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 (archived)
--------------------------------
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)
TITAN fight
TITAN fight official
TITAN fight official youtube channel
TITAN fight's org head Kenichi Yamamoto blog
King of the Cage Japan
King of the Cage Japan official (archived)
M-1 Global Japan
M-1 Global Japan official (archived)
Voltage
Voltage official (archived)
Voltage official youtube channel
Voltage official blog
---------------------------
Japanese gangsta fight and other small organization
Hearts Crush
Hearts Crush Official (archived)
Ken-Oh
Ken-Oh official (archived)
Virginity's youtube channel(Which make Ken-Oh video material)
TSUWAMONO
TSUWAMONO official (archieved)
TSUWAMONO's youtube channel
Ga-Chi (former Ya-Oh)
Ga-Chi Official (archieved)
Kamikaze Pounders
Kamikaze Pounders Official
SKILL MMA's Current Japanese MMA Event List
Big thanks to Matt Benyon (from The Grappling Dummy) for English editing.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Fight
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
5 fighter decided for Sengoku Bantam weight tournament
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.
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.
Friday, May 14, 2010
How to apply SRC Asian bantam weight tournament
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.
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.
Monday, May 3, 2010
How to use SKILL MMA's link section?
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
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
Friday, April 30, 2010
One Year Of SKILL MMA
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.
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.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Japanese Boxing gym relate to World champ list
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.I list up gym which produce Japanese boxing champ or gym currently run by former Japanese boxing world champ.
Watanabe Boxing Gym
Takashi Uchiyama official blog (Watanabe Gym)
Kohei Kono official blog (Watanabe Gym)
Ryoichi Taguchi official blog (Watanabe Gym)
Ioka Boxing Gym
Kazuto Ioka official blog (Ioka Gym)
Ohashi Boxing Gym
Naoya Inoue official blog (Ohashi Gym)
Katsunari Takayama official blog (Nakazato Boxing Gym)
Former champ
Kadoebi Boxing Gym
Yusuke Kobori official blog (Kadoebi Boxing Gym)
Teiken Boxing Gym
Takafumi Aoh official blog (Teiken Boxing Gym)
Toshiaki Nishioka official blog (Teiken Boxing Gym)
Yota Sato official blog (Teiken Boxing Gym)
Kyoei Boxing Gym
Takefumi Sakata official blog (Kyoei Boxing Gym)
Kohei Kono official blog (Watanabe Gym)
Nobuhiro Ishida official blog (Kanazawa Gym)
Shinsei Boxing Gym
Hozumi Hasegawa official blog (Shinsei Boxing Gym)
Nobuo Nashiro official blog (Muto Boxing Gym)
Daiki Kameda official blog (Kameda Gym)
Koki Kameda official blog (Kameda Gym)
Hideki Todaka official blog (Studio Bee)
Todaka Hideki Boxing Gym
Katsuo Tokashiki Boxing Gym
Katsuo Tokashiki official blog (Tokashiki Boxing Gym)
Kawashima Boxing Gym
Box Fai
Satoshi Iida official blog (Box Fai)
Celes Boxing Sports Gym
Celes Kobayashi official blog (Celes Boxing Sports Gym)
Kaneko Boxing Gym
Tomonobu Shimizu official blog (Kaneko Boxing Gym)
Hideyuki Ohashi official blog (Ohashi Boxing Gym)
Akira Yaegashi official blog (Ohashi Boxing Gym)
Katsushige Kawashima official blog (Ohashi Boxing Gym)
Ryo Miyazaki official blog (Ioka Gym)
SKILL MMA's article about Hozumi Hasegawa
Watanabe Boxing Gym
Takashi Uchiyama official blog (Watanabe Gym)
Kohei Kono official blog (Watanabe Gym)
Ryoichi Taguchi official blog (Watanabe Gym)
Ioka Boxing Gym
Kazuto Ioka official blog (Ioka Gym)
Ohashi Boxing Gym
Naoya Inoue official blog (Ohashi Gym)
Katsunari Takayama official blog (Nakazato Boxing Gym)
Former champ
Kadoebi Boxing Gym
Yusuke Kobori official blog (Kadoebi Boxing Gym)
Teiken Boxing Gym
Takafumi Aoh official blog (Teiken Boxing Gym)
Toshiaki Nishioka official blog (Teiken Boxing Gym)
Yota Sato official blog (Teiken Boxing Gym)
Kyoei Boxing Gym
Takefumi Sakata official blog (Kyoei Boxing Gym)
Kohei Kono official blog (Watanabe Gym)
Nobuhiro Ishida official blog (Kanazawa Gym)
Shinsei Boxing Gym
Hozumi Hasegawa official blog (Shinsei Boxing Gym)
Nobuo Nashiro official blog (Muto Boxing Gym)
Daiki Kameda official blog (Kameda Gym)
Koki Kameda official blog (Kameda Gym)
Hideki Todaka official blog (Studio Bee)
Todaka Hideki Boxing Gym
Katsuo Tokashiki Boxing Gym
Katsuo Tokashiki official blog (Tokashiki Boxing Gym)
Kawashima Boxing Gym
Box Fai
Satoshi Iida official blog (Box Fai)
Celes Boxing Sports Gym
Celes Kobayashi official blog (Celes Boxing Sports Gym)
Kaneko Boxing Gym
Tomonobu Shimizu official blog (Kaneko Boxing Gym)
Hideyuki Ohashi official blog (Ohashi Boxing Gym)
Akira Yaegashi official blog (Ohashi Boxing Gym)
Katsushige Kawashima official blog (Ohashi Boxing Gym)
Ryo Miyazaki official blog (Ioka Gym)
SKILL MMA's article about Hozumi Hasegawa
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