DEEP has been one of the most consistent middle-sized MMA promotion in the world for the past couple years. With majority of Japanese talents outside Shooto participating, DEEP has been very popular as the gate away show to the PRIDE. Almost all shows in Tokyo were sell-out and from last year started small shows away from Tokyo area and those shows are supported by local sponsors in each of these areas. It was a clear sign that DEEP has built its status in the Japanese market. However since PRIDE disappeared, DEEP lost the main theme of the show, which is "road to PRIDE." But with all of these young Japanese talents DEEP needed a way to create the "story" or "them" that communicates well with the fans. And it seems like the show is heading back to the original. Kakutougi Pleasure Box. The show filled with every aspect of fight sports. I mean after all, this is the promotion that produced a mask-man pro-wrestler Dos Caras Jr. to fight in MMA bouts. In this show, The Main Event was so-called "unofficial heavyweight title bout" which sort of sounds like a pro-wrestling gimmick, then there was a battle between MMA fighter and pro-wrestler and a popular female MMA fighter vs. a young champion from Muay Thai. However, on this date, DEEP didn't sell out Korakuen Hall. In fact, no one has seen that many empty seats in DEEP show. DEEP has one more show in 2007 and that is going to be in Osaka but the card doesn't reflect much "theme" except Japan vs. Korea three-on-three battle and DEEP champion MIKU taking on a Muay Thai fighter. So what is the direction DEEP is taking in year 2008? The only continuing story DEEP has at this point is middleweight tournament to decide the champ, lightweight title bout of Kazunori Yokota, and who would challenge MIKU for woman's lightweight title. Is that enough to attract fans? Let's hope so because after all DEEP is a treasure box full of young talents.

DEEP Unofficial Heavyweight Title Bout

Hidetada Irie is somehow very comical. In this fight, he jumped guard tried the rubber guard but his leg just didn't extend well. In the second round, he came forward with his head and ended up head butting Yuji Sakuragi and when Sakuragi went down, Irie tells the referee, "Hey its a knock down, why don't you count!" Obviously Irie didn't even know that DEEP MMA rules does not have a knock down count. Sakuragi got up told Irie, "It was a head butt!" Then Irie replied, "Really? Sorry!" Then Irie clinched pushed Sakuragi to the corner threw rabbit punches but those punches look like it was just touching Sakuragi's head. Not causing any damage whatsoever. In the third round, Sakuragi started to land spinning back kick and left kick to the middle, then Irie started to lay on the ground to avoid striking battle. The referee told Irie to stand up several times, but he ended up repeating strike a little and lay on the ground routing till the end.

All judges called the bout draw but Irie was not happy, "That is strange! I didn't lose any point during the fight. I am putting my life and retirement on the line for this bout." Irie continued talking in the ring but for sure he didn't deserve a win because of all these head butts and being too passive in the third round.

Hisae Watanabe is just thinking about one thing and that is to get DEEP title back from MIKU.

Jutaro Nakao vs. Pang Sung Hwan

Majority of the first round, both Jutaro Nakao and Pang Sung Hwan either looked at each other or clinched on the corner. The referee warned both of them few times to be more aggressive. Second round was the same so the referee Kimura said, "Attack more". Then Pang Sung threw right high kick and then backed off Nakao. Then the Korean just came forward with punches and finally landed left hook for a KO win. After the fight Pang Sung expressed his desire to challenge the title. DEEP head Shigeru Saeki, after the show decided that he would let Pang Sung challenge the current champion Kazunori Yokota.

Hisae vs. Lookjuapoakum

Both fighters stood like they are ready to strike. Genkaam Lookjuapoakum threw left kick to the middle, then Hisae Watanabe immediately countered with kicks to the leg. Everyone in the Korakuen Hall was expecting these girls to exchange guns but when they clinched, Hisae jumped guard, and went for the armbar and that was the end. Before the fight, Hisae told the media that she is looking to finish the fight with a strike, but it ended up in submission, and the crowd seemed disappointed. But Hisae grabbed the microphone and explained, "Today I wanted to try few things but more than anything, I didn't want to lose. From next year, please come and see the fight to decide the next challenger for the title."

Namekawa vs. The Pro-Wrestler

Hirohito Namekawa knocked down Stalker Ichikawa with a straight left, then took the neck for the guillotine choke and it was all over. Namekawa seemed like he was taking bit easy against this pro-wrestler with no MMA experience but Ichikawa's kick looked well extended and he did sprawl well. After the fight Namekawa apologized, "I thought he can not do anything. I am sorry." Stalker responded, "I appreciate his big heart."

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