Mamoru was the champion back in 2006. And in his second title defense he faced BJ. The fight went all the way to the end for a draw. Then in October of the same year BJ finished Mamoru with a rear naked choke in just one minute thirty eight seconds in the first round and became a new world champion at Shooto's bantamweight category.

After defending a title against Yasuhiro Urushitani in March 2007 BJ decided to step up to 135 lbs & under category. BJ, who has an experience of fighting in the states (MFC - 11/05/2005), has always been aware of what is happening outside Japan. If you fight only in these Japanese Shooto shows, it feels like this is the only place for lightweight fighters. However BJ knew that this is not the case. Right now, for the lightweight guys, the best place to claim the "best in the world" status would be WEC. But BJ also knew the lightest weight class in this Zuffa-owned organization is 135 lbs. Therefore BJ wanted to try the 135 lbs. & under category but the reality was much tougher than he expected.

BJ fought a more than even fight against Eduarte Dantas in July 2007 but lost via decision, then challenged this new weight class again by taking on So Tazawa in November. In this fight, again, BJ fought well but at the end of third got defeated by Tazawa's armbar. BJ's record in this Nevada state sanctioned bantamweight (135 lbs.) became 0-2. And now he is back in Shooto's bantamweight (123 lbs.) division and defending his title against Mamoru in the upcoming Shooto show on July 18th. BJ, at the press conference held at the Sustain office located at the Ebisu, Tokyo, talked about last year's challenge in the Shooto's featherweight category (132 lbs.), "The strategy was different at bantamweight. I thought I could just take them on without studying the opponent and studying myself. I have realized what kind of training I need to win in that division." BJ sounded like he is taking these two losses as good lessons for his game. As a champion at Shooto's bantamweight category BJ seemed very excited to face Mamoru again, "I am honored to be able to fight Mamoru, whom I respect, for the third time. Just as lightweight fighters all get psyched up to fight Rumina Sato, I am feeling the same. The champion is supposed to be the top guy and in order for me to show more, it’s way more than just winning and losing, I have to show my 'way of life'. I felt the same when I was challenging at the new weight class, so I want to do the same against Mamoru."

Yusuke Endo (left) and Kenichirou Togashi (right) signing the title match contract at the press conference.

Other fights on the card include the Pacific Rim welterweight title bout between Yusuke Endo and Kenichirou Togashi and a lightweight bout between Wicky Akiyo and Matteus Lahdesmaki from Finland. The Welterweight Pacific Rim champion spot has been vacant since former champ Takashi Nakakura became world champ in May of this year therefore a new champ will be decided between number one ranked Endo and number five ranked Togashi. Both fighters attended a press conference. Endo told the reporters, "For me every fight is as heavy as the title fight. The title will come to me if I keep winning so I am not thinking so much about the title" and discussing his opponent, "He has very few holes in his game. No one captured him in the standing game so I would like to try. In terms of his ground game, he pulls guard, and likes to attack from the bottom so I would like to be careful with the submissions and keep pounding from the top." On the other end Togashi was obviously hungry for the belt, "It’s the tenth year anniversary year for Paraestra so I want to get the belt back to were it belongs (the founder of Paraestra) Yuki Nakai." Togashi usually trains at the Paraestra Hiroshima branch but he has been training in Tokyo headquarters, "There are so many good sparring partners so I can train in the same way as the actual fight. I am looking to dominate both standing and on the ground."

Although this is not his first Japanese appearance, for Lahdesmaki, who was a regular of Shooto shows in Finland since 2004, this is going to be his first Japanese Shooto fight. Back in 2006 Matteus fought undefeated Tornado Song (Un Sik Song) in the MARS show. He came up short in this fight but Lahdesmaki showed a variety of top-notch techniques including a hanging armbar and impressed many Japanese MMA fans. On top of this Lahdesmaki later revealed that he was fighting Song with a broken fist so he may become a surprise force in Shooto's lightweight category. His opponent Wicky at the June 21st Shooto show, stepped up to the ring and told the fans, "I don't know anything about the opponent but please just come and see the fight. I am going to show what kind of a genius I am!"

SHOOTO

Friday July 18th, 2008

At Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan

Doors Open - 17:00

Fight Starts - 18:00

Confirmed Cards (Subject to Change):

The Main Event - Bantamweight World Title Bout 5 min / 3R

BJ (Japan / Katsumura Dojo) vs. Mamoru (Japan / Shooting Gym Yokohama)

Welterweight Pacific Rim Title Bout 5 min / 3R

Yusuke Endo (Japan / GOKITA GYM) vs. Kenichirou Togashi (Japan / Paraestra Hiroshima)

Lightweight Bout 5 min / 3R

Wicky Akiyo (Japan / Shooting Gym Yokohama) vs. Matteus Lahdesmaki (Finland)

Welterweight Bout 5 min / 3R

Shinji Sasaki (Japan / MMA Dojo Burst) vs. Jin Kazeta (Japan / Philoctetes Niigata)

Flyweight Bout 5 min / 3R

Takehiro Harusaki (Japan / Chokushin-kai Shooto GYMS) vs. Shinya Murofushi (Japan / SUBMIT Shizuoka)

Featherweight Bout 5 min / 3R

Hiroyuki Tanaka (Japan / Chokushin-kai Kakutougi Dojo) vs. Hiromasa Ogikubo (Japan / Paraestra Matsudo)

Featherweight Bout 5 min / 2R

Teriyuki Matsumoto (Japan / Shooting Gym Osaka) vs. Takehiro Hosoi (Japan / Paraestra Matsudo)

Ticket Prices:

RS - 10,000 yen

SS - 8,000 yen

S - 6,000 yen

A - 5,000 yen

*All tickets 500 yen more at the door.