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.
