Professional Shooto 2020 volume 3 will commence on the 31st of the month in an audience free Abema TV broadcast. Abema previously aired “Road to One vol2” on April 17th with fighter safety paramount during the Covid-19 pandemic. Once again extensive virus infection prevention measures will be in place for all fighters, cornermen and staff.
One match has been announced and it is an exceptional one. 8th pacific rim champion Ryo Okada Ryo Okada (Paraestra Chiba) will clash with 2019 MVP, Greco Roman standout Kazuma Kuramoto (Shooto Gym Tokyo) for the interim Bantamweight Title.
Shoko Sato, the current Shooto Bantamweight Champion, is well on his way to title contention at One Championship, finishing all 3 opponents inside of 2 rounds. In Sato’s absence an interim champion will be crowned, the first in Shooto’s long history.
Ryo Okada had his 5 fight win streak snapped last outing, retaining his Pacific Rim Champion belt by the narrowest of margins with a split decision draw over Tribe Tokyo’s Tatsuya Ando. While the result was not ideal, Okada put on a mature and calculated performance utilizing all facets of his game. The war tested the Pacific Rim champion, who fought tooth and nail to ward off the powerful and explosive wrestler and set his pace. The experience will serve him well as he faces off with the exceptional Greco Roman wrestling of Kuramoto.
Standing across the cage from Okada on the 31st will be the undefeated 7-0 Kuramoto. Winner of MVP and best bout awards last year, the decorated Greco Roman specialist is riding a wave of momentum. In his last match he faced his toughest competitor yet in Wajutsu Keishukai gyms Yuta Nezu. Kuramoto was able to withstand the heavy striking of Nezu and take control as the fight progressed. By end of the first round he was dominating in style, back to back suplexes, damaging throws and brutal ground and pound at every opportunity. Nezu’s corner mercifully threw in the “baton” at the start of the 3nd round to call an end to the match. The performance was enough to secure best bout and propelled Kuramoto into the spotlight, ensuring a face off with Pacific Rim Champion Okada.
Expect the fight to be fiercely competitive. Okada has versatility and adaptability and finds ways to win. Mixing up his strikes well Okada utilizes a full arsenal of punches, elbows, knees and kicks to both the body and head with deceptive power. In scrambles the Pacific Rim champion excels and is submission savvy on the mat. Back from a trip to American Top Team to fine tune his wrestling defense and all round game the Paraestra representative is very well prepared for the challenge ahead.
For Kuramoto there is no hidden agenda in his approach. A decorated medalist in Greco Roman wrestling Kuramoto has a level of clinching and throwing skills rarely seen in the cage. With a keen understanding of the fight game, Kuramoto does not just “wrestle”, he utilizes his wrestling skillset specifically for mma, making him all the more formidable. Not shy to take risks and strike his way into the clinch, the Greco Roman specialist then takes opponents for a ride and drills them into the canvas. With incredible conditioning and a winning formula Kuramoto will be confident to extend his undefeated record.
Tune in to Abema TV on the 31st for an explosive encounter as Shooto’s 2 elite bantamweights vie for the title in a not to be missed match. With an unification bout with Shoko Sato on the horizon both athletes will be looking to impress as they leave it all in the cage.
