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They just held a press conference
What we know so far
- Teams will consist of 5 members whose combined weight can not exceed 430kg
- 1v1 matches, the winning grappler continues on, the team with the last man standing wins.
- matches will be 10 minutes long unless there is more than 20kg difference between competitors, in which case it's a 5 minute match
- submission only, time limit draw eliminates both grapplers.
- if a winner is not decided after both teams have exhausted their competitors then extension matches will happen until a winner is decided
- Rules are still being adjusted but for now heel hooks and closed guard are banned. Sakuraba says the heel hook ban is due to the high chance of injury with the holds, an injury would kill the team aspect
- competitors must wear a rash guard
- first event on April 11th at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. Will air through AbemaTV
The teams so far
What we know so far
- Teams will consist of 5 members whose combined weight can not exceed 430kg
- 1v1 matches, the winning grappler continues on, the team with the last man standing wins.
- matches will be 10 minutes long unless there is more than 20kg difference between competitors, in which case it's a 5 minute match
- submission only, time limit draw eliminates both grapplers.
- if a winner is not decided after both teams have exhausted their competitors then extension matches will happen until a winner is decided
- Rules are still being adjusted but for now heel hooks and closed guard are banned. Sakuraba says the heel hook ban is due to the high chance of injury with the holds, an injury would kill the team aspect
- competitors must wear a rash guard
- first event on April 11th at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. Will air through AbemaTV
The teams so far
Hideo Tokoro - everyone's favorite janitor. Fits in with the underlying catch/shoot influences of the team, being heavily inspired by Volk Han
Marcos de Souza - current Welterweight champ of REAL FC, and accomplished competitor from a BJJ and judo family. His grappling lineage traces back to Mitsuyo Maeda.
Kazushi Sakuraba - hopefully no introduction is needed, this is his project
Josh Barnett - Former UFC Heavyweight champion, arguably the current face of catch wrestling in the west
Daisuke Nakamura - former DEEP Lightweight champion. Known for his wrestling boots and sideburns.
Marcos de Souza - current Welterweight champ of REAL FC, and accomplished competitor from a BJJ and judo family. His grappling lineage traces back to Mitsuyo Maeda.
Kazushi Sakuraba - hopefully no introduction is needed, this is his project
Josh Barnett - Former UFC Heavyweight champion, arguably the current face of catch wrestling in the west
Daisuke Nakamura - former DEEP Lightweight champion. Known for his wrestling boots and sideburns.
Dan Strauss - Roger Gracie black belt
Craig Jones - 2x ADCC trials champion and IBJJF world no-gi world champ (purple belt). Holds wins over Leandro Lo and Chael Sonnen.
Gregor Gracie - black belt under Renzo and took 3rd at the 2009 ADCC Worlds
Charles Negromonte - won numerous European BJJ tournaments and took 3rd at the 2011 IBJJF Worlds (brown belt). One of the head coaches at Roger Gracie's gym
Caol Uno - a pioneer of MMA, he still grapples occasionally, winning the ZST tag tournament a few years ago
Craig Jones - 2x ADCC trials champion and IBJJF world no-gi world champ (purple belt). Holds wins over Leandro Lo and Chael Sonnen.
Gregor Gracie - black belt under Renzo and took 3rd at the 2009 ADCC Worlds
Charles Negromonte - won numerous European BJJ tournaments and took 3rd at the 2011 IBJJF Worlds (brown belt). One of the head coaches at Roger Gracie's gym
Caol Uno - a pioneer of MMA, he still grapples occasionally, winning the ZST tag tournament a few years ago
Marius Zaromskis - DREAM Welterweight GP champ
Mykyta Mikhno
Teodoras Aukstuolis - RIZIN World Grand Prix 2015 semifinalist, Lithuanian combat sambo champion, 2017 World combat sambo runner-up (100kg)
Mindaugas Verzbickas - European combat Sambo champion
Sergej Grecicho - 3x sambo World champion
Mykyta Mikhno
Teodoras Aukstuolis - RIZIN World Grand Prix 2015 semifinalist, Lithuanian combat sambo champion, 2017 World combat sambo runner-up (100kg)
Mindaugas Verzbickas - European combat Sambo champion
Sergej Grecicho - 3x sambo World champion
Bu Kyung Jung - got thrown into the deep end in MMA immediately but was competitive despite losing every fight. Olympic silver medalist in judo
Satoshi Ishii - Olympic gold medalist in judo
Dong Sik Yoon - World bronze medalist in judo
Satoshi Ishii - Olympic gold medalist in judo
Dong Sik Yoon - World bronze medalist in judo
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