We are pleased to announce details regarding the “PROFESSIONAL SHOOTO 2026 Vol. 3” event, an official professional Shooto tournament organized by our company, which will be held on May 17, 2026, at New Pier Hall (day and night sessions).
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◎ May 17 Tokyo New Pier Hall Day & Night Event
May is SHOOTO WEEK!
Kicking off the series, the New Pier event will feature a historic first as the headliner: 11th World Welterweight Champion Ryuichiro Sumimura, who has conquered the three major organizations!
On the eve of his awakening! He faces 19-year-old Marcel Desouza!
Professional SHOOTO official matches are held every year across the country during this season when the spring breeze blows.
The curtain rises on May 17 at New Pier Hall in Tokyo with the day-and-night event “PROFESSIONAL SHOOTO 2026 Vol. 3.”
First up, headlining the event is SHOOTO Welterweight World Champion Ryuichiro Sumimura (World Champion in the same weight class / TEAM ONE).
Sumimura returned to Shooto in September 2024 with the goal of capturing titles in all three major organizations. On July 21 of last year, he defeated Soki in an interim title bout, becoming the first fighter in history to win titles in DEEP, Pancrase, and now Shooto. Subsequently, a unification bout against the official champion, Ernani Perpetuo, was scheduled, but Ernani relinquished the title due to injury. Sumimura became the official champion, achieving the historic feat of conquering all three major organizations in both name and reality.
Sumimura’s opponent will be 19-year-old Marcel Desouza (ranked 9th in the world in his weight class / STF MMA Dojo). Marcel Desouza advanced to the finals of the 2025 Rookie of the Year Tournament, where he faced Grappler Waki. Although the main bout ended in a draw, he was unable to compete in the extra round and finished as runner-up.
While he demonstrated physical strength, he also exposed a weakness in stamina. However, the ability to get back up after a fall and start over—that is the essence of youth. Although this is a non-title bout, the opportunity to face a world champion is the ultimate fresh start and will likely be a major turning point.
World champion Sumimura, who possesses the formula for victory in MMA, faces 19-year-old Marcel Desouza, who radiates the brilliance of youth.
Will Marcel, on the eve of his breakthrough, pull off an upset? Or will King Sumimura, who has conquered three organizations, teach him a lesson using his winning formula? This exciting matchup between the 40-year-old world champion and the 19-year-old rising star has been confirmed.
In addition, numerous ranked fighters from various weight classes have entered this event, and we plan to announce some surprising matchups. Furthermore, the first round of the “Infinity League 2026-2027”—which sees a new star emerge every year—has been set to kick off the season. Which weight class will it feature this time? Stay tuned for the announcement!
