MMA News

At the press conference held today in Tokyo, the leading Shooto promoter, Sustain has unveiled the partial lineup for the upcoming Vale Tudo Japan 2009.

The announcement of the opponent for Takanori Gomi (30-5, 1 NC) highlighted the presser: Sustain representative, Kazuhiro Sakamoto admitted that the search for Gomi’s opponent in what will likely be the former PRIDE lightweight king’s last bout had gone astray and took much longer than expected.

Alas, with about two weeks left until the show that is scheduled for Oct. 30 at JCB Hall in Tokyo, Sakamoto and Co. secured Gomi’s opponent in the current King of the Cage lightweight champion, Tony Hervey (11-4).

Hervey, a twenty four year-old Warren, MI native, holds notable victories over Victor Valenzuela and Alberto Crane. With a background in wrestling, muay thai, and taekwondo, Hervey is a fleet-footed southpaw who is equally sound offensively and defensively on the feet: A proficient striker who is adept at slipping and weaving through punches, he also boasts explosive takedown and fierce, ground-and-pound.

Sakamoto commented that Hervey is a “lithe, aggressive, and dangerous opponent” whom no fighter can trifle with — if this will indeed be Gomi’s last fight in Japan, Hervey should more than fulfill his role in the momeroble occasion. He added that, while Hervey is still unknown in US, he likely will gain recognition in near future, and thus a good measuring stick for Gomi’s success in the US.

Gomi, who attended the press conference, seemed cautious about facing the promising albeit little-known prospect. He noted that Hervey likely will be a tricky opponent due to his explosiveness, agility, southpaw stance, and his arsenal of kicks. Comparing Hervey to his past opponents, Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett and Luiz Azeredo, Gomi promised a fast-paced action from the opening bell that will live up to its billing as the main event.

Gomi seems fully focused on the bout, as he has put aside his pursuit of professional surfing license and been hauled up in the gym. He also reiterated his desire to challenge himself overseas, citing UFC as one of his potential destinations.

Gomi-Hervey is scheduled for the five-round main event under the special “VTJ” rule we previously reported on. The title match between “Lion” Takeshi Inoue and Alexandre “Pequeno” Nogueira will also proceed as a five-rounder under the VTJ rule. On the other hand, the 155-pound title bout between Kenichiro Togashi and Nova Uniao prospect, Willemy Chiquerim will be contested as a three-rounder.

The additional bouts announced at the presser include a bantamweight bout between Mamoru Yamaguchi and Jesse Taitano under the Shooto rule and 143 lbs. bout between Tenkei Fujimiya and Tito Jones. Also, this year’s 167-pound rookie tournament champion, Yoichiro Sato has been added to the line-up against as-yet unnamed opponent.

Elsewhere, the Shooto legend, Rumina Sato is still without an opponent. Sakamoto stated that, per Sato’s wish, he has been looking stateside for an opponent, listing Urijah Faber’s gym as one of the places he has contacted.

Here is the current VTJ line-up:

71kg/156 lbs. – VTJ Rules – 5R x 5 min.
Takanori Gomi (30-5, 1 NC) vs. Tony Hervey (11-4)

65kg/143 lbs. – VTJ Rules – 5R x 5 min.
“Lion” Takeshi Inoue (16-3) vs. Alexandre Franca Nogueira (13-5-2)

Shooto Welterweight (70kg/155.3 lbs.) Title Match – 3R x 5 min.
Willamy Chiquerim (14-1) vs. Kenichiro Togashi (10-6-5)

56kg/123.5 lbs. – Shooto Rules – 3R x 5 min.
Mamoru Yamaguchi (20-5-3) vs. Jesse Taitano (7-5-2)

65kg/143 lbs. – Shooto Rules – 3R x 5 min.
Tenkei Fujimiya (7-4-2) vs. Tito Jones (6-3)

Rumina Sato (24-14-2) vs. TBA

Yoichiro Sato (5-1-1) vs. TBA

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates on Vale Tudo Japan 2009 as they become available.

The “Fireball Kid” will be back in action for what could possibly be his last fight in Japan.

Takanori Gomi (30-5, 1 NC), along with Rumina Sato (24-14-2) and Takeshi Inoue (16-3), has been confirmed as a participant in the upcoming Vale Tudo Japan 2009 fight card on October 30 at JCB Hall in Tokyo, according to Sherdog.com.

Vale Tudo Japan, a series of events hosted annually by Shooto from 1994 to 1999, will be resurrected after a ten-year hiatus. Vale Tudo Japan tournaments most notably served as a platform for the rise of Rickson Gracie, the tournament winner in 1994 and 1995.

In the press conference for VTJ ‘09, an International Shooto Commission (ISC) official announced the implementation of various rules that have been crafted specifically for VTJ ‘09. Even though VTJ will not be considered an official Shooto event, it will be promoted by Sustain, the leading promoter of Shooto.

Moreover, VTJ ‘09 will serve as a crucial laboratory for testing out potential changes to the Shooto system in near future.

Some of the notable rule changes include the introduction of five-round fights and knees and stomps to the heads of grounded opponents, use of smaller gloves, prohibition of long spats, and the absence of predetermined weight classes. The proposed modifications will see Shooto incorporate some of the mainstream rules seen in international MMA.

Sustain and the fighters will decide which bouts will be fought with five rounds. Additionally, given the absence of pre-determined weight classes, the weight limits will be left to Sustain and the fighters to determine.

As for the fight cards, Inoue is scheduled to face Alexandre Franca Nogueira in a five-round bout; Gomi and Sato are left without a confirmed opponent at the moment.

Gomi last fought in May when he defeated the current Shooto welterweight champion, Takashi Nakakura in a non-title bout to halt his two-fight skid. He was scheduled to face Rafaello Oliveira in Affliction: Trilogy, but the bout fizzled with the demise of the promotion.

He suspects that he will face a non-Japanese opponent at VTJ ‘09, invoking VTJ’s ongoing theme of “Japan vs. the world.” Asked about his plan for future, he expressed interest in fighting in Sengoku’s New Year’s event but also stated that he would like to look for challenges overseas.

Rumina Sato, who appeared in a grappling match against Ulysses Gomez at UFC Fan Expo in July, looks to test his water below his usual 143 lbs weight class at VTJ’09. Sato, who has been hailed as a pioneering figure in Shooto, has seen his career slide, having dropped six of his last seven bouts.

Citing his success at UFC Expo where he grappled at 135 lbs, he expressed interest in stepping into the ring with a fighter from WEC.

Sustain promoter Kazuhiro Sakamoto has been trying to contact Zuffa to acquire foreign competitors for Gomi and Sato. While confirming the ongoing negotiation, Sakamoto declined to disclose further details. He also stated that Gomi’s fight at VTJ ‘09 could quite possibly be his last in Japan and reinforced the desire to match him against an opponent who will make for a memorable bout before heading overseas.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on the developing stories on Vale Tudo Japan 2009 and the participating fighters.