1/23 The Way of SHOOTO - RESULTS

Shooto is holding their 1st event of 2010 in Korakuen hall now. Sherdog has a Live PBP going and it is an interesting card.

Fight #4 was cancelled due to Kochiwa being dehydrated. Spoilers if you read on.

10. Shoot Pacific Title Fight:
Taiki Tsuchiya Def. Hideki Kadowaki by Decision 3-0

9. "Lion" Takeshi Inoue Def. Gerald Lovato by armbar Round 3 4:11
8. Fly: Hiroyuki Abe Def. Atsushi "ATCH Anarchy" Takeuchi by decision 3-0
7. Welter: Yoshihiro Koyama Def. Yutaka Ueda by decision 3-0
6. Middle: Yoichiro Sato Def. Takuya Sato by rear-naked choke Round 1 2:25
5. Light: Wataru Miki Def. Jin Suk Jung by KO round 1 3:15
4. Welter: Shin Kochiwa 6-1-2 vs. Kim Ho Sun cancelled
3. Bantam: Masumi Tozawa Def. Keiji Koizumi by Decision

Rookie Tournament (2x5min):
2. Middle: Hiroki Okano Def. Tetsuo Seto by decision 3-0
1. Bantam: "Rambo" Kosuke vs. Yuya Kaneuchi DRAW ("Rambo" gets the must decision)

Discuss in the FORUM

Read more...

1/23 The Way of SHOOTO "Like a Tiger、Like a Dragon" - "Lion"'s Opponent announced

Today "Lion" Takeshi finally had his opponent announced, it is Gerald Lovato. Lovato is an experienced fighter and a veteran of KOTC. He is on a 2 fight winning streak, coming into his Shooto debut.

"Lion" will not be putting the title on the line here, and he has stated that would like to defend against Hioki on a future date. This might very well be a warm-up to that fight.

It also looks like that completes the Shooto card for January 23.

Announced:
"Lion" Takeshi Inoue 17-3-0 vs. 9-6-0 Gerald Lovato

Previously Announced:
Shoot Pacific Title Fight:
Hideki Kadowaki 13-9-2 vs. 5-2-0 Taiki Tsuchiya

Light: Wataru Miki 15-9-3 vs. 3-3-0 Jin Suk Jung
Welter: Shin Kochiwa 6-1-2 vs. Kim Ho Sun
Bantam: Masumi Tozawa 1-2-3 vs. 1-1-0 Keiji Koizumi
Fly: Atsushi "ATCH Anarchy" Takeuchi 7-4-2 vs. 5-2-0 Hiroyuki Abe
Welter: Yutaka Ueda 7-2-1 vs. 13-3-1 Yoshihiro Koyama
Middle: Yoichiro Sato 5-2-1 vs. 5-2-2 Takuya Sato

Rookie Tournament (2x5min):
Middle: Tetsuo Seto vs. Hiroki Okano
Bantam: "Rambo" Kosuke vs. 0-4-1 Yuya Kaneuchi

Discuss in the FORUM

Read more...

1/23 The Way of SHOOTO "Like a Tiger、Like a Dragon" - Pacific Lightweight Title Fight Announced

Shooto promoter Sustain have announced an additional fight for this event, it will be the lightweight Pacific titlefight between former world champion, Hideki Kadowaki and the Roots fighter Daiki Tsuchiya.

Former champion, Hideki Kadowaki only fought once (in Sengoku) last year, and that ended in a loss. This will be the first time since losing his title to "Lion" Inoue that he fights in Shooto.

The current champion, "Lion" Takeshi Inoue is also scheduled to fight on this card, and has stated that he would like to defend his title against Hioki. But no opponent is announced yet.

Shoot Pacific Title Fight:
Hideki Kadowaki 13-9-2 vs. 5-2-0 Taiki Tsuchiya

Previously Announced:
Light: Wataru Miki 15-9-3 vs. 3-3-0 Jin Suk Jung
Welter: Shin Kochiwa 6-1-2 vs. Kim Ho Sun
Bantam: Masumi Tozawa 1-2-3 vs. 1-1-0 Keiji Koizumi
Fly: Atsushi "ATCH Anarchy" Takeuchi 7-4-2 vs. 5-2-0 Hiroyuki Abe
Welter: Yutaka Ueda 7-2-1 vs. 13-3-1 Yoshihiro Koyama
Middle: Yoichiro Sato 5-2-1 vs. 5-2-2 Takuya Sato

Rookie Tournament (2x5min):
Middle: Tetsuo Seto vs. Hiroki Okano
Bantam: "Rambo" Kosuke vs. 0-4-1 Yuya Kaneuchi

Participants:
"Lion" Takeshi Inoue 17-3-0

Discuss in the FORUM

Read more...

1/23 The Way of SHOOTO "Like a Tiger、Like a Dragon" - Fights Announced

Added today is Cage Force veteran Wataru Miki, but he is listed as fighting for Natural9 (for the fans following him). This will be his first fight in Shooto in over 4 years! The opponent this time will be taking shooto debutant Jin Suk Jung, who has fights from Pancrase and Spirit MC.

Joining the middleweight Shooto Rookie tournament is the Cage Force veteran, Tetsuo Seto.

Shooto lightweight champion "Lion" Takeshi Inoue.

Added:
Light: Wataru Miki 15-9-3 vs. 3-3-0 Jin Suk Jung
Welter: Shin Kochiwa 6-1-2 vs. Kim Ho Sun
Bantam: Masumi Tozawa 1-2-3 vs. 1-1-0 Keiji Koizumi

Rookie Tournament (2x5min):
Middle: Tetsuo Seto vs. Hiroki Okano
Bantam: "Rambo" Kosuke vs. 0-4-1 Yuya Kaneuchi

Previously Announced:
Fly: Atsushi "ATCH Anarchy" Takeuchi 7-4-2 vs. 5-2-0 Hiroyuki Abe
Welter: Yutaka Ueda 7-2-1 vs. 13-3-1 Yoshihiro Koyama
Middle: Yoichiro Sato 5-2-1 vs. 5-2-2 Takuya Sato

Participants:
"Lion" Takeshi Inoue 17-3-0
Hideki Kadowaki 13-9-2
Taiki Tsuchiya 5-2-0


Discuss in the FORUM

Read more...

1/23 Professional Shooto - Fights Announced

Shooto promotor Sustain have announced the first fights for their first event of 2009. No title have been announced yet and I dont know if that means it wont be revolutionary exchanges, but it looks like it will be a good event.

Some very good fights added already. In the flyweight division the current #1 ranked "ATCH Anarchy" will take on Hiroyuki Abe, a fighter I feel should be higher on the rankings than his current #9.

Also added is a very interesting welterweight fight. Yoshihiro Koyama has had just 1 fight in Shooto since returning earlier this year. I feel he is one of the better fighters in Japan at the weight, and this time he is taking on a very good fighter in Yutaka Ueda.

Fly: Atsushi "ATCH Anarchy" Takeuchi 7-4-2 vs. 5-2-0 Hiroyuki Abe
Welter: Yutaka Ueda 7-2-1 vs. 13-3-1 Yoshihiro Koyama
Middle: Yoichiro Sato 5-2-1 vs. 5-2-2 Takuya Sato

Participants:
Hideki Kadowaki 13-9-2
Taiki Tsuchiya 5-2-0

Discuss in the FORUM

Read more...

7/19 Shooto Revolutionary Exchanges 1 - Results

Shooto is holding an event in Korakuen Hall now. I will update the rest of the results later, but for now the Rookie tournament fights are done.

Some results to take note of, Shooto Champion "BJ" lost his none title fight, Juice Formiga should take a leap up the rankings after "BJ" did not win a single round on any of the judges cards.


Main-Event: Featherweight Title Fight:
10. Masakatsu Ueda Def. Eduardo Dantas by Decision 3-0

9. Bantam: Jucie Formiga Def. Shinichi "BJ" Kojima by Decision 3-0
8. Fly: Atsushi Takeuchi Def. "Heat" Takeshi Sato by Decision 3-0
7. Bantam: Masaaki Sugawara Def. Yasuhiro Akagi by KO Round 1 3:50
6. Welter: Yukinari Tamura Def. Shinji Sasaki by Decision 3-0
5. Light: Taiki Tsuchiya Def. Kazuhiro Ito by Decision 3-0

Rookie Tournament 2nd Round:
4. Light: Tsuneo Kimura Def. Yoshinao Oki by KO Round 2 1:48
3. Welter: Munehiro "Mike" Kin Def. Hiroki "KG Shinto" Kuga by Decision 3-0
2. Welter: Harada Def. Koji Nishioka by Decision 2-0
1. Feather: Kota Onojima Def. Inagaki by Decision 2-0

Read more...

7/19 Shooto - Revolutionary Exchanges 1 "Undefeated" - Fight Order

Shooto promotor Sustain have announced the new name for their series, previously they were celebrating the 20 years anniversary with "Tradition", now they are looking ahead with Revolutionary Exchanges.

The card is looking very good, with a title fight and a champion on the card. In addition to that there are some very interesting matchups. The flyweight rankings will most likely get some changes with #3 ranked "Heat" Takeshi taking on #5 Atsushi Takeuchi.

Also some news following the final Tradition card, Shooto champion Nakakura suffered a detached retina in his left eye following the KO he suffered in his loss to Gomi. He has undergone surgery, but is unsure about his future in the ring.

Main-Event: Featherweight Title Fight:
10. Masakatsu Ueda 9-0-2 vs. 7-1-0 Eduardo Dantas

9. Bantam: Jucie Formiga 2-0-0 vs. 10-3-1 Shinichi "BJ" Kojima
8. Fly: "Heat" Takeshi Sato 8-6-1 vs. 6-4-2 Atsushi Takeuchi
7. Bantam: Yasuhiro Akagi 6-4-0 vs. 7-3-1 Masaaki Sugawara
6. Welter: Shinji Sasaki 7-2-0 vs. 8-3-5 Yukinari Tamura
5. Light: Taiki Tsuchiya 4-2-0 vs. 5-3-0 Kazuhiro Ito

Rookie Tournament 2nd Round:
4. Light: Tsuneo Kimura 3-1-0 vs. Yoshinao Oki
3. Welter: Hiroki "KG Shinto" Kuga 2-1-0 vs. 1-1-0 Munehiro "Mike" Kin
2. Welter: Koji Nishioka 0-0-1 vs. Harada
1. Feather: Kota Onojima 1-0-0 vs. Inagaki

Read more...

7/19 Shooto - BJs Opponent Announced

Today Shooto announced the opponent for their world champion, Shinichi "BJ" Kojima. It will be the Shooto south American champion, Jucie Formiga. Formiga is also #6 on the world ranking, and it adds another solid fight to this card. "BJ" has proven to be very hard to beat at bantam weight, and has only lost once in his career at 56kg. That loss came at the hands of Junichi Sase almost 6 years ago.

This is the first major Shooto card since the final Tradition card, and it has some very larges shoes to fill.

Added:
Bantam: Jucie Formiga 2-0-0 vs. 10-3-1 Shinichi "BJ" Kojima

Featherweight Title Fight:
Masakatsu Ueda 9-0-2 vs. 7-1-0 Eduardo Dantas

Bantam: Yasuhiro Akagi 6-4-0 vs. 7-3-1 Masaaki Sugawara
Fly: "Heat" Takeshi Sato 8-6-1 vs. 6-4-2 Atsushi Takeuchi

Rookie Tournament 2nd Round:
Welter: Hiroki "KG Shinto" Kuga 2-1-0 vs. 1-1-0 Munehiro "Mike" Kin
Feather: Kota Onojima 1-0-0 vs. Inagaki
Welter: Koji Nishioka 0-0-1 vs. Harada

Read more...

7/19 Shooto - Fights Announced

Shooto have announced fights for their next big event. It probably wont be as big as the final tradition card, but it is looking interesting after 5 fights have been announced.

The main event should be the featherweight title fight between the undefeated champion Masakatsu Ueda. The challenger is the very talented Brazilian Eduardo Dantas. Dantas has picked off his competition in Shooto Brazil, then he came to Japan to introduce "BJ" to the featherweight division. His only loss is a disqualification and this fight should be very interesting.

Also returning to Shooto after 2 years away is Alive's Yasuhiro Akagi, who will be taking on Masaaki Sugawara.

Featherweight Title Fight:
Masakatsu Ueda 9-0-2 vs. 7-1-0 Eduardo Dantas

Bantam: Yasuhiro Akagi 6-4-0 vs. 7-3-1 Masaaki Sugawara
Fly: "Heat" Takeshi Sato 8-6-1 vs. 6-4-2 Atsushi Takeuchi

Neo-Blood Tournament 2nd Round:
Welter: Hiroki "KG Shinto" Kuga 2-1-0 vs. 1-1-0 Munehiro "Mike" Kin
Feather: Kota Onojima 1-0-0 vs. Inagaki
Welter: Koji Nishioka 0-0-1 vs. Harada

Participant:
Shinichi "BJ" Kojima

Read more...

3/20 Shooto Tradition 6- Results

Shooto Tradition 6 starts at the same time as the Sengoku event today. I will be updating the results as they become available here.

2 title fights on the card and lots of interesting talent, it should be a good event in Korakuen Hall.

Bantamweight Shooto World Title Fight:
9. Shinichi "BJ" Kojima Def. Yuki Shoujou by rear-naked choke Round 3 0:38

Featherweight Shooto World Title Fight:
8. Masakatsu Ueda Def. So Tazawa by Decsion 3-0
Another strong decision win for Ueda.

There is a break before the final 2 fights. In that, there are some announcements, May 10 Shooto will hold the Tradition Final, and on the card will be the following:

Koutetsu Boku vs. Yutaka Ueda
"Lion" Takeshi vs. Rumina Sato

Participating:
Takashi Nakakura

6. Feather: Hiromasa Ogikubo Def. Tetsu "Hadairo" Suzuki by decision 3-0
5. Fly: Noburo "Shinpei" Tahara vs. Takehiro Harusaki DRAW
4. Bantam: Masaaki Sugawara vs. Daiji Takahashi DRAW
3. Fly: Atsushi "ATCH Anarchy" Takeuchi Def. Mikitoshi Yamagami by Decsion 3-0
2. Welter: Takayuki Okochi Def. Michiyuki Ishibashi by KO Round 1 0:13

Rookie Tournament:
1. Feather: Kota Onojima Def. Takashi Niikuni by TKO

Read more...

3/20 Shooto Tradition 6 - ***REMINDER***

***REMINDER***
This card has been ready for a while and it is very good. Personally, I am looking forward to the Ogikubo fight, but there are 2 title fights on as well. Also, look out for Yamagami, who always seems to be a hit with the crowd.

***

The Shooto Trandition series have been awesome, as you would expect as Shooto is celebrating its 20th anniversary with this.

The latest event, #6 in the series, will have 2 title fights on the card. The main-event will be the bantamweight title fight between "BJ" Kojima and Yuki Shoujou. "BJ" is coming off a draw with Jesse Taitano at Tradition 5. Shoujou defeated Shooto veteran Yasuhiro Urushitani in this last fight, and this should be a very good fight.

The co-main event is the other title fight on the card. The undefeated Masakatsu Ueda is taking on So Tazawa. Tazawa is coming off a draw with Ogikubo in Tradition 4. So Tazawa have not lost since his last fight with Ueda, that almost exactly 2 years ago and Ueda won by Brabo choke in round 3.

Also on the card are some very interesting fights. Ogikubo, who is unbeaten in his Shooto career, will take on the grappling specialist "Hadairo".

There was one fight added with the announcement of the fight order. The veteran Takayuki Okochi will take on Michiyuki Ishibashi. Okochi have not tasted victory in over 6 years, and should be very determined to get one here. Ishibashi is not far behind, his only professional win was back in 2007, or 4 fights ago.

Bantamweight Shooto World Title Fight:
9. Shinichi "BJ" Kojima vs. 8-4-2 Yuki Shoujou

Featherweight Shooto World Title Fight:
8. Masakatsu Ueda 8-0-2 vs. 8-3-3 So Tazawa

6. Feather: Hiromasa Ogikubo 5-0-2 vs. 8-6-3 Tetsu "Hadairo" Suzuki
5. Fly: Noburo "Shinpei" Tahara 5-3-0 vs. 5-4-0 Takehiro Harusaki
4. Bantam: Masaaki Sugawara 7-3-0 vs. 6-10-3 Daiji Takahashi
3. Fly: Atsushi "ATCH Anarchy" Takeuchi 5-4-2 vs. 3-0-0 Mikitoshi Yamagami
2. Welter: Takayuki Okochi 7-12-3 vs. 1-5-1 Michiyuki Ishibashi

Rookie Tournament:
1. Feather: Takashi Niikuni 1-0-0 vs. Kota Onojima

Read more...

3/20 Shooto Tradition 6 - Fights Added

Shooto have announced 2 more fights for their Tradition 6 card. This event is held on the same day as the Sengoku 7 event, and needs to be good, and this is shaping up to be something special.

There are already 2 title fights on the card, in addition to that there were some very good talent.

Today, they have added some more fights as well. The unbeaten 7th ranked featherweight Hiromasa Ogikubo will face grappling specialist and 10th ranked Tetsu Suzuki. Ogikubo faced Tazawa in his last fight and drew, this event So Tazawa is fighting for the title and I am guessing the winner of this fight will climb into contention.

The other fight added today is between Masaaki Sugawara and
debutant Daiji Takahashi.

***UPDATE***
Made a mistake when looking up Daiji Takahashi... He is a very experienced fighter, but not had a win in his last 5 fights. I am sure he will come in motivated to get one here.


Added:
Feather: Hiromasa Ogikubo 5-0-2 vs. 8-6-3 Tetsu "Hadairo" Suzuki
Bantam: Masaaki Sugawara 7-3-0 vs. 6-10-3 Daiji Takahashi

Previously Announced:
Bantamweight Shooto World Title Fight:
Shinichi "BJ" Kojima vs. 8-4-2 Yuki Shoujou

Featherweight Shooto World Title Fight:
Masakatsu Ueda 8-0-2 vs. 8-3-3 So Tazawa

Fly: Noburo "Shinpei" Tahara 5-3-0 vs. 5-4-0 Takehiro Harusaki
Fly: Atsushi "ATCH Anarchy" Takeuchi 5-4-2 vs. 3-0-0 Mikitoshi Yamagami

Rookie Tournament:
Feather: Takashi Niikuni 1-0-0 vs. Kota Onojima

Read more...

3/20 Shooto Tradition 6 - 2 Title Fights Announced

Shooto is moving back to Korakuen Hall for this event that is taking place the same day as Sengoku 7. Shooto producer/sponsor Sustain recently signed a deal with Sengoku, so I am guessing that means we will see some Shooto fighters in Sengoku.

Either way, this card is looking very good! 2 world title fights have been added to this card. "BJ" will fight again, this time he will put his bantamweight title on the line against Yuki Shoujou.

The other title fight is in the featherweight division (shooto that is 60.0kg, Sengoku is 65.0kg). Undefeated champion Masakatsu Ueda will take on So Tazawa. Tazawa has been on a strong run lately, and his last loss came 2 years ago to Masakatsu Ueda.

Also on the card, look out for undefeated Mikitoshi Yamagami, who always seems to get the crowd on his side. This is his first fight in Korakuen hall, but he is always a hit in Shinjuku Face.

Bantamweight Shooto World Title Fight:
Shinichi "BJ" Kojima vs. 8-4-2 Yuki Shoujou

Featherweight Shooto World Title Fight:
Masakatsu Ueda 8-0-2 vs. 8-3-3 So Tazawa

Fly: Noburo "Shinpei" Tahara 5-3-0 vs. 5-4-0 Takehiro Harusaki
Fly: Atsushi "ATCH Anarchy" Takeuchi 5-4-2 vs. 3-0-0 Mikitoshi Yamagami

Rookie Tournament:
Feather: Takashi Niikuni 1-0-0 vs. Kota Onojima

Read more...

11/29 Shooot Tradition 04 - Pictures

Saturday's Shooto event was awesome, I was there and took some pictures.

Hayakawa has an ability to get stuck in some submissions in the 2nd round. Here Nezu is close to ending the fight early, something that would have been a shame. Hayakawa was the better fighter in the 1st round, but Nezu took the second and it ended in a deserved draw.


Atsushi Takeuchi was better than Katsuya Murofushi standing, and got in some good punches.


When the fight hit the ground, he looked in control there too.


Eventually Takeuchi get a guiliotine choke in that ended the fight in the second round.


Ogikubo wanted to take Tazawa down, and he did that in all the rounds. Unfortunately, Tazawa defended well and it ended in a draw.


The last 3 fights on this card were awesome on paper, first out was Takashi Nakakura against Bendy Casimir. I had picked this as a very close fight, and was wrong... Casimir looked good once the fight was standing, but on the ground Nakakura proved to be the better grappler. Nakakura landed some heavy punches.


Casimir was forced to give up his back and Nakakura took full advantage. With just seconds remaining in the first round he sunk in a deep rear-naked choke.


I think Casimir thought he could last the round and did not tap. But with 2 seconds left the ref was forced to stop the fight and Casimir was left unconcious.


A very strong performance by Nakakura!


The next fight was between Rumina Sato and Hatsu Hioki. In this fight Hioki didnt take long to get Rumina on the ground, and once there he got mount. The ref had to step in, Hioki's gnp was too much for the veteran.


The main event was the title fight between Hideki Kadowaki and "Lion" Takeshi. I think everyone expected Kadowaki to take this to the ground. I was surprised that he didnt immediately do that though. He was able to land some good shots on the challenger and for a second it looked like "Lion" was in danger.


Unfortuantely for Kadowaki, the fight did not end that way. "Lion" took round 2 and 3. In the end he also get the decision and was crowned the new champion.

Read more...

11/29 Shooto Tradition 4 - Results

Just came home form the event, and it was a good one!! For the ones who have been waiting for the results.

Kadowaki came out like a champion, he tried his best on his feet and actually hit "Lion" a couple of times. As the rounds went on though, it went more and more the way of the challenger, and he got the decision in the end.

For me, the big fight was Ogikubo. I actaully thought he controlled most of the fight on the ground... The judges disagreed and gave them a draw. Which is hard to argue with, I guess...

"Mike" really showed his stuff in the 1st round, but as is too common... He gassed in the 2nd. He got a draw this time, but he will be back!!! "Mike" will get a win one of these days, it was exciting again today!

In the other BIG fights today, I was surprised how easy the favorites dealt with the issue... Nakakura dominated Casimir and Hioki dominated Rumina.

On another note, there were a couple of famous fighters there, Gomi was enjoying the fights, posing for pictures with fans. Also "Wicky" Akiyo was relaxing before his final in Cage Force next week! Both very nice guys, and "Wicky" is READY!


1. Nobuhiro "Mike" Hayakawa vs. Yuta Nezu DRAW
2. Taisuke Okuno Def. Daisuke "Hunt" Okumiya by Decision 3-0
3. Atsushi Takeuchi Def. Katsuya Murofushi by rear-naked choke Round 2 1:44
4. Yutaka Ueda Def. Jin Kazeta by TKO Round 1 3:23
5. So Tazawa vs. Hiromasa Ogikubo DRAW
6. Takashi Nakakura Def. Bendy Casimir by Rear-naked choke Round 1 4:58
7. Hatsu Hioki Def. Rumina Sato by TKO Round 1 3:32
8. "Lion" Takeshi Inoue Def. Hideki Kadowaki by decision 3-0

Read more...

11/29 Shooot Tradition 04 - Weigh-!n - Tazawa misses weight?

The weigh-in for today's Shooto event happened yesterday. So Tazawa had 2 attempts at making weight, but was over both times. He should have another shot at it, but I dont know the result.

Anyway, here are the rest of the weigh-in results:

Hideki Kadowaki 65.0 kg
"Lion" Takeshi Inoue 65.0 kg

Hatsu Hioki 64.9 kg
Rumina Sato 65.0 kg

Takashi Nakakura 70.0 kg
Bendy Casimir 70.4 kg → 70.0 kg

So Tazawa 60.2kg → 60.1kg → X
Hiromasa Ogikubo 59.9 kg

Jin Kazeta 69.6 kg
Yutaka Ueda 69.7 kg

Atsushi Takeuchi 52.2 kg → 52.0 kg
Katsuya Murofushi 52.0 kg

Taisuke Okuno 75.8 kg
Daisuke "Hunt" Okumiya 75.1 kg

Nobuhiro "Mike" Hayakawa 59.8 kg
Yuta Nezu 59.8 kg

Read more...

11/29 Shooot Tradition 04 - Warm-Up

Shooto is putting on a really good event tomorrow. The mix of stars and talent should make this one of the better Shooto events this year.

If you want to see what a professional thinks of this event, you should read Jordan Breen's preview on this event here. There is no doubt this will be a good event.

Anyway, here is what I expect from the main card at tomorrow's event. I will be there taking pictures, so might be a bit late with the results...

So Tazawa 8-3-2 vs. 5-0-1 Hiromasa Ogikubo
I am really looking forward to watching Hiromasa Ogikubo, he is still undefeated, Training under Ryota Matsune and Hiroshi Tsuruya in Paraestra Matsudo. He will be a force in the Shooto featherweight division. This time he is facing his toughest opponent yet in So Tazawa.

So Tazawa has been in there with the best of them and he still has a good record. I still think Ogikubo will be too strong on the ground.

Predicition: I am sort of bias in this, as Ogikubo is from my gym, so there is no surprise who I am picking in this fight. I see Ogikubo taking the fight to the ground and getting a decision win.

Hiromasa Ogikubo:
vs. Hiroyuki Tanaka
vs. Yasuhiro Kanayama
vs. Kazuya Tamura

So Tazawa:
vs. Masakatsu Ueda Part 1
vs. Masakatsu Ueda Part 2
vs. Masakatsu Ueda Part 3

Takashi Nakakura 10-2-1 vs. 16-4-2 Bendy Casimir
This could very well end up being fight of the night, both these guys are Shooto champions (Nakakura world champion, Casimir european champion) but there is no title on the line. Maybe because I am used to this in Japan, but I dont care. This is a fight I want to see, even if its not a title fight.

Predicition: Be careful not to underestimate Bendy Casimir in this fight. Nakakura is the favorite and I see him getting the decision, but Casimir was very good in his last fight in Japan.

Takashi Nakakura:
vs. Ray Cooper
vs. Yusuke Endo Round 1
vs. Yusuke Endo Round 2
vs. Yusuke Endo Round 3
vs. Ganjo Tentsuku Part 1
vs. Ganjo Tentsuku Part 2
vs. Mizuto Hirota Round 1
vs. Mizuto Hirota Round 2
vs. Mizuto Hirota Round 3

Bendy Casimir:
vs. Juri Ivlev
vs. Ian Jones
vs. Shinji Sasaki Part 1
vs. Shinji Sasaki Part 2

Hatsu Hioki 16-3-2 vs. 24-12-2 Rumina Sato
This is a fight between 2 of them most popular Shooto fighters. This will really get the crowd going and it should be a good fight. Personally, I would like to see Rumina Sato get this win, but I dont think he will.

Rumina Sato took most of 2006 off to start his own gym, since coming back he has a record of 1-2, in his last 5 he is 1-4. Hioki on the other hand is undefeated in his last 5.

Prediction: As much as I want Rumina Sato to win, I cant see it happening. Hioki will take it, but dont count Rumina off completely.

Rumina Sato:
vs. Charles Taylor
vs. Bao Quach
vs. Augusto Frota
vs. Katsuya Toida
vs. Antonio Carvalho
vs. Ali Mihoubi
vs. Rafael Cordeiro

Hatsu Hioki:
vs. Antonio Carvalho Part 1
vs. Antonio Carvalho Part 2
vs. Antonio Carvalho Part 3
vs. Baret Yoshida
vs. Joe Pearson
vs. Hideki Kadowaki

Hideki Kadowaki 13-7-2 vs. 14-3-0 "Lion" Takeshi Inoue
Hideki Kadowaki is the champion, and in some ways he had a sudden rise to the belt. He is a very experienced fighter, but before he pulled out a "Kadowaki Special" on Rumina Sato I was not expecting to see him in a title fight. Then pieces fell his way, he had some luck and got the title shot. He won a deserved victory against Akitoshi Tamura.

Even if Kadowaki is the defending champion coming in, I think he is also viewed as the underdog here. "Lion" Takeshi has only had 3 losses in his career, he lost he last fight though. "Lion" would like to keep this fight standing, Kadowaki wants "Lion" Takeshi on his back.

Prediction: I am really torn on this, I see it either as an exciting fight where "Lion" picks Kadowaki apart standing OR a fight that goes the distance ending in a draw or decision win to Kadowaki. I am leaning towards a decision to Kadowaki, actually changed my mind since I started writing.

Hideki Kadowaki:
vs. Akitoshi Tamura Part 1
vs. Akitoshi Tamura Part 2
vs. Akitoshi Tamura Part 3
vs. Hatsu Hioki
vs. Naoya Miyamoto
vs. "Wicky" Akiyo Nishiura Part 1
vs. "Wicky" Akiyo Nishiura Part 2

"Lion" Takeshi Inoue:
vs. Antonio Carvalho
vs. Navid Yousefi
vs. Katsuya Toida
vs. Akitoshi Tamura Part 1
vs. Akitoshi Tamura Part 2
vs. Savant Young Part 1
vs. Savant Young Part 2

Read more...

11/29 Shooot Tradition 04 - Fight Order

Shooto have announced the fight order for their event on Saturday. No big surprise that the title fight between Champion Hideki Kadowaki and "Lion" Takeshi take that honor.

It is a very good card with a mix of very talented fighters, such as Ogikubo and Ueda mixed with a lot of established stars.

Again, I hope that "Mike" Hayakawa adds to his win. I think he deserves it, as he is better than his record shows.

Main-Event - Shooto Lightweight World Title Fight:
8. Hideki Kadowaki 13-7-2 vs. 14-3-0 "Lion" Takeshi Inoue

7. Light: Hatsu Hioki 16-3-2 vs. 24-12-2 Rumina Sato
6. Welter: Takashi Nakakura 10-2-1 vs. 16-4-2 Bendy Casimir
5. Feather: So Tazawa 8-3-2 vs. 5-0-1 Hiromasa Ogikubo
4. Welter: Jin Kazeta 8-8-2 vs. 5-1-1 Yutaka Ueda
3. Fly: Atsushi Takeuchi 4-4-2 vs. 3-3-0 Katsuya Murofushi
2. Middle: Taisuke Okuno 6-2-1 vs. 2-2-1 Daisuke "Hunt" Okumiya
1. Feather: Nobuhiro "Mike" Hayakawa 1-4-2 vs. 5-2-0 Yuta Nezu

Read more...

11/29 Shooto - Tradition 04 - Nakakura fighting Casimir

After a quiet week there has been a lot of announcements today, Shooto have announced another fight for their event on November 29. I am so happy I got my tickets for this one!

Shooto World Welterweight chamption, Takashi Nakakura is taking on Shooto's European Champion, Bendy Casimir. This is a non-title fight, but it will be awesome! Both these fighters have been undeteated since 2005!! Casimir is 12-0-1 (12 figtht winning streak) since then, Nakakura is 4-0-1. This will be a fight with a LOT of pride at stake!

Added:
Welter: Takashi Nakakura 10-2-1 vs. 16-4-2 Bendy Casimir

Previously Announced:
Shooto Lightweight World Title Fight:
Hideki Kadowaki 13-7-2 vs. 14-3-0 "Lion" Takeshi Inoue

Light: Hatsu Hioki 16-3-2 vs. 24-12-2 Rumina Sato
Feather: So Tazawa 8-3-2 vs. 5-0-1 Hiromasa Ogikubo
Welter: Jin Kazeta 8-8-2 vs. 5-1-1 Yutaka Ueda
Middle: Taisuke Okuno 6-2-1 vs. 2-2-1 Daisuke "Hunt" Okumiya
Fly: Atsushi Takeuchi 4-4-2 vs. 3-3-0 Katsuya Murofushi
Feather: Nobuhiro "Mike" Hayakawa 1-4-2 vs. 5-2-0 Yuta Nezu

Read more...

11/29 Shooto Tradition 04 - Two More Fights Added

Shooto has announced 2 more fights for their Tradition 04 card. This is another awesome card and the tickets are selling fast for this one (there are still tickets left though).

Added today is an interesting middleweight fight between Shooto ranked #2 Taisuke Okuno and Daisuke Okumiya.

The other fight added is "Mike" Hayakawa, who I think is better than his record and I hope he gets another win. Yuta Nezu should be a challenge though, Nezu lost in the Shooto Rookie Tournament this year, but was dominating the fight until being caught in a bulldog choke.

Added:
Middle: Taisuke Okuno 6-2-1 vs. 2-2-1 Daisuke "Hunt" Okumiya
Nobuhiro "Mike" Hayakawa 1-4-2 vs. 5-2-0 Yuta Nezu

Previously Announced:
Shooto Lightweight World Title Fight:
Hideki Kadowaki 13-7-2 vs. 14-3-0 "Lion" Takeshi Inoue

So Tazawa 8-3-2 vs. 5-0-1 Hiromasa Ogikubo
Jin Kazeta 8-8-2 vs. 5-1-1 Yutaka Ueda
Hatsu Hioki 16-3-2 vs. 24-12-2 Rumina Sato
Atsushi Takeuchi 4-4-2 vs. 3-3-0 Katsuya Murofushi

Participating:
Takashi Nakakura 10-2-1

Read more...