With so much uncertainty in his native country’s MMA scene, Ikuhisa Minowa began branching off from his usual stomping grounds.
The U.S. was always an attractive option, but he was always under
contract with the biggest Japanese promotions, who relentlessly employed
him for his showmanship and willingness to fight anyone – really,
anyone.
When those promotions fell into disrepair, Minowa had talks with the UFC
to appear in the promotion’s return to Japan at UFC 144. His profile
popped up on their website. But the contract never got done.