Looking to rebound after his submission loss to Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes in the DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix, American wrestling powerhouse Joe Warren will face another stern test when he meets Japanese legend and former Shooto Pacific Rim Lightweight Champion Rumina “Moon Wolf” Sato at Vale Tudo Japan 2009.

The October 30th event, which also features top stars Takanori “Fireball Kid” Gomi and “Lion” Takeshi Inoue, will be contested under Vale Tudo Japan rules and will feature five-minute rounds.

Sato (24-14-2), a true pioneer of mixed martial arts in Japan who has been a staple of Shooto and VTJ events since 1994, is a master of some of the most unorthodox and impressive submissions ever seen in the sport.

From his flying reverse triangle choke of Isamu Osugi in September of 1995 to his world-famous six-second flying armbar submission of Charles Diaz in January 1999 (here), Sato built a cult following that supports him to this day.

However, his career has met a rough patch and he has just one win in his last seven fights. Always competing against the best, the fight with Warren will be no different for Sato, but a loss could potentially spell the end of his illustrious career.

Warren (2-1-0) became a Cinderella story in the DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix after knocking off former WEC Bantamweight Champion Chase “The Rage” Beebe and shocking the world with a Split Decision win over Japanese superstar Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto.

However, he was armbarred by Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes in the semi-finals of the tournament and his hopes for capturing title gold were dashed in an instant as he watched Fernandes go on to win the Grand Prix.

A victory over Sato would mark the second time that Warren had upset a legendary Japanese competitor, but he has shown that he is more than just a wrestler and surprisingly outstruck Yamamoto in some exchanges.

The Warren-Sato bout will be a three-round affair.

Gomi and Inoue will each compete in five-round fights that will be contested using five-minute rounds.