World Victory Road "Sengoku VIII" Results
by Robert Sargent
In continuing their inaugural Featherweight Grand Prix, World Victory Road put on a phenomenal event at "Sengoku VIII," which saw tournament favourite Hatsu Hioki and perennial underdog Michihiro Omigawa both pick up first-round victories.
Another tournament bout, easily a candidate for Fight of the Year, saw Masanori Kanehara edge out "The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung with a contentious Unanimous Decision.
Tournament Bouts
Hatsu Hioki vs Ronnie Mann
Showing exactly why he is heavily favoured to win the tournament, Hioki took the fight to the ground and dominated the action until he sunk in a fight-ending triangle choke that handed Mann only the second loss of his career.The fighters exchanged low kicks and quick combinations to begin the fight, and Hioki looked for a takedown. Mann stuffed it and pressed Hioki against the ropes, but Hioki scored a trip takedown. Mann worked to get back to his feet, but Hioki sprawled and wound up in Mann's half-guard. Hioki secured a Brabo Choke and used it to pass to mount, but Mann escaped in the process. Hioki landed punches from mount and locked on a triangle choke. Mann rolled over to try to escape, but Hioki tightened the choke. From his back, Hioki landed a series of punches and hammerfists to the face of a defenceless Mann until Mann finally tapped out. Excellent performance from Hioki.
Winner: Hatsu Hioki by Submission (Triangle Choke & Punches) at 3:09 of round one. He improves to 19-3-2.
Michihiro Omigawa vs Nam Phan
Scoring his second major upset in a row, Omigawa surprisingly outstruck Phan and dropped him late in round one, then landed more punches until the referee - perhaps prematurely - stopped the fight.Phan pawed out jabs early in round one, but Omigawa pushed through them and muscled Phan against the ropes, then scored a takedown. Phan immediately looked for a heel hook, but let it go and worked from Omigawa's guard. Omigawa looked to counter with a guillotine choke, then used it to reverse position and landed knees. Omigawa used a second guillotine choke to try to finish Phan, but Phan escaped. More knees landed for Omigawa and the fighters stood. Omigawa scored a takedown and went right back to landing knees. Phan attempted another leg lock and the fight quickly returned to the feet. Phan began to score with hooks to the body, but Omigawa ducked his power punches and landed counters. Omigawa scored a takedown in the corner and landed a stomp. Phan got back to his feet, but Omigawa absolutely teed off with over a dozen huge punches that rocked Phan. Omigawa threw Phan down and landed more knees and punches from the top, and the referee stopped the fight just before the bell.
Though Phan appeared to be defending himself well enough to survive the round, he did not offer any protest at the stoppage. Omigawa, a massive underdog who was supposed to lose in the opening round, now finds himself one win away from the finals.
Winner: Michihiro Omigawa by TKO (Punches) at 4:52 of round one. He improves to 6-7-1.
Masanori "Kin-chan" Kanehara vs "The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung
In an incredible battle that went back and forth, Jung seemed to control the second and third rounds and was poised to take a close decision win, but all three judges sided with Kanehara. The controversial decision gives Jung the first loss of his career. Regardless, this was an amazing fight.The fighters cautiously circled each other early on and exchanged leg kicks. Both landed one-two combinations and Kanehara scored a takedown. Jung trapped Kanehara's left arm, but Kanehara punched with his free hand. Kanehara passed to half-guard and landed more short punches, but Jung did very well to keep Kanehara in place. The referee stood the fighters up and warned Jung for holding, though he didn't really deserve it. Action resumed, and Kanehara pressed forward for another takedown, but Jung drilled him with a knee to the ribs. Kanehara managed to get the fight to the ground and Jung looked for an armbar. He landed a series of upkicks and a heel kick, then stood up and tried to trap Kanehara in a D'Arce Choke. The fighters fell out of the ring and the fight was restarted. Jung landed kicks and punches, then just missed with a spinning back fist. The bell rang to end the close round, with Kanehara holding a slight edge. 10-9 Kanehara.
Kanehara tried for a takedown to begin round two, but ate another knee to the ribs. Jung came forward with a huge uppercut that just missed, but fell to a knee when Kanehara blasted him with a counter hook. Jung immediately got up and a punching exchange ensued, with both fighters landing big shots. Kanehara scored a takedown in the corner, but Jung looked for a triangle and tried to trap Kanehara in an omoplata. Jung landed more upkicks and rocked Kanehara with surprisingly hard punches from the bottom. Jung briefly secured a triangle choke, then switched to an armbar. Kanehara somehow pulled off a rolling escape and ended up on top. The crowd cheered wildly. Jung looked for another armbar, then a triangle, but Kanehara squirmed free and the fighters exchanged strikes. Jung worked his way to his feet and used a choke to pass to mount, but Kanehara trapped him in a heel hook just as the bell sounded. Excellent round, and very close. 10-9 Jung.
Jung marched forward and threw a wild head kick to begin round three, but got caught in the ropes and fell. He immediately looked for submissions from the bottom and landed upkicks. Kanehara briefly passed to side-control and landed knees, but Jung quickly regained guard. Jung tried for a triangle choke and used it to get to his feet. Kanehara took Jung down again, but Jung actively attempted submissions. He landed more heel kicks to Kanehara's face, then stood up and rocked Kanehara with a huge knee. Somehow, Kanehara remained conscious and grabbed Jung's leg. Jung landed knees from the top and the fight returned to the feet. Kanehara scored with two left hooks, but Jung countered with a hook and another devastating knee. Kanehara fell down and Jung worked from half-guard. He landed knees, then stood up and punched from a standing position. Kanehara tried unsuccessfully for another last-second heel hook. 10-9 Jung. Amazing fight.
The judges unanimously awarded the close fight to Kanehara, with two of them scoring the latter two rounds even. The outcome aside, this was definitely a Fight of the Year candidate.
Winner: Masanori Kanehara by Unanimous Decision (30-29, 30-29, 29-28) after three rounds. He improves to 13-5-5.
Marlon Sandro vs "The Ninja of Love" Nick Denis
Surprising everyone, Sandro shed his image as a takedown and submission specialist by dropping Denis with an uppercut-hook combination that finished this battle of unbeaten fighters in less than 20 seconds.Denis backed Sandro into the corner and landed a right cross, but Sandro circled free. He then dropped Denis with a right uppercut, left cross combination. Sandro pounced and landed four more punches that left Denis completely unconscious. The referee dove in to save him. Incredible knockout victory for Sandro.
Winner: Marlon Sandro by KO (Punches) at 0:18 of round one. He improves to 14-0-0.
Non-Tournament Bouts
Kazunori Yokota vs Leonardo Santos
Earning a rematch with Sengoku Lightweight Champion Satoru Kitaoka, Yokota used effective striking and top control to take a three-round victory that did not appear to be worthy of a Split Decision.The fight began with an exchange of low kicks, with Yokota landing the harder shots. Santos scored a takedown against the ropes and passed directly to mount. Yokota rolled over twice to avoid rear naked and arm-triangle chokes, but Santos wound up taking his back and locked on a body triangle. Yokota reversed and took top position, where he landed punches to the body. Santos looked to set up an armbar, but Yokota punched his way free. Yokota stood up and landed punches, then dove back into guard. He postured up and rained down big punches, then landed more punches and a stomp. Yokota was relentless with offence, but Santos managed to halt the onslaught with a triangle choke attempt before the bell. 10-9 Yokota.
Santos landed a flying knee to begin round two, but was promptly slammed to the mat. He attempted an arm lock from the bottom, but Yokota easily escaped. Yokota landed knee strikes from the top, then scored with more short punches and elbows to the body. More knees landed for Yokota, who trapped Santos's arm. Yokota stood up and landed a grazing stomp, then worked from guard again. Santos escaped to his feet and took Yokota's back, and ended up in mount after a scramble. Santos landed weak strikes from the top and Yokota gave up his back. Santos looked for a rear naked choke, but Yokota broke free and wound up in Santos's guard. Yokota landed small punches before the bell. Very close round that should be 10-10.
Santos landed a head kick and a right cross in round three, but Yokota clinched and landed knees. He looked for a pair of takedowns, but Santos defended and pinned Yokota in the corner. Santos landed a solid knee to the body and the fighters were separated. Santos countered a leg kick with an overhand right. He followed up with a left hook to the body, but Yokota replied with a right hook and clinched. After another exchange of strikes, Yokota tried for a takedown, but Santos reversed and wound up on top in half-guard. Santos tried to secure an arm-triangle choke, but Yokota rolled and escaped. Yokota gave up his back, then scrambled and worked from Santos's guard. He stood up and landed a diving knee, then followed up with two stomps before the bell. Another very close round that should be 10-10.
One judge gave the second and third rounds to Santos, though they were definitely too close to go his way, but the other judges correctly awarded the decision to Yokota, who takes the win.
Winner: Kazunori Yokota by Split Decision (30-28, 30-29, 28-29) after three rounds. He improves to 9-2-3.
Alexandre "Xande" Ribeiro vs Keiichiro Yamamiya
Following a surprisingly competitive opening ten minutes, this light heavyweight fight ended with a bang when Ribeiro dropped Yamamiya with a counterpunch in round three and the referee jumped in to save the dazed veteran.The fighters circled each other and looked to find their range, and Ribeiro shot in for a takedown. Yamamiya defended and Ribeiro pinned him in the corner. The fighters seaprated and Yamamiya landed a lunging uppercut. Ribeiro came forward with punches and scored a takedown. Ribeiro moved to mount and postured up, then landed a flurry of punches. Yamamiya rolled and gave up his back, then fought off neck crank and rear naked choke attempts. Yamamiya rolled over again and Ribeiro transitioned into an armbar. Ribeiro secured the hold, but Yamamiya was barely saved by the bell. 10-9 Ribeiro.
Yamamiya pushed forward with a one-two in round two, then sprawled to avoid a takedown from Ribeiro. After a scramble, Ribeiro took Yamamiya down briefly, but Yamamiya stood up and the fighters clinched in the corner. The referee separated them and Ribeiro threw a head kick. Yamamiya pushed the pace and landed a knee in a Thai clinch, and Ribeiro pinned him in the corner again. Nothing happened, so the referee separated the fighters once more. Yamamiya scored with a one-two and just missed with an uppercut, but Ribeiro countered with a knee. Yamamiya closed in and landed a combination, then a left hook to the body. Ribeiro fired off another head kick, but Yamamiya blocked it. A second uppercut just missed for Yamamiya, and Ribeiro landed a quick combination. Yamamiya landed a flying knee, but was slammed to the mat. Ribeiro moved to mount as the round ended. 10-9 Yamamiya due to the slight striking advantage.
Round three began with a big exchange of punches, and Ribeiro mixed in two head kicks. Both fighters landed solid punches and Yamamiya staggered Ribeiro with a left cross. Yamamiya stalked forward and landed a right hook, but was dropped by a counter right hook from Ribeiro. A dazed Yamamiya rolled slowly onto his side as Ribeiro threw two more follow-up punches, and the referee waved off the fight. Ribeiro, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace, scores his second straight third-round knockout win.
Winner: Alexandre Ribeiro by KO (Punch) at 0:51 of round three. He improves to 2-0-0.
Makoto Takimoto vs "The Big Boss" Michael Costa
Originally contemplating retirement if he were to lose, Takimoto did not have to worry about making any career decisions, as he submitted Costa with a vicious heel hook midway through round one.Costa opened the fight with four leg kicks, then attempted a head kick and a flying knee. The fighters clinched and Takimoto scored a takedown, but Costa immediately secured a guillotine choke. Takimoto fought his way free and worked from half-guard, as Costa looked to sweep. Takimoto landed small punches from the top and elbowed Costa's ribs, then looked for an armbar. Costa avoided danger, but Takimoto rolled and transitioned into another armbar. Costa escaped and both fighters looked for leg locks at the same time. Costa spun and tried for a heel hook, but Takimoto survived it and locked on one of his own. Costa immediately tapped out to what appeared to be an extremely painful hold. Perhaps a career-saving victory for Takimoto.
Winner: Makoto Takimoto by Submission (Heel Hook) at 3:31 of round one. He improves to 5-5-0.
Stanislav Nedkov vs Travis "Diesel" Wiuff
In a fight that featured more low blows than Wiuff will care to remember, Nedkov was given two Red Cards (one point deduction apiece) in round one for knees to the groin, but battled back and finished Wiuff with punches early in the third round.Wiuff lunged with a left hook and tossed Nedkov to the mat, but Nedkov got right back up and clinched. He landed a knee to the groin of Wiuff, which resulted in brief stoppage. Action resumed, and Nedkov lunged with a left hook this time, which led to another clinch. The fighters traded knees and Wiuff was hit below the belt again. The referee separated the fighters and they quickly clinched a third time. Again, Nedkov landed a low knee and Wiuff stayed down for quite some time. Nedkov was given a Red Card and action eventually resumed. Another clinch ensued and the audience was weary of another low blow. Sure enough, after landing a combination and clinching a second time, Nedkov landed yet another low knee. Wiuff once again took a considerable amount of time to recover and Nedkov received a second Red Card. One more and he would be disqualified. Another clinch was quickly broken up by the referee, and Nedkov landed wild hooks that sent Wiuff to the mat. He followed up with more punches until the bell finally ended the round. 9-8 Wiuff.
The fighters clinched again in round two and Nedkov landed a legal knee to the body, but Wiuff scored a takedown. He landed punches from half-guard until Nedkov made use of butterfly guard to maintain distance. Wiuff continued to score with short punches and hammerfists, but Nedkov tied him up and prevented Wiuff from doing any damage. The fight was stood up and Nedkov landed a big right hook. Wiuff clinched and Nedkov pressed him into the corner. The referee separated the fighters and Wiuff scored with a punching combination. He used a guillotine choke to push Nedkov to the mat and landed punches from half-guard. Wiuff postured up and threw more strikes, but Nedkov once again prevented him from landing anything solid. Wiuff managed to land two decent punches before the bell. 10-9 Wiuff.
Nedkov dropped Wiuff with a right cross just seconds into the third round and immediately followed up with more punches on the ground. Wiuff struggled to hold on and fell to his back, where he ate more big shots from Nedkov. Wiuff's head fell through the ropes, but Nedkov continued to land punches and the referee had seen enough. From the brink of disqualification in round one, Nedkov completes the unlikely comeback with a third-round TKO victory.
Winner: Stanislav Nedkov by TKO (Punches) at 0:39 of round three. He improves to 7-0-0.
Akihiko Mouri vs Maximo "Maxi" Blanco
Winning in the most unenviable of circumstances, Mouri was dropped by a punch from Blanco, but Blanco made a fatal error by soccer kicking his nearly-unconscious foe, which was an illegal strike and left a dazed Mouri unquestionably unable to continue. As a result, Mouri was declared the winner by disqualification.Blanco opened the fight with wild hooks and was caught by a counter left from Mouri. He clinched and landed knees, then scored a takedown. Blanco, bleeding from the nose due to the opening punch from Mouri, landed strikes from the top. Mouri locked on a tight armbar, but Blanco rolled and twisted free. He looked to take Mouri's back, but had to settle for holding Mouri in place. After landing a few punches, Blanco tried for a rear naked choke. Mouri landed elbows to Blanco's leg until the referee stood the fighters up. The fight resumed and Blanco dropped Mouri with a left hook. He followed up with a stomp and punches from side-control. Mouri survived and tried for a kneebar, but Blanco escaped back to his feet. Mouri threw wild punches, but met with little success, and Blanco drilled him with uppercuts and a flying knee. Blanco landed a spinning back kick to the ribs and a left hook, then dropped Mouri with a lead right hook. He then illegally soccer kicked Mouri as the Japanese fighter crumpled to the canvas.
Time was called while the referees determined the next course of action, and Mouri was deemed unfit to continue. Blanco, who was literally one second away from a knockout victory, cost himself the fight with an errant foul. Definitely an unfortunate way to lose for Blanco, though Mouri likely won't be having many fond memories of the bout, either.
Winner: Akihiko Mouri by Disqualification (Illegal Soccer Kick) at 4:15 of round one. He improves to 7-6-1.
Undercard Fights:
Shigeki Osawa defeated Kota Ishibashi by Unanimous Decision (20-18, 20-19, 20-19) after two rounds. Osawa dominated the fight with takedowns and strikes from top position, while Ishibashi was given a Yellow Card in round two for stalling. Osawa picks up his second victory in less than a month, while Ishibashi has yet to score a win in four career bouts. Osawa improves to 2-0-0 with the win.Hirotoshi Saito defeated Yoshitaka Abe by Submission (Armbar) at 2:52 of round one. Saito dropped Abe very early in the fight and landed stomps to his downed opponent, but had to fight off guillotine and heel hook attempts from a game Abe. Saito soon looked to take Abe's back, then transitioned into an armbar that forced Abe to submit. Saito improves to 3-1-1 with the win.
With all four Featherweight Grand Prix bouts proving to be highly entertaining, it is clear that the future is bright for World Victory Road, and the promotion will continue its growth at "Sengoku IX" in August.
