.You need ask clerk how to buy ticket with code.You need show your p-code or l-code to clerk.

You need find out event's own p-code or l-code.every event have differ code.

How to buy Jewels's ticket

Jewels home page

This is Jewels's official web.You can find newest event details.I add sticky notes but it's just for next 19 March event.It will change when event is done but I do think they will appear next event with same style.

extra

Japanese MMA event venue list with Google maps
If event is near hold date.There is possibility to finish ticket selling at ticket service.Still you can go to event and buy ticket at venue.(You need pay extra fee 500yen though.)

Watch current Pancrase scene with my description

2010-02-16T11:39:00.021+09:00

There is not many Japanese around MMA English forum for years.I can easily count those people and it never passed 10 peoples who continuously posting forum for years.I start posting at small forum,that make lot changes for my MMA audience life.

I have limited English knowledge.So I try to make a certain point when I start English conversation.Because I need people to admit my value of posting even when I'm not good at English.I bring relevance and logic from Japanese MMA culture and myself.I need severe view about fairness.I have bad memory about posting English forum with more worse language skill at non MMA forums before.

I'm start posting at English forum since 2006.I start it for my English studies.When I into MMA forums Japanese local MMA is about talking about Shooto.There is no surprise about it.Pride Bushido's main attraction is about who experienced Shooto's best division.

On the other hand other Japanese local promotion didn't catch many international fans.Pancrase is one of those orgs.DEEP and GCM always exist but DEEP isn't enough to build own talent at that era,GCM is about Wajyutsu Keisyukai's gym show,so there best talent often fight at outside.

English audience lose interest about Pancrase cause fighter struggle at Major.Yuki Kondo lose close dec at majors.Yoshiro Maeda get KOed by Bennet.I catch feeling Pancrase become local but certain product and I like it.

So I introduce that part of Pancrase with fighter's list.What foreign people evaluate local promotion is how they can produce major level talent.I like fundamental long time audience cheered Pancrase but sametime MMA organization need to be severe about match quality.I evaluate Pancrase's match making because they bring foreign talent when they struggle and secure quality.

I try to defend Yoshiro Maeda with word "randomness" that's best single word description for fighters I ever made.I'm amazed how my old fighter's list description is describe that era of Pancrase.Those are minimum description but it tell how this organization will go.

Simply I want Japanese local organization secure quality and keeps foreign media's enough attention.That's my hope.

Current Pancrase's most interesting division is flyweight.I hope this division get more attention with Shooto's crossover.

I recommend Tony Loiseleur and Jordan Breen's live Japanese MMA Play by Play series at Sherdog (it include Pancrase) for your hardcore joy.

Sherdog's article search by word "chat"

Latest Pancrase's event chat by Sherdog

2010/15/2 version Pancrase fighter's list

Light Heavy Weight

Champ Ryo Kawamura
Wasting time with being Light Heavy Weight.Sengoku Veteran.Have beat Daniel Acacio
Syunsuke Inoue Yoshida Dojo's Megaton fighter.

Middle Weight

Champ Ichiro Kanai
Like Boxing.People happy him being a champ but I want champ can fight at major with quality.
Yuki Kondo
Had a legend status at this local organization.Best perform is going distance with Hendo?

Izuru Takeuchi
I burst out laughed against Breen when he almost beat Dorksen.
Shiroobi : buwahahaha
Breen : Shiroobi, MMA conspiring against me is not funny.
Takenori Sato
Sakurabas top student never had teachers finish skill.
Yuji Hisamatsu
Somehow improved lately?The PINK TYPHOON.
Keiichiro Yamamiya
Long time veteran beat some major fighter at there local era.

Welter Weight

Champ Takuya Wada
Had beat Shooto ex-champ Shiko Yamashita recently,but there is no credibility for that division.
Kengo Ura
Debut at stateside.
Shingo Suzuki
Not much to say
Tomoyoshi Iwamiya
watch one above
Masahiro Toryu
watch two above

Light Weight

Champ Maximo "Maxi" Blanco
One of prospect get international attention.World class wrestle back ground with athletic sensation.Still rough specially on ground.
Koji Oishi
Drop division make decent ranker.
Katsuya Inoue
Satoru KItaoka's Kryptonite.
Satoru Kitaoka
Somehow managed major belt.Limited but have fatal finish submission.
Isao Kobayashi
One of those Sakaguchi Dojo's hard brawler.I prefer watch Kotetsu Boku vs Yukio Sakaguchi for that kind of fighter.
Daisuke "13" Hanazawa
Gate Keeper

Feather Weight

Champ Marlon Sandro
Hard hitter with quality submission.I doubt he will fight for local again.
Tomonari Kanomata
Have a decent fight history but pass the peak.
Kenji Arai
See one above.

Bantam Weight

Champ Manabu Inoue
I don't think he is bad fighter but don't think he will get a win at major.

Seiya Kawahara
He still have a lot expectations from organization.Explosive striker with still need improve ground skill.
Tashiro Akai
His gym is Nova Uniao Japan,but can't finish Kawahara.Decent ranker.

Flyweight

Champ Kiyotaka Shimizu
Recently fight former Shooto Champ Mamoru Yamaguchi and surprisingly fought well.

Isao Hirose
Top stundet of Naoyuki Taira who is inspiration of character of "Baki".
Mistuhisa Sunabe
Drop two weight class make him champ,but technically still room to improve.

Takuma Ishii
Grappler like take opponent's back.Tsuyoshi Kohsaka's pupil.
Takuya Eizumi
Have a KO power but struggle with division get quality with development.

2007/21/8 version Pancrase fighter's list

I heard Pancrase get broadcast in Canada.I know people get more interest with other scene.Pancrase is not Major,but not many but they produce major level talent.You can enjoy to watch this little planet with gain some info.

Heavy Weight

Champ
Assuerio Silva
UFC drop out

Arbocius Tiger
Latvian Karate champ
Mizuno Tatsuya
Japanese Gate Keeper

Light Heavy Weight

Champ
Yuki Kondo
Most pitiful fighter next to Sakuraba now.He have history though.

Fabio Silva
Beat Kawamura,his natural weight is LHW.
Ryo Kawamura
Get attention with beating Chute Box's Daniel Acacio.He can make MW.

Middle Weight

Champ
Yuichi Nakanishi
Goin fight in Bodog. Champs Biggest win "Izuru Takeuchi".

Izuru Takeuchi
Benchmark guy.He had some dance girl cheer him.
Brayane Rafiq
Riki Fukuda
I dunno he is ready for major.Soon we will find.

Gadzhiev Alavutdin
I think he or Fukuda is best fighter in this div.
Ichiro Kanai
Getting long way but seem decent fighter now.
Kozo Urita
Benchmark guy.Some good hands.Seem already pass peak.
Hikaru Sato Your cosplay guy.

Welter Weight

Champ
Daizo Ishige
Current champ get beat by Dan Hardy.So he need rest now.

Katsuya Inoue
Current interim champ.
Satoru Kitaoka
Best profile fighter in div without clown.notable win is Condit and Pellegrino.
Koji Oishi
Gate Keeper.

Light Weight

Artur Oumakhanov

Get beat by Dida.His strike skill need improve at defense and offense.
Takafumi Ito
Gate keeper.
Eriya Matsuda
KOing Kenji Arai.New comer.
Sa Jin Kwok

Jose Aldo
Explosive striker.

Yuji Hoshino
Decent WK guys.
Shoji
Have a fastest KO record in Japan.Always enjoyable.
Kenji Arai
That's speedo dude.

Feather Weight

champ
Yoshiro Maeda
King of randomness.Sametime win or lose,he can make fun.notable win is Paixao and Batten.

DJ.taiki
He have One of finest record if count him as BW.Notable win is Osawa and Imaizumi.
Miki Shida
One of FW top 3.notable win is Damacio Page.
Manabu Inoue
Benchmark guy.
Mitsuhisa Sunabe
Naoji Fujimoto

Daichi Fujiwara
Fun to watch.Good hands.Submission seem not bad also.Against Emmanuel Fernandez is real test for him.
Kentaro Imaizumi
Shooto drop out.
Danny Batten
I think he can put good fight against Taiki or Shida.
Jameel Massouh
Breen's best Reggie Cleveland All Stars fighter.
Jung Jin Suk
Koing AJ kick fighter.May he can show something.

TV to Web MMA's audience culture

2010-02-08T20:44:00.008+09:00

When talking about MMA, some people want to show they're more knowledgeable as a fan. Does that have any value?

Sharing the knowledge you have is what's important. MMA discussion as a competition is meaningless. Acting elitist and ignoring forums for a place of discussion is wrong, because there are people who want to share and learn.

Sayama vs Costello

When did MMA start? There's many different ideas, but I would say 1984. Satoru Sayama, a former Japanese pro-wrestler. opened the first pro Shooto gym. Seven years earlier, he took on kickboxer Mark Costello in a stand-up fight, where he couldn't use submissions. Sayama always had a vision of "real fighting".

Some people blame MMA as not being sporting, or coming from the imagination of pro-wrestlers. That is a ridiculous idea: do you ever think about who invented your favorite ball sport, and if they were "unsporting"? Sports are sports based on skill and quality of competition, no matter their origin.

Shooto impacted a lot of organizations, taking a step toward making MMA a sport. They developed world and regional sanctioning bodies, the first modern MMA gloves that allowed fighters to both strike and grapple. They even used an octagonal ring, a precursor to the UFC's Octagon.

Gachinko (Gachinko meaning in English "No Work" Program start at 1999.)

There was a boxing reality show in Japan called "Gachinko" that predates "The Ultimate Fighter" in the United States.

The show brought thugs and toughs from the streets, and former world boxing champions trained them. Many of the contestants acted over-the-top intense and insane, a common point between it and TUF.

I had no idea this format would be MMA's breakout program. I wouldn't be surprised if some American TV producers saw Gachinko before making "The Ultimate Fighter", since producers often watch foreign programs and bring the format to their own country to profit.

Dana White doesn't act like other sports owner, assuming a kind of boss attitude on "The Ultimate Fighter". That's not surprising, by any means, because it fits the audience. Many people believe that the UFC wanted to convert the pro-wrestling audience to the MMA audience.

A lot of people were interested in Shinya Aoki giving Mizuto Hirota the middle finger after breaking his arm. Japanese network TBS broadcast that incident on New Year's Eve. On New Year's Eve in Japan, every family gets together at home and eats soba, so it is the biggest time for all of Japanese TV.

Does TBS not care about what people watch? I don't think so. I think they intentionally broadcasted it. The internet has changed people's personalities, where now even moderate or unclever people are outspoken and aggressive. There is now a greater interest in that sort of personality that Aoki showed on New Year's Eve.

Aoki's personality itself is not an ordinary character for MMA. He has said himself he's wouldn't make a good "street fighter", but thinks of himself as a nerdy strategist. He's an eloquent speaker, and has massive knowledge of MMA, including the American MMA scene, which is rare for Japanese fighters. His attitude symbolizes the current era, and that's why he's leading the Japanese MMA industry. There may be other elite Japanese fighters, but none get attention like Aoki.

I've always said I support MMA as a sport, but at the same time, some idealists ignore the fact MMA needs to make money. MMA is both a fighter's living and the audience's entertainment. Sport for sport's sake is just a fantasy. Of course, there is often no relationship between being popular and being talented in MMA, so we need to consider both sport and entertainment.

Other sports audiences want stats, analysis and mechanical subdivisions. With MMA, intense characters and promoters' quotes make people talk. Do baseball fans care that much about what Bud Selig says?

Because of that, MMA fans who want analysis need to discuss the sport with each other. The sport's media is not good enough to tell about all MMA's charms. The sport's history is short enough for fans to access and create a culture of analysis and influence. It is us, as a vocal audience, that influence the shape of the sport. So, dive in.

Big thanks to Jordan Breen for English and editing.

How to buy MMA ticket in Japan? (Shooto and Pancrase)

2010-01-22T17:02:00.009+09:00

Note : I can't grantee this information's correctness.Ticket system or organization policy will change when they need.

How to buy MMA ticket in Japan? At first you need go Japanese MMA's organization web to find out ticket code.If you know those code,you can buy it at convenience store. I write about Shooto and Pancrase at this article.I will write about other organization soon.I want respond if you use this article.I write this kind of thing and use diigo first time,so I don't know it works well.

At first you need install diigo to watch my web sticky note.

diigo

Did you install it? Then let's find out ticket code.

How to buy Shooto's ticket

x-shooto

This is shooto's official web.Click to watch event schedule.

schedule

I think you come to this style schedule page.

Open sticky note and find out how those When, where what name of event to go.If you decide what you event to go,you need open event page's link.

But at now,I need explain you to how to watch event page so open below link to event page.

event page

You need watch sticky note and confirm card,date,venue,venue open time,event start time,ticket fee,when ticket start selling and most importantly p-code or l-code.

You need memo those code and bring them to convenience store.You need ask clerk how to buy ticket with code.You need show your p-code or l-code to clerk.

You need find out event's own p-code or l-code.every event have differ code.

How to buy Pancrase's ticket

Pancrase home page

This is Pancrase's official web.Click event link to watch event page.

event page

I think you come to this style event page.

You need watch sticky note and confirm card,date,venue,venue open time,event start time,ticket fee,when ticket start selling and most importantly p-code or l-code.

You need memo those code and bring them to convenience store.You need ask clerk how to buy ticket with code.You need show your p-code or l-code to clerk.

You need find out event's own p-code or l-code.every event have differ code.

extra

Japanese MMA event venue list with Google maps
If event is near hold date.There is possibility to finish ticket selling at ticket service.Still you can go to event and buy ticket at venue.(You need pay extra fee 500yen though.)

Japanese MMA scene venue list

2010-01-18T21:08:00.015+09:00

If you want go to a Japanese MMA event, it can be quite intimidating if you don’t know exactly where the venues are.

Here’s a list of the venues where Japanese MMA events are often held, along with a Google Maps link and a short description of the venue.

I strongly recommend you watch a local MMA event in a small venue like Shinjuku Face. That is the best way to see quality local fighters - and future stars - up close and personal. Ticket prices usually start at a relatively inexpensive 5000 yen, too. Many large international cities still can’t boast the kind of local MMA scene you can enjoy in Japan.

I will later write a guide to buying MMA tickets in Japan, so please watch out for that.(It Done.)

How to buy MMA ticket in Japan (Shooto and Pancrase)
How to buy MMA ticket in Japan (DEEP and Jewels)

Shinjuku Face
Shinjuku Face MAP
Official seat capacity: 600
Nearest station: Shinjuku

This is the most recommended venue to watch local MMA. Located in Shinjuku, access from central Tokyo is easy. Shooto usually hold quality local cards here, like past events “Shooting Disco” or “Shooto Gig Tokyo”. You can get pretty close to the ring. Even in the furthest away seats, I don’t think you’ll feel like you are too far away from the ring.

Kitazawa Town Hall
Kitazawa Town Hall MAP
Official seat capacity: 294
Nearest station Shimokitazawa

Shooto holds smaller local cards at this venue. This is the place to go if you want to see lower level fighters up close.

Korakuen Hall
Korakuen Hall MAP
Official seat capacity: 1873
Nearest station: Suidobashi

The Japanese fight industry grew up here. It has played host to many MMA, boxing and kickboxing events. I recommend Shooto and DEEP (especially when the 70kg and under champ participate shows) here. You should plan ahead when coming to watch DEEP, as it can end late at night when the trains are not running or running irregularly.

If you want to watch kickboxing here, I recommend Krush’s 60kg grand prix - it’s a great event.

Meets Port (JCB HALL)
Meets Port (JCB HALL) MAP
Official seat capacity: 3000+
Nearest station: Suidobashi

Shooto often holds its flagship events here. The shows that are held here are usually of high quality, but the cheap tickets will leave you some distance from the action. The venue itself is relatively new meaning everything is nice and modern.

Differ Ariake
Differ Ariake MAP
Official seat capacity: 1273
Nearest station: Kokusai Tenjijyo or Ariake Tennis No Mori

This is where you can watch Pancrase and Cage Force. I recommend Pancrase’s up-to-70kg championship or flyweight matches in particular. Cage Force is one of the only Japanese events to be held in a cage daily.

Shinkiba 1st Ring
Shinkiba 1st Ring MAP
Official seat capacity: 350
Nearest station: Shinkiba

A small, local-level MMA venue.

Saitama Super Arena
Saitama Super Arena (English Page)
Saitama Super Arena MAP
Official seat capacity: Min: 5000, Max: 37,000
Nearest station: Saitama Shintoshin

The most famous MMA venue in Japan. PRIDE, DREAM and SRC hold major events here.

Yokohama Arena
Yokohama Arena MAP
Official seat capacity: 17000
Nearest station: Shinyokohama

A large venue for major MMA events in Kanagawa.

Yoyogi National Gymnasium
Yoyogi National Gymnasium MAP
Official seat capacity: 13291 (1st gymnasium)
Official seat capacity: 3202 (2nd gymnasium)
Nearest station: Harajyuku or Meijijingumae

Venue for major MMA events in Tokyo. Near Harajuku, famous for its teen fashion scene.

Azalea Taisho
Azalea Taisho MAP
Official seat capacity: 300
Nearest station: Kizugawa or Tsumori

Osaka's venue for local MMA.

Osaka Jo Hall
Osaka Jo Hall(English Page)
Osaka Jo Hall MAP
Official seat capacity: 16000
Nearest station: Osakajokoen

Major MMA venue in Osaka. DREAM hold events here.

Asunal Hall
Asunal Hall MAP
Official seat capacity: 430
Nearest station Kanayama Sogo

Nagoya's venue for local MMA.

Nihon Gaishi Hall
Nihon Gaishi Hall MAP
Official seat capacity: 10000
Nearest station: Kasaradera

Nagoya's venue for major MMA events. DREAM holds Nagoya events here.

Zepp Sapporo
Zepp Sapporo MAP
Official seat quantity 822
Nearest station Nakajimakoen or Yamahana9jo

Sapporo's venue for local MMA.

SKILL MMA's Japanese MMA venue exterior photo series

Big thanks to Matt Benyon (from The Grappling Dummy) for English editing.

Japanese MMA Scene Gym List

2010-01-15T16:43:00.036+09:00

Fighters are made in the gym. The gym is an integral part of MMA.

I have made a list of Japanese MMA gyms with their official websites. There are loads of gyms, so I can’t introduce them all. I’ll try to give the links to their website, what prefecture they are in, and what railway station is nearest (in that order). I’ll also note the head of the gym, although sometimes when that information is not available, I’ll make a guess - I could be wrong.

Important:
Some gyms really lack the ability to welcome foreigners due to the language barrier. It’s better to go somewhere you know you will be welcomed, so please try to contact them beforehand - (or learn Japanese! Ed)

This information is not guaranteed and may be out of date - sorry!

I hope some foreigners may realize there is a gym near them, and start to train MMA.

Hopefully this will make foreigners living in Japan realise they have an MMA gym and maybe some famous Japanese fighters or teachers nearby, and start training.

Gutsman Shooto Dojo (Tokyo,Meidaimae)
Gym's head Naoki Sakurada

Kiguchi Dojo (Tokyo,Tamagawa Gakuen)
Gym's head Noriaki Kiguchi
Famous fighter Nobuhiro Obiya

AACC (Tokyo,Omori)
(Link to English Page)
Gym's head Hiroyuki Abe
Famous Fighter Takafumi Otsuka,Megumi Fujii

I specially recommend this gym for international audience,because of I know this gym's English speaking student and this gym is quite foreign friendly.There is many foreign student in gym.Gym's head Hiroyuki Abe is friendly and helpful for international students.

Laughter 7 (Tokyo,Omori)
Gym's head Kazushi Sakuraba

Tokyo Yellow Mans (Tokyo,Higashi Jujyo)
Gym's head Noboru Asahi
Famous fighter Yoshiyuki Yoshida

Academia AZ (Tokyo,Suidobashi)
Gym's head Toshiyuki Sato

Master Japan (Tokyo,Suidobashi)
Gym's head Kuniyoshi Hironaka

Kohgikan (Tokyo,Ocyanomizu)
Gym's head Satoru Sayama

Alliance-Square (Tokyo,Aoyamaitchome)
Gym's head Tsuyoshi Kosaka

SK-Absolute (Tokyo,Okubo)
Gym's head Tenshin Matsumoto

Kugayama Rascal (Tokyo,Kugayama)
Gym's head Takanori Gomi

Gokita Gym (Tokyo,Machida)
Gym's head Masaru Gokita

Cave Gym (Tokyo,Narihirabashi)
Gym's head Taisuke Okuno

Cloud Akiyama Dojo (Tokyo,Hiroo)
Gym's head Yoshihiro Akiyama

SRC Gym (Tokyo,Ikebukuro)
Gym's head Yoshiki Takahashi

P's Lab Tokyo,P's Lab Yokohama (Tokyo,Harajuku and Kanagawa,Kannai)

P's Lab Yokohama

K'z Factory (Kanagawa,Sagamiono)
Gym's head Kazuhiro Kusayanagi

roots (Kanagawa,Odawara)
Gym's head Rumina Sato

Reversal Gym Yokohama Groundslam (Kanagawa, Yokohama)
Gym's head Syuichiro Katsumura
Famous fighter Shinichi "BJ" Kojima

X-one Gym Shonan,X-One Gym Totsuka (Kanagawa, Fujisawa and Kanagawa,Totsuka)
Gym's head Tomoaki Hayama

Dobuita (Kanagawa,Yokosukachuo)
Gym's head Hiroki Nagaoka

Rodeo Style (Kanagawa Keikyu Taura)
(Link to English Page)
Gym's head Yasutaka Kato

STF,STF Tokorozawa,STF Urawa (Saitama,Tsruse and Urawa)
Gym's head Naoyuki Abe

SK Absolute Jyuseikan (Saitama,Tsuruse)
Gym's head Hidehiko Hasegawa

Purebred Omiya (Saitama,Higashiomiya)
Gym's head Hisao Ikeda

Purebred Kawaguchi REDIPS (Saitama,Kawaguchi)
Gym's head Tatsuya Onose

Purebred Kyoto (Kyoto,Sanjo)
Gym's head Nobuyuki Shimakawa

Purebred Tottori (Tottori,Yonago)
Gym's head Takumi Ota

G-FREE (Wakayama,Wakayama)
Gym's head Toshiharu Katakuri

Tsudanuma Dojo (Chiba,Tsudanuma)
Gym's head Yasuo Suzuki
Famous fighter Akitoshi Tamura

Mach Dojo (Tokyo, Sugamo and Ibaragi, Sanuki )
Gym's head Hayato "Mach" Sakurai

Krazy Bee (Tokyo,Magome)
Gym's head Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto

J-Rock Workout Studio (Yoshida Dojo's MMA gym) (Tokyo,Togoshiginza)
Gym's head Hidehiko Yoshida

U.W.F. Snakepit Japan (Tokyo Koenji)
Gym's head Yuko Miyato

GRABAKA (Tokyo,Ochiai)
Gym's head Sanae Kikuta
Famous fighter Akihiro Gono

Natural 9 (Tokyo,Gotanda)
Gym's head Wataru Miki

Takada Dojo (Tokyo,Musashikoyama)
Gym's head Nobuhiko Takada

K.I.B.A. Martial Arts Club (Tokyo,Harigaya)
Gym's head "Rambo" Matsukaze

Brave (Tokyo,Kitasenjyu)
Gym's head Kazuyuki Miyata

Academia Reversal (Tokyo,Yoyogihachiman)
Gym's head Takehiro Iso

U-File Camp (Tokyo,Nishichofu and Tokyo,Akabane and Tokyo,Omori and Kanagawa,Mukogaokayuen)
Gym's head Kiyoshi Tamura

Hybrid Wrestling Yamada Dojo (Tochigi,Nishinasuno)
Gym's head Manabu Yamada

U-Spirit Japan (Tokyo,Machida)
Gym's head Ryuki Ueyama

Power Of Dream (Hokkaido,Sapporo)
Gym's head Kenichi Yamamoto

T-Blood (Ibaragi,Arakawaoki)
(Link to English Page)
Gym's head Kenji Seki
Famous fighter Tatsuya Kawajiri,Mitsuhiro Ishida

R-Blood (Ibaragi,Higashimito)
Gym's head Ryuta Sakurai

K.O. Gym (Shizuoka,Hamamatsu)
Gym's head Kenji Ogusu

Twist (Shizuoka,Shizuoka)
Gym's head Takefumi Hanai

SUBMIT Shizuoka (Shizuoka,Numazu)

Bonsai Juijitsu (Shizuoka,Hamamatsu and Shizuoka,Iwata)
Gym's head Mauricio Souza

Cobrakai (Osaka,Noda)
Gym's head Yoshitomi "Dokonjonosuke" Mishima

Pancrase Inagakigumi (Osaka,Daikokucho)
Gym's head Katsuomi Inagaki

Chokushinkai (Osaka,Deto)
Gym's head Junji Ikoma

Angura (Osaka,Gozenji)
Gym's head Hiroto? Nishikawa
Famous fighter Yuka Tsuji

Trinity Suns (Hyogo,(no train station))
Gym's head Masanori Suda

Second Out (Okayama,Tsuyama)
Gym's head Yoichi Yamamoto

CMA Kyoto Seikeikan (Kyoto,Takaragaike)
Gym's head Koji Okuyama

BURST (Hiroshima,Higashifukuyama)
Gym's head Shinji Sasaki

TK Esperanza (Hiroshima,Fukue)
Gym's head Tsuyoshi Okada

Shooto Jam Water (Tottori,Tottori)
Gym's head Mitsuhiro Saji

The Soldierno (Shimane,Izumokagakukanparktownmae)
Gym's head Koji Matsui

Mori Dojo (Yamaguchi,Toyama)
Gym's head Akihiko Mori

Team Blaze Kagawa , Team Blaze Wakimachi (Kagawa,Kurikuma and Tokushima ,Anabuki)
Gym's head Kimikazu Fujimoto

Ichiryogusoku (Kochi,Gomen)
Gym's head Tatsuyuki Kawakami

Toushin (Okinawa,Furujima)
Gym's head ???? Kineya

Wild Seaser(Okinawa,Syuri)
Gym's head Shikou Tomaru

ALIVE (Aichi,Fukiage)
Gym's head Yoichi Suzuki
Famous fighter Hatsu Hioki

Grappling Shooto Boxers (Aichi,Nonami)
Gym's head Atsuhiro Tsuboi

NEX (Aichi,Komaki)
Gym's head Hiroshi Umemura

Barbosa Japan (Aichi,Narawa)
(Link to English Page)
Gym's head Tomomi "Taisho" Iwama

Splash (Aichi,Higashiokazaki)
Gym's head Akira Kibe

MB3Z (Aichi,Kogane)
Gym's head Naoki Matsushita

Nascer Do Sol (Gifu, Hozumi)
Gym's head Hiroyuki Nomura

Philoktetes Niigata (Niigata,Kameda)
Gym's head Jin Kazeta

Club Barbarian (Toyama,Minamitoyama), CB IMPACT (Ishikawa,Kanazawa)
Gym's head Yoshinori Fukumoto
Famous fighter Miku Matsumoto

Mimura Dojo (Fukui,Echizentogo)
Gym's head Hiroyuki Mizuno

Shooting Gym Yokohama (Kanagawa,Yokohama)
(Link to English Page)
Gym's head Kenji Kawaguchi
Famous fighter Mamoru Yamaguchi Takeshi "Lion" Inoue

Shooting Gym Tokyo (Tokyo,Gotanda)
Gym's head Kazuhiro Sakamoto

Shooting Gym Kobe (Hyogo,Motomachi)
Gym's head Jun Kitagawa

Shooto Gym BLOWS (Osaka Nihonbashi)
Gym's head Takashi Nakakura

Paraestra Tokyo (Tokyo, Ekoda)
Gym's head Yuki Nakai
Famous fighter Shinya Aoki

Paraestra Osaka (Osaka,Teradacho)
Gym's head Takumi Nakayama

Paraestra Kawagoe (Saitama, Kawagoe)
Gym's head Makoto Sawada

Paraestra Kawasaki (Kanagawa, Takatsu)
Gym's head Takuya Kitade

Paraestra Ikebukuro (Tokyo,Ikebukuro)
Gym's head Yuki Nakai

Paraestra Hakata (Fukuoka,Hakata)
Gym's head Kenshi Tomari

Paraestra Kasai (Tokyo,Nishikasai)
Gym's head Takayuki Hirose

Paraestra Hachiouji (Tokyo,Hachiouji)
Gym's head Ayumu "Gozo" Shioda
Famous fighter Masanori Kanehara

Paraestra Chiba,Paraestra Kashiwa and Paraestra Matsudo (Chiba,Honchiba and Chiba,Kashiwa and Chiba,Mabashi)
Gym's head Hiroshi Tsuruya

Paraestra Kuji (Iwate,Kuji)
Gym's head Tomoki Kanuka

Paraestra Muroran (Hokkaido,Bokoi)
Gym's head Masatoshi Kudo

Paraestra Hakodate
Gym's head Tsutomu Fujimoto

Paraestra Asahikawa (Hokkaido, Shinasahikawa)
Gym's head Yoichi Yamamoto

Paraestra Hachinohe,Paraestra Misawa,Paraestra Towada,Hybrid Wrestling Hachinohe (Aomori,Ichikawa and Aomori,Misawa and Aomori,Towada)
Gym's head Takehito Nishizuka

Paraestra Sendai,Paraestra Fukushima,Paraestra Kooriyama,Paraestra Nanyo,Paraestra Namie,Paraestra Aizu (Fukushima,Minamifukushima and Fukushima,Kooriyama and Fukushima, Nanyoshiyakusyo and Fukushima Namie and Fukushima,Minamiwakamatsu)
Gym's head Takeshi Sato

Paraestra Niigata (Niigata,Niigata)
Gym's head Takashi Watanabe

Paraestra Joetsu (Niigata,Takada)
Gym's head Yohei Nashimoto

Paraestra Koga (Ibaragi,Koga)
Gym's head Satoshi Kotani

Paraestra Koiwa (Tokyo,Koiwa)
Gym's head Takashi Ouchi

Paraestra Kichijyoji,Paraestra Shibuya (Tokyo,Kichijyoji and Tokyo Shibuya)
Gym's head Satoshi Kotani

Paraestra Machida (Tokyo,Machida)
Gym's head Yuki Nakai

Paraestra Gifu,Paraestra Gujo (Gifu,Takadabashi and Gifu,Gujyohachiman)
Gym's head Sogen Shimizu

Paraestra Kakogawa (Hyogo,Hioka)
Gym's head Masaya Inoue

Paraestra Hiroshima (Hiroshima,Cyorakuji)
Gym's head Tatsuro Kamei

Paraestra Ehime (Ehime,Ichitsubo)
Gym's head Kanahiro Hayashi

Paraestra Kitakyushu (Fukuoka,Jyono)
Gym's head Tomikazu Goto

SKILL MMA's Wajyutsu Keisyukai databease include gym list

SKILL MMA's Japanese gym exterior photo series

Big thanks to Matt Benyon (from The Grappling Dummy) for English editing.

Japanese MMA scene Fighter to watch out

2010-01-08T23:33:00.012+09:00

At 2010 who can be break out MMA fighter in Japanese scene?I choice fighter who worth to watch out for your 2010 Japanese MMA scene joy.I don't think all of them will have great 2010 but find your favorite fighter before everyone and enjoy those succeed is always hardcore fans joy.

I pick many fighter already have establish position in Japanese MMA scene.But you can expect more evolve from those fighter.I think I pick many Sengoku feather weight tourny participant,but that is best MMA tourny in last year's Japanese scene.So I think I can justified that.

Michihiro Omigawa (Yoshida Dojo)

One of most improve fighter in 2009.Especially in boxing (offense and defense)and chaining submission.If he improve his skill like last year,he can claim top of division.

Hatsu Hioki (ALIVE)

He didn't win Sengoku tourny what home country people hope for.But he shows his true skill sometime overlook by some people cause of some lose.His grappling clinic against Sengoku champ Masanori Kanehara show his real potential.

Marlon Sandro (Nova Uniao)

KO artist with ridiculous power and good balance.Put sleep some fighter not many known but talented like Yuji Hoshino.Need watch out if you like Jose Aldo who is same gym's development.

Masanori Kanehara (Paraestora Hachiouji)

No one think he will take major tourny when it started, but his rapid improve and fortunate reaches it.Show improve at strike, wrestle and submission.

Katsunori Kikuno (Alliance)

One of karate practitioner who got real MMA skill.He enter major and face Andre Dida who is many think too high caliber fighter to face at that time point.He beat him with crescent kick.Lose to Eddi Alvarez but still worth checking for improve.He will return DEEP before goin Dream again.Probably meet against Parky.

Wong Sik "Parky" Park (CMA Korea)

Beat up two Japanese (Yuichi Ikari, Atsuhiro Tsuboi) and high reputation make him major debut to meet Kuniyoshi Hironaka.He fought better than everybody thought but lose by injury.He suppose to meet DEEP champ Kikuno at this year.

Chan Sung Jung (Korean Top Team)

Already known for knock out FanJin Son for major organization eliminator make him
notice for hardcores.But knock off Shintaro Ishiwatari who is known for relentless striker make him real interest for fans.His hard fought against current Sengoku champ Masanori Kanehara define himself as a major quality fighter.

Mitsuhisa Sunabe (freelance)

He fought as a mediocre feather weight for MMA career but finally he find his best weight at flyweight.If he fight Shooto's flyweight at this year,that make big motivation for hardcore to go event.

Jussier Formiga (Nova Uniao)

Not notice by many people,But Jussier Formiga taking of no1 flyweight label from Japan is one of memorable thing at 2009.He will face Kojima again for this year to make this weight getting more establish.

Maximo "Maxi" Blanco (Yoshida Dojo)

Show his huge raw athlecism make him as interest to see future potential.He show improve at strike department.Responsible by Katsuhisa Tashiro make him beat Katsuya Inoue who is Pancrase Light weight champion.

Yusuke Honma (Paraestra Sapporo)

One of highest archive at grapple department.Debut this year's Shooto.Honma is Mundial finalist.

Tashiro Akai (Nova Uniao Japan)

Recently fight decent opponent but never touch major.Feather weight fighter become bantam weight and take Seiya Kawahara Who is last years local watchers attention.Gunning Inoue who is Pancrase bantam weight champion.

That's my choice of fighter to watch out at 2010 Japanese MMA scene.I personally think MMA team Alliance (run by Tsuyoshi "TK" Kohsaka) can make title run at Japanese locals.Because of Katsunori Kikuno who belongs to gym give back his experience to gym mate. But I can't make that much confidence.

I ask Jordan Breen for your Japanese MMA fighter (as rookie) to watch out.Comment for fighter added by me.

Koji Matsumoto (Master Japan)

Train under Kuniyoshi Hironaka,Matsumoto have good leg submission and won Shooto rookie tourny.

Junji "Sarumaru" Ito (Shooting Gym Yokohama)

Shooto's striker factory,Shooting Gym Yokohama's newest development add whole design of MMA game.

Thank you to Jordan Breen for pick ups.

Year's first laugh

2010-01-01T15:22:00.005+09:00

Happy new year for worldwide audience of this web.At Japan there is tradition of watching something funny for new year and be a happy feeling with new year.So I find MMA's funny moment for new year.It's not skill related,but I can't be serious all time.Enjoy!!I hope you have good year!!

DEEP Megaton Tournament

Japanese Local promotion DEEP's organization's head Shigeru Saeki (Who is over weight more than 110kgs (240lbs)) try to decide who is best megaton (= fat) fighter in the world.Organization care about fighter's stamina.So rule is 3 minutes 2 rounds with 3minutes interval.Tournament include former sumo wrestler who train with yokozuna Asashoryu.There is many idea at this event. If audience is over 100kgs (22lbs) ,He (She) got a free drink.Round girl is over 100kgs (22lbs) too.

Charles Bennett over KJ Noons with post fight interview.

Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennet is underdog against KJ Noons at this fight.KJ Noons provoke "Krazy Horse" at before fight conference.After fight "Krazy Horse" cerebrate
his win with funny interview.I don't say much.You better watch videos.

Fashion guru Yoshihiro Akiyama

Probably first thing Yoshihiro Akiyama give impact for audience is his fashion.Too hilarious to see such a thing.I think many people find as a charm that's why he called Sexyama in that English forum.

Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal's chant "Mo" involve ref Samio Kimura

Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal is one of prospect with audience's high expectations.Probably people notice him with chat against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.But he have character before people realize.King Mo have fan service time after fight and exchange chant with audience.He try to do chant by Samio Kimura who is fight's referee.Samio Kimura chant "Mo" with deadly serious face.I don't have video with captured Samio's face.You need watch your collection of Sengoku's video.

Rambaa "M16" Somdet over Ulysses Gomez

Rambaa "M16" Somdet is most skilled MMA fighter in lightest weight category in MMA world.But also he have his unique character.His showman-ship is hilarious and optimistic.

You're in freedom (MMA Year In Review 2009)

2009-12-27T13:31:00.008+09:00

At year's end, many MMA journalists try to look back at the year, but it's just reading data. I want to give a Year in Review with a different style than just listing fights, knockouts or submissions of the year.

This is shiroobi's MMA Year In Review 2009.

When you think about MMA's background, you can separate distinct martial arts, but in MMA, fighters try to fuse fight skills. You can see American wrestlers trying to add jiu-jitsu; you can't deny the wrestling game has effected the positional game of jiu-jitsu. Therefore, some fighters who have combined those skills call it "American jiu-jitsu".

MMA is experimental for all martial arts. Every martial art needs cultural exchange; fighters need the ability to chose skills to fit their body type, height, reach, weight. On the other hand, being a traditional martial artist can reveal the essence of real fighting; Lyoto Machida has directly benefited from this. His goal is the fusion of traditional martial arts and modern sports skills.

My writing about Lyoto Machida "Empty hand"

We saw a lot of experimental things coming from Japanese organizations. Shooto revived Vale Tudo Japan, and made peace with Pancrase. Those things were inevitable. MMA's content is always experimental, so eventually, circumstances will always alleviate the problems in organizing fights between promotions.

MMA has a dynamic, experimental spirit. It is pointless to talk about the maturity or value of one single martial art, or one single promotion. What is important is the mutual impact of martial arts, which can fly from continent to continent.

Some people think that strict, limited rules make a better, more focused sport. I don't totally deny that, but the charm of MMA is in its dynamism. It is no coincidence that Japan's top boxers like Hozumi Hasegawa, Daisuke Naito and Koki Kameda love to watch MMA. As athletes, the imagination of MMA attracts them. Yet, it is the self-styled critics who are close-minded about MMA.

It's not surprising technology has impacted this sport's worldwide growth, since it really started just before the internet era. People can easily access MMA events with tools like youtube, while hardcore fans are willing to watch horrible quality event rips.

New technology not only helps any person on any continent keep up with contemporary MMA, but also creates new stars, and a new audience. The internet allowed street fighters like Kimbo Slice, or to a lesser extent, Jorge Masvidal, gain popularity. I don't really evaluate Kimbo Slice; while he may succeed business-wise, he does diminish the sporting quality of MMA. However, a fighter like Masvidal deserves attention, and reinforces the potential for street fighters to turn into successful MMA fighters through quality fight gyms.

I also must mention that it looks like the major Japanese organizations are going to merge. Sengoku idealized MMA, by trying to mimic North American MMA: announcing fights earlier, competitive match-ups, reality shows to promote events. While it gained support from hardcore fans, that's not enough to sell out events. They tried to sign elite Olympic athletes, but the benefit of those athletes is not immediate.

In the end, however, tons of talent was exposed through Sengoku: Satoru Kitaoka, Dan Hornbuckle, Mamed Khalidov,King Mo Lawal, Mizuto Hirota, Michihiro Omigawa, Masanori Kanehara, Chan Sung Jung, Marlon Sandro and others.

Within the Japanese local scene, DEEP continues to grow. By paying domestic fighters the best, they've struck a good balance of ideal competition and commercial success. They experimented with a cage event, and used former talent from major events. Fighter wise, they're close to Shooto's quality now. It's amazing to think about, since only a few years ago, they used lucha libre pro-wrestlers.

Shooto will also continue to play a major role in the local Japanese scene, too. They can continue to grow by exchanging fighters with Pancrase, and continue improving their rules by experimenting with the rules in the Vale Tudo Japan events.

Some people are conservative about talent exchanges, but if interesting matchmaking doesn't happen, audience approval decreases. There is no reason for local organizations to close themselves off from one another for political reasons. Even though there is competition between them, it is more important to make sure these crossover bouts happen for the sake of Japanese MMA, especially because the quality of regional MMA all over the world is growing.

Specifically regarding the Shooto-Pancrase exchange, I really want crossover between welterweights, middleweights and women. Champions at these weights in either organization never get to fight other quality MMA fighters. For women, there is a different problem: Japanese has some premiere female fighters, but elite-versus-elite fights are too rare in Japan. I'm tired of Megumi Fujii vs. Yuka Tsuji never happening.

Organizations will always try to make profit, and fans need to deal with it. I thought Jake Shields' fight with Jason "Mayhem" Miller was fun, watching a technical grappling chess match between the two. But some people don't find it fun. I support MMA as a sport, but ignoring the need to make money, or considering what an audience finds enjoyable is stupid. MMA is entertainment, and needs to compete with other forms of entertainment. Money is what creates MMA events, and brings talent to the sport.

Being a sport is not enough to help MMA rise. It is about the right balance between sport and entertainment.

Aldo vs Aritano Barbosa

Jose Aldo also started to become the new star of the lighter weights. People don't know, but he has awesome soccer kicks. The Unified Rules limitations hurt the diversity of MMA. MMA needs a more experimental stage, and its still young enough to have one. Jose Aldo is not only showing how talented he is, he is showing a casual audience how great the lighter weight fighters are. MMA is still somewhat old-fashioned about how the larger audience evaluates lower weight fighters, despite the fact that boxing fans realize the smaller weights are usually the most enjoyable.

Lower weight classes make for different body frames, speed, tactics. This is important for diversity, and giving freedom to the audience. Hopefully audiences continue to enjoy the lighter weights, spend money, and allow these fighters to truly be evaluated as professionals.

I want you to understand MMA is a journey across time, continents, ethnicity, human bodies, rules. Every fundamental fuses, or collides with another. I hope you can feel that freedom; it's the joy of MMA.

Big thanks to Jordan Breen for English editing.

World of Flyweight

2009-12-09T21:36:00.003+09:00

Flyweight is not known for many people but there are fighters who can enjoy casual audience.I list many fighter from Japanese scene and some states side fighter.But that's only mean those two areas are more established in this division than other areas.

This division will make a lot of challenger from country people's average scale is small.For instance I suppose to think Philippine can be power this weight.Moreover,highest level Muay Thai fighters belong to this weight.If quality Muay Thai fighters adapt mma constantly (it's not easy,obviously),You can say flyweight have highest level striker.Even Today Shooto's 115 pounds champ Rambaa "M16" Somdet smash opponent and highly evaluated.

Jussier "Formiga" da Silva
He is 24 years old but currently No1 ranked flyweight in the world.He shock Shooto community with secure some takedown against Shinichi "BJ" Kojima and beat him at decision.

Shinichi "BJ" Kojima
He is known for defense against long time division king Mamoru Yamaguchi with nasty Rear Naked Choke.

Shinichi "BJ" Kojima

Mamoru Yamaguchi
Long time division king.Known by Afro hair style like former Japanese box champ Yoko Gushiken.Have a quality striking skill.Participate Shooto Boxing and beat rankers.

Mamoru Yamaguchi

Yasuhiro Urushitani
Shooto's outbox king.Have a draw decision with "BJ" Kojima many claimed his win.

Yasuhiro Urushitani

Mitsuhisa Sunabe
Once mediocre feather weight.But his two division drop and box improve at Shirai-Gushiken box gym make top 10 flyweight.New comer for flyweight mix and he against any quality flyweight make new breath to this division in Japan.

Mitsuhisa Sunabe

Kiyotaka Shimizu
2007 armature Kick-boxing Kaminarimon winner. (Kick-boxing organization RISE's armature division) Recently surprised many people with competitive bout against Mamoru Yamaguchi.Soon meet Mitsuhisa Sunabe at 2010 February.

Kiyotaka Shimizu

Pat Runez
Many people don't know him.But he beat John Dodson at UWC 7.Unfortunately,that event known by robbery of the year Beebe vs Easton.But that flyweight fight is quality and worth check.

Alexis Villa
He got Olympic Bronze at Fleestyle wrestling, Atlanta.Athletic as expected from background.

Villa vs Acosta

Rambaa "M16" Somdet

He is current Shooto flyweight (115 pounds) champ.It's smaller weight than Nevada (125 pounds) flyweight but he can fight at 125ponds too.Former elite Muay Thai fighter turn into MMA at 2001.Get BJJ skill with MMA fighter Shooto champ Masakatsu Ueda and Naoya Uematsu.

Rambaa vs Gomez

SKILL MMA World unknown mma community list

2009-12-05T15:58:00.006+09:00

SKILL MMA aim comprehensive list about MMA data.Today I introduce unknown MMA community for many people but important for regional scene.Of course no one try to do such a thing.So I know this list lucks many important regional web.I welcome your recommendation about regional MMA web.Let MMA fans unite!!

Brazil
Portal Do Vale-Tudo

Portal Do Vale-Tudo's forum

Canada
Fight Linker

UK
Cage Warriors

Cage Warriors Forum

Aussie
Infinite MMA

Infinite MMA Forum

France
IKUSA

IKUSA Forum

Poland
MMA Rocks

Philippine
PinoyMMA.com

Ring and Cage.MMA's concept.

2009-11-29T13:04:00.006+09:00

Bloody Elbow "Joe Silva Wants A Smaller UFC Cage"

I was reading this article at Bloody Elbow and it prompted me to salvage an old forum post.

Combat sports have always existed in the ring. MMA's cage is a recent deviation in that long history. But what have we taken from the ring? What do we love about the ring?

The ring is smaller than Zuffa's cage, and strikers have used the extra space to innovate combinations, chase strategies, etc. Why did Mirko CroCop fail in the cage? It's the effect of the cage's structure and scale. A big cage makes for more running in circles and less throwing of combinations. I'm not saying it doesn't take skill to win in the cage, but which gets more love from me? Of course, the surface which "combinations and chase strategy." There's more history, skill and maturation.

There are some things I prefer about the cage. In the ring, many fights are interrupted when the fighters reach the edge of the ring and either become entangled in the ropes or are restarted the referee. The cage generally means less need for referee intervention.

Knee strikes have a long history in fight sports. So why are knees to downed opponents banned in the unified rules? This is just my speculation, but I think it's the effect of the American commissions. The U.S. is known for its strong wrestling tradition, and knees to the head on the ground are risky for wrestlers.

There are fighters who wow us with soccer kicks and stops. I think it's hard to make casual fans understand that these techniques are safer than they look. We'll have to wait for people's understanding to catch up before these types of moves are allowed in the cage.

Elbow strikes have a long history, too. Why not adopt them in Japan? I think it's because the Japanese casual audience doesn't like to see blood.

I always wonder how much Vaseline being applied to the face really helps prevent cuts from elbow strikes. Because that's surely the purpose, but at the same time, the Vaseline may help nullify a submission fighter's game. I'm not sure if Vaseline is the best answer or not. On the other hand, Japanese organizations don't use Vaseline on the face. The reason is easy to understand: they've already banned elbows, and the lack of Vaseline ostensibly increases the chances for submissions.

What I think people need to understand is that some fights have to be stopped because of cuts. When you watch Muay Thai or kickboxing (which include elbows), you can see that fighters are proud to earn a TKO victory by cut. Evaluating elbows in MMA is difficult, though, since they're so easy to land on the ground. That's why I think the UFC allows the blood to pool, rather than opting for more early cut stoppages. It should be changed in the future, though.

original forum post 08/03/2008

I welcome your ideas about MMA rules and skill sets.

Big thanks to Chris Nelson (from Bloody Elbow) for English editing.

SKILL MMA gain ground to Picasa

2009-11-25T19:54:00.004+09:00

I lost Flickr password.So SKILL MMA photo section move to Picasa.I add description soon.So be wait.

For people interest new set,I add Shooto Revolutionary Exchanges 3.

Watch SKILL MMA's photo gallery

Breakdown of Escudero vs Miller at UFC 103 (with some Jordan Breen)

2009-11-21T17:29:00.002+09:00

After UFC 103, HumungusMMA asked me on twitter about Efrain Escudero vs Cole Miller.

@shiroobi what did you think of Escudero's head movement? 1 foot away from all of Miller's punches.

Of course, Escudero avoided almost every strike by Miller. Escudero was very conscious of Miller's reach, and was able to move his head just off the end of Miller's hand when he struck.

@humungusMMA It's more about length matter I think because Escudero keep length Miller can't hit left jab,When Miller comin Escudero counter.

Cole Miller seemed to think he should be putting Escudero up against the cage, and cornering him with his reach, but in reality, Escudero didn't have any problems with being there, because he had enough space and head movement to stay off the end of his punches. Escudero's head movement allowed him to come forward, making Miller move back and reset his distance, so he could use his reach. However, because he couldn't strike as well he stepped back and reset, Escudero was able to counter.

When Escudero succeeded in countering Miller, he chased him to now allow Miller to regain distance and used his reach. Miller couldn't strike while going backwards, and Escudero kept coming forward, and knocked him out.

HumungusMMA, is this a better answer for you?

I run a site called "SKILL MMA", but regrettably, I haven't done much evaluation of skills in MMA. Hopefully this satisfies you, and you can understand why I run a site with such a name.

* * *

After wrote this, I asked Jordan Breen to brush up the English writing and asked his opinion.

Shiroobi: How you think about content? Is there any chance of improve or any fault?

Jordan: I like it a lot. The one thing I'd point out though is that the punch Escudero clobbered him with coming forward, he actually shortened the punch, which very few guys in MMA can do properly. Most guys would've thrown a lunging, retarded punch, and it would've flown over Miller's shoulder or something. Escudero shortened his right hand coming forward and smashed him right on the chin.

Jordan: Same way Kongo caught Cain coming in. Most guys can't cut their punches short and drive them like that, it's actually fairly high level stuff you don't get in MMA too much.

Jordan: Most MMA guys, running forward at an opponent, would've thrown their punch far forward, and it would've either completely missed, or not had any power on it because it would been an arm lunge.

Big thanks to Jordan Breen for English and giving a thoughtful view.

Judo Fly to the wolrd (How BJJ born)

2009-11-11T21:15:00.006+09:00

Today, judo -- and by extension, Brazilian jiu-jitsu -- are international sports. But, at first, judo only existed in Japan. Today, I introduce three individuals who brought judo abroad. These are the first steps of oriental grappling going worldwide, clearly effecting MMA's establishment.

Mitsuyo Maeda (Conde Koma)

Mitsuyo Maeda (Conde Koma) is known as the father of jiu-jitsu. He as born in the prefecture of Aomori at 1878, and joined the Kodokan at nine years old. To pay the costs of staying in America, he took prizefights against boxers, kenpo practitioners and pro wrestlers. If any opponent beat him, they won 1000 U.S. dollars.

His prizefighting tour eventually landed him in Brazil, where he met businessman and politician Gastao Gracie, the son of a Scottish immigrant. Gracie wanted Maeda to use jiu-jitsu to teach his son Carlos discipline. Carlos would show these grappling skills to his younger brother, Helio, who would modify and improve parts of jiu-jitsu, renaming the art "Gracie jiu-jitsu."

Some 30 years ago, the heavy rain of Belem destroyed Maeda's grave. Maeda's friend Sakaeoti, and Yoshizo Machida -- the father of Lyoto -- collected the bones of "Conda Koma", cleaned them, and with the support of Kokushikan University, rebuilt a new tomb for him.

Masahiko Kimura

Masahiko Kimura as born in prefecture of Kumamoto at 1917.He start Judo at 10years old. Originally, Kimura wanted to be a part of the pro judo circuit and won the tournament, but pro judo was a financial failure. As a result, Kimura started to compete in pro wrestling. While working and teaching judo in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Kimura's colleague Yukio Kato was choked out by Helio Gracie, who had honed his grappling under his brother Carlos. Kimura worried about judo's popularity decreasing due to the event, leading to him fighting Helio at Maracana Stadium.

When Kimura arrived at the stadium, he found a coffin, which Helio had said was for him. However, Kimura defeated Gracie after 13 minutes, throwing him with an osoto gari, before attacking him with an ude garami, forcing Carlos Gracie to stop the bout, knowing his brother would not submit. Because of this bout, the ude garami was called the "Kimura lock".

Almost 50 years later, Kazushi Sakuraba would become the first man in modern MMA to defeat the second generation of Gracie family. Sakuraba beat both Royler and Renzo Gracie with the famous Kimura lock.

Kimura is also known as a teacher of Yoshinori Nishi and the late Ryusuke Moriyama, who were instrumental in forming Japan's biggest network of MMA gyms, Wajutsu Keishukai .

Yukio Tani

Yukio Tani as born in prefecture of Kumamoto at 1880.At the age of 19, Japanese jiu-jitsu practitioner Yukio Tani flew to London to serve as an instructor in Bartitsu, a hybrid martial art devised by British entrepreneur and self-defense pioneer E.W. Barton Wright. The martial art inspired famous author Arthur Conan Doyle to write his celebrated Sherlock Holmes character as a student of Bartitsu.

Unfortunately, Bartitsu was a financial failure. However, Tani stayed in London, and joined up with show business promoter William Bankier. Tani started to compete in jacket (gi) challenge matches at London's music halls. A challenger would be paid a British pound for every minute he lasted with Tani, up to 15 minutes, and 100 pounds if he could defeat Tani.

Judo school taught by Tani still exist in London.It named Budokwai.

Big thanks to Jordan Breen for English support and Editing.

Watch exterior of Japanese MMA Gym at SKILL MMA

2009-11-02T22:13:00.010+09:00

SKILL MMA Picasa have largest Japanese MMA gym's exterior photo series.It is most popular photo series at SKILL MMA Picasa.Now I add link to gym's web and who is head for gym for SKILL MMA 's flickr.

Today I add google street view for this database.Thank for technology, That make SKILL MMA's database part make stronger.For Google street view you can click to gym's name link and you can access gym's web.

Watch map directly
Kiguchi Dojo
Gym's head Noriaki Kiguchi

Watch map directly
GRABAKA
Gym's head Sanae Kikuta

Watch map directly
J-Rock Work Out Studio (Yoshida Dojo's MMA gym)
Gym's head ?

Watch map directly
Tokyo Yellow Mans
Gym's head Noboru Asahi

Watch map directly
Wajyutsu Keisyukai A-3
Gym's head Hirokazu Nishimura

Watch map directly
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Duro
Gym's head Toshihiro Suda

atch map directly
P's Lab Yokohama
Gym's head ?

Watch map directly
Akimoto Dojo Jungle Junction
Gym's head Jin Akimoto

Watch map directly
Cobra-Kai
Gym's head Yoshitomi "Dokonjonosuke" Mishima

Watch map directly
Shooting Gym Osaka
Gym's head Takashi Nakakura

Watch map directly
NEX
Gym's head Hiroshi Umemura

Watch map directly
Paraestra Sapporo
Gym's head Minoru Tawaraya

Shiroobi presents Japanese MMA database Wajyutsu Keisyukai Dojo and Fighters list

2009-10-22T13:16:00.015+09:00

I made list of Wajyutsu Keisyukai (Biggest MMA gym in Japan) Dojo.Head of Dojo have asterisk mark.I add where built dojo.If you have interest WK fighters.It can be interesting.I'm too tired to add minimum explain.You can use google.So I guess it's not hard to getting fighters info.

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Webpage
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Official

Cage Force Official Page
Cage Force Official

DEMOLITION Offical Page (old one)
DEMOLITION Offical

D.O.G. Offical page (old one)
D.O.G. Offical

Older event (web page not exist now)

ORG
Contenders

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Tokyo Honbu (Ocyanomizu Tokyo)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Tokyo Honbu Official

Yushin Okami
Yushin Okami Official Blog
K-taro Nakamura
K-taro Nakamura Official Blog
Katsuya Toida
Hideki Kadowaki
Hideki Kadowaki Official Blog
Motoki Miyazawa
Motoki Miyazawa Official Blog
Takayo Hashi
Naoko Omuro
Naoko Omuro Official Blog
Kanako Takeshita

Wajyutsu Keisyukai GODS (Grappling Of Destructive & Striking) (Senzokuike Tokyo)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai GODS Official

*Taiyo Nakahara
Yuji Hoshino
Takeyasu Hirono

Wajyutsu Keisyukai RJW (Real Japanese Wrestling) (Monzen Nakamachi Tokyo)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai RJW Official

Wataru Miki
Wataru Miki Official Blog
Katsuya Inoue
Katsuya Inoue Official Blog
Yasuhiro Urushitani
Yasuhiro Urushitani Official Blog
Hayate Usui
Yoichi Fukumoto

Wajyutsu Keisyukai A-3 (Wakou Saitama Pref)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai A-3 Official

*Hirokazu Nishimura

Kenji Osawa
Kenji Osawa Official Blog
Yukiya Naito
Takahito Iida
Takahito Iida Official Blog
Takumi Murata
Naosuke "Yoshirock T" Yoshida
Naosuke "Yoshirock T" Yoshida Official Blog
Eri Kaneya

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Tiger Place (Yokohama Kanagawa pref)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Tiger Place Official

*Yuji Hisamatsu
Yusaku Tsukumo

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Hearts (Shinjuku Tokyo)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Hearts Official

Kenji Osawa
Kenji Osawa Official Blog

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Naked-Man Jiujitsu (Takadanobaba Tokyo)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Naked Man Jiujitsu Official

Tetsu "Hadairo" Suzuki
Tetsu "Hadairo" Suzuki Official Blog

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Toikatsu Dojo (Nakano Tokyo)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Toikatsu Dojo official

*Katsuya Toida

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Team Vamos (Tenri Nara pref)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Team Vamos Official

*Yushi Shiori

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Iwate Shibu (Kitakami Iwate pref)

*Takuya Fujimura

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Duro (Chiba Chiba pref)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Duro official

*Toshihiro Suda (ex Box Japanese Ranker)
Masaaki Sugawara

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Suruga Dojo (Numazu Shizuoka pref)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Suruga Dojo official

*Kenichi Serizawa
Yuta "Uruka" Sasaki
Hiroki "AB" Aoki
Daisuke Endo

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Hyogo Shibu (Itami Hyogo Pref)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Hyogo Shibu Official

*Tatsunori Tanaka

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Wakasugi Dojo (Fukuoka Fukuoka Pref)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Wakasugi Dojo official

*Naritsugu Wakasugi
Yuta Nakamura

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Tlive (Kameari Tokyo)

*Satoshi Nishino

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Knuckles (Hikari Yamaguchi Pref)

*Yuta Yasunaga

I write bit bout how Wajyutsu born.It is minimum info inside one article though.

SKILL MMA : Cult Martial Arts in MMA

original forum post 18/10/2007

Martial Arts exist in Japan

2009-10-19T21:45:00.029+09:00

Which martial arts exist in Japan? I research about that question.Link is basically which martial art's most authoritative Commission or Federation or Dojo.I plan to write about different list about kick boxing and Muay Thai lately.

Judo
All Japan Judo Federation

Kodokan's Jigoro Kano's statue

Kosen Judo
It's Judo but focus on grappling.Watch wikipedia for rule.
Wikipedia Kosen Judo

Shichitei Judo (Seven imperial university's Judo)
Yuki Nakai and Shiko Yamashita have this martial arts back ground.
It's only hold at imperial university (Wikipedia (Seven imperial university)).All 7 imperial university in Japan have shichitei judo club.It's focus on grappling like Kosen Judo but difference is no "Mate (Wait)" call so just people can focus on grappling.Shichitei Judo's game hold by each school's team.So there is type of player just beat and next guy to guy,or just aim draw.When Team beat other team's 15 people,game is over.This concept make grow each competitors specialty.One fighter just aim finishes and other just aim defence for draw.

Youtube Shichitei Judo (Japanese)

At Japanese wikipedia Yuki Nakai import "stop don't move" concept to mma from Shichitei Judo.I have no source except wikipedia so I just give reference.Youtube video have "stop don't move" scene.

Karate
Japan Karatedo Federation

Shotokan

Shotokan Headquaters

Goju

Wado

Kyokushin

Kyokushin Kaikan Headquaters

SeidoKaikan

Seido Kaikan Headquarters

Daidojuku (Wajyutsu Keisyukai's roots)

Daidojuku Headquarters

Sambo
Japan Sambo Federation

BJJ
Jiu-Jitsu Federation Of Japan (head Rickson Gracie)

Axis Jiujitsu Academy Chiba (One of Rickson Gracie Jiujitsu affiliate Gym)

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Of Japan (head Yuki Nakai)

ADCC Japan

Wrestling
Japan Wrestling Federation

Boxing
Japan Boxing Commission

Nippon Kenpo
Isamu Sugiuchi and Yoshifumi Dogaki have this martial arts back ground.
Nippon Kenpokai official

Wikipedia Nippon Kenpo

Sumo
Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Pro)

Japan Sumo Federation (Amateur)

Aikido
Aikiai Foundation

Kendo
All Japan Kendo Federation

Shorinji Kempo
Pancrase's Yuki Kondo and Miki Shida have this martial arts back ground.
Shorinji Kempo Organization

Wikipedia Shorinji Kempo

Japanese Self Defense Army Martial Arts

Combination of Nippon Kenpo and Aikido

Capoeira
Capoeira Angola Center Japao

Kurash
Japan KURASH Federation

Wikipedia Kurash

Silat
Japan Pencak Silat Association

Wikipedia Silat

Taekwondo
Taekwondo world org is separated by political reason.
I have no idea how many org exist in Japan.
International Taekwon-do Federation Japan

Japan Taekwondo Association

Koppo
Masato Fujiwara,Takumi Yano,Takefumi Hanai and Takeharu Murahama have this martial arts back ground.
Nihon Koppo Budo Association Official

My article about Koppo

SKILL MMA's Japanese Martial Arts Gym or Venue photo series

Look back Vale Tudo Japan with 5 fights

2009-10-16T19:33:00.030+09:00

Vale Tudo Japan 09's ticket sales is very well even with high price.Why?I give some old fight's explanation and make some hype for you. Vale Tudo Japan rule at 09 event is most resemble to Sengoku rule.Allow stomp and knee on ground.Which make more finish and make duel atmosphere.

Import point is

1 : Vale Tudo is Martial arts vs Martial arts for survive.
2 : Vale Tudo is contempt about fighter's safety.More duel than fight.
3 : Brazilian Jiujitsu is biggest background at that era.
4 : Vale Tudo Japan loser try to find what they don't know and teach to student.
5 : Brazilian Jiujitsu become part of MMA.MMA fighter start find way to win with MMA skill.

Let's look back Vale Tudo Japan with 5 fight I choices.

1: Yuki Nakai over Gerard Gordeau at VTJ 1995

Shooto LW champ Yuki Nakai graduate Hokkaido University and have Shichitei Judo (I will explain this at other post) background face Karate Practitioner Gerard Gordeau who is over 100kgs.

At early Vale Tudo era,there is aspect of martial arts vs other martial arts.Martial Arts master fight for continuous of his skill.So there is lot of malice.MMA is not exist at there.They just want define which is strongest martial arts.Therefore, rule limitation getting contempt.Gordeau is the guy bite Royce's arm at UFC 1.Then he eye-gouge Nakai and make Nakai one eye blind.The result make him eternal retire from MMA.

At VTJ 94,Shooto fighter can't win against foreigner.Yuki Nakai want prove Shooto fighter can fight.He said "I can beat ***** or ***** (pro wrestler name) ".Shooto make a less attention at that days.When He talk about Vale Tudo Japan he say "I could die for Shooto at that day".His win against Gordeau, and VTJ finalist status really first time to tell Shooto's promotion's value for outside world.

Yuki Nakai's gym Paraestra produce strong grapple fighter like Shinya Aoki or Satoru Kitaoka.

2: Enson Inoue over Randy Couture at VTJ 1998

Enson Inoue is Japanese American (Nikkei 4th generation) who training kick boxing. Add BJJ skill under Relson Gracie.Which is important.Because guy like Yuki Nakai learn BJJ from him,So basically Enson is father of BJJ in Japan.He show his BJJ skill and won against that date's UFC champ.That won helps he and Shooto's existence grow.Enson got many attention from Japanese MMA magazine because of this fight.

Enson Inoue make his gym Purebred and many elite fighter like Norifumi "kid" Yamamoto,Tetsuji Kato and Ganjo Tentsuku improve his skill at there.

3 Rickson Gracie over Yoshinori Nishi at VTJ 1994

Yoshinori Nishi is Daidojuku champ.Who faced Rickson at VTJ.But he don't know about what Vale Tudo is and make him cost lose.His famous words is "I Recognize run from fight by fear of defeat is such a shame.I aim dream of a man "be a strong man"(whatever happen from fighting) "
He prove his words but not by him.He establish Wajyutsu Keisyukai which is today's biggest gym group in Japan.Nishi and one of Wajyutsu's gym master Ryusuke Moriyama learn Judo from Masahiko Kimura.But at VTJ he can't fit his Judo at Vale Tudo game.Wajyutsu Keisyukai add some Brazilian Jiujitsu aspect and mix there Judo game.Therefore Wajyutu's grappling have some differ taste at that days.

Caol Uno debut at Shooto in 1996.He participate VTJ from 1998.He draw Andre "dede" Pederneiras who is Nova Uniao founder and show Wajyutsu can compete Brazilian Jiujitsu.

Rickson Gracie get know martial arts audience his name by his UFC 1 winner Royce's famous remark "Rickson was 10 times better than he was." Unfortunately He have only 11 fight and retire to defend self reputation.But Gracie and his family's influence's value is eternal.

4 ,Rumina Sato over Ricardo "Ricky" Botelho

At that day Brazilian Jiujitsu dominate at Vale Tudo.But slowly fighter realizes Brazilian Jiujitsu is not only way to win a game.Rumina Sato his father born in 1993, his father named "Rumina" took word from Latin's "Luna (moon) " and "Lupinus (wolf (if it go exact mean "Lupinus" is plant name but Lupinus words come from "Lupus"= wolf ))".Train under Noboru Asahi at Kiguchi Dojo .His win against Botelho show gain Brazilian Jiujitsu's knowledge and add some other skill make possibility to beat Brazilian Jiujitsu's black blt.Later wrestling and ground pound really come to mma.But at this moment leg lock is really important skill to beat who don't know about leg lock.

5 David Levicki over Kazuhiro Kusayanagi at VTJ 94

At early Vale Tudo's era weight difference is ignored.Because they define it as street fight show in venue.So Levicki who over 132kg face Kusayanagi who is fight for 70kgs at career.Kusayanagi lose.That make journalist headline "Japan weakest"
at martial arts magazine.Shooto people want revenge about it.That is huge motivation for Shooto guy's evolve.

Kazuhiro Kusayanagi leave Kiguchi Dojo and make his own K'z Factory gym where many elite fighter like Takanori Gomi,Akira Kikuchi,Kotetsu Boku and Masahiro Oishi improve his skill at there.

Gomi vs Hervey,Mamoru vs Taitano for Vale Tudo Japan 09

2009-10-13T14:57:00.010+09:00

Three match and 1 participants updated for Sustain's Vale Tudo Japan 09.

Takanori Gomi (Kugayama Rascal) vs Tony Hervey (MASH Team) (Current KOTC LW champion)
Mamoru Yamaguchi (Shooting Gym Yokohama) vs Jesse Taitano (Spike 22)

Tenkei Fujimiya (Shooting Gym Yokohama) vs Tito Jones (MMA inc)

So far current VTJ 09line up is.

VTJ rule 5 round 5 minutes

Takanori Gomi (Kugayama Rascal) vs Tony Hervey (MASH Team)

Lion Takeshi (Shooting Gym Yokohama) vs Alexandre Franca Nogueira (Club de luta)

Tenkei Fujimiya (Shooting Gym Yokohama) vs Tito Jones (MMA inc)

Shooto Rule For Shooto welter weight title 3 round 5 minutes

Willamy Chiquerim (Nova Uniao) vs Kenichiro Togashi (Paraestra Hiroshima)

Shooto Rule 3 round 5 minutes

Mamoru Yamaguchi (Shooting Gym Yokohama) vs Jesse Taitano (Spike 22)

Participate

Rumina Sato (roots)

Yoichiro Sato (Gracie Barra Tokyo)

My writing about first report for VTJ 09 match ups

My writing about Shooto's "Revolutionary Exchanges 3" card's possibility fighter exchanges with pancrase

Japan Martial Arts Federation start

2009-10-12T11:15:00.009+09:00

Japan martial arts federation start at October 20.Reception and press conference will be hold at that day.It's 8th affiliate federation under Japanese wrestling federation.Japanese wrestling federation's head Tomiaki Fukuda will be leader of new federation too.

Sengoku,Pancrase,Shooto,ZST are participate by pro organization.Muay Thai,Sambo,BJJ,Combat Wrestling,Pankration,Belt Wrestling,Kurash,Silat are paticipate as amateur organization.

Purpose for foundation is bring competitor for event controlled by Japanese Olympic committee.FILA (Federation Internationale des Luttes Associees aka International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles) start MMA committee and it makes wrestling and other martial arts's exchange is important reason too.

At first Japan martial arts federation will bring competitors for Asian Indoor Games.

It will be the third and the last annual asian indoor games event before merging with asian martial arts games.

Next is bring competitor for world grappling event hold by FILA in Florida in 2009 December and world martial Arts games hold in Beijing in 2010 Summer.

2009 Asian Indoor Games

My article about World martial arts games and Asian martial arts games

One Shot Kill (a.k.a. Ichigeki)

2009-10-08T20:48:00.011+09:00

Kuramoto Juku (Nariharu Kuramoto's Dojo)

You may have never heard of Nariharu Kuramoto, but he's taught his karate skills to MMA fighters like Fanjin Son and Sotaro Yamada. This video shows him punching iron to make his fist stronger.

Big thanks to Chris Nelson (from Bloody Elbow) for English and editing.

Japanese MMA scene fighter blog list

2009-10-03T03:28:00.038+09:00

I list up Japanese scene MMA fighter's blog.If you have favorite fighter at here.You can check them.Of course it writing at Japanese.Maybe you can only enjoy photo image.

UFC

Yushin Okami's blog

Yoshihiro Akiyama's blog

Takanori Gomi's blog

Yoshiyuki Yoshida's blog

Takeya Mizugaki's blog

Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto's blog

Michihiro Omigawa's blog

Strikeforce

Kazuo Misaki's blog

Hiroko Yamanaka's blog

Dream

Shinya Aoki's blog

Tatsuya Kawajiri's blog

Satoru Kitaoka's blog

Katsunori Kikuno's blog

Hayato "Mach" Sakurai's blog

Hiroyuki Takaya's blog

Masakazu Imanari's blog

Takeshi "Lion" Inoue's blog

Akiyo "Wicky" Nishiura

Takafumi Otsuka's blog

Hideo Tokoro's blog

Taiei Kin's blog

Yoshiro Maeda's blog

Kazuyuki Miyata's blog

Kiyoshi Tamura's blog

Kazushi Sakuraba's diary

Caol Uno's blog

Kenji Osawa's blog

Kazuhiro Nakamura's blog

Eiji Mitsuoka's blog

SRC (Sengoku)

Maanori Kanehara's blog

Akihiro Gono's blog

Sanae Kikuta's blog

Yoshihiro "Kiss" Nakao's blog

Shooto

Kuniyoshi Hironaka's blog

Kotetsu Boku's blog

Hideki Kadowaki's blog

Rumina Sato's blog

Tetsu "Hadairo" Suzuki's blog

Shinichi "BJ" Kojima's blog

Yasuhiro Urushitani's blog

Rambaa "M16" Somdet's blog

Koetsu Okazaki's blog

K-Tato Nakamura's blog

Wataru Miki's blog

Akitoshi Tamura's blog

Pancrase

Seiya Kawahara's blog

Katsuya Inoue's blog

Yuki Kondo's blog

Ryo Kawamura's blog

Keiichiro Yamamiya's blog

Kiyotaka Shimizu's blog

Mitsuhisa Sunabe's blog

Katsuhiko Nagata's blog

Koji Oishi's blog

Rin Nakai's blog

Masahiro Toryu's blog

Daisuke "13" Hanazawa and His sister Nao's blog

DEEP

Mizuto Hirota's blog

Mitsuhiro Ishida's blog

Ryo Chonan's blog

Seichi Ikemoto's blog

DJ Taiki's blog

Hiroshi Umemura's blog

Yuya Shirai's blog

Hidehiko Hasegawa's blog

Eiji Ishikawa's blog

Yusuke Kawaguchi's blog

Daisuke Nakamura's blog

Takeshi Yamazaki's blog

Dokonjonosuke Mishima's blog

Koichiro Matsumoto's blog

Luiz's blog

Ryuta Sakurai's blog

Yusaku Nakamura's blog

ZST

Keisuke Fujiwara's blog

Nobutatsu Suzuki's blog

Ryosuke Tanuma's blog

VALKYRIE

Takayo Hashi's blog

Jewels

Megumi Fujii's blog

Yuka Tsuji's blog

Hitomi Akano's blog

Roxanne Modafferi's blog

Naho Sugiyama's blog

Revolutionary "Exchanges"

2009-09-29T20:59:00.011+09:00

At Shooto's "Revolutionary Exchanges 2" event on sept. 22, the event pamphlet included some interesting lines. Shooto will be holding two events at JCB Hall this year, one in October and one in November. The Oct. 20 card is "Vale Tudo Japan 2009," and the Nov. 23 card is "Revolutionary Exchanges 3". The pamphlet also hinted that with two events this close together, there must be a "secret plan".

Unlike the usual Shooto venue of Korakuen Hall, which has a capacity of just over 1800 people, JCB Hall has a capacity of around 3100 people.

The Vale Tudo Japan card has fights like Takanori Gomi and Rumina Sato who can bring a crowd. However, "Revolution Exchanges 3" doesn't have enough star power for the venue. The Rambaa "M-16" Somdet and Noboru "Shinpei" Tahara fight is important to start Shooto's 115-pound division, but that's not enough to fill JCB Hall.

In the past, Shooto and Pancrase have not had a great relationship, which you can read about their history is here:. However, in recent years, that relationship has improved. Recently, Kazuhiro Sakamoto, a former Shooto world champion who now leads the largest Shooto promoter Sustain, told Japanese MMA magazine Kakutougi Tsushin that he wanted former Sengoku champion and Pancrase fighter Satoru Kitaoka for the Vale Tudo Japan card. Maybe Pancrase fighters in Shooto is the "secret plan"?

I know Pancrase is holding their own event in October, so maybe fighters who don't take any damage can fight on the Nov. 23 Shooto card. If that happened, here the Pancrase-Shooto fights I'd like to see, including fighter that would be physically able to fight on that date.

My wish-list of (macth ups)

Yuki Shoujou vs. Mitsuhisa Sunabe
Hiroshi "Iron" Nakamura vs. Tashiro "Akai" Nishiuchi
So Tazawa vs. Seiya Kawahara
Ganjo Tentsuku vs. Katsuya Inoue
Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Ryo Kawamura (at middleweight)

I ask Jordan Breen about your wish-list and his answer is.

Shiroobi : Hey could you make me five match ups?

Breen : On the five match-ups... I don't know if I can. It's like the UFC thing at this point. When there's so much possibility, I don't care. I just want good MMA.Literally take Sunabe, and put him against any of Shooto's Class A flyweights, and I would be totally content.
Not even just content. Ecstatic. Ecstatic for the fight in and of itself, the excitement therein, but also ecstatic for the crossover and what it means for moving forward in MMA.
And giving clarity to a developing weight class.
I find it virtually impossible to use quality talent from either promotion, and make unappealing fights. I would literally have to try to do such a thing.

Shirrobi : So you can just fight each other flyweights.

Breen : It's not even necessarily just flyweights though. I feel the same way at 135.If you took Manabu Inoue, should he beat Oishi, and put him against any decent 132'ers in Shooto, I'd love it.For both the fight itself, and for what it represents.

I know that's sort of a lame answer, but that's really my outlook on any potential crossover there.

I also ask Tony Loiseleur about your wish-list too.

Shiroobi : Do you have any hope about Shooto Pancrase match ups?

Tony : Ah, you have Seiya Kawahara already in there. I was going to say (Yuta) Nezu vs Kawahara.

Shiroobi : Fmm That's interesting.

Tony : One hit kill versus blitzing type striking.
Tony : Hey, do you know how heavy Kyoko Takabayashi is?Maybe around 115 lbs?I was thinking maybe Kyoko Takabayashi vs Windy Tomomi.For at least one G-Shooto fight.Oh snap, they fought already.

Shiroobi : Yup.

Tony : And she RNCed Windy.okay, rematch.

Special Thanks to Jordan Breen for English support and actual answer for list.Also Special Thanks to Tony Loiseleur for answer for list.

Japanese MMA scene twitter list

2009-09-24T12:30:00.087+09:00