Manabu Yamada Appreciation Thread!

[MiroHa]

Not only was Sayama way ahead of his time, but so we're many of the Shooto guys. There is a big misconception that MMA fighters have only, in recent years, been well rounded, but early shooto disproves a lot of that.

I have some Shooto events from 91-92, and you can see fighters work agressive open guards, a lot of leg lock savvy, good striking, and good judo on display.

Really the only thing that didn't really mesh was that the gloves in Shooto resembeled Boxing gloves, until 94 or so when they switched over to the more modern mma style ones that we see today.

Speaking of ahead of its time... Rumina Sato won a fight with an inverted flying triangle.... back in 95... in Shooto.

Yeah you could argue Shooto was fifteen years ahead of North American MMA skill-wise.

 

[Bluesbreaker]

An real interesting guy since he started out in Shooto but then transitioned into Pancrase, making him a part of the early years of both organizations.

Also, wasn't he the guy that Bas Rutten choked out with an arm-triangle choke despite being on the bottom?

To be fair, Bas pulled a number of submissions out of his arse!

 

[RichardPriors]

Those achievements speak for themselves, what a great fighter.

It's a shame shooto and Pancrase don't get the love fhey deserve. They really were ahead of their time and showcased some amazing talent.

 

[JohnMandick]

I read the name and my first thought was "what a head of hair".

Nice to know I'm still remembering the important stuff.

Good job, past me.

 

[Mbetz1981]

Good job, past me.

Indeed. Both Yamada, and Frank Shamrock always represented a fashionable/well-groomed dome.

 

[JohnMandick]

Indeed. Both Yamada, and Frank Shamrock always represented a fashionable/well-groomed dome.

Frank had a solid helmet for sure. And he's passed the torch to Henry Cejudo who MUST be cast in the remake of CHIPS.

 

[Mbetz1981]

Frank had a solid helmet for sure. And he's passed the torch to Henry Cejudo who MUST be cast in the remake of CHIPS.

Let's not forget the well coiffed stylings of Jason Delucia.

Frank had a solid helmet for sure. And he's passed the torch to Henry Cejudo who MUST be cast in the remake of CHIPS.