Shooto Gig Tokyo 2

Shooto rookies were on display at Shinjuku Face on the 19th of April. Although it was a pretty weak card, there were a couple of people to watch for.

Shooto 2008 145lb Rookie Champion and Rookie MVP Issei Tamura ground out a fairly pedestrian decision against Hayate Usui. Not the most exciting fight ever but Tamura is a solid prospect getting a win over a solid journeyman like Usui isn’t a bad start to his career by any means.

Tamura threatens with an early armbar. Notice how the lights are all different colors and directly in my eyes? Wow I hate shooting at Face.

Tamura lands with the counter uppercut.

Usui pretty much gave as good as he got on the feet but you can see Tamura stepping in here. His aggressiveness was enough for the W.

The other guy that I was really interested in is Yuta Nezu. He will never be a world beater but he is super exciting, nearly always getting fight of the night honours. Is kind of vulnerable against wrestlers and submission guys but until now he has mostly managed to beat them up enough so it isn’t a problem for him. Definitely watch any fight you find of his.

Yuta Nezu doing what he does best. Punchin people.

This would be a great photo from the other side. Punches landing on both of the guys and spit flying out all over the place. Ahh well...

The normally insane Toshimichi Akagi lands a nice body kick.

More rookie goodness at Sherdog.