Sustain Announces Three Bouts for Feb. Shooto Card
No sphere in the world of mixed martial arts is so distinguished as
Shooto: Shooto's origins span back two decades to 1986, when
legendary pro-wrestler Satoru "Tiger Mask" Sayama organized the
first amateur Shooto competition.
In the 20 years since, Shooto has woven some of the mixed martial arts' greatest fights and fighters into the fabric of its rich history, while consistently emphasizing the equality of fight and sport, pioneering international sanctioning, legislation and equality across all weights and genders.
When Shooto authorities say it is time to take Shooto "back to its roots," it is indeed worthy of attention.
Leading Shooto promoter Sustain has revealed the first three bouts for its Shooto card, BACK TO OUR ROOTS. Sustain president Kazuhiro Sakamoto, a former Shooto world champion himself, said that the goal of the name is to illustrate the reaffirmation of the technical, and spiritual aspects of Shooto.
The announced line-up for the Feb. 17 offering in Yokohama affirms the event's striking title is no misnomer, even beyond the words of Sakamoto; Shooto has long been characterized by the development of outstanding young talent, and the excellence of their 143- and 154-pound classes. Even more appropriate is that the stakes are high, with the themes of truth, revenge and championship glory painting the card.
Truth will be revealed when undefeated 154-pound prospect Mizuto Hirota (Pictures) of GUTSMAN Shooto Dojo steps into the ring with Japanese BJJ ace Kenichiro Togashi (Pictures). The 25-year-old Hirota, a former amateur and rookie champion, is viewed by many as the next in a long line of outstanding Japanese stars in the division, following the likes of Rumina Sato (Pictures), Caol Uno (Pictures), Takanori Gomi (Pictures), Tatsuya Kawajiri (Pictures) and Mitsuhiro Ishida (Pictures).
Currently ranked seventh in the Shooto world rankings, Hirota will face his stiffest test to date in Yokohama, which will be the truest measure thus far of whether he is Shooto's next heir apparent in its welterweight division.
"Stiff" however may not do justice to the abilities of Paraestra Hiroshima's Kenichiro Togashi (Pictures). While a 6-4-3 record may appear pedestrian, Togashi has been in the ring with many of the division's best, including Joachim Hansen (Pictures) and Mitsuhiro Ishida (Pictures). Moreover, he is an All Japan Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion, and a slick boxer; his well-rounded game has allowed him to hand out failing grades to Shooto up-and-comers looking to pass their first big test in the past.
One of Togashi's victims? PUREBRED Omiya's Ganjo Tentsuku (Pictures), who is set to square off against Masaru Gokita pupil Yusuke Endo (Pictures), a former foe of Tentsuku looking for revenge. The two met previously in Dec. of 2005 at Shinjuku FACE, where Tentsuku gritted out a unanimous decision on his work-rate and tenacity, constantly taking Endo the mat and pummeling him from the guard.
"His heart is strong," Endo said of Tentsuku. "The last time was last time. There's no doubt that this time I will win."
The bleached brawler Tentsuku suggested that his last bout, a hard-fought and thoroughly exciting clash with Takashi Nakakura (Pictures), was not only important in showing his determination, but what he had to work on as a fighter.
"I want to fight world rankers," said Tentsuku. "It may sound conceited, but I want to fight Kawajiri. And beating Endo again is a step toward that."
Tentsuku is correct: he himself is ranked sixth in the Shooto world rankings, with Endo hovering just outside of the Top 10. With both men having had successful 2006 campaigns, their second showdown will send the victor surging forward into the upper echelon of contention in Shooto's 154-pound class.
Revenge is also on the mind of Akitoshi Tamura (Pictures). In May, Tamura met with 2005 143-pound rookie champion Tenkei Fujimiya (Pictures), in what was pegged as a surefire exciting stand-up battle. Unfortunately for Tamura, the fight got cut short when he met a counter-combination from the Kenji Kawaguchi (Pictures) student that sent him crashing to the mat in devastating fashion. Now, one of the division's best technicians will step back into the ring with Fujimiya for a chance at payback, and, as an added perk, the Shooto 143-pound Pacific Rim championship.
The bout will also be a chance at redemption for Fujimiya, as he will make his second attempt to capture the golden lion on the blackened leather. Fujimiya came into his November showdown with veteran Katsuya Toida (Pictures) as the favorite in the fight, and with the vacant Pacific Rim title on the line it was assumed that the bout would serve as more of coronation than a legitimate contest for the young star from Shooting Gym Yokohama. Instead, Fujimiya found himself frustrated by the unorthodox attack of Toida, and was unable to dominate the stand-up as anticipated when forced to contend with Toida's wrestling ability.
"He's a striker with a great punch," said Tamura, who is coming off of a win over Fujimiya's friend and training partner ‘Wicky’ Akiyo Nishiura (Pictures). "I want revenge for myself. I want to be champion."
Fujimiya revealed that after the fight with Toida he had stepped back and began to contemplate fighting for the first time. "The mental weakness has been checked," said Fujimiya. "I will fight with the same intentions as I did the first time."
Also announced for Feb. 17 at Pacifico Yokohama National Convention Center, Fujimiya's teammate, 143-pound world champion "Lion" Takeshi Inoue (Pictures), will be in action against a yet-to-be-named opponent.
In the 20 years since, Shooto has woven some of the mixed martial arts' greatest fights and fighters into the fabric of its rich history, while consistently emphasizing the equality of fight and sport, pioneering international sanctioning, legislation and equality across all weights and genders.
When Shooto authorities say it is time to take Shooto "back to its roots," it is indeed worthy of attention.
Leading Shooto promoter Sustain has revealed the first three bouts for its Shooto card, BACK TO OUR ROOTS. Sustain president Kazuhiro Sakamoto, a former Shooto world champion himself, said that the goal of the name is to illustrate the reaffirmation of the technical, and spiritual aspects of Shooto.
The announced line-up for the Feb. 17 offering in Yokohama affirms the event's striking title is no misnomer, even beyond the words of Sakamoto; Shooto has long been characterized by the development of outstanding young talent, and the excellence of their 143- and 154-pound classes. Even more appropriate is that the stakes are high, with the themes of truth, revenge and championship glory painting the card.
Truth will be revealed when undefeated 154-pound prospect Mizuto Hirota (Pictures) of GUTSMAN Shooto Dojo steps into the ring with Japanese BJJ ace Kenichiro Togashi (Pictures). The 25-year-old Hirota, a former amateur and rookie champion, is viewed by many as the next in a long line of outstanding Japanese stars in the division, following the likes of Rumina Sato (Pictures), Caol Uno (Pictures), Takanori Gomi (Pictures), Tatsuya Kawajiri (Pictures) and Mitsuhiro Ishida (Pictures).
Currently ranked seventh in the Shooto world rankings, Hirota will face his stiffest test to date in Yokohama, which will be the truest measure thus far of whether he is Shooto's next heir apparent in its welterweight division.
"Stiff" however may not do justice to the abilities of Paraestra Hiroshima's Kenichiro Togashi (Pictures). While a 6-4-3 record may appear pedestrian, Togashi has been in the ring with many of the division's best, including Joachim Hansen (Pictures) and Mitsuhiro Ishida (Pictures). Moreover, he is an All Japan Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion, and a slick boxer; his well-rounded game has allowed him to hand out failing grades to Shooto up-and-comers looking to pass their first big test in the past.
One of Togashi's victims? PUREBRED Omiya's Ganjo Tentsuku (Pictures), who is set to square off against Masaru Gokita pupil Yusuke Endo (Pictures), a former foe of Tentsuku looking for revenge. The two met previously in Dec. of 2005 at Shinjuku FACE, where Tentsuku gritted out a unanimous decision on his work-rate and tenacity, constantly taking Endo the mat and pummeling him from the guard.
"His heart is strong," Endo said of Tentsuku. "The last time was last time. There's no doubt that this time I will win."
The bleached brawler Tentsuku suggested that his last bout, a hard-fought and thoroughly exciting clash with Takashi Nakakura (Pictures), was not only important in showing his determination, but what he had to work on as a fighter.
"I want to fight world rankers," said Tentsuku. "It may sound conceited, but I want to fight Kawajiri. And beating Endo again is a step toward that."
Tentsuku is correct: he himself is ranked sixth in the Shooto world rankings, with Endo hovering just outside of the Top 10. With both men having had successful 2006 campaigns, their second showdown will send the victor surging forward into the upper echelon of contention in Shooto's 154-pound class.
Revenge is also on the mind of Akitoshi Tamura (Pictures). In May, Tamura met with 2005 143-pound rookie champion Tenkei Fujimiya (Pictures), in what was pegged as a surefire exciting stand-up battle. Unfortunately for Tamura, the fight got cut short when he met a counter-combination from the Kenji Kawaguchi (Pictures) student that sent him crashing to the mat in devastating fashion. Now, one of the division's best technicians will step back into the ring with Fujimiya for a chance at payback, and, as an added perk, the Shooto 143-pound Pacific Rim championship.
The bout will also be a chance at redemption for Fujimiya, as he will make his second attempt to capture the golden lion on the blackened leather. Fujimiya came into his November showdown with veteran Katsuya Toida (Pictures) as the favorite in the fight, and with the vacant Pacific Rim title on the line it was assumed that the bout would serve as more of coronation than a legitimate contest for the young star from Shooting Gym Yokohama. Instead, Fujimiya found himself frustrated by the unorthodox attack of Toida, and was unable to dominate the stand-up as anticipated when forced to contend with Toida's wrestling ability.
"He's a striker with a great punch," said Tamura, who is coming off of a win over Fujimiya's friend and training partner ‘Wicky’ Akiyo Nishiura (Pictures). "I want revenge for myself. I want to be champion."
Fujimiya revealed that after the fight with Toida he had stepped back and began to contemplate fighting for the first time. "The mental weakness has been checked," said Fujimiya. "I will fight with the same intentions as I did the first time."
Also announced for Feb. 17 at Pacifico Yokohama National Convention Center, Fujimiya's teammate, 143-pound world champion "Lion" Takeshi Inoue (Pictures), will be in action against a yet-to-be-named opponent.
