DEEP organization brings out their top tier fighters for a stacked double header this holiday Tuesday. The afternoon showcases women’s mma for the 9 bout DEEP Jewels 26 card. For the evening it is DEEP 92 Impact, a loaded 10 fight card cumulating with a Lightweight title fight. Korakuen Hall once again plays host to an action packed day of JMMA not to be missed!
In the main event Deep Lightweight Champion Koji Takeda finds himself in an unfamiliar situation, coming off the first loss of his career he will attempt to right the ship and retain his belt. Psychologically it may be new territory but Takeda should still be considered the firm favorite, already owning a decisive victory over his opponent Juri Ohara. A product of the Brave gym expect Takeda to use his wrestling take the initiative early, outwork and pressure his opponent and keep him from getting comfortable. Ohara, with 45 fights on his resume is highly experienced and has been coming into his own lately. His improved takedown defense and decision making has helped him unleash his KO power. The opening stanza will prove key for Ohara, he may need to simply hold his own and sew the seeds of doubt early in order to capitalize late.
Coming from a Rugby background Tatsunau Nagakura is known for his “Haka” entrances and heavy hands. The Yoshida Dojo representative, however, is well schooled in mma and will need to be at his best to claim victory over former Featherweight Champion Takahiro Ashida. Ashida clawed his way to the top of the division, laying claim to the Featherweight title. His time at the top was short lived though, falling to the “Dominator” Yamasu in brutal fashion. The rematch saw a clear cut decision go to dominator. If Ashida hopes to vie for the title again he needs to lean on his wrestling and secure a win over Nagakura.
2 Ganryujima participants Michinori “Michi” Omigawa and Akihiro Mori clash in a very intriguing bout. Neo Judoka “Michi” returns to DEEP after a spectacular “kata gatame” head and arm choke finish in June. Not simply a Judoka, Omigawa has power and a chin and is willing to trade blow for blow with anyone. Unorthodox stance switching and heavy forward pressure make up for a lack of head movement and more refined striking. His opponent Mori took a hiatus from mma in 2011, successfully participating in Ganryujima 2016 before returning to conventional rules last year. He remains a bit of an unknown quantity in terms of how much he has improved but for sure he is a experienced and capable fighter. Omigawa is a really stiff test for Mori but what better way to get noticed than take out a legend? With some heavy GNP Mori May have the tools to hurt the Neo Judoka, putting him away though, would be a considerable feat.
Tatsuna Mizuno moves up to fight at Light Heavyweight, squaring off against slugger Ryo Sakai. Grappling should be key for Mizuno as he would appear to have large technical advantage over his larger foe. In contrast to Mizuno, Sakai drops down to a weight more suited to his frame but he has a tough test as first opponent at LHW. He should be the bigger guy and possesses to kind of power that can keep him in fights and score upsets, he has to make this a brawl to succeed.
In other action, Yoshitomo Watanabe will need every bit of his ever evolving skill set to take out the formidable Ryuichiro Sumimura. Shoji Murayama will aim to get his close range punches and knees working against the crafty Karateka with dangerous chokes Makoto Kamaya. 2 durable finishers Chihaya Yoneyama and Koichi Ishizuka look to throw down at featherweight. Grappling wizards Shinichi Shimizu and Kosuke “Coro” Terashima face off in a technical display of scrambles and submissions. Kosuke “Rambo” Suzuki vs Chikara Shimabukuro is sure to be a competitive match up of battle tested warriors. The opening bout of the evening event will feature 2 fighters with fantastic nicknames as Ryota “Big Baby” Oki transitions from Outsider to Deep to face Kosuke “STREET❤★BOB KOSUKE” Sugimura, who makes his pro debut.
Prior to DEEP 92 Impact, Japans premier ladies mma show takes center stage for DEEP Jewels 26. Fan favorite King Reina makes an appearance along side the likes of judo powerhouse Kana Watanabe, veteran Yasuko Tamada, Nanaka “the strongest underground idol” Kawamura and an invasion of talent from Korea, Thailand and China. For the main event, the Atomweight title is on the line as Emi Tomimatsu attempts to dethrone Tomo Maesawa.
