On Sunday May 10th at JCB Hall in Tokyo, Japan Shooto will present the final of their Tradition series, which will also make the 20th anniversary of professional Shooto. To make the occasion, leading Shooto promoter Sustain has put together one of their best cards in recent memory.
Takeshi Inoue vs. Rumina Sato
Although he was scheduled to compete in the Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix, Takeshi Inoue decided to forgo the tournament to defend his 143-pound Shooto world title on this card. While Inoue is the current Shooto poster boy and champion, he will be taking on the previous generation’s preeminent shooter, Rumina Sato.
In the past Rumina Sato was a dangerous fighter who could catch an explosive submission at anytime. Over the course of his career he has won by flying armbar, calf slicer, and flying triangle choke. However, over time the sport and age have caught up to Sato. Inoue, who regained his title in his last fight with Hideki Kadowaki, should have little trouble disposing of Sato in the first round.
Takashi Nakakura vs. Takanori Gomi
In this match-up all eyes will be on fallen star Takanori Gomi. After making his case for everyone’s pound-for-pound lists during his career in PRIDE, Gomi has been unimpressive in Sengoku. He has dropped his last two fights to Sergey Golyaev and Satoru Kitaoka.
On the other hand, Takashi Nakakura seems to have hit his stride in his career. The current 154-pound Shooto champion has always been a good grappler, but recently he has added a very technical striking game. Gomi should still be able to out-strike Nakakura, but if he is not aggressive with his strikes he will get picked apart by the champion.
Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Mizuto Hirota
In the DREAM vs. Sengoku match-up it appears as if Mitsuhiro Ishida should have the advantage. Although Ishida is not a great finisher, he has one of the best wrestling-for-MMA games out there. Expect superior wrestling to carry Ishida to a decision victory.
However, the Sengoku representative does have a wild card that has historically been known to even fights – big power. Hirota certainly has the ability to end the fight with his hands, and he holds a victory over top notch wrestler Ryan Schultz. Ishida should have the edge, but this fight is by no means a sure thing.
Kotetsu Boku vs. Yutaka Ueda
Despite being from the Krazy Bee team, Kotetsu Boku is not a good wrestler. Over the course of his career he has been known for his technical boxing and total lack of striking power. In this fight he takes on the 154-pound Shooto rookie tournament champion from 2007 – Yutaka Ueda. Ueda is undefeated in his career since his first professional fight.
Ueda will bring a Judo background and an unorthodox striking game into the ring against Boku. If Boku can implement his striking game he should be able to take this fight home by decision, but Ueda has much more powerful strikes and lands at odd angles. Look for the younger prospect to continue his winning ways.
Megumi Fujii vs. Chu Won Bun
Originally Megumi Fujii was supposed to face a random opponent. When that fell through, her former opponent was replaced by Chu Won Bun, who is almost as random. Expect Fujii to finish this fight in the first round by submission.
Yusuke Endo vs. Willamy Chiquerim
Yusuke Endo fights up to his level of competition. He can fight great, like he did when he submitted Clay Guida, or he can be sloppy, like when he decisioned Vince Ortiz. Willamy Chiquerim, the 154-pound Shooto Brazil champion, should be able to bring out the best in Edno and make for a very exciting fight.
Both fighters have serious edge in power, and both are dangerous from the top position. Expect Endo to take the decision in this fight due to a slight edge the wrestling department, but this one will be close.
Akiyo Nishiura vs. Takumi Ota
Takumi Ota is a relatively well-rounded fighter, but he won’t have the wrestling to hold down Akiyo Nishiura. Nishiura has been able to show the world what he can do to fighters that can’t hold him down. This will be a first round knockout for Wicky Akiyo.
By: Richard Mann