I say boom boom boom… a lemme hear you say Shooto?! (SHOOTO!)
With a wibble wobble drop it like it’s hot, open your knees and feel the breeze. Vale Tudo Japan is back; TWEAKING the nation’s nipples.
The annual event took place between the years of 1994-1999 (with a 2009 nostalgia trip of a show) and is most famous for it’s 1995 tournament, when the near mythical Vale Tudo and Gracie/Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legend Rickson Gracie was chronicled during his participation in said tournament with the famous documentary, “Choke”. Rickson had already won the 1994 one-night-tournament, and went into the second as heavy favourite, which he justified with three submission victories. Sadly, the calls that year and the next for the super-fight of Rickson vs. Ken Shamrock (Vale Tudo Japan 1994 and 1995 champion vs. King of Pancrase (Open-weight) and UFC Superfight (heavyweight) champion) never transpired.
Here is the documentary “Choke”, featuring the buildup to and footage of the Vale Tudo Japan 1995 tournament.
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The Vale Tudo Japan 1994 tournament – Rickson Gracie:
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While it is doubtful that should the rumoured revived of Vale Tudo Japan take place, that the brand bring with it the one-night-tournament format, one can dream can they not?
The new event is to be held in a cage, so that is one nostalgic factor already shattered. But with no Shockwave, Yarennokka or Dynamite currently planned for NYE 2012, at least there’s something!
There are some tasty matchups to be made in Asia, with free agents all over the shop, and a tournament could lead to some seriously entertaining Mixed Martial Arts action. Let’s hope the rumours are true.
Peace Love and Japanese MMA. But always carry a piece through the hood.
Twitter @ Daniel Fletcher
