The little-known little man out of Natal, Brazil, made a big impression in his biggest fight to date, as he took a well-appointed unanimous decision over Shooto world champion Shinichi “BJ” Kojima on July 19. The logical step would be for the International Shooto Commission to sanction a rematch with Kojima’s title on the line for later this year.
2. Shinichi Kojima (10-4-5)
The Shooto world champion continued his career-long streak of inconsistency, dropping a unanimous verdict to Brazilian Jussier da Silva in a non-title bout on July 19. Whether or not Kojima will get a do-over with a title on the line remains to be seen.
3. Yuki Shojo (8-5-2)
The action-oriented Shojo’s Shooto world title bid in March saw him blown out by champion Shinichi “BJ” Kojima. His road to recovery starts Sept. 22, when he takes on former bantamweight Junya “Kodo” Kudo in his flyweight debut.
4. Yasuhiro Urushitani (15-4-6)
Urushitani has been out of the ring for 10 months but will be right back in the deep end of the division upon returning. On Sept. 22, he will rematch standout flyweight Ryuichi Miki, who he fought to a contentious draw against in May 2008.
5. Ryuichi Miki (9-2-3)
Unbeaten in the last three-and-a-half years, Miki will look to settle the controversy of his May 2008 draw with Yasuhiro Urushitani when the pair fight again in the Shooto ring on Sept. 22.
6. Rambaa Somdet (6-2)
Shooto’s “Revolutionary Exchanges 3” on Nov. 23 will mark Somdet’s return to the ring after a year-long, injury-filled absence. No opponent has been slated for Somdet, nor is it clear if the bout will be contested at 115 or 123 pounds. Still, it will be nice to see the flamboyant Thai back in action.
7. Masaaki Sugawara (8-3-1)
Sugawara was in typically exciting form on July 19, when he took a first-round stoppage over tough veteran Yasuhiro Akagi. Next on the slate will be former bantamweight Hiroyuki Tanaka, who will make his flyweight debut against Sugawara on Sept. 20.
8. Alexis Vila (5-0)
Arguably the hottest prospect in the flyweight division, the 1996 Olympic freestyle wrestling bronze medalist racked up his fifth career win in February, as he corked Ben Nguyen in the second round.
9. Mitsuhisa Sunabe (10-5-3)
Sunabe captured the first flyweight King of Pancrase championship by crushing Takuya Eizumi in June. Now the Okinawa native will make the first defense of his title against unbeaten Isao Hirose on Oct. 25.
10. Jesse Taitano (5-4-2)
One of Guam’s finest talents, Taitano was a favorite heading into his 119-pound catchweight bout with strawweight Noboru “Shinpei” Tahara on Aug. 9. However, the much-improved Tahara took the final two rounds and a unanimous verdict over “The Spiderman.”
Other contenders: John Dodson, Isao Hirose, Junji Ikoma, Pat Runez, Sam Thao.