Sengoku featherweights advance

Eight fighters advanced in the first round of Sengoku’s inaugural featherweight tournament, which took place March 20 in Tokyo.

Advancing was native favorite Hatsu Hioki (armbar over Chris Manuel), Ronnie Mann (decision over Tetsuya Yamada), Nick Denis (TKO of Seiya Kawahara), Chan Sung Jung (submission over Shintaro Ishiwatari), Masanori Kanehara (decision over Jong Man Kim), Marlon Sandro (submission over Matt Jaggers), Michihiro Omigawa (decision over L.C. Davis) and Nam Phan (KO over Hideki Kadowaki).

Sengoku “Seventh Battle,” which aired live on HDNet, also saw red-hot prospect and elite wrestler Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal go the distance for the first time in his pro fight career. Lawal (4-0) showed durability in defeating Pancrase champion Ryo Kawamura. In addition, Jim York knocked out James Thompson in the first round.


A correction was made at 1:24 EST to note that Jung defeated Ishiwatari.