End of circus

In Japanese MMA, fighters who are really good at one technique or style tend to receive a lot of support and applause from the audience. As well, fighters who are able to make quick changes to their game that influence how fights go will also receive praise.

I have talked in the past about how the fight game has really changed, with striking pressure now defining how and where a fight goes.

For the most part, Japanese MMA fighters specialize in grappling, and they need striking skills or they will be relegated to "local" status and be stuck fighting on small cards. With the exception of Shinya Aoki (who has a terrible chin, however), no other grappling specialist has really succeeded in changing his or herself into a more complete fighter.

While grapplers have struggled, Japanese strikers like Takanori Gomi and Takeya Mizugaki remain at the top of the sport in the UFC. Both have shown improvement in their striking pressure, sprawling and ability to get back to their feet, and that is simply because they have a core style that can be built upon and developed.

I feel that fighters need to be able to continuously develop their skills and core strength(s). If they can't, and if opponents can shut down their strong points, the fighters will abruptly drop from prominence in the sport.

I have brought this up because local Japanese organizations need to evaluate fighters based on which ones have the potential to move on to bigger shows.

Many fighters take a stand to defend themselves for their own benefit, which is completely understandable, but organizations must judge them based on what they can do in the future. So I mention the need for promotions to gauge how quickly and steadily fighters can improve their styles, and whether they can identify their strengths and weaknesses.

I believe that Japanese MMA needs to invest more in young talent and advise them on how to construct a style that can be continuously developed throughout their entire careers.

That's not to say that I don't respect historical fighters that had skills that were geared more towards entertainment value for the fans, but we need to invest in new fighters and determine which ones will be future stars. This is the time to change our focus towards building the new generation.

Big thanks to Robert Sargent (from MMA Rising) for English editing.

Japanese MMA scene Fighter to watch out 2012

I write about up and coming Japanese MMA fighters to stay on the look out for.  Specifically I focus on those outside of the major MMA organizations.  Most likely, only die-hard MMA fans will know about the following fighters.

Kyoji Horiguchi

Horiguchi is on a three fight KO streak in 2011 after winning the Shooto Rookie tournament.  Horiguchi will next face world-ranked fighter and upcoming Bellator tournament contestant Masakatsu Ueda.  With his tremendous speed, karate skills, and knockout power, Horiguchi definitely has a chance to pull off the upset over Ueda.



Doo Ho Choi

After gaining attention from his decision victory over Ikuo Usuda in 2010, Choi seeks to improve on a breakout 2011.  He showcased vicious knees and an impressive sprawl during his wins over Mitsuhiro Ishida and Nobuhiro Obiya.  He will next face Kazunori Yokota for the vacant DEEP featherweight title and should be a strong favorite.  I’m curious to see how he will fare against a strong and powerful striker.



Jon Shores

From very early in his career, Shores has been known for his submission finishing skills.  This year, he seeks to bring his striking up to a similar level.  He defeated Tomonari Kanomata by maintaining a steady striking pace and will likely now square off against Takumi Nakayama for the Pancrase interim featherweight title.



Yasuaki Kishimoto

You might recognize this name after his victory over Un Sik Song, who currently trying to rediscover his prior form from before his military stint, Kishimoto is now in the mix for the DEEP lightweight title. After beating veteran Jutaro Nakao, I’m guessing that he will likely get a title shot soon.


Yuta "Uruka" Sasaki

Uruka’s 2011 campaign was hard fought.  He got a pair of close decision nods over Yoshifumi Nakamura and Kosuke Kindaichi.   His lack of finishing skills needs to be improved upon, which could be seen in his loss to Guy Delumeau’s wrestling/BJJ style.  Fortunately he is young enough that there should be plenty of time for improvement.



Michinori Tanaka

Tanaka is the MVP of this year’s Shooto Rookie tournament, which was actually one of the more stacked rookie tournaments in recent history.  By consistently attacking with chain grappling, Tanaka completely dominated runner-up Teruto Ishihara, who was clearly the second best rookie in Shooto this year.



Hideto Tatsumi

Although the dearth of talent in the Japanese heavier weight classes makes for some difficult comparisons, Hideto Tatsumi’s impressive judo background warrants a closer look.  After losing his debut to Christian M’Pumbu, Tatsumi upset veteran Hiromitsu Kanegara in just his third fight.  While still too early to judge, his performance is definitely promising.  Currently training with Japanese star Yushin Okami, his next test will be against Yang Hae Jun at Legend FC.


Also DEEP will crown flyweight champ with tournament.If Tatsumitsu Wada drop flyweight,it guarantee tounrament's winner quality.

SKILL MMA : Japanese MMA scene Fighter to watch out 2011

Big thanks to Dean Ryuta Adachi  (Deanadachi.com) for English editing.

Japanese MMA scene Fighter to watch out 2011

I do same thing as 2010.Who going to get attention? I don't make major list cause it's almost same as last year.You need attention Omigawa,Hioki,Sandro,Kanehara,Kikuno,Parky,Jung,Maxi as last year.(Kanehara and Jung's career in tough situation though)

If SRC do Bantam weight world grand prix.I think it will be interesting. It depend on what talent they bring,but think about how there Feather weight grand prix turn out and they seems to have at least one top ten Bantam weight. (Masakatsu Ueda　(Paraestra Tokyo))

Who is up and comer at local level.

Let's make a list.

from local

Yuta "Uruka" Sasaki (Wajyutsu Keisyukai Suruga Dojo).
Trained by Kenichi Serizawa who is referee.Have great sense of grapple at young age.Won Shooto rookie tourny and will participate March's Shooto.Of course need time for major even he grow fast.

Battle for flyweight.

Pancrase have Kiyotaka Shimizu 　(SK Absolute) as a champ.
ZST clowned Ryosuke Tanuma　(Reversal Gym Yokohama Groundslam) as a champ.

DEEP recently started division.Guy like Hirotaka Miyakawa (Alliance Square) fought at that weight.But I want give attention Yusaku Nakamura (Style) who fought at Bantam weight expected to drop.Who looking good at three fight fighter.

Of course Shooto have longest history at that division.But recently match making are limited for them.So I want cross over match ups for Shooto's that division.

I can see fight for top of division get tougher.Jussier, Urushitani and Mamoru rank is still higher, but may they will get challenged.

Rambaa "M16" Somdet (M16 Muay Thai Style) vs Junji "Sarumaru" Ito (Shooting Gym Yokohama)
First most significant fight for minimum weight.After flyweight developed.Minimum weight (or Straw weight) is the last place for new weight division for Men's MMA.


Junji "Sarumaru" Ito

Female prospect improvement.

Last year have many prospect for Japanese female MMA.Crops are become more significant when they got title.(Ayaka Hamasaki (AACC),Rin Nakai (Shooto Dojo Shikoku))

SKILL MMA : Japanese MMA scene Fighter to watch out

Japanese MMA referee list

People have really started to pay attention to referees recently, so I made a list of Japanese MMA referees.

I won't critique these referees here, but knowing the background of these officials should help create a greater interest in the third man in the ring or the cage, especially in Japan, where many fans don't know the individual officials.


Dream



Yuji Shimada: A famous referee since the Pride era, who gets booed when he's introduced (because of his pro-wrestling character). He did his own gym, BCG, in Hamamatsucho, Tokyo.

Daisuke Noguchi: Noguchi also belongs to Yuji Shimada's BCG gym.



Ryogaku Wada: Wada started his career with UWF International, a shoot-style pro-wrestling organization, eventually moving to Rings. He made the Rings King of Kings rules, as well as ZST's official rules. He's also a personal physical trainer; Akihiro Gono, Eiji Mitsuoka, Hideo Tokoro and Kazuyuki Fujita have trained under him.

Minoru Toyonaga: Toyonaga started a pro-wrestler in Kingdom, eventually becoming a Pancrase 1999 Neo-Blood Tournament finalist and a Pride veteran. He founded the martial arts school Try.



Moritaka Oshiro: Oshiro started his career within Kingdom, eventually moving to Kenichi Yamamoto's Power of Dream gym, where Hideo Tokoro started his career. He founded and leads the gym Core in Kamata, Tokyo.



Shooto


 
Toshiharu Suzuki: For a long time, Suzuki was Shooto's only referee.

Taro Wakabasyshi: (retired from referee world) Wakabayashi started his career in Rings and eventually was an event coordinator with K-1, but those were short periods in his career. He is known for being a Shooto referee and being a founding member of the Paraestra gym network, with Yuki Nakai. His greatest contribution is the development of Shooto's amateur system, creating a system in which amateur Shooto is contested in every city and prefecture in Japan.



Pancrase



 Kenichi Serizawa: The leader of Wajutsu Keishukai Surugua Dojo in Numazu, Shizuoka. In his fighting career, Serizawa actually challenged for the welterweight King of Pancrase title against Kiuma Kunioku. He has recently come out of retirement and started to fight again.

Ryogaku Wada: See above.

Kenji Kosuge: A former amateur wrestler and judoka, Kosuge debuted as a Pancrase referee in 1995.

Yoshifumi Oyabu: Oyabu fought in amateur Pancrase events before becoming a referee for the promotion in 2004.

Tomoki Matsumiya: A Kokushikan University alum, Matsumiya studied sports systems and rules as a graduate student. He believes MMA should have two basic rules sets: MMA, the fusion of martial arts and vale tudo, a real 'fight' with less restrictions and.

Samio Kimura: Kimura is the head of the CMA Ikusa Gym. CMA is an MMA management company who also rents rings and cages. The company is led by Hidekatsu Morooka; CMA Korea is part of this company. Japanese event Gladiator in run by CMA, as well.

 

Yoshinori "Chiba" Umeki: Umeki originally wanted to be a Pancrase fighter, but in 1995, he suffered a head injury and had to abandon his fight career. He debuted as a referee in 1996. He's the head of Pancrase's official gym, P's Lab Tokyo, and is responsible for the development of the fighters from the gym. He became famous for being the third man in the ring for the Kazushi Sakuraba-Yoshihiro Akiyama incident. He is Sengoku Raiden Championship's chief referee. He has recently taken on the stage name "Yoshinori Chiba".

Big thanks to Jordan Breen (from Sherdog) for English and editing.

Japanese Defunct MMA Event List

The Japanese MMA scene has been through a lot of turmoil in the past. There are some organizations that have been and gone and are now defunct.

They are listed here to remind people of the history of Japanese MMA.

Major promotions:

PRIDE
This was the biggest Japanese MMA promotion and arguably ruled the MMA world from 1997 until 2007.

PRIDE official (archived)

Hero's
Hero’s was created by FEG, K-1’s parent organization, to try and compete with PRIDE. DREAM is the spiritual successor to this promotion.

Hero's official (archived)

--------------------------------

Local-level promotions

Smack Girl
Smackgirl was the only stable women’s MMA organization and ran from 2001 to 2008. It was known for its 30 second ground limit.

Smack Girl Official (archived)

Seikendo
Seikendo was created by Satoru Sayama (Tiger Mask and founder of Shooto.) It was focused on realistic “street fight” style fighting.

Seikendo Official (archived)

MARS
MARS was an MMA organization created by Korean residents of Japan. It was thought to be able to give Korean fighters a chance to succeed. However, the organization fell apart due to inexperience and poor management.

MARS Official (archived)

AX
A women’s MMA promotion. Not that well known, but it was where Yuka Tsuji broke out of a crowd of talented fighters. She beat Ikuma Hoshino who was the most accomplished female Japanese MMA fighter at that time.

AX Official (archived)

---------------------------

Regional-level promotions

Real Rhythm
MMA organization in Osaka that was connected with DEEP.

Real Rhythm Official (archived)

J-Do
This organization had a mixture of MMA and Judo rules. It resembled Judo with strikes. Throws were awarded points, two ippons would be the equivalent of a KO.

J-Do official (archived)

TITAN fight
TITAN fight official
TITAN fight official youtube channel
TITAN fight's org head Kenichi Yamamoto blog

King of the Cage Japan
King of the Cage Japan official (archived)

M-1 Global Japan
M-1 Global Japan official (archived)

Voltage
Voltage official (archived)
Voltage official youtube channel
Voltage official blog

---------------------------

Japanese gangsta fight and other small organization

Hearts Crush
Hearts Crush Official (archived)

Ken-Oh
Ken-Oh official (archived)
Virginity's youtube channel(Which make Ken-Oh video material)

TSUWAMONO
TSUWAMONO official (archieved)
TSUWAMONO's youtube channel

Ga-Chi (former Ya-Oh)
Ga-Chi Official (archieved)

Kamikaze Pounders
Kamikaze Pounders Official



SKILL MMA's Current Japanese MMA Event List

Big thanks to Matt Benyon (from The Grappling Dummy) for English editing.

Foreign fighter who fight for Japanese local MMA twitter list

MMA is international sports.Fighter or trainer or supporter around the globe across border make this fight game richer.I introduce foreign fighter (include former) who fight in Japanese local MMA to commemorate them.People not knowing local MMA's international relationship compare to major MMA.But that's most certain power for help MMA to broad globe.

I introduce fighter who fight at Japanese local MMA more than 5 times who also have twitter account.

Erik Paulson
First American Shooto title holder.Defend belt for 5 years long.His gym "CSW" have Shooto style element and many fighter come to know what he learn and experience at Japan.

CSW Training Center

Joachim Hansen
He had Shooto's best divisions title "welter weight" with victory over Takanori Gomi.Beat Shinya Aoki make him first Dream light weight champ.His next bout for Dream feather weight title against Bibiano Fernandes.His appearance appear MMA exist in north Europe.

Team Joachim Hansen (support team in Japan)'s blog

Frank Shamrock
He had Pancrase title,Participate Vale Tudo Japan,Participate UFC Japan.clearly have long history with Japan.Won UFC championship.Still fight for Strikeforce.

Official Frank Shamrock web

Shonie Carter
Have a fight with Shooto and Pancrase.UFC veteran.Learn Shidokan Karate,Judo and Jiujitsu.

Official Shonie Carter web

Ryan Bow
Move to Japan for fighting joining PUREBRED Omiya.Long time Shooto ranker.Challenge DEEP light weight title.Back to the states.Currently run gym at Kentwood, Michigan and Kamata, Tokyo

Kaminari Dojo (His gym)

Antonio Carvalho
Move to Japan for fighting.Join AACC (Abe Ani Combat Club) Challenge Shooto lightweight title.Fought in Cage Force too.His interest not only MMA fought grappling (DEEP X) or Kick Boxing (Shooto Boxing) too.

Jake Shields
Former Shooto Middile weight title holder.Rumble On The Rock Welter Weight tournament winner.Elite XC Welter Weight title holder.Current Strikeforce Middle weight champ.

Jake Shields Official Web

Roxanne Modafferi
Choice Japanese language for University studies.Not only doing MMA but also doing English teacher.Debut at Japanese promotion Smack Girl.Winner of K-GRACE tournament winner.



Roxanne Modafferi Official Web

Guy Mezger
Former Pancrase title holder. UFC light weight tournament winner.HDnet commentator.

Guy Mezger's combat sports club

Ricardo Almeida
Former Pancrase title holder.UFC fighter.

Enson Inoue
Beat Randy Couture make first time people's eye to Shooto.Basically one of source people bring Brazilian Jiujitsu skill to Japan.Making PUREBRED branches gym at Japan,Saipan,Guam and contribute produce local fighter.

Enson Inoue Official blog (English)
Enson Inoue Official blog (Japanese)
His gym Purebred Omiya

Nathan Marquardt
Former Pancrase title holder.(with youngest record).UFC title challenger.Make famous Pancrase's brand in UFC.

Nathan Marquardt Official Web

Bas Rutten
Former Pancrase title holder.Move to UFC and Take UFC title.Doing coach at IFL.Famous at PRIDE commentator.

Bas Rutten Official Web

SKILL MMA's twitter list "Foreign fighter who fight for Japanese local MMA"

How to buy MMA ticket in Japan? (Shooto and Pancrase)

Note : I can't grantee this information's correctness.Ticket system or organization policy will change when they need.

How to buy MMA ticket in Japan? At first you need go Japanese MMA's organization web to find out ticket code.If you know those code,you can buy it at convenience store. I write about Shooto and Pancrase at this article.I will write about other organization soon.I want respond if you use this article.I write this kind of thing and use diigo first time,so I don't know it works well.

At first you need install diigo to watch my web sticky note.

diigo

Did you install it? Then let's find out ticket code.

How to buy Shooto's ticket

x-shooto

This is shooto's official web.Click to watch event schedule.

schedule

I think you come to this style schedule page.

Open sticky note and find out how those When, where what name of event to go.If you decide what you event to go,you need open event page's link.

But at now,I need explain you to how to watch event page so open below link to event page.

event page

You need watch sticky note and confirm card,date,venue,venue open time,event start time,ticket fee,when ticket start selling and most importantly p-code or l-code.

You need memo those code and bring them to convenience store.You need ask clerk how to buy ticket with code.You need show your p-code or l-code to clerk.

You need find out event's own p-code or l-code.every event have differ code.

How to buy Pancrase's ticket

Pancrase home page

This is Pancrase's official web.Click event link to watch event page.

event page

I think you come to this style event page.

You need watch sticky note and confirm card,date,venue,venue open time,event start time,ticket fee,when ticket start selling and most importantly p-code or l-code.

You need memo those code and bring them to convenience store.You need ask clerk how to buy ticket with code.You need show your p-code or l-code to clerk.

You need find out event's own p-code or l-code.every event have differ code.

extra

Japanese MMA event venue list with Google maps
If event is near hold date.There is possibility to finish ticket selling at ticket service.Still you can go to event and buy ticket at venue.(You need pay extra fee 500yen though.)

Japanese MMA scene venue list

If you want go to a Japanese MMA event, it can be quite intimidating if you don’t know exactly where the venues are.

Here’s a list of the venues where Japanese MMA events are often held, along with a Google Maps link and a short description of the venue.

I strongly recommend you watch a local MMA event in a small venue like Shinjuku Face. That is the best way to see quality local fighters - and future stars - up close and personal. Ticket prices usually start at a relatively inexpensive 5000 yen, too. Many large international cities still can’t boast the kind of local MMA scene you can enjoy in Japan.

I will later write a guide to buying MMA tickets in Japan, so please watch out for that.(It Done.)

How to buy MMA ticket in Japan (Shooto and Pancrase)
How to buy MMA ticket in Japan (DEEP and Jewels)

Shinjuku Face
Shinjuku Face MAP
Official seat capacity: 600
Nearest station: Shinjuku

This is the most recommended venue to watch local MMA. Located in Shinjuku, access from central Tokyo is easy. Shooto usually hold quality local cards here, like past events “Shooting Disco” or “Shooto Gig Tokyo”. You can get pretty close to the ring. Even in the furthest away seats, I don’t think you’ll feel like you are too far away from the ring.



Kitazawa Town Hall
Kitazawa Town Hall MAP
Official seat capacity: 294
Nearest station Shimokitazawa

Shooto holds smaller local cards at this venue. This is the place to go if you want to see lower level fighters up close.



Korakuen Hall
Korakuen Hall MAP
Official seat capacity: 1873
Nearest station: Suidobashi

The Japanese fight industry grew up here. It has played host to many MMA, boxing and kickboxing events. I recommend Shooto and DEEP (especially when the 70kg and under champ participate shows) here. You should plan ahead when coming to watch DEEP, as it can end late at night when the trains are not running or running irregularly.

If you want to watch kickboxing here, I recommend Krush’s 60kg grand prix - it’s a great event.



Meets Port (Tokyo Dome City HALL)
Meets Port (Tokyo Dome City HALL) (English Page)
Meets Port (Tokyo Dome City HALL) MAP
Official seat capacity: 3000+
Nearest station: Suidobashi

Shooto often holds its flagship events here. The shows that are held here are usually of high quality, but the cheap tickets will leave you some distance from the action. The venue itself is relatively new meaning everything is nice and modern.



Differ Ariake
Differ Ariake MAP
Official seat capacity: 1273
Nearest station: Kokusai Tenjijyo or Ariake Tennis No Mori

This is where you can watch Pancrase and Cage Force. I recommend Pancrase’s up-to-70kg championship or flyweight matches in particular. Cage Force is one of the only Japanese events to be held in a cage daily.



Shinkiba 1st Ring
Shinkiba 1st Ring MAP
Official seat capacity: 350
Nearest station: Shinkiba

A small, local-level MMA venue.

Saitama Super Arena
Saitama Super Arena (English Page)
Saitama Super Arena MAP
Official seat capacity: Min: 5000, Max: 37,000
Nearest station: Saitama Shintoshin

The most famous MMA venue in Japan. PRIDE, DREAM and SRC hold major events here.



Yokohama Arena
Yokohama Arena (English Page)
Yokohama Arena MAP
Official seat capacity: 17000
Nearest station: Shinyokohama

A large venue for major MMA events in Kanagawa.



Yoyogi National Gymnasium
Yoyogi National Gymnasium MAP
Official seat capacity: 13291 (1st gymnasium)
Official seat capacity: 3202 (2nd gymnasium)
Nearest station: Harajyuku or Meijijingumae

Venue for major MMA events in Tokyo. Near Harajuku, famous for its teen fashion scene.



Azalea Taisho
Azalea Taisho MAP
Official seat capacity: 300
Nearest station: Kizugawa or Tsumori

Osaka's venue for local MMA.



Osaka Jo Hall
Osaka Jo Hall(English Page)
Osaka Jo Hall MAP
Official seat capacity: 16000
Nearest station: Osakajokoen

Major MMA venue in Osaka. DREAM hold events here.



Asunal Hall
Asunal Hall MAP
Official seat capacity: 430
Nearest station Kanayama Sogo

Nagoya's venue for local MMA.



Nihon Gaishi Hall
Nihon Gaishi Hall (English Page)
Nihon Gaishi Hall MAP
Official seat capacity: 10000
Nearest station: Kasaradera

Nagoya's venue for major MMA events. DREAM holds Nagoya events here.



Zepp Sapporo
Zepp Sapporo MAP
Official seat quantity 822
Nearest station Nakajimakoen or Yamahana9jo

Sapporo's venue for local MMA.

SKILL MMA's Japanese MMA venue exterior photo series

Big thanks to Matt Benyon (from The Grappling Dummy) for English editing.

Japanese MMA Scene Gym List

Fighters are made in the gym. The gym is an integral part of MMA.

I have made a list of Japanese MMA gyms with their official websites. There are loads of gyms, so I can’t introduce them all. I’ll try to give the links to their website, what prefecture they are in, and what railway station is nearest (in that order). I’ll also note the head of the gym, although sometimes when that information is not available, I’ll make a guess - I could be wrong.

Important:
Some gyms really lack the ability to welcome foreigners due to the language barrier. It’s better to go somewhere you know you will be welcomed, so please try to contact them beforehand - (or learn Japanese! Ed)

This information is not guaranteed and may be out of date - sorry!

I hope some foreigners may realize there is a gym near them, and start to train MMA.

Hopefully this will make foreigners living in Japan realise they have an MMA gym and maybe some famous Japanese fighters or teachers nearby, and start training.

Gutsman Shooto Dojo (Tokyo,Meidaimae)
Gym's head Naoki Sakurada

AACC (Tokyo,Omori and Tokyo,Harajuku and Chiba, Gyotoku)
(Link to English pdf Page)
Gym's head Hiroyuki Abe
Famous Fighter Takafumi Otsuka,Megumi Fujii

I specially recommend this gym for international audience,because of I know this gym's English speaking student and this gym is quite foreign friendly.There is many foreign student in gym.Gym's head Hiroyuki Abe is friendly and helpful for international students.

Uno Dojo (Tokyo,Omori)
Gym's head Caol Uno

Tokyo Yellow Mans (Tokyo,Higashi Jujyo)
Gym's head Noboru Asahi
Famous fighter Yoshiyuki Yoshida



Tokyo Yellow Manz Cute (Tokyo,Umejima)
Gym's head Yuki Yasunaga

Academia AZ (Tokyo,Suidobashi)
Gym's head Toshiyuki Sato

Master Japan (Tokyo,Suidobashi)
Gym's head Kuniyoshi Hironaka



Kohgikan (Tokyo,Ocyanomizu)
Gym's head Satoru Sayama

Alliance-Square (Tokyo,Aoyamaitchome)
Gym's head Tsuyoshi Kosaka



Kugayama Rascal (Tokyo,Kugayama)
Gym's head Takanori Gomi



Gokita Gym (Tokyo,Machida)
Gym's head Masaru Gokita



Cave Gym (Tokyo,Tokyo Skytree)
Gym's head Taisuke Okuno



Tribe Tokyo MMA (Tokyo,Nerima)
(Link to English Page)
Gym's head Ryo Chonan



Lotus Setagaya (Tokyo,Chitosekarasuyama)
Gym's head Kohei Yasumi

Wrestle Win (Tokyo,Sengawa)
Gym's head Katsuhiko Nagata



Honey Trap (Tokyo,Iidabashi)
Gym's head Koichiro Matsumoto



P's Lab Tokyo,P's Lab Yokohama (Tokyo,Harajuku and Kanagawa,Kannai and Kanagawa,Tsujido and Tokyo,Kichijyoji and Tokyo Oizumigakuen, Chiba, Gyotoku)




Brightness Monma Dojo (Tokyo,Nishiarai)
Gym's head Hidetaka Monma

Trinity Gym (Tokyo,Meidaimae)
Gym's head Takenori Sato

Rising Sun (Kanagawa, Tsurumi)
Gym's head Takeshi "Lion" Inue

K'z Factory (Kanagawa,Higashirinkan)
Gym's head Kazuhiro Kusayanagi



Fact MMA (Kanagawa,Chogo)
Gym's head Tatsuhiko Nishizaka

Burn MMA (Kanagawa,Sagamihara)
Gym's head Daiji Takahashi

Akimoto Dojo Jungle Junction (Kanagawa,Hashimoto)
Gym's head Jin Akimoto

MMA Crown (Kanagawa,Kamimizo)
Gym's head Yusuke Kasuya

Neo Judo Academy Omigawa Dojo (Kanagawa,Aobadai)
Gym's head Michihiro Omigawa



roots (Kanagawa,Odawara)
Gym's head Rumina Sato



Reversal Gym Yokohama Groundslam (Kanagawa, Yokohama)
Gym's head Syuichiro Katsumura
Famous fighter Shinichi "BJ" Kojima



Hakkei Gym (Kanagawa,Kanazawahakkei)
Gym's head Yoshihiko Watanabe



Shinwa Sports Academy (Kanagawa,Kenritsudaigaku)
Gym's head Hiroyuki Yamashiro

Sakaguchi Dojo (Kanagawa, Nakamachidai)
Gym's head Yukio Sakaguchi



X-one Gym Shonan,X-One Gym Totsuka (Kanagawa, Fujisawa and Kanagawa,Totsuka)
Gym's head Tomoaki Hayama

Reversal Gym Musashi Kosugi Tokoro Plus (Kanagawa, Musashi Kosugi)
Gym's head Hideo Tokoro



Sonic Squad (Kanagawa, Konandai)
Gym's head Eiji Murayama



Dobuita (Kanagawa, Yokosukachuo)
Gym's head Hiroki Nagaoka

Rodeo Style (Kanagawa, Keikyu Taura)
(Link to English Page)
Gym's head Yasutaka Kato



STF,STF Tokorozawa,STF Urawa (Saitama,Tsruse and Urawa)
Gym's head Naoyuki Abe



Freedom@OZ (Saitama,Warabi)
Freedom@OZ Youtube Channel
Gym's head Seiji Ozuka



Dragon's Den (Saitama, Kawagoe)
Gym's head Makoto Sawada

Purebred (Saitama,Kita-ageo)
Prebred Youtube channel
Gym's head Hisao Ikeda

Oota Dojo (Saitama,Omiya)
Gym's head Junichi Ota

Reversal Kawaguchi REDIPS (Saitama,Kawaguchi)
Gym's head Tatsuya Onose



K-Place Saitama MMA Gym (Saitama, Fujimino)
Gym's head Yoshiaki Koike

Purebred Tottori (Tottori,Yonago)
Gym's head Takumi Ota

G-FREE (Wakayama,Wakayama)
Gym's head Toshiharu Katakuri

Tsudanuma Dojo (Chiba,Tsudanuma)
Gym's head Yasuo Suzuki
Famous fighter Akitoshi Tamura

Katori Dojo (Chiba,Omigawa)
Gym's head Kazuo Misaki

Mach Dojo (Tokyo, Sugamo and Ibaragi, Sanuki )
Gym's head Hayato "Mach" Sakurai



Krazy Bee (Tokyo,Magome)
Krazy Bee Youtube Channel
Gym's head Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto



Nexusense (Tokyo, Tachikawa)
(Link to English Page)
Gym's head Naoya Uematsu



Reversal Gym Tachikawa Alpha (Tokyo, Tachikawa)
Gym's head Masanori Kanehara



U.W.F. Snakepit Japan (Tokyo Koenji)
Gym's head Yuko Miyato

GRABAKA (Tokyo,Ochiai)
(Link to English Page)
GRABAKA Youtube Channel
Gym's head Sanae Kikuta



Reversal Gym Shinjuku Me, We (Tokyo, Minamishinjuku)
Gym's head Takeshi Yamazaki



Natural 9 (Tokyo,Gotanda)
Natural 9 Youtube channel
Gym's head Wataru Miki

Combat Workout Diamonds (Tokyo,Kichijoji)
Gym's head Takayoshi Aida

Takada Dojo (Tokyo,Musashikoyama)
Gym's head Nobuhiko Takada

K.I.B.A. Martial Arts Club (Tokyo,Harigaya)
Gym's head "Rambo" Matsukaze

T.T.M Urushi Dojo (Tokyo Kamata)
Gym's head Yasuhiro Urushitani



Brave (Tokyo,Kitasenjyu and Saitama,Misato)
Gym's head Kazuyuki Miyata



Uzukido Honpo (Tokyo,Kitasenjyu)
Gym's head Daisuke Nakamura



Reversal Gym Tokyo Standout (Tokyo,Yoyogiuehara and Tokyo,Shimokitazawa)
Reversal Gym Tokyo Standout Youtube Channel
Gym's head Masato Kataoka

U-File Camp (Tokyo,Nishichofu and Tokyo,Akabane and Tokyo,Omori and Kanagawa,Mukogaokayuen)
Gym's head Kiyoshi Tamura

Renseijyuku (Kanagawa, Tsurukawa)
Gym's head Yasuaki Kaji

Musashimurayama Dojo (Tokyo,Kamikitadai)
Gym's head Satoshi Miura

Hybrid Wrestling Yamada Dojo (Tochigi,Nishinasuno)
Gym's head Manabu Yamada

U-Spirit Japan (Tokyo,Machida)
Gym's head Ryuki Ueyama

Power Of Dream (Hokkaido,Sapporo)
Gym's head Kenichi Yamamoto

T-Blood (Ibaragi,Arakawaoki)
T-Blood Youtube Channel
Gym's head Kenji Seki
Famous fighter Tatsuya Kawajiri,Mitsuhiro Ishida



R-Blood (Ibaragi,Higashimito)
Gym's head Ryuta Sakurai

K.O. Gym (Shizuoka,Hamamatsu)
Gym's head Kenji Ogusu

Twist (Shizuoka,Shizuoka)
Gym's head Takefumi Hanai

SUBMIT Shizuoka (Shizuoka,Numazu)

Bonsai Juijitsu (Shizuoka,Hamamatsu and Shizuoka,Iwata)
Gym's head Mauricio Souza

Toikatsu Dojo Nagano (Nagano,Inashi and Nagano Matsumoto and Nagano Hata)
Gym's head Katsuya Toida

Core Spirit Studio (Nagano,Nagano)
Gym's head Daigo Niizato

Cobrakai (Osaka,Noda)
Gym's head Yoshitomi "Dokonjonosuke" Mishima



Pancrase Inagakigumi (Osaka,Daikokucho)
Gym's head Katsuomi Inagaki

Chokushinkai (Osaka,Deto and Osaka,Neyagawashi and Osaka, Kitatatsumi)
Gym's head Junji Ikoma



Angura (Osaka,Gozenji)
Gym's head Hiroto? Nishikawa
Famous fighter Yuka Tsuji

Style (Osaka,Sekime)
Gym's head Seichi Ikemoto

Miburo (Kyoto,Kiyomizu-Gojo)
Gym's head Yu Ueta

King Gym (Hyogo, Takatori)
Gym's head Masaki Konishi

Gonz Gym (Hyogo,Kobe)
Gym's head Hironobu Tsuda

Trinity Suns (Hyogo,(no train station))
Gym's head Masanori Suda

Abusolute Okayama (Okayama,Okayama)
Gym's head Izuru Takeuchi

Second Out (Okayama,Tsuyama)
Gym's head Yoichi Yamamoto

BURST (Hiroshima,Higashifukuyama)
Gym's head Shinji Sasaki

TK Esperanza (Hiroshima,Fukue)
Gym's head Tsuyoshi Okada

Shooto Jam Water (Tottori,Tottori)
Gym's head Mitsuhiro Saji

The Soldierno (Shimane,Izumokagakukanparktownmae)
Gym's head Koji Matsui

Mori Dojo (Yamaguchi,Toyama)
Gym's head Akihiko Mori

Hope Gym (Ehime, Uwajima (Far from station))
Gym's headNaohiro Mizuno

Team Blaze Kagawa , Team Blaze Wakimachi (Kagawa,Kurikuma and Tokushima ,Anabuki)
Team Blaze Youtube channel
Gym's head Kimikazu Fujimoto

Ichiryogusoku (Kochi,Gomen)
Gym's head Tatsuyuki Kawakami

Toushin (Okinawa,Furujima)
Gym's head ???? Kineya

Wild Seaser (Okinawa,Onoyama-koen and Okinawa, Miebashi)
Gym's head Shikou Tomaru

Reversal Gym Okinawa Cross X Line (Okinawa, Syuri)
Gym's head Mitsuhisa Sunabe

ALIVE (Aichi,Kurumamichi)
Gym's head Yoichi Suzuki
Famous fighter Hatsu Hioki

Grappling Shooto Boxers (Aichi,Nonami)
Gym's head Atsuhiro Tsuboi

NEX (Aichi,Komaki)
Gym's head Hiroshi Umemura

Kuma Gym (Aichi,Tsurumai)
Gym's head Ikuhisa Minowa

Barbosa Japan (Aichi,Narawa)
(Link to English Page)
Barbosa Japan Youtube channel
Gym's head Tomomi "Taisho" Iwama

Splash (Aichi,Higashiokazaki)
Gym's head Akira Kibe

MB3Z (Aichi,Kogane)
Gym's head Naoki Matsushita

Nascer Do Sol (Gifu, Hozumi)
Gym's head Hiroyuki Nomura

Philoktetes Niigata (Niigata,Kameda)
Gym's head Jin Kazeta

Club Barbarian (Toyama,Minamitoyama), CB IMPACT (Ishikawa,Kanazawa)
Gym's head Yoshinori Fukumoto
Famous fighter Miku Matsumoto

Mimura Dojo (Fukui,Echizentogo)
Gym's head Hiroyuki Mizuno

T-Pleasure (Aomori,Goshogawara)
Gym's head Nariyasu Fujita

Shooting Gym Yokohama (Kanagawa,Yokohama)
(Link to English Page)
Gym's head Kenji Kawaguchi
Famous fighter Mamoru Yamaguchi Takeshi "Lion" Inoue



Shooting Gym Tokyo (Tokyo,Togoshi-Ginza)
Gym's head Kazuhiro Sakamoto

Shooting Gym Kobe (Hyogo,Motomachi)
Gym's head Jun Kitagawa

Shooto Gym BLOWS (Osaka Nihonbashi)
Shooto Gym Blows Youtube Channel
Gym's head Takashi Nakakura



Paraestra Tokyo (Tokyo, Ekoda)
(Link to English Page)   
Gym's head Yuki Nakai
Famous fighter Shinya Aoki



Paraestra Osaka (Osaka,Teradacho)
Gym's head Takumi Nakayama

Paraestra Izumi (Osaka,Izumi-Chuo)
Paraestra Izumi Youtube channel 
Gym's head Hiroaki Yoshioka

Paraestra Kawasaki (Kanagawa, Takatsu)
Gym's head Takuya Kitade

Paraestra Ikebukuro (Tokyo,Ikebukuro)
Gym's head Yuki Nakai

Paraestra Hakata (Fukuoka,Hakata)
Gym's head Kenshi Tomari

Paraestra Kasai (Tokyo,Nishikasai and Chiba,Urayasu)
Gym's head Takayuki Hirose

Paraestra Hachiouji (Tokyo,Hachioji)
(Link to English Page)  
Gym's head Ayumu "Gozo" Shioda
Famous fighter Masanori Kanehara



Paraestra Chiba,Paraestra Kashiwa and Paraestra Matsudo (Chiba,Honchiba and Chiba,Kashiwa and Chiba,Mabashi)
Gym's head Hiroshi Tsuruya



Paraestra Muroran (Hokkaido,Bokoi)
Gym's head Masatoshi Kudo

Bellatleo (Hokkaido Goryokaku)
Gym's head Tsutomu Fujimoto

Paraestra Asahikawa (Hokkaido, Shinasahikawa)
Gym's head Yoichi Yamamoto

Paraestra Hachinohe,Paraestra Misawa,Paraestra Towada,Hybrid Wrestling Hachinohe (Aomori,Ichikawa and Aomori,Misawa and Aomori,Towada)
Gym's head Takehito Nishizuka

Paraestra Sendai,Paraestra Fukushima,Paraestra Kooriyama,Paraestra Nanyo,Paraestra Namie,Paraestra Aizu (Fukushima,Minamifukushima and Fukushima,Kooriyama and Fukushima, Nanyoshiyakusyo and Fukushima Namie and Fukushima,Minamiwakamatsu)
Gym's head Takeshi Sato

Paraestra Joetsu (Niigata,Takada)
Gym's head Yohei Nashimoto

X-Point Paraestra Koga (Ibaragi,Koga)
Gym's head Satoshi Kotani

Paraestra Koiwa (Tokyo,Koiwa)
Gym's head Takashi Ouchi

Paraestra Kichijyoji,Paraestra Shibuya (Tokyo,Kichijyoji and Tokyo Shibuya)
Gym's head Satoshi Kotani

Paraestra Machida (Tokyo,Machida)
Gym's head Yuki Nakai

Paraestra Gifu,Paraestra Gujo (Gifu,Takadabashi and Gifu,Gujyohachiman)
Gym's head Sogen Shimizu

Paraestra Osaka (Osaka,Teradacho)
Gym's head Takumi Nakayama

Paraestra Kakogawa (Hyogo,Hioka)
Gym's head Masaya Inoue

Paraestra Hiroshima (Hiroshima,Cyorakuji)
Gym's head Tatsuro Kamei

Paraestra Ehime (Ehime,Ichitsubo)
Gym's head Kanahiro Hayashi

Paraestra Kitakyushu (Fukuoka,Jyono)
Gym's head Tomikazu Goto

Paraestra Okinawa (Okinawa,Onoyama-koen)
Gym's Head Ryota Matsune

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Tokyo Headquarter (Tokyo, Monzen Nakamachi)
Gym's Head Wajyutsu Keisyukai Players Association

Wajyutsu Keisyukai GODS (Tokyo, Senzokuike)
Gym's Head Taiyo Nakahara



Wajyutsu Keisyukai Akza (Saitama, Niiza)
Gym's Head Hirokazu Nishimura

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Yokohama (Kanagawa, Shitte)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Yokohama Dojo Youtube channel
Gym's Head Yuji Hisamatsu



Wajyutsu Keisyukai Hearts (Tokyo,Shinjuku)
(Link to English Page) 
Gym's Head Kenji Osawa



Wajyutsu Keisyukai K-Taro Dojo (Tokyo,Oimachi)
Gym's Head K-taro Nakamura

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Takadanobaba Dojo (Tokyo,Takadanobaba)
Gym's Head Katsuya Toida

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Toikatsu Dojo (Tokyo,Nakano)
Gym's Head Katsuya Toida

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Team Vamos (Nara, Tenri)
Gym's Head Yushi Shiori

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Iwate (Iwate,Murasakino)
Gym's Head Takuya Fujimura

Duro Gym (Chiba,Inage-Kaigan)
Gym's Head Toshihiro Suda (ex Box Japanese Ranker)

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Suruga Dojo (Shizuoka,Numazu)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Suruga Dojo Youtube channel
Gym's Head Kenichi Serizawa

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Fujisan Dojo (Shizuoka,Fuji)
Wajyutsu Keisyukai Fujisan Dojo Youtube Channel
Gym's Head Kenichi Serizawa

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Iggy Hand's Gym (Shizuoka,Mishima)
Gym's Head Daisuke Endo

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Four Rhombus (Yamanashi,Kasugaicyo)
Gym's Head Kenichi Serizawa

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Hyogo Shibu (Hyogo,Itami)
Gym's Head Tatsunori Tanaka

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Wakasugi Dojo (Fukuoka,Hakozaki)
Gym's Head Naritsugu Wakasugi

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Tlive (Kameari,Tokyo)
Gym's Head Satoshi Nishino

 

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Knuckles (Yamaguchi,Hikari)
Gym's Head Yuta Yasunaga

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Seigo Dojo (Kumamoto,Kumamoto)
Gym's Head Seigo Inoue

SKILL MMA's Japanese gym exterior photo series

Big thanks to Matt Benyon (from The Grappling Dummy) for English editing.