Live in:
A Scholar and a Warrior
Scholar and a Warrior
No matter how insignificant Shooto may seem to the English-speaking
MMA community, it has been and will continue to be an important
entity in the MMA world.
Not only has it produced some of the most dynamic fighters in the lower weight divisions, Shooto has also created some of the most diehard fans and fighters in the sport, many of whom claim allegiance to Shooto above all else. Shooto is a way of life for this dedicated community, and current Shooto 143-pound champion Akitoshi Tamura (Pictures) is the latest fighter rising to prominence within its rich tradition.
Tamura won the title in May 2007, and on Friday in Tokyo he will face Shooto's No. 3-ranked 143-pounder, Hideki Kadowaki (Pictures), in his first title defense.
"Right now, I am gradually recovering from the fatigue after finishing some hard, tough training. I am completely ready for the fight," said Tamura over the weekend. "I have trained so that I can deal with any kind of situation in the fight."
This won't be the first time Tamura has faced the Wajyutsu Keisyukai grappling ace. Tamura came out on the losing end of a two-round decision in 2005, but of course he intends the upcoming encounter to end differently.
"My striking abilities have completely changed," Tamura said. "I am able to kick more, and my offensive and defensive punching abilities have increased. I have more variety in my striking now. About two years ago, I started doing additional training at Duro Gym, which gave me the chance to turn things around by learning striking from scratch.
"I am also getting to the point where I can fight with a feeling of emptiness," noted Tamura, evoking a very Zen concept. "I have developed strategies by watching Kadowaki's grappling videos, so I'll be able to deal with him in any kind of situation."
Kadowaki has always been an astute ground technician who uses his grappling skills to control opponents en route to the inevitable submission. Tamura fell prey to his superior positioning in their 2005 bout, and in September last year, Rumina Sato (Pictures) fell prey as well. Kadowaki tapped the highly regarded Shooto veteran in the first round with a modified rear-naked choke from a crucifix. Dubbed "The Kadowaki Special," the maneuver earned him a title shot.
Although Tamura has improved since their first fight, he is keenly aware that Kadowaki has also progressed during the last three years.
"I think Kadowaki's level of grappling has increased since then," Tamura said. "He is especially top notch for his ability to keep his opponents pinned down. I have noticed that once Kadowaki gets into a set style during the fight, he can move more effectively too."
Provided that Tamura can prevent Kadowaki from settling into a rhythm or dominating with superior top control, he should have an opportunity to succeed. Win or lose, however, Tamura predicts that the fight will unfold as an emblematic example of Shooto's self-proclaimed theme of da-to-kyoku -- striking, throwing, mastering.
It is a bold and confident claim but perhaps no surprise given Tamura's spiritual connection to fighting, along with his dedication to the Shooto ideal.
"I have done everything I needed to for this fight," he said. "I just need to do it all in the ring on the 28th. I can't imagine how it will end. I just have to fight with a feeling of emptiness. I would like to continue defending the title as long as I'm a Shooto champion. I want to break the record for title defenses in Shooto."
Fans outside of Japan familiar with Tamura probably know him best through online videos. Like most Shootors or Japanese fighters who don't get exposure abroad, Tamura finds it hard to believe that he has some notoriety beyond his home country. That is not to say, however, that he is displeased with a little international fandom.
"I can't believe it, [but] I am very thankful for this," Tamura said humbly. "This Friday, I will win and put on a good fight for those people who support me, including of course the people who are supporting me through watching my fights on YouTube. Please continue to support and cheer for me."
At a glance, Tamura's YouTube bouts are everything one would expect from a ranked Shooto fighter. Yet it is his exploits outside of MMA that Tamura is apparently most notable for.
Logging more than 16,000 views, Tamura's foray into the bare-knuckle world of Lethwei to face champion Burmese boxer Aye Bo Sein is by far his most popular video on the site.
"To tell you honestly, half of it was that my [teacher] asked me if I wanted to challenge this fighter, and I couldn't turn him down, while the other half of me wanted to fight him. I was stressed out that I wasn't able to fight in Shooto that often and that my results until then were not so good, so I wanted to relieve this stress," said Tamura, recalling the tough times that briefly led him to Burma.
"The fight was in his homeland. It was the main event, it was under their rules, and he was a Lethwei champion. During this fight, I saw a glimpse of a spiritual state of nothingness. I was in tears the moment I won by a knockout knee. It was an unforgettably valuable experience in my life."
Not only has it produced some of the most dynamic fighters in the lower weight divisions, Shooto has also created some of the most diehard fans and fighters in the sport, many of whom claim allegiance to Shooto above all else. Shooto is a way of life for this dedicated community, and current Shooto 143-pound champion Akitoshi Tamura (Pictures) is the latest fighter rising to prominence within its rich tradition.
Tamura won the title in May 2007, and on Friday in Tokyo he will face Shooto's No. 3-ranked 143-pounder, Hideki Kadowaki (Pictures), in his first title defense.
"Right now, I am gradually recovering from the fatigue after finishing some hard, tough training. I am completely ready for the fight," said Tamura over the weekend. "I have trained so that I can deal with any kind of situation in the fight."
This won't be the first time Tamura has faced the Wajyutsu Keisyukai grappling ace. Tamura came out on the losing end of a two-round decision in 2005, but of course he intends the upcoming encounter to end differently.
"My striking abilities have completely changed," Tamura said. "I am able to kick more, and my offensive and defensive punching abilities have increased. I have more variety in my striking now. About two years ago, I started doing additional training at Duro Gym, which gave me the chance to turn things around by learning striking from scratch.
"I am also getting to the point where I can fight with a feeling of emptiness," noted Tamura, evoking a very Zen concept. "I have developed strategies by watching Kadowaki's grappling videos, so I'll be able to deal with him in any kind of situation."
Kadowaki has always been an astute ground technician who uses his grappling skills to control opponents en route to the inevitable submission. Tamura fell prey to his superior positioning in their 2005 bout, and in September last year, Rumina Sato (Pictures) fell prey as well. Kadowaki tapped the highly regarded Shooto veteran in the first round with a modified rear-naked choke from a crucifix. Dubbed "The Kadowaki Special," the maneuver earned him a title shot.
Although Tamura has improved since their first fight, he is keenly aware that Kadowaki has also progressed during the last three years.
"I think Kadowaki's level of grappling has increased since then," Tamura said. "He is especially top notch for his ability to keep his opponents pinned down. I have noticed that once Kadowaki gets into a set style during the fight, he can move more effectively too."
Provided that Tamura can prevent Kadowaki from settling into a rhythm or dominating with superior top control, he should have an opportunity to succeed. Win or lose, however, Tamura predicts that the fight will unfold as an emblematic example of Shooto's self-proclaimed theme of da-to-kyoku -- striking, throwing, mastering.
It is a bold and confident claim but perhaps no surprise given Tamura's spiritual connection to fighting, along with his dedication to the Shooto ideal.
"I have done everything I needed to for this fight," he said. "I just need to do it all in the ring on the 28th. I can't imagine how it will end. I just have to fight with a feeling of emptiness. I would like to continue defending the title as long as I'm a Shooto champion. I want to break the record for title defenses in Shooto."
Fans outside of Japan familiar with Tamura probably know him best through online videos. Like most Shootors or Japanese fighters who don't get exposure abroad, Tamura finds it hard to believe that he has some notoriety beyond his home country. That is not to say, however, that he is displeased with a little international fandom.
"I can't believe it, [but] I am very thankful for this," Tamura said humbly. "This Friday, I will win and put on a good fight for those people who support me, including of course the people who are supporting me through watching my fights on YouTube. Please continue to support and cheer for me."
At a glance, Tamura's YouTube bouts are everything one would expect from a ranked Shooto fighter. Yet it is his exploits outside of MMA that Tamura is apparently most notable for.
Logging more than 16,000 views, Tamura's foray into the bare-knuckle world of Lethwei to face champion Burmese boxer Aye Bo Sein is by far his most popular video on the site.
"To tell you honestly, half of it was that my [teacher] asked me if I wanted to challenge this fighter, and I couldn't turn him down, while the other half of me wanted to fight him. I was stressed out that I wasn't able to fight in Shooto that often and that my results until then were not so good, so I wanted to relieve this stress," said Tamura, recalling the tough times that briefly led him to Burma.
"The fight was in his homeland. It was the main event, it was under their rules, and he was a Lethwei champion. During this fight, I saw a glimpse of a spiritual state of nothingness. I was in tears the moment I won by a knockout knee. It was an unforgettably valuable experience in my life."
Comments