The way of Samurai.
I am not talking about the film by Jean Pierre Melville or Jim Jirmusch.
It's about the new event which begins next month at Saitama Super Arena but many of us are not well informed about the details.
The only thing we know for sure is that it's named "PRIDE - Bushido" and it's going to be an event mainly for MMA fighters in the light-middle weight category.
The site and the date are already set but basically we still don't know what we're gonna see on the 5th of the next month.
But from what I hear from Dream Stage Entertainment (DSE), this one is going to be way more than just a lighter weight division of the Pride Fighting Championship.
It is about Bushido.
Yes, the word itself emits the feeling of "Japanese chivalry."
It is indeed about the Samurai spirit.
The word "Bushido" literally translates to "the way of Samurai," and most of the time, the way of Samurai is found only in death.

But of course, it's not about fighting till the death. After all, it's not a cage fight we've seen in Mad Max movies.
It is about being on the edge, testing your will and courage.
I immediately knew that when Nobuyuki Sakakibara, the president of DSE, started to emphasize terms such as "Ishu-Kakutougi (mixed fight)" and "Taiko-sen (dual meet)" to describe the essence of Pride-Bushido.
The direct translation of "Ishu-Kakutougi" is "mixed martial arts" but it actually means "mixed fight" for the Japanese fight fans. "Mixed fight" is a little different from "mixed martial arts." The word "mixed fight" represents an aura of a mixed martial arts fight from an era before "MMA" became a "category" in professional sports.

"Mixed fight" is a duel.
It's a showdown between representatives from two different fight disciplines. Just like Helio Gracie vs. Masahiko Kimura or Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki.
It is about putting everything on the line. The fight discipline you believed in, the successful career you have enjoyed in your own sport. It is about crossing that dangerous line, and that is the "Ishu-Kakutougi."
This sure does sound pretty old considering the fact that the world is now filled with MMA fighters who practice punching, kicking, grappling, submission, and everything you need to know in a combat situations.

DSE however wants to create the aura of the "do-or-die" duel.
It is that electricity in the air, which you can only experience in the ultimate showdown situation.
Butterflies in the stomach, goose bumps all over your body, all from the anticipation and the expectation. DSE wants to create that same excitement for the fans.
The same theory does apply for the concept of "Taiko-sen (dual meet)."
The word "Taiko-sen" also actually means way more than just a "dual meet." It is about the battle between two different teams, or gyms, or fight disciplines.
In the old days in Japan, when two gyms collided, there used to be "Taiko-sen" between them and the winning side usually took the signboard away from the loosing side, and it meant the end of business operation for that gym.
Back then, "Taiko-sen" was indeed the "do-or-die" battle.

I believe DSE wants that "vibe" back in the sport.
It is a touch more than just two top athletes fighting in the spot for a "ranking."
I believe that's the reason why fighters like Peter Aerts and Mario Sperry entered the ring when Antonio Inoki announced the beginning of Pride-Bushido immediately after the intermission at Pride GP 2003: Total Elimination. Sure, there were also a bunch of light-middle weight fighters like Hayato "Mach" Sakurai or Daijyu Takase in the ring at the same time. But I think the presence of fighters like Aerts and Sperry definitely sent a clear message to fans that "Taiko-sen" between K-1 and the Brazilian Top Team is now in the horizon.

"Mixed fight" is a duel.
It's a showdown between representatives from two different fight disciplines. Just like Helio Gracie vs. Masahiko Kimura or Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki.
It is about putting everything on the line. The fight discipline you believed in, the successful career you have enjoyed in your own sport. It is about crossing that dangerous line, and that is the "Ishu-Kakutougi."
This sure does sound pretty old considering the fact that the world is now filled with MMA fighters who practice punching, kicking, grappling, submission, and everything you need to know in a combat situations.
DSE however wants to create the aura of the "do-or-die" duel.
It is that electricity in the air, which you can only experience in the ultimate showdown situation.
Butterflies in the stomach, goose bumps all over your body, all from the anticipation and the expectation. DSE wants to create that same excitement for the fans.
The same theory does apply for the concept of "Taiko-sen (dual meet)."
The word "Taiko-sen" also actually means way more than just a "dual meet." It is about the battle between two different teams, or gyms, or fight disciplines.
In the old days in Japan, when two gyms collided, there used to be "Taiko-sen" between them and the winning side usually took the signboard away from the loosing side, and it meant the end of business operation for that gym.
Back then, "Taiko-sen" was indeed the "do-or-die" battle.
I believe DSE wants that "vibe" back in the sport.
It is a touch more than just two top athletes fighting in the spot for a "ranking."
I believe that's the reason why fighters like Peter Aerts and Mario Sperry entered the ring when Antonio Inoki announced the beginning of Pride-Bushido immediately after the intermission at Pride GP 2003: Total Elimination. Sure, there were also a bunch of light-middle weight fighters like Hayato "Mach" Sakurai or Daijyu Takase in the ring at the same time. But I think the presence of fighters like Aerts and Sperry definitely sent a clear message to fans that "Taiko-sen" between K-1 and the Brazilian Top Team is now in the horizon.
Pride Fighting Championship will continue to be the battleground for the top ranked MMA fighters in the world but I have a feeling that this Pride-Bushido series is going to be the testing ground for top fighters in the world and each sport itself. Think of it this way, it would be very exciting to see the rematch between B.J. Penn and Caol Uno but I believe fans will be more thrilled to see B.J. taking on Masato, the current K-1 World MAX champion. However, Masato is not a top ranked MMA fighter. Creating an exciting duel instead of following the basic rules of fight sports, which is usually based on the concept of ranking, is this good for the sport?

I really don't know and that's why I think Pride-Bushido is going to be the "testing ground."